Chances are that many culinary travelers to the Costa Brava will travel through Girona, and they should. Girona city is the capital of the province of Girona. The surrounding area is also referred to as Gironès. This is an area that extends beyond the city. Beyond that lies the remainder of the Costa Brava, including the Emporda and La Selva.

Where is Girona

Girona lies at the confluence of two rivers, the River Ter to the west, and the River Onyar, which divides the main part of the city. East of the River Onyar is Barri Vell, or the Old Town. Barri Vell’s river front is flanked by three and four story, brightly painted buildings, which feature prominently in traveler’s photos.

On the west bank of the River Onyar is the more commercial City Center, and spreading south from there is the City Center Migdia. West of the City Center is the large Parc de la Devesa, which hosts a large public market Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

Recent Costa Brava Girona Reviews and Posts

Our Costa Brava Girona travel guide includes hotel and restaurant reviews, along with advice on what to do in Girona.

Girona Hotels and Accommodations

There are a handful of chain hotels in Girona, including a Double Tree by Hilton, an AC by Marriott, a Melia, and two Ibis hotels. But, for the most part, Girona offers historic or boutique hotels, as well as apartment rentals.

There is some romance to staying in Barri Vell, but most of the area is pedestrian only, or at least unfriendly to cars. If renting a car, it might be better to stay in the city center to avoid driving through some of the more narrow medieval alleyways that make Barri Vell so pretty. There are a handful of public lots on the outer edges of the city center, some with parking as low as €8 a day. There are two such lots near the train station. Also, if staying connected via WiFi is a concern, the city center is more connected, as many cell phones don’t make it through the thick, medieval stone walls of Barri Vell.

Only in Costa Brava Recommends using Booking.com for Girona hotels and accommodations. They have the largest inventory of hotels in the Costa Brava.

Get The Best Prices on Girona Hotels Here

Dining In Girona

When talking of Costa Brava Restaurants, there are two names consistently mentioned: el Bulli and El Celler de Can Roca. When dining at Can Roca, the experience is not entirely about the food. It’s a pilgrimage. It’s insight into the history of Catalan cuisine, and how it is perceived today around the world, in great part because of the creativity and spirit of the Catalan people. But, it’s also in great part because of the world-class ingredients found through Catalonia.

Girona Tours and Activities

Whether staying in Girona, or stopping in for a day trip from Barcelona, or from the Costa Brava, there are loads of activities to keep anyone entertained, and educated. Here are our recommended day tours within Girona.

Costa Brava Girona Travel Tips

For travelers to Girona, there are some amazing hotels right within the city.

See TripAdvisor Reviews of the Top Costa Brava Girona Hotels for 2020