Girona in 2 Days: City Walls and the Jewish Quarter

Start on the city walls for views across the old town’s roofs and towards the hills. The raised walk has steps and exposed stretches; descend towards the cathedral to continue the historic-centre circuit.

Climb the broad staircase to the cathedral and visit the nave and treasury. The Creation Tapestry is a reason to go beyond the exterior view, especially if medieval art interests you.

These compact medieval baths sit just north of the cathedral. The columned central pool is the best-known room; visit them as part of the same northern old-town walk.

The Museum of Jewish History explains the community that lived in El Call. Visit before wandering the surrounding lanes, so the buildings and street layout have more meaning than a picturesque backdrop.

Sant Feliu offers an older religious history and a different interior from the cathedral. Its position near the river makes it a useful final stop before leaving the northern old town.

Begin the second day with a view along the Onyar towards the coloured riverside houses. Cross the bridge and follow the river before turning back into the old town for Casa Masó.

A guided visit to architect Rafael Masó’s family home takes you inside one of the Onyar houses. Its rooms and furnishings make this especially worthwhile for travellers interested in domestic architecture and design.

The art museum occupies the former episcopal palace beside the cathedral. Choose it for Romanesque and Gothic art, or substitute the city history museum below if local history is more your interest.

This museum follows Girona’s development through different periods. It is an alternative main museum visit for the afternoon; doing both it and the art museum is best reserved for a particularly museum-focused weekend.

End with a walk among the park’s tall plane trees, outside the dense old streets. It is a generous outdoor stretch after the museums and a good place to slow the day down.

Girona’s archaeology museum is housed in Sant Pere de Galligants, near the Arab Baths. The Romanesque monastery and regional finds make a worthwhile substitute for another church or museum on the first day.

Walk into the Sant Daniel valley for a quieter outing beyond the old town. The monastery and surrounding paths make this a half-day alternative for travellers who want more countryside in their city break.

Choose the cinema museum for optical inventions, early moving images and the history of film. It is a good change from medieval monuments and an appealing alternative for a family or wet-weather afternoon.