Best tours of Gerona

A trip to get to know this beautiful corner of Catalonia is always a good idea. As you'll see when you arrive, Girona is a small, charming and ped estrian-friendly city, so the best way to get around its streets is on foot.

On your visit you'll have plenty of options for things to do in Girona, including guided tours, gastronomic experiences and more. If, like most visitors, you're travelling from Barcelona for just a few days, it's best to get to know the city on an organised tour that will take you to the most outstanding and secret places.

Below, I'll give you all the information you need about the different types of tours available in the city, so you can include them on your list of activities during your visit.

Girona is a historic city, famous throughout Spain for its excellently preserved medieval architecture. As I mentioned earlier, many of the tours organised in this city are on foot, as most of the city's attractions are located close to each other.

On your visit you can always count on the opportunity to take a private small group tour where an expert local guide takes travellers through the city's main attractions. It's one of the best ways to explore, connect with its past and historical evolution.

What I will see on these tours

These tours are designed to introduce you to Girona' s most outstanding monuments and historic neighbourhoods. While the itinerary may vary slightly depending on the tour you select, some of the must-see attractions you can expect to see include:

• El Barri Vell de Girona: the name by which the Old Quarter ofGirona is known and where you will see monuments such as Girona Cathedral, Sant Feliu Church, the Arab Baths, the German Gardens of Girona and much more.

• Girona Bridges: the city of Girona has a total of 11 bridges, some of them very outstanding, such as the Princess Bridge, the Stone Bridge or the Eiffel Bridge designed by the same engineer as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

• Ramblade la Libertad: The most important urban centre of the old quarter of the city.

Katherine's Traveller Tip

It is advisable to book in advance, and to be aware of all the features. Sometimes options may include additional facilities such as snacks or longer tours and more attractions.

Useful information

• Price: the price varies a lot depending on the length of the tour and the itinerary; the price to pay ranges from 30€ for the cheapest options to 120€ for the most complete tours.
• Duration of the excursion: you must take into account the itinerary proposed by the tour you hire. It can take from 2 to 4 hours depending on the number of attractions you decide to visit.
• Recommended if... it's your first time visiting the city and you want the basic experience to learn about Girona's historical past and evolution. The tour can be completed in a few hours, so it is also highly recommended for day-trippers.

The Jewish Quarter of Girona is called El Call; according to historical records, the place came into being with the arrival of the Jews in the city, who settled there between 982 and 1492. It is estimated that approximately 1000 Jews lived in this area during the Middle Ages.

It is one of the oldest and best preserved Jewish quarters in the world, which is why you will find numerous activities with expert guides who will take you through the winding, narrow streets that make it up.

These tours are particularly interesting for their ability to focus on just one aspect of the city's history and evolution. During the tour you will appreciate the level of preservation of the streets and buildings, many structures have remained almost intact for over 500 years.

What I will see on these tours

Although certain details of your tour may vary depending on the tour you take, most of the walks through the Jewish Quarter of Girona include:

• The Jewish Museum of Girona: located in the centre of the Jewish quarter, the tours include a guided visit to the museum facilities as a way to learn in detail about the history and evolution of the Jewish people in the city. It is a well-documented exhibition centre and one of the best museums in Girona.
• Jewish Quarter alleys: narrow, labyrinthine streets full of impressive charm.
• Old synagogues: the places where the 3 synagogues of Girona were once located to discover interesting aspects of the customs and traditions of the Jewish people.

Useful information

• Price: around 40€ per participant for the experience.
• Duration of the tour: This tour usually takes around 3 hours to complete.
• Recommended if... you are passionate about history and want to see excellently preserved ancient monuments. The Jewish community in Girona made great contributions to the evolution and growth of the city.

Fans of the popular HBO series know that Girona's Old Town was used extensively for the filming of the sixth season. In my experience the best way to get to know Game of Thrones Girona is with an organised themed tour.

The tour includes the accompaniment of an expert guide, who is responsible for taking the group of travellers through the iconic filming locations. You'll also be able to discover interesting aspects and all sorts of fun facts about the filming of Game of Thrones in Girona, which the locals were part of.

It's one of the most fun tours to do in Girona, because just like you, the participants enjoyed the TV show and are really enthusiastic about the experience.

What I will see on these tours

The city of Girona was used to stage two locations within the fictional world created by George R.R. Martin: the city of Braavos and King's Landing. During this experience you will be able to see all or almost all the places that were used as film sets for the scenes:

• The staircase leading to the church of Santa Maria (Girona Cathedral).
• Bishop Josep Cartañà Street behind the Cathedral.
• The Arab Baths of Girona.
• The Galligants Bridge.
• The Jurors' Square.
• The stairs of Sant Domènec Street.
• Various streets in the old quarter of Girona.
• The interiors of the monastery of San Pedro de Galligants.

Useful information

• Price: The tour is done in small groups, the price is usually around 30€ per participant.
• Duration of tour: The tour usually takes 2 to 3 hours to complete depending on the planned itinerary.
• Recommended if... you're a fan of the Games of Thrones TV show and want to see the locations, as well as enjoy the stories and events that took place in Girona during filming.

A tour through the main streets of Girona combined with a journey through Catalan gastronomy through the hands of local chefs. Together with a guide who is an expert in gastronomy and history, you'll be able to sample dishes in different shops in the area.

Although the excursions are group tours, a small number of participants are usually included so that the guide in charge of the experience can provide a more personalised service. For this reason, if you are interested in the activity, the best strategy is to book in advance, even before your trip.

What I will see on these excursions

In addition to exquisite gastronomic stops, during these tours you will get to know much of the impressive Catalan city:

• The main monuments of Girona: although it is not strictly a historical tour, it is impossible to dissociate the gastronomic aspect of the evolution of the city and the mix of cultures. As you walk through the streets you will see the main monuments of Girona including the Cathedral, the Stone Bridge, the Rambla, the Jewish Quarter and more.

• The Plaza Independencia: the largest and most important square in the city, the neoclassical buildings surrounding the square are home to many of the main and most important local cafes and restaurants.

• Mercat del Lleo: the most important municipal market in Girona's Old Town is the best place to buy and sample seasonal delicacies and enjoy local artisan dishes.

Useful information

• Price: Varies according to duration, itinerary and number of stations. Gastronomic tours are available from approximately €45 per participant.
• Duration of tour: Shorter tours usually take 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete; others take up to 4 hours.
• Recommended if... you are one of those travellers who like to explore cities through their gastronomy, as the Girona tasting tour will more than meet your expectations.

Whenever you visit a new destination, especially one as steeped in history as Girona, it is always best to take an organised tour for the most obvious reason possible: information.

When you pay for the tour, you are paying primarily for the accompaniment of a certified guide who is able to provide a wealth of information about the destination you are exploring and the main places of interest in Girona.

The historical information provided by the accompanying guide will help you imagine what the city was once like, even in places where all that's left standing is a pile of rocks and rubble - it's worth every penny!

Booking an organised tour, whether in Girona or other destinations, has a number of advantages for tourists venturing to this part of Spain for the first time.

When booking a city tour or a tour from Girona to other areas of Catalonia, here are the main advantages to consider.

No need to plan...

Planning an itinerary to an unfamiliar destination can be overwhelming; tours are always organised by local experts who know the area inside out and have plenty of experience in planning and dealing with unforeseen events.

The social aspect...

Little is said about the social aspect and how much fun organised tours can be; you can interact with other adventurous travellers who often share similar affinities to your own.

Look forward to chatting and meeting more people, talk about their travels and get references that can inspire you to plan your next destination.

Save time on your tour...

Organised tours are a great time saver, one of the most valuable resources when you travel to a new destination and want to see as many places or experience as many things as possible in as short a time as possible.

While getting lost from time to time can be fun, no one likes the idea of spending an entire trip wandering around or going in circles due to lack of information.