Girona Heritage: cathedral, Jewish Call and city walls
Girona's old town packs in two thousand years of history: a cathedral with the widest Gothic nave in the world, one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe and walls you can walk on Roman foundations.
Updated: 2026-06-03
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Girona's essential heritage is the Cathedral of Santa María (widest Gothic nave in the world, Baroque staircase of 90 steps), the Call or medieval Jewish quarter with the Museu d'Història dels Jueus, the Romanesque Arab Baths of 1194, the Força Vella with Roman and medieval walls, and the monasteries of Sant Pere de Galligants and Sant Feliu.
The 4 must-see monuments
Cathedral of Santa María
Its Gothic nave of almost 23 metres is the widest in the world, and its Baroque staircase of 90 steps is Girona's most famous postcard, a filming location for series such as Game of Thrones.
The Call: the medieval Jewish quarter
A maze of stone alleys forming one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. The Museu d'Història dels Jueus explains the community's life right up to the expulsion of 1492.
Arab Baths
Romanesque public baths built around 1194 by order of King Alfonso I. Despite the name, they imitate the structure of Muslim baths and were used by the whole medieval city.
Força Vella and the walls
The original fortified enclosure has Roman foundations expanded in medieval times. The Passeig de la Muralla lets you walk along the defences with panoramic views over the old town.
How to explore Girona's heritage
An old town made for walking
Girona's historic-artistic centre is compact and pedestrian: in one morning you can link the cathedral, the Basílica de Sant Feliu, the Call and the Arab Baths without using any transport. Wear comfortable shoes, as the cobbled streets and the climbs up to the cathedral are demanding.
Romanesque and archaeology at Sant Pere de Galligants
The Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants is a gem of Catalan Romanesque that today houses the Girona branch of the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia. Its cloister and church are well worth the short walk from the cathedral down towards the Galligants river.
Sant Feliu and the views from the walls
The Basílica de Sant Feliu, with its truncated bell tower, was the city's first cathedral. Climbing the Passeig de la Muralla at sunset rewards you with the finest panoramas of the monumental ensemble and the colourful houses along the Onyar river.
Practical information
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer the best weather for walking. If you can, time your trip with Girona, Temps de Flors, held in 2026 from 9 to 17 May: the city fills monuments and courtyards with floral installations, including the cathedral staircase, and entry is free.
How to get there: Girona is about 38 minutes from Barcelona by high-speed train (the fastest services dip below 30 minutes), making it a perfect day trip. The station is a short walk from the old town across the river.
Tip: Arrive early to photograph the cathedral staircase without crowds, and book the combined ticket for the cathedral and Basílica de Sant Feliu. For the Arab Baths and the Museu d'Història dels Jueus, check the hours, as they close in the early afternoon on some days.
Frequently asked questions about Girona's heritage
Why is Girona Cathedral famous?
For having the widest Gothic nave in the world, at almost 23 metres, and for its monumental Baroque staircase of 90 steps. That staircase became globally famous after serving as a filming location for the series Game of Thrones.
What is the Call of Girona?
It is the old medieval Jewish quarter, a maze of stone alleys considered one of the best-preserved in Europe. The Jewish community lived there until the expulsion of 1492. The Museu d'Història dels Jueus occupies the building of the city's last synagogue.
Are the Arab Baths really Arab?
No. They are Romanesque public baths built around 1194, already under Christian rule. They have been called Arab since the 19th century because they imitate the structure of Muslim baths, but they were used by the whole medieval population.
Can you see Girona's heritage in one day?
Yes. The old town is compact and pedestrian, so in a single day you can cover the cathedral, Sant Feliu, the Call, the Arab Baths, Sant Pere de Galligants and the walls. With the high-speed train from Barcelona at 38 minutes, it is a very easy day trip.
Plan your visit with our other Girona guides: Hotels in Girona, What to do in Girona, How to get to Girona, Restaurants in Girona.
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Guided tours of the old town
The best way to understand the Call, the cathedral and the walls is with a local guide. Guided walking tours of the old town and the Jewish quarter reveal stories you would miss exploring on your own.
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