Gerona, a medieval movie city

More than 2,000 years have passed since the Romans founded the historic city of Gerona ( Gerunda in Latin) and it seems that the passing of centuries has been in vain for this city that enjoys an extraordinary historical heritage and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and Europe.   

Curiously, Gerona has achieved the recognition at a tourist level that it recently deserves. Before it was unjustly seen only as a place of passage to access from France or the rest of Spain to other more popular regions such as the picturesque nearby coastal towns of the Costa Brava or to visit Barcelona, the beautiful Catalan capital that every year receives millions of visitors. But luckily things have changed and now Gerona has already earned a reputation among travelers, becoming an essential stop.     

The Girona- Costa Brava airport (GRO) , located 12 kilometers from the city, has multiplied its national and international flights in the last decade, connecting the city of Girona with some of the main European cities . And since 2016, millions of viewers from all corners of the world have visited it virtually on the small screen, because Gerona was the scene of the filming of one of the most acclaimed television series so far, Game of Thrones.     

It is not surprising that it is one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the country . Its size is perfect, neither too big nor too small and here approximately 100,000 inhabitants reside . The well-kept, quiet and winding streets of the old town or Barri Vell have been meticulously preserved, maintaining their essence. They breathe a unique environment that preserves Roman, Jewish and Arab remains, allowing the traveler to travel easily in time, evoking other times.

A walk through the historic center of Gerona 

Much of the charm of Girona is concentrated precisely in its medieval historic center full of contrasts and dominated by the presence of buildings of different styles such as Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and Modernist , among others.    

The route can be started crossing the Stone Bridge or the Peixateries Velles Bridge, the latter is the work of the renowned French engineer, Gustave Eiffel in 1877. Both bridges serve as a gateway to the old town, where the colorful hanging houses of the Oñar river , one of the most beautiful places in the city. In one of them stands the Casa Masó, a masterpiece by the Girona architect Rafael Masó, precursor of the Novecentismo movement, a style created as an alternative to Modernism.  

A few steps away and at the highest point of the city, you can see the impressive Girona Cathedral . Its construction began in the 11th century and ended in the 17th. It has the widest Gothic nave in the world and one of the most famous scenes in the American production Game of Thrones was shot on its spectacular stairways. 

Going down the cathedral and entering the labyrinthine alleys is the Jewish quarter or El Call , one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in Europe . It is worth getting lost in its narrow cobbled streets and dazzling courtyards, although it is also recommended to visit the neighborhood with a specialized guide to learn more about the fascinating history of this place where the Jewish community thrived in the city until its expulsion in 1492. .

Another of the most emblematic tourist attractions in the city is strolling through the Carolingian defensive walls , one of the largest on the continent. They have four access points and from here you can see one of the most wonderful panoramic views of Gerona and enjoy unforgettable sunsets.  

Where to eat and drink in Gerona 

After so much to see and visit, it is essential to stop along the way. In the old town itself there is a highly recommended stop to sit down to eat or have a vermouth. La Rambla de la Llibertat is itself a highly recommended tourist spot. It is one of the main nerve centers and is surrounded by modernist buildings and a beautiful area of arcades. It serves as a commercial artery and there are also numerous terraces where you can taste some of the culinary delicacies of the region of Girona .

For the most foodies, a visit to the legendary restaurant El Celler de Can Roca is a must . This emblematic establishment and temple of gastronomy founded in 1986 by the Roca brothers is a worldwide benchmark and pilgrimage point for all lovers of haute cuisine. Several times awarded as the best restaurant in the world, it still preserves its famous gastronomic proposal intact and still maintains the three stars awarded by the Michelin guide.

How to get to Girona 

The city of Gerona is very well connected with the rest of the Spanish and European cities . It is situated as only 65 km from the border with France (Perpignan 100 km) and 100 km from Barcelona.     

Getting to Girona by plane: It is the fastest way to get from anywhere in the world. At the Airport Girona - Costa Brava (GRO) are regular flights from several cities in Spain and Europe. The airport is located just 12 km from the city. The airport connects to the city center by road through the N-II national road and the AP-7 motorway.      

The Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) receives and intercontinental flights across Europe. It is located about 110 km from Gerona . From Barcelona airport to Gerona you can get there by train, car or bus.   

Getting to Girona by train: This option is ideal if you are traveling from a city in Spain or from France. You can travel both on regional, medium-distance or AVE trains. Gerona is also part of the Madrid - Zaragoza - Barcelona - French border high-speed line, one of the main communication hubs between Spain and Europe.     

Getting to Gerona by car: One of the recommended options to discover other corners of the Gerona province . The main roads to access Gerona are the AP-7 Barcelona - France toll motorway and the N-II Madrid - Barcelona - France national highway.       

 Reach Girona by bus: The bus station Gerona offers a range of urban, regional, national and international destinations. Eurolines offers international lines between Gerona and the rest of Europe and FlixBus connects Gerona airport with France.         

Do you want to buy a property in Gerona to spend a few months of vacation in the year or to settle there permanently? Contact our real estate agency in Gerona who will find you the apartment, house or villa of your dreams.