Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain

Lying approximately 100km northeast of Barcelona is the Catalan city of Girona. For anyone who stays in the area, it is well worth a day trip. It fills with monasteries, historic churches, ancient narrow alleyways, and fascinating museums.

Below are the top 10 things to see and do on your trip to Girona.

Catedral de Santa María de Girona

The Cathedral de Santa María is without a doubt, one of the most impressive sights in Girona. It built between the 11th and 18th centuries and consists of a mix of architectural styles, which are a Gothic nave (which is the widest in the world) and a Romanesque cloister.

Catedral de Santa María
Catedral de Santa María

You’ll also find the Cathedral Treasury Museum inside the cathedral. It showcases the important religious artworks.

Address – Plaça de la Catedral, Girona, Spain

Arabic Baths

During the 12th century, the city’s Arab baths are Roman and were an inspiration of both Arabic and Roman designs. Until the period of the 14th century, the showers remained open. Today, you can easily wander around its various rooms and spaces.

Arabic Baths
Arab Baths

The entrance hall is the most impressive, as it has a central pool with slender ornate columns.

Address – Carrer de Ferran el Catòlic, Girona, Spain

The River Onyar

The River Onyar runs through the city and has become an integral part of it over time. Walk up to the famous multi-colored houses which lie on the edge of the river as they are quite a sight to behold.

River Onyar
River Onyar

You can also look at the various bridges which cross it, like the Pont de les Peixateries Velles and the arch stone bridge of Pont de Pedra.

Monasterio de Sant Pere de Galligants

One of the most typical and beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture in the whole of Catalonia is the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants.

sant pere de galligant
Sant Pere de Galligant

Although it knows that it built during the 12th century, there is evidence that the original building dates back to the 10th century.

Address – Carrer de Santa Llúcia, 8, Girona, Spain

Convent of Sant Domènec

Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the Sant Domènec Convent built. It was one of the first Gothic buildings that stood up in Catalonia.

Convent of sant domènec
Convent of Sant Domènec

It has a magnificent church which stands atop a long flight of stone steps with a chapter house and cloisters. Presently, part of it contributes to the use of the city university.

Address – Plaça de Sant Domènec, 11, Girona, Spain

Archeological Museum of Cataluña

The Archeological Museum of Cataluña is based just adjacent to the Sant Nicolau church and is housed inside part of the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants. The exhibits here are seen exploring the human activity, starting from the earliest appearance of man up until the Roma Period. This beautiful display is carried out with the help of a series of objects that were discovered in the region.

Address – Carrer de Santa Llúcia, 8, Girona, Spain

Catalan museum
Catalan Museum of Archaeology

Girona City Walls

Between the 9th and 14th centuries, the city walls built. Even in today’s time much of them remain intact. Moreover, you know what? You can even walk along the sections of the walls.

Girona city walls

That also includes some of the most extended parts of the Carolingian walls in Europe.
Address – Carrer dels Alemanys, 20, Girona, Spain

Girona History Museum

At the Girona history museum, you can find out all about the story of the city, dating from the period from when the Romans found it to the present day. It features about 14 exhibition rooms which are all centered around varied themes.

Girona history museum
Girona History Museum

The old Capuchin monastery, which dates back to the 18th century, houses the museum.

Address – Carrer de la Força, 27, Girona, Spain

Jewish History Museum

The Museum of Jewish History tells you the story of the old Kingdom of Aragon and the medieval Jewish communities in Catalonia, which date from the 9th to 15th centuries.

Jewish history museum

Museu d’Història dels Jueus

Visitors can view a vast collection of ancient Jewish tombstones along with other artifacts here. Address – Carrer de la Força, 8, Girona, Spain

Are you happy with our list or is there something else you want to add? Let us know in the comments.

Enjoy the beauty of Girona, Spain!

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