About Catalonia |
The beautiful Catalonia region in Spain is home to a number of beautiful cities. Of course, the most famous of them is Barcelona. However, Girona should not be overlooked! While it's not as popular, Girona rivals Barcelona in terms of great sights, stunning scenery, and offering a ton of exciting experiences. Girona simply has its own charm that's worth seeing and experiencing first-hand. It's only because there are more popular cities in Spain—even in Catalonia alone—that many people are not privy to how amazing of a destination it is. Hopefully, this will change soon!
Despite its size, Girona doesn't have that big of a population. Of course, it pales in comparison to Barcelona, a city that has millions of residents. As of 2021, there are only around 99,877 people living in Girona. If you feel that there are more people than that, you're probably seeing more tourists than locals. Although Girona doesn't hold a candle to Barcelona as a tourist destination, it's still a well-known city nonetheless. It continues to welcome more and more international visitors even though the dominant language here is still Spanish. Fortunately, the city also has a few language schools that can teach it.
Although Girona remains a sunny city all year long, the best time to go here is during spring, namely from March to May. Not only are these months in the off-season for tourists, but they also bring out the most comfortable climate throughout the year. It's not too cold nor too hot here. Unlike during summer, from June to August, which is the city's peak season for tourism. At this time, the temperature in Girona can go up to 87°F (30.5°C), especially during August. Moreover, springtime also makes Girona a romantic destination. There’s just something about it that’ll give you all the feels!
Girona is a beautiful Spanish city bursting with historic hotspots and countryside charms. It's a shame that it's not as popular as the likes of Barcelona and Madrid. If it were, there's no doubt that it'll be among the top tourist destination in the city. Just take a look at the different neighborhoods in Girona! Eixample's Medieval appeal will have history buffs going crazy. Barri Vell boasts a treasure trove of fascinating architecture. And Lloret de Mar offers that signature Mediterranean paradise with its white sandy shoreline. What more could you ask for?
Now, you may be thinking, “What is there to do in Girona?” The answer is a lot, actually! Even if you’re only spending a day in Girona, you can get a lot done and go to a ton of places within that time.
As with any other Spanish city, you can go sightseeing in Girona since it offers a whole myriad of beautiful sights and top-notch attractions. Arguably the most famous of them all is the Onyar River, a tranquil body of water lined with colorful houses. The beautiful Old Town district of Girona, on the other hand, offers a peek into what the city was like centuries ago!
It's easy to think that since Girona isn't that overly popular of a city, it's probably cheap to go here, right? After all, the city's population isn't even in the hundreds of thousands. Surely, with fewer residents, the costs in Girona aren't that high, right? Whatever the reason may be, it's safe to say that Girona is an affordable city. It's one of the very few cities where you can actually rent a home that will cost around €350.00 a month. That's borderline impossible in other cities around the world. As for buying food, you can already get a lot for around €61.59. Not bad, right?
Although Girona is a peaceful city overall, maintaining that peace depends on you. Always remember that the Spanish are lively and boisterous people. They're a lot of fun when you're making friends, goofing around, and having a good time together, but if you offend them? They can easily turn to your worst enemies.
So to avoid that, you'll benefit from following the Spanish social customs. This means getting used to how touchy-feely the locals are, and if you're uncomfortable, say so politely so they'll know. Always respond back to those who talk to you and never forget to say 'please' and 'thank you.'
Although Girona may not seem as urban as Barcelona or Madrid, the public transport here is still as efficient as ever. You have a myriad of options at your disposal: buses, taxis, or even riding your bike. They all travel throughout the many neighborhoods of Girona. Though the city doesn't have its own metro or railway system, the locals have still managed to get around easily without them. And let's not forget the fact that the most useful transportation apps also operate in Girona, allowing you to have more alternatives, especially during the rush hour. No matter where you're going, getting to your destination in Girona will be a piece of cake.
Gaining access to the Spanish healthcare system depends on your legal status in the country. Since the country has universal healthcare, you can easily get the public option (more affordable) once you become a legal resident of Spain. However, if you're only visiting the country, you're better off getting private insurance instead. Even if you're only staying in Girona for a short while, it would have been wise for you to have gotten travel medical insurance before you got here. In any case, as long as you're covered, you can still get treated in the many excellent hospitals in Girona.
Girona is far from what many would consider a “food capital” but it does offer quite the culinary journey. You can still let out your inner foodie here and taste the best of the best that this Catalan city can offer. What the many exciting restaurants here offer range from traditional cuisines to unique spins on foreign menus. Not to mention a few charming cafes too.
But, of course, since you're already here, why not indulge in some local delicacies? A unique dish is some chicken with crayfish, a striking combination of poultry and seafood that you won't find anywhere else. And for dessert? Some sweet Xuixo pastries will do!
While planning your trip to Girona, you ought to be aware of the holidays in Spain too. You may think that they won't affect you since you're not Spanish yourself but it can affect your stay here. For instance, during the Lenten season, the city tends to be quieter and more toned down since the country is devout Roman Catholic. And don't think that it all ends with Easter Sunday. Spain is one of many countries that also celebrate Easter Monday too. During national holidays like Fiesta Nacional de España (October 12) and Constitution Day (December 6), some cultural attractions stay closed. If you planned on going here then, you'll need to change your itinerary.
You should know the difference between planning a trip to Girona and preparing to relocate here. These are two totally different things! Understand that actually moving to Girona will require a lot more hard work, ranging from dealing with legal documents to settling down in your new home here. You can easily get overwhelmed and lose your way while doing it.
To avoid that, check out our relocation guide to Girona. It lists down the basics of what you need to do, know and prepare in starting a new life in this city. Including setting a Spanish bank account and getting a local SIM card. And who knows? This guide might just make it a lot easier for you in more ways than one.
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