Where to stay in Girona
Pick the best area for your hotel in Girona: the medieval Barri Vell beside the Cathedral and El Call, the lively city centre around the Rambla, or near the AVE station. Compare and book with free cancellation.
Updated: 2026-06-03
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The best area to stay in Girona is the Barri Vell, the medieval old town beside the Cathedral and El Call, one of Europe's best-preserved Jewish quarters. Everything is walkable. The AVE station connects to Barcelona in about 38 minutes, and the Costa Brava is around 40 minutes away by car.
The 4 key areas to sleep in Girona
Barri Vell (old town)
The medieval heart: cobbled streets, the Cathedral with its great staircase, the El Call Jewish quarter and Game of Thrones corners. Ideal if you want atmosphere and to walk everywhere. Boutique hotels and historic houses.
Centre and Rambla de la Llibertat
By the Onyar river and its colourful houses. The Rambla is packed with terraces, shops and local life. A great base to mix old town and Eixample, with more hotel variety across price points.
Near the AVE station
Practical for travellers arriving or moving on by train: Barcelona in ~38 min and links to Madrid and France. More modern, functional hotels, a 10-15 minute walk from the old town.
Eixample and outskirts
Residential areas with larger hotels, on-site parking and better value. Recommended if you drive and want to explore the Costa Brava and the Empordà villages.
How to choose your hotel in Girona
Barri Vell: to live medieval Girona
If it's your first visit, the old town is the safe bet. You wake up among thousand-year-old stone, climb the Cathedral steps (the Great Sept of Baelor in Game of Thrones) and lose yourself in El Call without ever touching the car. It's the most charming area, but also the most in demand in high season and during Temps de Flors. Book ahead.
Centre and AVE: balance and connections
The centre around the Rambla and the Eixample offers more hotels and slightly gentler prices, just a few minutes' walk from the Onyar. If you'll be moving around a lot by train, staying near the AVE station saves transfers: Barcelona is about 38 minutes away and the line links to Madrid in under four hours.
With a car: outskirts and Costa Brava base
Girona is an excellent inland base for discovering the Costa Brava, around 40 minutes away by car. If you drive, consider hotels in the Eixample or outskirts with their own parking: parking in the old town is tricky and many streets are pedestrian-only. That way you combine city, beach and the medieval villages of the Empordà.
Practical info before you book
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer the best weather and less heat. To see the city covered in flowers, the Temps de Flors festival runs 9-17 May 2026: it's free and stunning, but hotels fill up fast, so book months in advance.
Getting there: By AVE from Barcelona in about 38 minutes, or from Madrid in just under 4 hours. Girona-Costa Brava airport is 15 min away and Barcelona's airport about 1 hour. From the station, the Barri Vell is a 10-15 minute walk.
Local tip: The old town is fully walkable, but it has slopes and cobblestones: bring comfortable shoes. With a large suitcase, check with your hotel about vehicle access, as several streets in El Call are pedestrian-only.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Girona
What is the best area to stay in Girona?
The Barri Vell (old town) is the top pick: you're next to the Cathedral, El Call and the Onyar houses, and you walk everywhere. If you prioritise price or train connections, the centre by the Rambla or the AVE area are good alternatives.
Is it worth staying near the AVE station?
Yes, especially if you arrive or continue by train. Barcelona is about 38 minutes away, with links to Madrid and France. The station is only a 10-15 minute walk from the old town, so you don't lose much atmosphere for the extra convenience.
Is Girona a good base for the Costa Brava?
Very much so. The Costa Brava is around 40 minutes away by car and the Empordà villages even closer. If you drive, pick a hotel with parking in the Eixample or outskirts; if not, there are organised excursions plus trains and buses to the coast.
When should I book for Girona?
Book several months ahead if you travel in spring, autumn or during Temps de Flors (9-17 May 2026), when the city is busy. The charming Barri Vell hotels are few and sell out; free cancellation gives you flexibility if your plans change.
Keep planning your Girona trip with our guides to What to do in Girona, How to get to Girona, Restaurants in Girona, Activities in Girona.
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Tours and experiences in Girona
Discover Girona with guided walks through the Barri Vell and El Call, Game of Thrones routes, Costa Brava excursions and Catalan food tastings. Book online with free cancellation.
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