Girona & Costa Brava Small-Group Day Tour from Barcelona

Girona, Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter

Girona is one of Catalonia's best-preserved medieval cities, set on the River Onyar about an hour from Barcelona. Your Girona day trip from Barcelona begins with a walking tour of the old town, Roman walls and stone lanes. The cathedral has the widest Gothic nave in the world, and the steps leading up to it make a dramatic sight.

El Call, the old Jewish Quarter, is among the best preserved in Europe, and its narrow alleys and stairs give a sense of medieval life. Girona is also known for the colourful houses hanging over the Onyar, one of its most photographed views. Fans of television fantasy may recognise some of the city's streets from filming.

Pals and the Empordà Countryside

From Girona the tour drives east through the Empordà plain, a landscape of fields and low hills between the mountains and the sea. The scenery is a good reason to travel by minibus and let your guide handle the driving, and you can enjoy the countryside from the window or during stops.

Pals is a beautifully preserved medieval village on a small hill, with a Gothic quarter of stone houses and cobbled lanes. From its viewpoint you can see across the plain to the Mediterranean. It is a peaceful place for a short walk and photos, and a good example of the region's small villages that are hard to reach by public transport.

Calella de Palafrugell and the Costa Brava

Calella de Palafrugell is a traditional fishing village on the Costa Brava, with whitewashed houses, small coves and calm turquoise water. It is a classic Costa Brava day trip destination for people who want to see the coast without a long journey. You have time for a walk along the seafront and to relax on the beach.

Bring swimwear if you would like a dip in the Mediterranean; the water is refreshing in warm months. The beach stop lets you enjoy the coast at your own pace, and you can also look out over the coves from the paths above the sea, which show why the Costa Brava, meaning the wild coast, has its name.

The Camí de Ronda Coastal Paths

The Camí de Ronda is the old network of paths along the Costa Brava that fishermen and coastguards once used. Today it links secluded beaches, hidden coves and rocky cliffs, and it is one of the best ways to experience the coast on foot. On this tour you see part of the paths near Calella.

The walking here is light and scenic, and your guide points out places worth photographing. If you are asking whether the Costa Brava is worth a day trip from Barcelona, this coastal path is the answer: wild scenery and clear water, with a small group and no need to drive. Wear comfortable shoes.