Things to do in Girona
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Maiden's
Maiden's (for heavy metal maniacs) offers boisterous beer and thumping tunes from 22:00 until about 03:00.
reviewed
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The Call
Until 1492 Girona was home to Catalonia's second-most important medieval Jewish community (after Barcelona), and its Jewish quarter, the Call, was centred on Carrer de la Força. For an idea of medieval Jewish life and culture, visit the Museu d'Història dels Jueus de Girona Also known as the Centre Bonastruc Ça Porta, named after Jewish Girona's most illustrious figure, a 13th-century cabbalist philosopher and mystic, the centre – a warren of rooms and stairways around a courtyard – hosts temporary exhibitions and is a focal point for studies of Jewish Spain.
reviewed
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Banys Àrabs
Although modelled on earlier Muslim and Roman bathhouses, the Banys Àrabs are a 12th-century Christian affair in Romanesque style. This is the only public bathhouse discovered from medieval Christian Spain, where, in reaction to the Muslim obsession with water and cleanliness (and a widely held view that water carried disease), washing almost came to be regarded as ungodly. The baths contain an apodyterium (changing room), followed by a frigidarium and tepidarium (with respectively cold and warm water) and a caldarium (a kind of sauna).
reviewed
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Church
Girona's second great church is downhill from the cathedral. The 17th-century main facade, with its landmark single tower, is on Plaça de Sant Feliu, but the entrance is around the side. The nave has 13th-century Romanesque arches but 14th- to 16th-century Gothic upper levels. The northernmost of the chapels, at the far western end of the church, is graced by a masterly Catalan Gothic sculpture, Aloi de Montbrai's alabaster Crist Jacent (Recumbent Christ).
reviewed
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Església de Sant Feliu
Girona's second great church is downhill from the cathedral. The 17th-century main facade, with its landmark single tower, is on Plaça de Sant Feliu, but the entrance is around the side. The nave has 13th-century Romanesque arches but 14th- to 16th-century Gothic upper levels. The northernmost of the chapels, at the far western end of the church, is graced by a masterly Catalan Gothic sculpture, Aloi de Montbrai's alabaster Crist Jacent (Recumbent Christ).
reviewed
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Museum
The cathedral's museum, through the door marked 'Claustre Tresor', contains the masterly Romanesque Tapís de la Creació (Tapestry of the Creation) and a Mozarabic illuminated Beatus manuscript, dating from 975. The Creation tapestry shows God at the epicentre and in the circle around Him the creation of Adam, Eve, the animals, the sky, light and darkness.
reviewed
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Restaurant Txalaka
For sensational Basque cooking and pintxos (tapas) washed down with txakoli (the fizzy, white wine from the Basque coast) poured from a great height the way it's supposed to be, don't miss this popular place on the edge of the new town. The octopus dusted in paprika is the softest and most succulent we've ever had and the prawns in garlic and oil float our boat too.
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El Celler de Can Roca
The new boy on the culinary scene is El Celler de Can Roca, which received its third Michelin star in 2010. Housed in a modernised masia (country house), it offers thoroughly inventive and ever-changing takes on Mediterranean cooking. It’s about 2km west of Girona (and is not the easiest place to find).
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Mimolet
For refined local cooking in a modern setting just within the old city walls, this is it. A stylish, designer spot, Mimolet offers an excellent wine menu to company the seasonally varied menu. It offers various carpaccios, some tempting salads, rice dishes and a set tasting menu (€62 with wines).
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Cinema Museum
The Casa de les Aigües houses Spain's only cinema museum. The Collecció Tomàs Mallol includes not only displays tracing the history of cinema, but also a parade of hands-on items for indulging in shadow games, optical illusions and the like - it's great for kids.
reviewed
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Museu d’Història dels Jueus de Girona
Also known as the Centre Bonastruc Ça Porta, named after Jewish Girona’s most illustrious figure, a 13th-century cabbalist philosopher and mystic, the centre – a warren of rooms and stairways around a courtyard – hosts temporary exhibitions and is a focal point for studies of Jewish Spain.
reviewed
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Museu del Cinema
The Casa de les Aigües houses Spain's only cinema museum. The Collecció Tomàs Mallol includes not only displays tracing the history of cinema, but also a parade of hands-on items for indulging in shadow games, optical illusions and the like – it's great for kids.
reviewed
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Museu d'Art
Next door to the cathedral, in the 12th- to 16th-century Palau Episcopal, the art museum collection, which consists of around 8500 pieces, ranges from Romanesque woodcarvings to early-20th-century paintings. All the art on display comes from the Girona region.
reviewed
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L'Alqueria
This smart new restaurant serves the finest arrós negre (rice cooked in cuttlefish ink) and arrós a la Catalan in the city. If Valencia is more your thing, then there are various paellas. It's wise to book ahead.
reviewed
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City History Museum
The City History Museum has displays covering everything from the city's Roman origins, through the siege of the city by Napoleonic troops to the sardana (Catalonia's national folk-dance) tradition.
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Museu d'Història de la Ciutat
The City History Museum has displays covering everything from the city's Roman origins, through the siege of the city by Napoleonic troops to the sardana (Catalonia's national folk dance) tradition.
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Restaurant Albereda
Elegant Albereda, one of the town's top restaurants, dishes up stunning Catalan cuisine that you could be mistaken for thinking is art rather than mere food. The menu changes with the seasons.
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Museu Arqueològic
Museu Arqueològic has exhibits that date from prehistoric to medieval times, and include Roman mosaics and some medieval Jewish tombstones.
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König
For a quick sandwich, entrepà (filled roll) or simple hot dishes, 'King' boasts a broad outdoor terrace shaded by thick foliage. Or just stop by for a drink.
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Café i Cu-cut
This is a local classic with a mixed crowd of students and 30-somethings all eager to get their bodies moving to anything from reggae through to pop, and even country.
reviewed
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Blau Club
This club is in the southern 'burbs of town. There are three dark spaces that pump out a mix of drum and bass, techno and hip hop. The DJs tend to be local talent.
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La Terra
Homemade burgers, quiches, cakes and enough tea to sate an Englishman go well with the wonderful river views and blue-and-white Andalucian-style tile work.
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Xocolateria Antiga
Modernista decor, frilly lace in the windows and hot, sticky cups of chocolate: time has stood still here. It's a great spot for breakfast.
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Art Museum
Theart museumhas a collection that ranges from Romanesque woodcarvings to early-20th-century paintings.
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Passeig Arqueològic
Across the street from the Banys Àrabs , steps lead up into some heavenly gardens where town and plants merge into one organic masterpiece. The gardens follow the city walls up to the 18th-century Portal de Sant Cristòfol gate, from where you can walk back down to the cathedral.
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