Girona is one of the most distinctive historical cities of Catalonia, Spain. Well known for its Jewish old quarter, its magnificent gothic cathedral and its unique gastronomy. It has around 100.000 inhabitants and is equipped with all touristic facilities. The city is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees, and it offers a wonderfully contrasting landscape only 100km far away from Barcelona, 60km from France and 30km from Costa Brava.
Getting to Girona
The city of Girona has excellent air, rail and road connections.
Girona-Costa Brava Airport
Girona-Costa Brava Airport, serves as a hub for several low-cost European airlines. It has regular flights from cities in Europe and other parts of Spain. The airport is located about 12 km / 7 miles outside Girona, with good road connections to the city centre by car, coach or taxi.
Bus: Line 607, operated by the Sagalés company, connects the airport with the Girona bus station. The journey takes about 25-30 minutes, and the price of a one-way ticket is €2,75.
Cab: You can also take a cab from the airport to the city center.
Car rental: If you prefer to drive, follow exit 7 towards Girona South. The estimated time is 16 minutes.
Barcelona-Josep Tarradelles Barcelona El Prat Airport
The most common entry point is through Barcelona Airport, which is well-connected to Girona by various modes of transportation. Just 110 km / 68 miles away, there is access to Girona by motorway, train, or coach.
Train. The high-speed train service, known as the AVE, offers a swift and comfortable ride from Barcelona city centre (Barcelona-Sants Train Station) to Girona city centre in 37 minutes. You can book the train tickets via Renfe's website.
Reaching Barcelona-Sants Train station from Barcelona Airport: take the Aerobus to Sants Station. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs about €5.50. You can buy tickets online and onsite. It is also possible to take a train in Terminal 2 to Barcelona Sants. Metro is another option, taking L9 Sud (orange) in Terminal 1 or 2 to ‘Zona Universitaria’ and then L3 (green) to Sants station.
Direct bus: You can opt for a direct bus from Barcelona airport to Girona. The company Sagalés offers this service. The trip takes approximately 2 hours, and the price varies between €16 and €22.
Car rental: If you prefer to drive, the distance is 118 km / 73.4 miles, and the estimated time is 1 hour and 19 minutes.
Adif railway station
Adif Girona railway station, located in the centre of Girona city, offers regional, national, and international rail services. As well as the regular lines, Girona station is a stop on the Madrid - Zaragoza - Barcelona - French border high-speed line (AVE), one of the main transport links between Spain and the rest of Europe.
AVE (Alta Velocidad Española): AVE is the high-speed service operated by Renfe. The AVE line connects Madrid with Barcelona and Girona and offers a fast and comfortable journey.
Larga Distancia / Long distance: In addition to the AVE, Larga Distancia or Long Distance trains also cover the route between Barcelona and Girona.
AP-7: The highway that connects Barcelona with France. This is a fast and direct route.
N-II: The national highway that runs from Madrid to Barcelona and then continues to France.
C-25 (Eje Transversal): A two-lane highway connecting Girona with Vic and Lleida.
Practicalities
Walking
Girona is an ideal city to explore on foot, as its historic center is compact and easy to navigate. The Palau de Congressos de Girona is located about 15-20 minutes walking distance from Plaça de la Independència, which is one of the central points of the city.
Public transport
Urban Buses
The urban bus service in Girona is operated by Sagalés and covers the city and its surroundings. Buses connect the Palau de Congressos de Girona with various parts of the city, including the city center and the train station.
Bus lines: There are several lines that connect the Palau de Congressos de Girona with the city center, such as the Line 1 and Line 6, which are popular among travelers.
Prices: A single bus ticket costs around €1.50.
Bonobús: If you plan to use public transport multiple times, you might consider the Bonobús, a rechargeable card offering discounts on single tickets. The Bonobús costs €8.50 for 10 trips.
Trains (for longer distances)
Girona is well connected by train to other major cities, such as Barcelona. If you're coming from another city, you can take the train at the Girona Train Station and then walk or take a bus or taxi to reach the Palau de Congressos.
Connections: Renfe trains operate frequently between Girona and Barcelona, with tickets ranging from €10 for local trains to €30 for AVE or high-speed trains.
Bicycles
Girona is a very bike-friendly city, with several routes and bike paths available for cyclists. There are local companies that rent bicycles, and some bus and train stations offer bike rentals.
Prices: Renting a bike in Girona typically costs around €10 per day.
Taxi
Taxis are available in Girona, and they are a practical option if you prefer not to rely on public transport. You can call a taxi or use ride-sharing apps like Cabify or Free Now.
Prices: The base fare for a taxi in Girona is €2.20 (initial fare), and from there, it costs between €1.10 and €1.40 per kilometer, depending on the time of day and applicable fare.
Summary of public transport prices in Girona
|
Transport |
Approximate Price |
|
Single bus ticket |
€1.50 |
|
Bonobús (10 trips) |
€8.50 |
|
Taxi (base fare) |
€2.20 |
|
Train ticket (Girona-Barcelona) |
€10-30 |
|
Bike rental |
€10 per day |
Useful emergency numbers
112 All emergencies
972 20 10 00 Local police
061 Medical emergencies
Health
The nearest public hospital to the Palau de Congressos de Girona is the Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta.
Distance from Palau de Congressos: Approximately 10-15 minutes by car or 30-35 minutes on foot.
For Europeans, having the European health insurance card (https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559) would strongly facilitate public medic support.
What to wear and bring
In August, the weather in Girona is typically sunny and hot, with daytime temperatures ranging from 30 to 35°C. Nights are generally milder, with temperatures between 20 and 24°C. Although the weather is mostly dry, occasional clouds and short rain showers may occur. Make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing to stay comfortable in the heat. If you're looking to cool off, you can visit Fontajau Swimming Pool (about 15 minutes by car from the Palau de Congressos) or take a refreshing walk in the Parc de la Devesa, one of the city's largest parks, to enjoy some shade and a relaxing environment.
Security
Girona is a safe city, but like any other destination, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your bags and wallets, especially in crowded areas, and avoid leaving your bag on the back of a chair or on a table in a café. Be particularly cautious in busy areas like Plaça de la Independència and Carrer de l'Argenteria, where pickpockets may be more active. As always, use extra care when taking public transport or walking through crowded spots.
Restaurants and bars
Shops and malls in Girona typically open from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with many restaurants and stores in the city center staying open until later, especially during the tourist season. Lunchtime in Spain is usually between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, and dinner is served from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. However, in Girona, many restaurants may close their kitchens by 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM, and some may stop serving dinner earlier than in bigger cities like Barcelona. Nightlife venues, including dance bars, tend to close around 2:30 AM or 3:00 AM.
Socket
In Spain, the standard voltage is 220 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs and sockets are type F. Be sure to bring a proper adaptor to plug in your electronic equipment as needed.
