Girona in early September

[2Btoo]

Hi,

We're just booked some flights to Girona (Spain) from the 3rd - 9th September (i.e next week). Why? Because it seems that there are very few flights to anywhere of any interest from airports close to us on the dates we have free.

So, we're going to Girona. We don't know a thing about the place, but we DO have Google and Pistonheads!

So .... married couple, middle-aged, wanting to eat and drink well, see some culture (the Mrs) and something scientific/tech/automotive (me), do some wandering and people-watching ... where should we stay and what should be do and where should we eat? Strong preference for perhaps B&B or self-catering rather than full-board hotels.

Budget? Dunno. Not top-end (and powerfully-build company directors can be very top-end) but not bargain basement either. Our hostelling days are some way behind us.

Worth bearing in mind that the weather looks like it'll be low-30's every day (just as it was starting to cool down in the UK ) and we don't want to do long country walks in such temperatures.

All suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[Ussrcossack]

Girona airport you'll need to get a bus to the city or pay for a taxi.
I've only been once, but had a car in the vicinity, seemed lots of travelers go the wrong impression of where the airport was as it was called Barcelona - Girona!

Cant help much more but knowing Catalonia reasonably well you'll be OK. I used to spend time in Figures and good resturant for a menu of the day at lunch time.

Sorry I can't offer more

[croyde]

My son spent a week there last year, really enjoyed it.

I might try it for myself. Been to quite a few Spanish cities that I've known nothing about and found them all interesting places to visit and just wander around, enjoy the food, grab a table and get a cheap beer etc

[Castrol for a knave]

Out there end of next month on a training week on the gravel bike. Been about 4 times. Amazing place and well under the radar unless you're a cycling type. Clean, firnedly and sensible prices in the cafes and restaurants.

The main square (Placa Indepencia) is the hub with a range of bars and restaurants. They are ok, even for what is quite touristy. Konig bar is a good spot to people watch.

Lots of nice boutique bars and restaurants on the other side of the river, along Ciutdans and Libertat. The quirkiest are in the old Jewish town around Place de Liol, which has live music, decent bars and even a curry house (meh but I'm from Bratfud, so tough crowd).

There are various museums and beautiful churches around the University, just behind the Jewish town.

If you have a car then it is in striking distance of various seaside resorts, or head into the hills via Deu des Angles, which is an old monastery, with cafe and hikes and impressive views .

It's a good town just to shamble around, no scammers or the likes you find in Barcelona and immacualtely kept.

[Bill]

I've used it as a cheap way to get to the Pyrenees and also the Bay of Roses. Empuribrava is a new build beach town with canals with watersports and skydiving (or did 25 years ago!) Cadaques is (was..) well worth the trip in its own right and was the home of Dali. Just over into France Collioure is spectacular too.

[TheHeadhunter]

I go to Girona 3 or 4 times a year. It's beautiful.

I go to ride, but also for the town. Incredible gastronomic centre, great bars, beautiful old town, great coffee shops, and a beautiful surrounding area as well. Accommodation varies from dirt cheap hotel, through beautiful AirBNBs right up to beautiful 5* hotels. It's the only place that my wife (and daughters) come with me when I go on cycling holidays.

Unless I'm only going to ride, I hire a car. SIXT are usually very very reasonable from the airport, and the surrounding areas are too beautiful not to see.

The best hotel, IMO is Casa Cacao (owned by the Roca brothers, they of the nearby triple Michelin star restaurant). It's not silly money. Also Hotel Palau Fugit is uber cool, and cheaper, but other than that, take a look at some of the AirBNBs in the older part of town. There are 100s, mostly with massive character and I usually pay €100-125 a night.

Restaurants
El Celler de Can Roca is the triple Michelin starred restaurant if you really want to indulge, (and can get a last minute cancellation)
But the Roca brother have other restaurants in town, all highly recommended. Can Roca and Normal are beautiful. And their ice cream shop, Rocambolesc

Other than that, favourite restaurants include:
El Cul De Món
Divinium
Masana
SiNoFos
Brots de Vi
Dit I Fet
Placa del Vi 7
Mimolet
Pizza Bartali and Pizzeria Marghe
L’arros
Cafe le Bistrot (sit on the steps)

La Fabrica (coffee shop - THE best coffee shop in Europe, IMO) - lunch not dinner
Also Federal, Hors Categorie, Verd and La Comuna

But there are literally hundreds to choose from.


Bars

Nykteris
Roof terrace at Hotel Ultonia
Bat at Palau Fugit
Gipsy Bar
Dozens of cafe bars around Place de la Independcia


Surrounding areas to visit.

Peratallada - absolute must-visit
Besalu
Garrotxa Volcanos
L'Escala
Banyoles