Holiday accommodation and airbnb in Girona

Visit Girona: a Catalonian treasure trove!

An ode to the medieval history of Catalonia, Girona has barely changed since its creation over a thousand years ago. It's actually the largest city in Catalonia, and with that comes a kaleidoscope of museums, galleries, ancient buildings, and beautiful churches dotting the skyline. Plus, it's also home to a thriving nightlife and dining scene – as one of the best destinations outside of Barcelona, Girona is the best place to choose a holiday rental in Catalonia if you crave a beautiful weekend getaway.

Best time to visit

Girona Girona is one of those idyllic cities where there's never a bad time to visit. come during the summer months from June until late September and enjoy the marvellous sunshine as you wander along the city's walls, or visit during the winter if you'd rather explore the numerous museums tucked away along the winding streets. Typically, the peak season is July and August, which makes September the perfect time to go if you want the heat, but you would rather avoid the expensive holiday rentals and crowds of tourists. In terms of festivals and events, March sees Girona's "Gastronomy Week", where restaurants from around the area create special menus designed to showcase the best of Girona cuisine. There's also the Temporada Alta Theatre Festival in October through to December, which sees performers from all over the world descend on Girona, as well as a presentation of new talents.

How to get there

Located in Catalonian on the north-east coast of Spain, Girona is easily accessed from across the UK, most efficiently by flying, from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol airport. There is a flight duration of just over two hours before landing into Girona Costa Brava Airport, which is around a 20 minute drive to Girona city centre. Alternatively, many Brits choose to visit Girona while already holidaying in Spain, but it is easy to see why when you consider Girona's close position to so many popular destinations. Reserve a holiday apartment in Barcelona and jump abroad the train for only half an hour, and you will find yourself in the heart of Girona!

Where to Stay in Girona

The Jewish Quarter

Girona's Jewish Quarter has really stood the test of time; the Spanish Jews were expelled from the country over 500 years ago by the Catholic Monarchs, and yet the original ghetto that first began to take shape in the 12th century is still very much intact. The quarter as it is today developed over 300 years until it became one of the largest in Spain, and it's still visited by thousands of people every year looking to witness the stone walls and tiny alleyways that lead to secret gardens. If you're looking for a luxury holiday rental in the Jewish Quarter, then the Hotel Historic is the best place to go. Tucked away inside a 9th century building, the hotel is one of the few in Girona that is actually inside the Quarter, creating an atmosphere that perfectly blends the ancient history with modern comforts. Rambla de la Llibertat For a cosy short-term apartment rental, Ramble de la Llibertat is the best place in Girona. A world away from the winding cobbled streets of the old town, Ramble de la Llibertat is the hub of the city. With wide pedestrianised streets lined with stores and restaurants, it's the perfect place to settle in, head for a coffee, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of daily life in Girona. Plus, on Saturday's the Ramble de la Llibertat plays host to a fabulous flower market.

Costa Brava

Not all of Girona is exquisite architecture and historical monuments. In fact, the Girona province is also home to some of the best beaches in Spain – although you wouldn't expect it at a first glance. Costa Brava is well known around the world, notably for being a Spanish holiday destination that's avoided becoming, well, a typical tourist Spanish destination. Gone are the cabaret bars and tacky tourist strips; instead, Costa Brava is home to chic boutique stores, local restaurants serving traditional and freshly made cuisine, and tranquil coves perfect for paddling. If you're looking for holiday villas in Girona, Costa Brava is the place to come.

What to do in Girona

Walk along the Medieval Walls

First built nearly two thousand years ago by the Romans, the walls of Girona have been expanded over time, most recently during the 1300s. today, they are still restored regularly – mostly to keep up with the volume of tourists brought to the walls every year – and it's the perfect place to take a relaxing walk along the ramparts that cover nearly the entirety of the old part of town. There are a number of watchtowers placed strategically along the walls, with stairways up to the best view in the city, spanning across Girona's skyline.

Girona cathedral

The cathedral might not look like much from afar, but it's one of the most impressive buildings in Girona – if you've got a good eye for history and architecture. Not built all at once, there are a number of different architectural styles that have contributed to the cathedral's appearances; while the main layout is typically gothic – with the widest gothic nave in the world – it has also touches of the Romanesque hidden away in the bell-tower and its twin arches, both built during the 12th century. Nearby, there's also the museum that showcases the "Tapestry of Creation", Girona's very own Bayeux Tapestry that dates back as far as the 11th century, making it nearly a thousand years old.

Museum of Jewish History

The Jewish community has played an important part in Girona's culture – which is phenomenal, considering the Spanish Jews were deported and expelled from the country by Catholic Monarchs during the late 1400s. at its peak, the Jewish community here was one of the most important in all of Europe, with the Kabbalistic school being a hub for important Jewish thinkers and poets. The Museum of Jewish History sheds a light on this community; how they lived, worked, and socialised, with a number of contemporary documents and artefacts on display that were discovered in the Jewish Quarter. The museum is home to 11 different galleries and exhibitions, including the Synagogue where visitors can admire the 14th century stone etching of the Psalm of David, all in the traditional Hebrew.

Arab Baths

Famous baths may be more commonly associated with Bath in England, or the Hungarian baths in Budapest, but Girona has some of its own that deserve equal amounts of attention. Just a short walk from the cathedral, the baths here were once outside the city walls – until the city grew over the years and developed around them. Now, they're one of the focal points in the centre of town, with a number of different influences and origins: Romanesque, medieval, Moorish, and Greco-Roman. The focal point for these baths is actually the changing rooms – traditionally known as the apodyteriym – which features an octagonal pool surrounded by 8 columns, each one topped with ornately carved capitals that serve as the support for the horseshoe arches above.

Archaeology Museum

Part of the Museum of Catalonia, the Archaeology Museum is set in the exquisite 12th century home of the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants. While the exhibitions here are second to none, with pieces form prehistory all the way up until the arrival of the Visigoths, including a number of Roman and Ancient Greek artefacts, the real treasure in this archaeology museum is the architecture of the building itself. Adorned with historic details, beautifully carved capitals on the arches, and more, the building as a monastery until 1835 when it was confiscated by the state lending it an interesting history for visitors to unravel.

Plaza de la Independencia

Essential a 19th century square in the middle of Girona, the Plaza de la Independencia is surrounded by a number of different arcades, restaurants, bars and more, making it the perfect place to take the load off your feet and have a cosy catchup with friends over an iced coffee, or refreshing cocktail. A number of different historical influences on the town can be seen here: notably the neoclassical apartment buildings, many of which have been dedicated to those who lost their lives defending Girona from the French in 1808 and 1809.

Film Museum

Despite its name, the Film Museum isn't actually dedicated to the films and movies that litter our screens today, but rather it's interested in the process it took over the years to get to the level of cinematography we're now capable of. Starting with the original magic lanterns and camera obscura from the medieval times, the exhibitions move through the centuries showcasing notable leaps forward in film technology. The 19th century exhibition, for instance, depicts the arrival of photography, while the more modern artefacts include fantastic memorabilia items from films such as Rebel Without a Cause and Casablanca.