Car Rental Gerona

Girona Airport is a destination for budget airlines. From the terminal, most people go directly to Barcelona or the coast. They are missing out, because it is an attractive town. It is situated in the valley of the River Ter, where it meets three other rivers: the Güell, the Galligants and the Onyar. Thus there is no shortage of water in Girona and the houses in the old center have practically been built in that water. The Moors, Jews and Christians have left their traces in the narrow and winding streets.

The old center is located on the east bank of the Ter. On the Rambla along the river you will find cozy restaurants and terraces. The prices here are notably higher than across the river, in the newer part of the town, where there is also a wider range of hotels. If you follow the Rambla to the south you will end up at the Tourism Office.

The picturesque Girona is surrounded by old city walls and has an impressive cathedral. Most people take a minute to pose in front of the Catedral di Girona for a picture and then leave again. But you should definitely have a look at the interior. It is even free of charge on Sundays. The oldest part of the cathedral dates back to the 11th century with remarkable bass reliefs and a tapestry Tapis de la Creació which depicts the origins of the world. Also visit the Art Museum next to the cathedral.

In the old Moorish district you will find Arabic bath houses. These Banys Arabs are no longer used as bath houses, but are open for visits. Unfortunately, a collection of modern art has been installed here which clashes with the historical character.

At the Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat you may think that this museum is not very interesting at first. Wrong! The ground floor has a not very inviting exhibition of industrial machines. But in the rest of the museum you can learn all about the history of the city and its surroundings. The top floor on its own is worth a visit: an impressive exhibition about the Spanish civil war and the years under dictator Franco.

Don't think Girona is just about history. The town has an active nightlife with many bars and nightclubs.

In and around Girona

There are even more old towns to visit in the vicinity of Girona. For example the old, walled Hostalric, the medieval Madremanya (there is a Michelin star restaurant!) or Castelló d'Empúries, the ancient capital of the empire of Empúries. On the east side of Castelló d'Empuries is a large holiday village, where you can practice water sports. There is also a large paracenter.

Twenty kilometers north of Girona lies Figueres, the city of Salvador Dalí. He designed the Theater Museum and some of his works are exhibited there too. Dalí is buried under the stage of the former theater hall. More works from Dalí can be seen in the Dalí Museum. Furthermore, Figueres has Europe's largest toy museum of and there is an old fort you can visit. To the east of Figueres lies the picturesque coastal town of Cadaqués, where Dalí spent the happiest years of his life. The Municipal Art Museum has works of him but of other artists that have a band with Cadaqués too, including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Max Ernst and Federico Lorca.

If you are indeed in Cadaqués, drive a little further into the mountains. About half an hours drive from Cadaqués lies the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. A strict and sober Benedectine monastery and a view which you will never forget.

The Park Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa is a volcanic area covered by lava and more than forty volcanic cones. The park is situated to the northwest of Girona. A tip: drive the beautiful route via the C-63.

After all the historical impressions, you probably want to relax on a beach. There are several options near Girona. We name a few:

Rosas is to the north side of the corresponding Gulf. This old town has a beautiful beach, but has been spoilt somewhat by the large number of hotels and apartment complexes.
• l'Escala, on the south side of the Gulf of Rosas is a well-known tourist hotspot, also known for the annual Anchovy Festival.
• Between Rosas and l'Escala lies the beautiful wide beach of Sant Pere Pescador.

Another recreational opportunity: golfing. In the vicinity of Girona lie some fantastic golf courses. Closest to the city is Girona Gold, near Sant Julia de Ramis, ten kilometers north of Girona. Not far from Figueres lies Peralada Golf, without a doubt one of the most beautiful golf clubs of Catalonia. Club the Golf d'Aro (also referred to as Mas Nou Golf Club) lies high above the Platja d'Aro holiday resort. An excellent golf course with a breathtaking view over the surrounding hilly landscape and the coast.

Parking

Both in the old and the new town many streets are only accessible to pedestrians. There are some large free car parks, and underground parking garages which charge a fee.

Girona airport

Gerona Airport lies twelve kilometers outside Girona-City and is accessible via the highway N-11 (Madrid-La Junquera), the tollroad A-7 (Barcelona-France), or the C-25 (Girona-Lleida). All roads have clear road signs to the airport.