City in Catalonia, Spain
Girona
Compact medieval city on the Onyar river, 38 minutes from Barcelona by fast train, with a pro-cycling community, great restaurants and the Costa Brava nearby. Expensive for its size; winters are damp.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,030–2,930Comfortable, one person · €1,800–2,600Details
- Value for money47/100Better value than 46% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 28°CDetails
- Internet263 MbpsFixed broadband, Spain medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and drunk widely; taste varies but is generally good.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$62–113Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundAVE / Avant to BarcelonaVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and phones work nearly everywhere; cash for market stalls and some small bars.Details
Where to stay in Girona
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Barri Vell (Old Town) | Lanes, cathedral steps and Jewish Quarter; best for short stays |
| Mercadal | Central shops, cafés and restaurants on the river's west bank |
| Eixample and Santa Eugènia | Longer stays near the station and local life |
| Pedret and Sant Narcís | Quieter, cheaper residential areas near Carrer de Santa Eugènia |
Apps that work in Girona
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Renfe: High-speed and regional train tickets
- ALSA: Long-distance bus tickets
- Taxis: Ride-hailing apps are not reliable here. Use taxi ranks or call a radio taxi; fares are low for short trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Spain.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and phones work nearly everywhere; cash for market stalls and some small bars.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Phone shops and airport kiosks sell prepaid SIMs (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Lebara); about €10–25 for 30–100 GB. Passport required to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Spain
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.