This journey will take us outside the city limits of Barcelona to discover a different historical city in Catalonia: Girona
With more than two thousand years of history, it is one of the most interesting cities in Catalonia, with numerous historical monuments, perfect for a family visit. You’ll find yourself roaming enchanting streets and plazas where you’ll get the feeling that time has stopped. One of Girona’s claims to fame is its use as a filming location for the extremely popular T.V. show “Game of Thrones.” Keep an eye out for scenes from the sixth season in this Catalonian city.
As their motto promises, Girona thrills.
Begin your family visit to Girona
Start your visit in Plaza Catalunya, divided by the majestic Pont de Pedra bridge. It is the only bridge in the city constructed with this material during the reign of Isabel II. The kids will love to cross it, imagining that they are a horseback rider from the days of kings and queens.
Follow the commercial street, Santa Clara, until you arrive at the other bridge, the Pont de les Peixeteres Velles, also known as Pont Eiffel, because it was constructed by the same architect who designed the Eiffel Tour in Paris. Beyond just admiring the red iron structure, the kids can entertain themselves by watching the fish that swim in the River Onyar.
This bridge also has a great view of the classic colored houses, which make a beautiful picture. La casa Masó stands out as the only house painted white. It was the house of architect Rafael Masó and is one of his most important works. The striking home has been owned by City Council since 2006 and is the only one open to the public. It makes an interesting visit for the family when in the city!
A Gourmet Stop
Our next obligatory stop is Rocambolesco with its traditional offering of desserts and gelatos. Here, the whole family will enjoy the art of gastronomy. It is interesting to know that they characterize themselves as “A window into the sweet world of the cellar where we transform desserts into ice cream.”
Arrive at a Piece of History
Cross the river at the Port de Sant Feliu, where you can see the Basilica de Sant Feliu, but first, we’ll take a closer look at la Lleona, or lioness. According to legend, anyone who wanted to be a good citizen of Girona or who was visiting but wanted to return one day should kiss the butt of the lion. To be sure, the kids will smile at the oddity of this fun ritual.
Our next curiosity is the street of Les mosques. Many are miracles attributed to Saint Narcís, the patron saint of Girona. They say that at the beginning of the 13th century, a swarm of flies flew out from the tombstone of Saint Narcís and attacked the invading army of King Philip III, causing them to retreat.
The popular saying goes: for Saint Narcís, each fly is worth six.
Game of Thrones Locations
Now that we’ve done a deep dive into the history of Girona, we’ll see some locations from the popular series, Game of Thrones: the Arabic baths, Bisbe Josep Cartaña Street, the Passeig Arqueológic and the Pujada de Sant Doménech. Fans of the show will enjoy recognizing the scenes from their screens, although retouched and edited, the locations are real. Take it all in and snap some photos!
Next, find the old city walls where the kids will love feeling like real medieval knights! If you have a baby in a stroller, we recommend that you skip this part- there are many stairs.
In the plaza of the Cathedral you have to stop to see Santa Maria de Girona. It is the most genuine monument with a curious mix of styles: its romantic cloister, its gothic nave that is the oldest in the world and its façade and impressive staircase in baroque style. After taking a photo to remember the moment, try playing a fun game with the kids that they will almost certainly need your help with: how many steps are in the staircase?
Take la calle de la Força and enjoy the little shops and restaurants until you get to the CaixaForum of Girona. This cultural space is located in a precious historical building, la Fontana d’Or. Check their agenda full of interesting activities, so you can pick and choose what would be best for your family. You can find more info here.
Tour by Train
Up until now, we’ve been showing you around on foot. However, if you’re visiting with really small ones or you simply prefer to enjoy your family trip in comfort, el tren turístico is a good option. The cars have a panoramic roof, and an audio guide available in nine different languages and the kids usually get excited! The route is similar to what we’ve discussed with three main stops: Pont de Pedre, the Cathedral and Saint Doménec. You can get off whenever you would like so you can sightsee at your own pace, and then get back on the train. It departs every half hour and you can check the exact schedule online.
The flexible ticket costs 6.5€ for adults and 5.5€ for kids from three to six years old. Kids under three are free.
There is another ticket option where you can’t make stops as you please. It costs 4.5€ for adults, 3.5€ for kids and kids under three are free.
Cinema Museum of Girona
Now, we’ll move away from the old part of the city to arrive at our last stop: El Museu del Cinema. Here, you’ll discover its history through the Collection of Tomás Mallol that makes up some twenty thousand units. It is interesting to know that Mallol made his collection traveling for thirty years through the principal markets of Catalonia, Spain and France.
The Cinema Museum is located in a three story building. If you’re traveling with a stroller, there are two elevators, so you can access the whole museum with no problems. There is a free app with an audio guide and a fun silent film workshop you can do as a family. Find more information here.
If you are planning on visiting Girona during the month of May, you’ll love the International Festival of Temps de Flors.
Practical Info on How to Get There
Girona is about 100 kilometers from Barcelona, but there are plenty of ways to get there. You can go by car or by train.
By Car:
The trip will take you about an hour and twenty minutes. Taking highway AP7 currently has a toll.
By Public Transit:
By Bus:
Duration: an hour and a half
Cost: 14.50€/person
Leave from La Estació del Nord con ALSA. Find schedules here.
By Train:
There are regional trains and Media Distancia trains that last an hour and a half.
Cost for a regional train: from 8.40€
Cost for a Media Distancia train: from 11.25€
You can also take the high-speed AVE with a duration of 38 minutes.
Cost: from 31€
If you have a family card, you can get discounts.
Find schedules here.
We also offer a package to Girona, with comfortable transport from Barcelona. And if you’d like to see the tours we offer in Barcelona, you can find those here.
If you visit Girona as a family, don’t forget to tell us about your experience! We’d love to hear from you.
