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  • Panorama on the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes
    Provided by: histoire_itinerante/shutterstock
  • Monestir de sant pere de rodes. Costa brava. Girona. Catalonia.
    Provided by: Josep Pena Llorens/shutterstock

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

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Europe Spain Girona Do & See Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

The guide was updated:
Perched high in the Serra de Rodes mountains, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a masterpiece of Catalan Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 10th century, this former Benedictine complex features a sophisticated church, a majestic bell tower, and cloisters arranged on terraces with sweeping views of the Cap de Creus peninsula. Notable for its classical-inspired sculptures and the remnants of a finely carved portal, the monastery was a major spiritual centre until the 14th century. Nearby, the ruins of Santa Creu de Rodes medieval village and its pre-Romanesque church complete this historic landscape.

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Digital Travel Guide Download

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase
Plaça de la Independència

Plaça de la Independència

Plaça de la Independència is the elegant neoclassical heart of Girona, designed by Martí Sureda in the 19th century on the site of a former Augustine convent. Its porticoed arches frame a lively scene of locals and visitors dining or sipping coffee under the shade. The square’s name honours Girona’s defenders during the 1808–1809 siege by Napoleonic forces, a struggle memorialised by Antoni Parera’s central monument in 1894. By day, it’s a prime spot for people-watching; by night, the terraces fill with revellers enjoying tapas and evening drinks. An essential stop for both history and atmosphere.
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Girona Cathedral

Girona Cathedral

Crowning Girona’s skyline, the Cathedral of Santa Maria commands attention from the top of a majestic 86-step staircase. Its soaring Baroque façade, added in the 17th century, belies a far older history: foundations date to the 5th century, with a Romanesque church and 12th-century cloister still preserved within. The cathedral’s most notable feature is the 23-metre-wide Gothic nave (widest in the world!) completed in the 14th century and illuminated by vast stained-glass windows. Inside, the Museum of the Cathedral safeguards extraordinary treasures, including the 11th-century Tapestry of Creation, a vivid Romanesque depiction of divine order, and a gem-studded 14th-century silver altarpiece. The cloister captivates with carved capitals portraying biblical tales and mythical beasts. For context, use the included audio guide to unravel layers of history, from Roman forums to medieval masterpieces.
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Museum of Jewish History & Jewish Quarter

Museum of Jewish History & Jewish Quarter

Girona’s El Call is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters, a labyrinth of narrow, steep alleys centred around Carrer de la Força. At its heart lies the Museum of Jewish History, housed in a building that once held a 15th-century synagogue and now vividly recounts the story of Catalonia’s Jewish communities. Exhibits trace their profound contributions to medicine, astronomy and philosophy, while also confronting darker chapters like the Inquisition and the 1492 expulsion. Highlights include an 11th-century miqvé (ritual bath), funerary slabs with Hebrew inscriptions, and the original expulsion edict. Detailed multilingual panels guide visitors through themes of daily life, rituals, and cultural exchange. Beyond the museum, the quarter itself whispers with history. Wander its cobbled lanes to sense the resilience of a community that shaped Girona for centuries.
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Arab Baths

Arab Baths

The Arab Baths are a striking example of 12th-century Romanesque architecture, inspired by Roman and Islamic bathhouse traditions rather than built by them. Designed during a period of Christian rule, they served as public baths for Girona’s diverse medieval community, blending functional elements from Roman thermae, Muslim hammams, and Jewish purification rituals. The centrepiece is the apodyterium (changing room), a sublime octagonal space crowned by a dome and supported by slender columns, where a central pool reflects light from above. Other rooms — the frigidarium (cold bath), tepidarium (warm room) and furnace-heated caldarium (sauna) — showcase sophisticated hydraulic engineering. Despite damage during sieges and later use by Capuchin nuns, the baths were meticulously restored in the 20th century. Today, they offer a quiet glimpse into medieval daily life and the cross-cultural exchanges that defined the era.
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Sant Martín Steps

Sant Martín Steps

Tucked away in the heart of the Barri Vell, the Escales de Sant Martí (St. Martin’s Steps) form one of Girona’s most iconic and photographed scenes, also featured on Game of Thrones. This timeless corner blends medieval romance with Baroque grandeur, framed by the 17th-century façade of the former Convent of Sant Martí and the striking Casa-Palau Agullana. The palace’s skewed arch stretches over the steps, creating a covered passage that feels both intimate and theatrical — a favourite backdrop for artists and Instagrammers. Even though often busy with visitors, the spot retains a quiet magic, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Sit on the steps with a coffee, and watch as the city’s history unfolds in every shadow and angle.
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Passeig de la Muralla

Passeig de la Muralla

A stroll along Passeig de la Muralla offers Girona’s most dramatic perspectives, tracing the line of ancient fortifications that once enclosed the city. These walls, Europe’s longest surviving Carolingian remnants, combine Roman foundations with medieval expansions, now restored to create an elevated walkway. The path winds past historic watchtowers and through the lush Jardins dels Alemanys, offering quiet corners and photogenic vantage points. Though some sections involve steep steps and uneven stones, the reward is a peaceful, crowd-free journey through layers of history. For a memorable descent, exit at the Jardins de la Muralla, where the ramparts gently return you to the modern city. Access is free, with multiple entry points. Start near the cathedral for a climb up the Torre Gironella, where a spiral staircase leads to sunset views over the terracotta skyline and distant Pyrenees.
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The Cinema Museum

The Cinema Museum

Housed in a historic building, The Cinema Museum holds Spain’s first and most significant collection of cinematic history, thanks to the visionary Tomàs Mallol. Acquired by the city in 1994, his private collection forms the core of this public museum. It traces over 400 years of visual storytelling through 25,000 artefacts — from magic lanterns and zoetropes to early cameras and projectors — making it one of Europe’s most comprehensive archives on pre-cinema and early film. Beyond the permanent exhibition, the museum hosts temporary shows, educational workshops, and a specialised library. While some displays are labelled primarily in Catalan and Spanish, introductory materials are available in English, French and German.
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Dalí Theatre-Museum

Dalí Theatre-Museum

Take a 1-hour journey to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and step into his surreal masterpiece — the Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself. Constructed to replace an old theatre that burnt down during the Spanish Civil War, the building is a work of surrealist art, topped with giant eggs and crowned by a geodesic dome. Inside, it holds the world’s largest collection of Dalí’s works, from early impressionist pieces like Port Alguer (1924) to later marvels like Galatea of the Spheres (1952). Don’t miss the Mae West room, an upside-down bathtub fixed to the ceiling, or the glittering jewellery collection. The artist himself is buried in a crypt below the stage, adding a layer of solemnity to the whimsy. Book tickets online to avoid long queues, and allow at least half a day to fully absorb the labyrinthine galleries, optical illusions, and the sheer audacity of Dalí’s vision.
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Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Perched high in the Serra de Rodes mountains, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a masterpiece of Catalan Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 10th century, this former Benedictine complex features a sophisticated church, a majestic bell tower, and cloisters arranged on terraces with sweeping views of the Cap de Creus peninsula. Notable for its classical-inspired sculptures and the remnants of a finely carved portal, the monastery was a major spiritual centre until the 14th century. Nearby, the ruins of Santa Creu de Rodes medieval village and its pre-Romanesque church complete this historic landscape.
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Basilica of St Felix

Basilica of St Felix

The Basilica of St Felix is one of Girona’s oldest churches, a site of continuous worship since the early Christian period. Its architecture is a palimpsest of styles: a Romanesque core, a majestic Gothic nave, and a Baroque façade topped by a distinctive truncated bell tower. The interior safeguards priceless treasures, including eight rare Roman and early Christian sarcophagi and the ornate 14th-century Gothic tomb of Sant Narcís, the city's patron saint. Though never the cathedral, its historical and artistic importance is profound. It remains an active parish church, offering a quieter but deeply atmospheric counterpoint to the larger cathedral nearby.
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Fundació Mona

Fundació Mona

Fundació Mona is a pioneering primate rehabilitation centre dedicated to rescuing and caring for chimpanzees and macaques recovered from abusive situations like circuses, the advertising industry and the illegal pet trade. Here, primates regain physical and emotional health while living in social family groups within large, naturalistic enclosures. Visits are educational and ethically focused: guided by expert staff, you’ll learn about primate behaviour, conservation challenges, and the stories of individual animals. Advance booking is essential, and tours emphasise respect for the residents’ well-being over entertainment. Through its work, Mona raises awareness about wildlife trafficking, species extinction, and the importance of protecting our closest evolutionary relatives.
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La Devesa Park

La Devesa Park

La Devesa Park is Catalonia’s largest urban green space, a 40-hectare oasis framed by the Ter, Güell, and Onyar rivers. Its defining feature is a stunning grid of over 2,500 plane trees, many planted in the 1850s and soaring over 55 metres. The vegetation creates shaded avenues perfect for walking and cycling. Beyond its natural allure, the park serves as a vibrant community hub. It hosts weekly markets, the annual Festes de Sant Narcís fair, sports facilities, and cultural venues like the Girona Trade Fair (Fira de Girona) and Girona Auditorium & Conference Centre (Auditori Palau de Congressos). The French-style gardens and historic gatehouses add elegance to this protected landscape.
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