10 Most Beautiful Towns in Girona Full Guide 2023
This list of the most beautiful towns in Girona will help you prepare a getaway to one of the most beautiful areas in Europe, which we are sure will exceed all your expectations, no matter how high they may be.
Located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, this province ranges from old fishing villages that still retain all their seafaring charm to medieval-style inland towns that seem frozen in time, all of which are considered some of the most beautiful cities in Spain.
To get to know these towns, we recommend you rent a car and invest a minimum of one week, time that will allow you to pad through its streets and then relax on some of the best beaches on the Costa Brava, another of the great tourist attractions in the province of Girona.
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If you travel in summer, remember that accommodation prices increase considerably and it is difficult to find a parking space if you do not arrive early or a table in the best restaurants if you do not book in advance.
1. perforated
Walking through the cobbled streets of Peratallada, one of the most beautiful towns to see in Catalonia, will take you back to the Middle Ages for a moment, thanks to its beauty and its excellent state of preservation.
Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1975 and surrounded by a wall with a moat, Peratallada stands out for its stone houses with details on doors, arches and windows, and some facades covered by beautiful bougainvillea and vines that delight Instagrammers.
After completing this list of places to see in Peratallada, you can take a souvenir from one of its well-kept shops and eat at a recommended restaurant such as Cala Nena or Can Nau.
2. Cadaques
Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia and, according to the brilliant Salvador Dalí, the most beautiful in the world, falls in love at first sight due to its isolated location in the Cap de Creu Natural Park and its marine charm that has been preserved to this day.
Although many travellers stay for only one morning or afternoon, it is worth spending a whole day in this town of white houses and narrow streets, full of charming corners, art galleries and beautiful shops. That is one of our favourite places in the world.
In addition to visiting the town, we recommend you do a hiking route such as the one that takes you to the Cala Nans lighthouse or a more demanding one that reaches the Cap de Creus lighthouse passing through Port Lligat, where you can take the opportunity to visit the house-museum Dalí, where he lived a large part of his life with his wife, Gala.
To learn more about the history of Cadaqués, you can book this free tour and recover your energy by enjoying the latest food at Talla or Compartir, two of the best restaurants to eat in Cadaqués.
3. Pals, one of the most beautiful towns in Girona
Pals, in the heart of the Empordà, is another of the most beautiful towns in Catalonia where you will feel like you are going back in time as you walk through its cobbled streets.
With many unique corners, we recommend you not to miss visiting the Sant Pere church, the Castle, the medieval wall, Ca la Pruna, the Josep Pla Viewpoint, the Torre de las Horas or the Plaza Mayor, which are some of the places to see in The most beautiful Pals. However, it is best to get lost in the narrow streets of its old town and, as we said before, feel like you are going back in time.
And to end the visit to the town, there is nothing better than trying the famous Pals rice in a casserole on the terrace of El Pedró, our favourite restaurant to eat in Pals.
The best way to get to know all these towns is by car. However, you are based in the city of Girona. Another option is to book this tour of the Costa Brava villages, including Llafranc, Calella, Begur, Pals, La Bisbal d’Empordà and Peratallada.
4. Calella de Palafrugell
In a privileged situation, surrounded by small coves with crystalline waters, is Calella de Palafrugell, which, like Cadaqués, still preserves a large part of its maritime past in its historic centre, especially in the surroundings of Port Bo Beach with its houses of white, its vaulted arches and the picturesque fishing boats resting on the sand of the beach.
Also in this area are some of the most recommended restaurants where to eat in Calella de Palafrugell with views of the sea, such as La Blava or Sol I Mar, perfect for trying the typical Suquet de peix or a good rice dish.
After completing this list of places to see in Calella de PalafrugellYou can go along the coastal paths or by car to the magnificent Cap Roig Gardens or to neighbouring Llafranc, which are among the best things to do on the Costa Brava.
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5. Besalu
Besalú, on the banks of the Fluvía River and near the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, is another of Girona’s most beautiful medieval towns.
Crossing the emblematic bridge and strolling through the old Jewish quarter until you find the Mikvé, one of the few preserved in Europe from medieval times, is one of the best things to do in Besalú, a place that we are sure will not leave you indifferent. And it will exceed all your expectations.
To end your visit, you can enter the Monastery of Sant Pere, visit the Circusland museum and walk along the riverbank to the Pont Vell, one of our favourite restaurants to eat in Besalú.
6. Tossa de Mar
Another of the most beautiful towns in Girona is without a doubt Tossa de Mar, a popular tourist destination for sun and sand, which hides many other attractions such as the road that runs along the coast until you reach the town where you can enjoy some of the best viewpoints of the Costa Brava and some of the most beautiful coves with turquoise waters in Spain such as Cala Bona, Cala Pola and Cala Giverola.
Once in the town, you can walk along the promenade, stroll through the Barrio de la Roqueta, go up to the Castle, pass through the historic part of Vila Vella and take a relaxing bath in the hidden Cala es Codolar.
Once you have completed the list of the main places to see in Tossa de Mar, We recommend you go to La Lluna or Castell Vell, two of the most recommended restaurants to eat in Tossa de Mar, where you can try their fresh fish and seafood dishes.
7. Beget
Beget, located in the Ripollés region, is one of Girona’s most picturesque and essential inland towns.
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Known for being a small mountain town, it presents an architectural ensemble that preserves its medieval houses, stone bridges, narrow streets, and several Romanesque monuments, such as the church of San Cristóbal. Although with just over two hours, you can see the entire town. If you have more time, you can take a hiking route along the river, take a bath in the Beget pools or enjoy the elaborate food at Can Jeroni, one of our favourite Beget restaurants.
8. Santa Pau
Santa Pau, located in the emblematic region of La Garrotxa and known, among other things, for being the birthplace of the fools of Santa Pau, is another of the towns in the province of Girona that will make you fall in love at first sight.
Surrounded by volcanoes and lava flows, the town retains its walled medieval historic centre on top of a small hill where its Playa Mayor stands out.
After investing about two hours in completing the points of interest to see in Santa PauWe advise you to go to the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa in about 5 minutes to take a hiking route that will take you to natural jewels such as the Fageda d’en Jordà, the Croscat volcano or the Santa Margarita volcano.
9. Begur
Begur, located in the Baix Empordà region, is another of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava. Among the most exciting places to see in Begur is its well-kept historic centre full of stone houses, Indian houses and defence towers, topped by the ruins of a castle that has become an ideal viewpoint to observe the entire environment.
In addition to touring the historic centre, we advise you to invest time in completing some of the best coastal paths of the Costa Brava that will take you to paradisiacal beaches such as Aiguablava, Sa Tuna, Sa Riera and our favourite, Illa Roja.
10. Monells
Near Peratallada and Pals, in the beautiful Natural Area of les Gavarres, is the small town of Monells, our last recommendation on this list of the most beautiful cities in Girona.
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Among the most beautiful places to see in Monells are Calle del Arcs, Plaza del Oli and Plaza de Jaume I, the latter famous for being the setting on which several scenes of the funny film “Ocho apellidos catalanes” were filmed.
What is the nicest coastal town on the Costa Brava?
Calella de Palafrugell holds a well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Spain. With its white houses, wooden boats on the beach, rocky inlets and hidden coves, there’s a dream-like atmosphere that you won’t be able to put your finger on.
What is the most beautiful village in Catalonia?
1. Cadaqués. Home to intellectuals and artists from Dalí to Pau Riba, this is currently a magnet for city slickers looking for some peace and quiet far from nearby crowded beaches. It’s surrounded by rocky hills that meant until the end of the 19th century, Cadaqués was practically accessible only by boat.
Is Girona Spain worth visiting?
Girona is a magnificent city with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant food scene. You probably don’t know much about Girona, but it’s definitely one of Catalonia’s most underrated cities
What towns are between Barcelona and Girona?
The top cities between Barcelona and Girona are Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, and Blanes. Lloret de Mar is the most popular city on the route — it’s less than an hour from Barcelona and less than an hour from Girona.