“Girona is always a good idea.” – me
Greetings from the picturesque town of Girona, Spain!
Girona is located between Barcelona and Figueres (the hometown of Salvador Dalí and his museum that I previously wrote about) and perfect for a day trip.
A few fun facts about Girona:
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The red bridge in the photo above, Pont de les Peixateries Velles, was designed by Gustave Eiffel shortly before he built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
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Girona’s nickname is “The Immortal City” because it has endured more than 25 sieges including the most famous one in the early 1800’s by Napoleon and his troops.
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Every May there is a flower festival, Temps de Flors. It is kind of a big deal and a perfect time to visit this already beautiful city. Check out their website for information.
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The Onyar River cuts through the town and is lined with beautiful colored and iconic buildings.
Almost the entire train ride to Girona, I sang the song My Sharona in my head but changed the lyrics to My Girona. Enjoy that little ditty in your head for the remainder of this post. You’re welcome.
I arrived on a crisp morning in February…Valentine’s Day to be exact. The manager of the hostel recommended I make a visit to Girona. She said it is one of her favorite towns in Spain. And now I can see why. It is cute. It is quaint. It has great coffee. And there is something about the vibe that makes a person want to move here. Sadly, I only spent the afternoon because I bought a return ticket with my original purchase…otherwise, I might have stayed the night.
Another pop culture fun fact…
Any Game of Thrones fans in the house? I’ve never seen the show but I was told they filmed bits and pieces in Girona for a few episodes of Season 6. Below are some photos of where I was told they filmed but I cannot confirm or deny it so if any of you recognize the locations, let me know!
Girona Cathedral – A local told me that a major scene in the show was filmed here. I climbed the steps but decided not to pay the entrance fee to go inside. I read mixed reviews about whether or not it was worth it so I took a gamble and didn’t go in and went to a park instead. Plus, the people watching was pretty good from the top of the steps.
Pujada de Sant Domènec: “Ascent of Saint Dominic.” Stairs leading up to the Sant Domènec Church and Convent, a 13th-century Gothic building originally founded by the Dominican Order.
Apparently, a GOT scene was filmed here as well. Above photo: looking up the stairs. Below photo: looking down the stairs.
After my visit, I discovered a website with details about the filming of GOT. Check it out if you want to go see the locations for yourself. The CGI effects on the Cathedral scene look amazing in the photos online!
After visiting the Cathedral I went to Passeig arqueològic (Archaeological Promenade) for a stroll through the beautiful gardens, to check out the panorama, and to see the ancient city walls.
The architecture around the city was gorgeous. Around every bend or up a flight of stairs, the details of the buildings didn’t disappoint.
While I was walking around, I stumbled upon this unique statue…so I looked it up. It is called, Monument Constructors de la Catedral. It is a bronze sculpture by Catalan artist Josep Maria Subirachs, unveiled in 1986 to honor the cathedral’s master builder. The detail is brilliantly done and it is a beautiful tribute to the craftsmen.
If you get a chance, definitely take at least a day to spend in Girona. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Good Things List
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Picturesque cities.
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Crisp mornings.
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Beautiful architecture.
Much love & gratitude. Namaste 🙏
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I have seen a lot of coverage in the news about Spain being overrun with tourists…which understandably makes it difficult for the locals to live their day-to-day lives, but this is the first sign I’ve personally experienced of their disdain for tourists. It was a shock and a good reminder to be a respectful tourist.
