The Best Activities in Gerona

There are plenty of things to see and do in Girona during your time in Catalonia, especially if you're interested in its incredible historical past or its easy connection to numerous nearby destinations ranging from paradisiacal beaches to beautiful mountain regions.

Located just 45 minutes away from Barcelona, a trip toGirona is an ideal holiday plan, especially if you're going to Catalonia during the high tourist season, as this city is significantly less frequented by mass tourism. Especially if you are going to Catalonia during the high tourist season, as this is a city significantly less frequented by mass tourism.

If you are going on holiday to beautiful Girona soon, take the following list of activities as advice, so that you can structure an itinerary with the best options that the city has to offer.

People looking to learn a little about the history of Girona, its people and the evolution of the city should take a moment to visit the best museums in Girona. The alternative is excellent if you're going to be in the city for several days.

Despite its small size, Girona has several interesting museums focused on different interests. Here is a list of some of my favourites but I recommend visiting as many as possible.

Girona Cinema Museum

One of the most popular and interesting; founded in 1998 it was the first museum entirely focused on cinema in Spain. It includes a fabulous collection of objects that traces the history of cinema from its beginnings to the present day.

• Price: approximately €6 per adult ticket.
• Opening hours: every day from 10am to 6pm.
• Address: Carrer de la Sèquia no. 1; in the Mercadal area.

Museum of Jewish History

The best place to learn about the Jewish history not only of Girona but also of Catalonia in general. It is located inside an old synagogue built in Girona in the 15th century.

• Price: approximately €4 per adult ticket.
• Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Mondays until 2pm.
• Address: Carrer de la Força no. 8, in the heart of Girona's Jewish Quarter.

Art Museum in Girona

The GironaArt Museum houses an extensive collection of art from the counties of Girona. It covers the evolution from the Romanesque period to the 20th century.

• Price: around €6 for an adult ticket.
• Opening times: closed Mondays, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. Sundays until 2pm.
• Address: located in Pujada de la Catedral street, in the Old Quarter near Girona Cathedral.

Girona has many interesting tours that I recommend to really get to know the city's historical past. They are experiences designed for travellers visiting Girona for the first time to discover the most representative places.

What I will see on these tours

What you will see on the excursions will depend mainly on the type of Girona tour you decide to take. You'll find everything from comprehensive options that cover a range of attractions, to ultra-specific tours that focus on a specific theme.

Similarly, when it comes to historical tours of Girona, most of them include the following elements in their itinerary.

• The Barri Vell de Girona: the local name for the Old Quarter of the city and where the most traditional architecture can be found. This includes: Girona Cathedral, the traditional Arab Baths, the Church of Sant Feliu, the remains of the old Roman walls and much more.

• El Call: the name by which the old Jewish quarter of Girona is known, although small, it is one of the best preserved in Europe. It is located within the boundaries of the Old Quarter.

• El Mercadal: a quiet, pedestrianised district with Renaissance and neoclassical buildings. Here you will find the famous Independence Square, the Cinema Museum, Mercat del Lleo and other attractions.

Useful information

• Price: prices vary depending on the itinerary and duration from approximately €30 to €100.
• Timetable: Group tours take place in the morning and afternoon.
• Duration: 2 hours for the shortest tours to 4 hours for the most complete city tours.

If your travel itinerary allows it, include in your Girona holiday a kayaking route to a destination close to the city. You'll find numerous local options with expert guides offering this type of experience, along with the facility to book online in advance of your trip.

The adventure includes the accompaniment of an expert guide who will take you to see the stunning nature of the Mediterranean Coast and enjoy a few hours of fun on the water.

Where to kayak in Girona

In the province of Girona there are plenty of places for water sports such as kayaking. Some of the most outstanding, favoured by tourists and locals alike, include the following:

Costa Brava, a 40-minute drive away; the small coastal town of L'Estartit, 45 minutes from Girona; Tossa del Mar, 40 minutes away; Lloret del Mar, just 35 minutes away; and El Port de la Selva, just over an hour from the city.

Useful information

• Price: the price varies between €30 and €60 depending on the experience.
• Timetable: it takes place at different times, both in the morning and in the afternoon.
• Duration: the kayaking activity in Girona usually takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete.

Make the most of your trip to Girona to take diving lessons a short distance from the city; there are many options in the area that offer the experience and do not require previous experience.

You will be under the tutelage of expert professionals who will provide the traveller with all the equipment necessary for the experience.

Where to take diving lessons in Girona

Due to its proximity to the coast, there are many dive sites within easy reach of Girona. The most popular locations within easy reach of Girona include: Tossa de Mar, 40 minutes from Girona; Cala Pedrosa, 50 minutes away; Costa Brava, also 40 minutes away by car and many more.

Useful information

• Prices: range from 30€ to 600€ per class. The price range is very wide and depends on many factors such as the duration of the classes, the number of participants and the place chosen for the adventure.
• Timetable: at different times to be coordinated with the guide who will accompany you during the activity.
• Duration: From 3 to 5 hours depending on the class you take.

Admire the coastal landscapes full of cliffs, magical-looking caves and secluded beaches on the Mediterranean coast of Catalonia; on your next trip to Girona you can book a catamaran trip and enjoy a day of fun at sea with your friends.

Note that many details of the experience may vary depending on the activity selected. However, some of the best nautical adventures in the Girona area include: traditional Catalan food served on the boat, refreshing drinks, stops for water sports and the opportunity to explore the region's many secluded beaches.

Catamaran routes along the coast depart from different points in the province. If you are staying in Girona for a few days I recommend booking a boat trip departing from Lloret del Mar, as the small coastal town is only a 30-minute drive from Girona.

Useful information

• Price: group excursions usually cost approximately €50 per participant.
• Timetable: this can vary depending on the activity selected, however the vast majority of excursions depart mid-morning to take advantage of the best hours of sunshine.
• Duration The trip along the coast can take 4-5 hours to complete.

In and around Girona you'll find many cycling routes worth exploring. A bike tour along these routes is a great idea that will allow you to get to know part of the city in a quicker and more entertaining way.

These experiences offer expert accompaniment and all the necessary equipment for the adventure, and are considered one of the best excursions from Girona to do on holiday.

You also have the alternative of renting your cycling equipment from a local shop or from the municipal bicycle service, so you can set off on your own. This is only recommended if you have proven experience in the sport.

Cycling routes in Girona

Some of the most popular and interesting cycling routes in Girona are the following.

• Els Àngels de Girona Circuit, with a distance of 71 kilometres, is a route classified as easy with not very steep slopes.

• Costa Brava Circuit, another route classified as simple, ideal for users with little experience. You ride about 95 kilometres to the popular Costa Brava of Girona with its beautiful landscapes.

• Circuit de Mare de Déu del Mont, 120 kilometres of distance and significant elevations make this route one of the most difficult, recommended for experienced cyclists. If you manage to complete it you will feel like a superhero.

Useful information

• Price: Organised cycling routes in Girona can cost between 150€ and 200€ per participant.
• Timetable: these experiences are generally organised in the morning to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day, especially during the summer in Catalonia.
• Duration: varies depending on the route, but you should set aside around 4 hours for the experience.

Hiking enthusiasts will find Girona and the surrounding area perfect for exploring on foot. One of the best aspects of hiking in Girona is precisely the opportunity to enjoy a varied nature that ranges from volcanic landscapes to kilometres of coastline.

Hiking routes in Girona

As you can imagine, the hiking routes in Girona are very diverse and cover different levels of difficulty. Here are three popular options, but I invite you to do your own research to find the one that's right for you.

• Route through Tossa de Mar: a 4.7 km round trip hiking route. It starts at Cala Pola and continues to Tossa de Mar. The route is considered of moderate difficulty and requires some previous hiking experience.

• Cadaqués- Cap de Creus route: this trail runs through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Girona: the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The route is considered to be of moderate difficulty due to its length of 13.4 km and the slopes you will have to climb.

Useful information

• Price: the price will depend on the route you want to do. The most economical and friendly routes for all levels start at €30 per person.
• Timetable: they are usually done in the morning to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day.
• Duration: For most routes you need to book between 3 and 5 hours to complete them.

If you decide to enjoy Girona as the locals do, I recommend signing up for a surfskate class, a form of land-based skateboarding that allows you to imitate the sensation of surfing a wave in the sea. This activity will help you improve your skills on the board or, if you are inexperienced, acquire a new skill.

The classes are held at the Parc d'Skate Domeny in Girona, a park equipped with ramps that occupies an area of 20 X 25 metres and where you can do everything from beginner classes to various ramp tricks.

It is an activity that I recommend to enjoy the days when the weather is nice in Girona, these days are most of the year, but above all I recommend it if you are on holidays with your family and you are looking for activities to do with children.

Useful information

• Price: approximately 35€ per participant, this price includes the instructor's guide and all the necessary equipment for the experience, skateboard, helmet, knee pads and other protective gear.
• Timetable: the day and time of the lessons varies depending on the activity and the availability of instructors.
• Duration: Lessons usually take 1 hour 30 minutes to complete.
• Address: Girona Skate Park on Calle Roberto Bolaño, north of Riu Ter.

A spectacular activity that allows you to see the city of Girona and the surrounding areas from a different perspective, although the Girona region is beautiful to walk around but from the clouds the scenery is breathtaking.

Several local companies offer the experience of a hot air balloon ride, one of the most family-friendly activities you can do here. There are experiences that offer the excursion to explore the old city of Girona and the surrounding area, while others design routes around Tossa de Mar or the volcanic landscapes of the Empordà.

Whether you choose one or the other depends on your preferences: are you keen to see Girona Cathedral from above, or would you like to see the exact shape of the Onyar riverbed? Or perhaps you'd prefer to enjoy the kilometres of coastline that the southern coast of Spain has to offer? You'll be spoilt for choice! Any of the experiences will be unforgettable.

Useful information

• Price: depending on the experience, prices are available from approximately 150€ per person.
• Timetable: to be arranged, tours are offered at different times.
• Duration: varies depending on the area and the tour, the minimum time is usually around 1 hour 30 minutes.

To enjoy the party and the best nightlife, Lola Café in Girona is a place you can't miss. With live concerts several times a week, it's the best place in town to perfect your Latin dance moves, especially rumba and salsa.

If dancing has never been your forte, this can be a good place to learn or just take a walk to enjoy a couple of drinks, because on the menu you'll find a variety of cocktails, wines and mixed drinks.

In addition to the concerts, the venue also organises many other activities, seeking to offer entertainment to both tourists and locals who come out to enjoy the Girona nightlife.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free for the general public.
• Opening hours: The venue is open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm. The party usually goes on until the early hours of the morning and closing time is set for 03h.
• How to get there: Lola Café is located on Calle de les Ballesteries in the heart of the Old Town.