Girona is the perfect size for a short getaway. Over a weekend in Girona, you can explore the Barri Vell on foot, walk along the city walls, sit down for a meal without constantly checking the clock, and still have time to discover what lies beyond the city.
In autumn, the trip gains another dimension. The temperatures are perfect for walking, seasonal cuisine returns, and Girona can become the starting point for reaching La Garrotxa, Banyoles, Besalú, or the villages of the Empordà.
This is not intended to be an endless list of must-sees. We have designed this guide for a real two- or three-day getaway: what to see in Girona in autumn, where to eat, where to sleep, and which excursions are truly worth extending your trip for.
Is it worth visiting Girona in autumn?
Yes, especially if you are looking for a getaway that combines city, gastronomy, and nature without having to spend too many hours traveling.
Girona is small enough to explore a good part of the center on foot, yet it is surrounded by some of the most interesting landscapes in Catalonia. This makes it work very well in two ways: as a weekend city break or as a base for a slightly longer trip through the Girona regions.
October and November also have their own advantages: more comfortable temperatures for walking, seasonal produce, forests that are starting to change color, and, at the end of October, the Fires de Sant Narcís.
What to see in Girona over a weekend
Barri Vell: starting without a rigid route
The Barri Vell concentrates many of the places you will want to see during a first visit to Girona, but it works better when it doesn't become just a succession of monuments.
Start by crossing one of the bridges over the Onyar and then enter the streets of the old town. The colorful facades along the river offer the most recognizable image of the city, but Girona becomes much more interesting when you move a few meters away from the main route.
Cobblestone streets, small squares, stairs, and passageways mean that much of the visit consists simply of walking.
Girona Cathedral
The grand staircase leads to one of Girona's most recognizable buildings. The Cathedral of Santa Maria blends several architectural styles and visually dominates much of the Barri Vell.
We wouldn't settle for just an exterior photograph. If you have time, going inside allows you to better understand the scale of the building and continue on to the cloister and the streets surrounding the cathedral.
El Call, the old Jewish Quarter
The Call of Girona was one of the most important Jewish quarters in medieval Catalonia. Its narrow and stepped layout remains one of the areas with the most character in the city.
If you want to delve a little deeper, you can visit the Museum of Jewish History. If not, simply walking through the streets surrounding Carrer de la Força already allows you to understand how this part of medieval Girona was organized.
Walking along the walls
One of the things we like most about Girona is being able to see it from above without practically leaving the center. The Passeig de la Muralla runs along part of the ancient fortifications and opens up views of the rooftops of the Barri Vell, the Cathedral, and the landscape surrounding the city.
We would save this walk for late afternoon. The light is softer, and it allows you to end the day without needing to add another visit.
Sant Pere de Galligants and Sant Daniel
On the other side of the busiest part of the old town, Sant Pere de Galligants and the surroundings of the Sant Daniel valley offer a much quieter side of Girona.
If you've spent several hours among streets and monuments, walking towards Sant Daniel is a simple way to change the pace without taking the car. In a few minutes, you go from the historic center to paths, vegetable gardens, and a much greener landscape.
Girona in autumn is also understood around the table
One of the reasons to dedicate a full weekend to Girona is that gastronomy doesn't work as an addition to the trip. It is part of it.
In autumn, ingredients and preparations linked to the cold months return: mushrooms, pumpkin, chestnuts, stews, mountain products, and Empordà wines. It is the time to book one intentional meal and leave others more open.
Restaurant Normal
Normal, by Joan, Josep, and Jordi Roca, is one of the tables we would save for this getaway. Its proposal is based on direct, pot-and-fire cooking, connected to the family's culinary memory and local produce.
Their work with Empordà wines, which are very prominent on the menu, is also especially interesting.
It is located in Plaça de l'Oli, within the Barri Vell, so it fits perfectly into a day dedicated to exploring the center.
Casa Cacao
Casa Cacao can function as both accommodation and a gastronomic stop. The El Celler de Can Roca project occupies a historic building in Plaça Catalunya and works with cocoa from an artisanal perspective.
If you stay at the hotel, breakfast on the terrace uses seasonal, locally sourced products and has direct views over the old town.
Leaving some meals unbooked
We wouldn't try to turn the weekend into a tour of well-known restaurants. Girona has enough bars, bakeries, cafes, and small eateries to leave some room for improvisation.
A good formula would be to book one special meal and let the rest of the trip build itself as you explore the city.
Where to sleep in Girona
For a two-night trip, we would sleep inside or very close to the Barri Vell. Being able to head out on foot in the morning and return to the hotel between plans is much more rewarding than saving a few minutes or euros by staying far from the center.
Palau Fugit
Palau Fugit occupies an old palace in the heart of the historic center. It combines stone, contemporary art, and design with spaces like the inner courtyard, the terrace with views of the wall, and a small water area.
We find it especially interesting for this getaway because the hotel doesn't just function as a place to sleep: it allows you to slow down between one part of the day and another.
Casa Cacao
Another option is Casa Cacao, the boutique hotel linked to El Celler de Can Roca. It has only 15 rooms and is located in Plaça Catalunya, right between the modern part and the entrance to the Barri Vell.
We would choose it especially if gastronomy plays a significant role in the trip.
Girona during the Fires de Sant Narcís
If you are traveling in late October, it is worth checking if your weekend coincides with the Fires de Sant Narcís, Girona's main festival.
In 2026, they will be celebrated from October 23 to November 1, and during those days the city hosts concerts, folk culture, parades, human towers (castellers), markets, and numerous activities spread across different spaces.
It doesn't necessarily mean you have to organize your trip around the festivities, but you will find a Girona very different from any other weekend.
We find the artisanal food market in Plaça de la Independència particularly interesting, which remains open during the festivities in 2026.
If you prefer a quieter getaway, we would simply choose another weekend in October or November.
5 getaways near Girona to extend the trip
One of the great advantages of Girona is that you can completely change your scenery in a short time. If you have a third day, these are the five outings we would consider before trying to cover the entire province.
1. Banyoles
A little over half an hour from Girona, Banyoles works especially well for a quiet morning. The lake practically sets the entire pace of the visit.
Walking along the water, then entering the historic center and sitting down to eat is enough. It doesn't need much planning.
We would choose it if: you want nature but don't feel like dedicating the whole day to a mountain route.
2. Besalú
Besalú is one of the most well-known medieval ensembles in Girona and an easy excursion from the city.
Its bridge over the Fluvià is the most recognizable image, but we recommend crossing it and dedicating time to the old urban core, the streets around the Jewish quarter, and the medieval heritage.
We would choose it if: you are looking for villages and history and only have half a day.
3. La Garrotxa: Santa Pau and the Fageda d'en Jordà
If there is one excursion that makes special sense in autumn, it is La Garrotxa.
The Fageda d'en Jordà grows on an ancient lava flow and is one of the most famous forests in the region. Combining it with Santa Pau allows you to put together a very complete day without traveling too many kilometers.
We wouldn't try to add Olot, several volcanoes, and other villages on the same day. Fageda + Santa Pau + lunch is enough to enjoy it without turning it into a race.
We would choose it if: the autumn landscape is one of the main reasons for the trip.
4. Monells, Peratallada and the inland Empordà
Towards the east of Girona, a completely different landscape begins. Stone villages like Monells and Peratallada allow you to build a getaway through the inland Empordà where the journey between one stop and the next is also part of the trip.
In autumn, when the intensity of summer subsides, it is an especially pleasant area to explore calmly.
We would choose it if: you want villages, secondary roads, and a long lunch as the focus of the day.
5. Pals and Begur
If you want to reach the sea, combining Pals and Begur allows you to unite the Empordà with the Costa Brava without needing to plan a long route.
In autumn, many beaches recover a much quieter atmosphere. It may not be swimming season, but precisely for that reason, the coastal paths, viewpoints, and small coastal villages are enjoyed in a different way.
We would choose it if: you want to end your getaway looking at the Mediterranean.
Girona in 2 days: how to organize the weekend
Day 1: Barri Vell
- Onyar houses and city center bridges.
- Barri Vell.
- Cathedral.
- Jewish Quarter.
- Lunch in the center.
- Passeig de la Muralla in the late afternoon.
At night, we would book a good table and not add any more visits.
Day 2: another Girona
- Breakfast without rushing.
- Sant Pere de Galligants.
- Walk towards Sant Daniel.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon for shops, cafes, or places you haven't yet seen.
If this is your second visit to Girona, we would replace part of this day with Banyoles or Besalú.
Girona in 3 days: when it's worth adding an excursion
With three days, Girona becomes a much more complete getaway.
We would dedicate two days to the city and one to the territory. In autumn, our first choice would be La Garrotxa. If you already know it, we would opt for the inland Empordà.
We wouldn't try to combine Girona + Garrotxa + Costa Brava in three days. It is possible on the map, but it leaves too little time to enjoy each place.
Do you need a car for a weekend in Girona?
To get to know Girona city, no. In fact, a car is not very useful inside the Barri Vell, where many streets are restricted or exclusively pedestrian.
If you are only going for two days, arriving by train and getting around on foot is probably the most comfortable option.
A car starts to make sense when you want to include La Garrotxa, Empordà, or Costa Brava. For a three or four-day trip, you can even rent one just for the day of the excursion.
Tips for organizing a weekend in Girona
- Sleep near the Barri Vell. On a short getaway, being able to explore the city on foot makes a big difference.
- Book a table in advance. Especially if you want to eat at a specific restaurant on Saturday or Sunday.
- Don't have a rigid itinerary. Girona works especially well on foot.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The old town has cobblestone streets, stairs, and slopes.
- Check the dates of Sant Narcís. They can be a reason to travel or to choose another weekend, depending on the type of getaway you are looking for.
- If you visit La Garrotxa in autumn, leave early. The most famous places can get quite crowded on weekends.
Frequently asked questions about a weekend in Girona
How many days are needed to see Girona?
Two days are enough to get to know the main places in Girona without rushing too much. With three days, you can add an excursion to La Garrotxa, Banyoles, Besalú, or the Empordà.
What to see in Girona in two days?
We would prioritize the Barri Vell, Cathedral, Jewish Quarter, Passeig de la Muralla, Sant Pere de Galligants, and the surroundings of Sant Daniel. We would spend the rest of the time walking and enjoying the gastronomy.
Is Girona worth it in autumn?
Yes. The temperatures are pleasant for exploring the city, the gastronomy enters a very interesting season, and Girona serves as a base for some of the great autumn landscapes of Catalonia, especially La Garrotxa.
What is the best month to visit Girona in autumn?
October is especially interesting due to the temperatures and the Fires de Sant Narcís at the end of the month. November is usually quieter and may coincide with a more advanced stage of the color change in some inland areas.
Can you visit Girona without a car?
Yes. For a weekend focused on the city, you don't need a car. The train station is within walking distance of the center and most of the points of interest are located in or around the Barri Vell.
What excursion to do from Girona in autumn?
If it's your first time, we would choose La Garrotxa and combine the Fageda d'en Jordà with Santa Pau. If you prefer villages and gastronomy, the inland Empordà is a great alternative.
Where to eat in Girona?
For a special meal, we would save Restaurant Normal. We would also leave space to discover bars, bakeries, and small tables in the center without having all meals booked.
Where to stay in Girona?
For a short weekend, we would choose the Barri Vell or its surroundings. Palau Fugit and Casa Cacao are two options with plenty of personality and a particularly convenient location for getting around on foot.
Girona, best when you don't try to see it all
What makes a weekend in Girona interesting is not the number of places that can fit into 48 hours. It is precisely the opposite: being able to walk through a small city, book a worthwhile table, and be less than an hour away from forests, medieval villages, and roads through the Empordà.
If you are traveling in autumn, you can continue planning your trip with our selection of autumn getaways in Spain.
And if you're looking for ideas for November, you can also check our guide on where to travel in November in Spain.
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