Girona and Costa Brava Weekend Escape
- Irene
- 22 hours ago
- 7 min read
Looking for a quick getaway? Girona and Costa Brava are perfect for a weekend escape. From Girona’s old streets and colourful houses to the beautiful beaches and cliffs of Costa Brava, this trip is full of charm, sunshine, and great food.
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrival
Day 2 – Costa Brava: Peratallada, Pals, Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell
Day 3 – Girona: Plaza de la Independencia, River and colorful houses, Cathedral, Pujada de Sant Domènec, City Walls, Arab Baths and Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants
Best time to go: From May to the end of October, and if possible, avoid the peak months of July and August. We went in mid-October and it was the perfect time for sightseeing and sitting on a terrace by the sea. Bear in mind that many restaurants and shops are seasonal, so they might be closed during the winter months.
General advice: definitely rent a car so you can explore the towns in the region which are absolutely stunning. Ideally, you could fly into Girona airport which is just 15/ 20 min drive to Girona. Another option is to fly to Barcelona which is around 1.15 hr from the Costa Brava.
Where to stay: I would try to stay in the centre of Girona but remember to get a hotel with parking which can get a bit tricky to find. ‘Hotel Palau Fugit’ is an excellent choice, a beautiful hotel in a great location. ‘Hotel Nord 1901’ is a good cheaper alternative.
Day 1: Arrival
When you arrive, pick up the rental car and head towards your hotel for check-in.
Thankfully in Spain you can usually have dinner until 10.30 to 11 pm, so head straight out after for dinner. Two good options to go for dinner are: ‘Restaurant l'Escabetx’ and ‘Fonda d'El Foment’.
Day 2: Costa Brava
On your second day, start early—aim to leave your hotel by 10:00 at the latest to visit a few of the prettiest towns in Costa Brava.
There are so many towns in this area that it can be tricky to choose which ones to visit. We went for: Peratallada, Pals, Begur, Llafranc, and Calella de Palafrugell.
We started with Peratallada which is around 45 min drive from Girona centre. Peratallada is a historic medieval village that originated in the 10th century around a castle built on a natural sandstone rock. Its name, meaning "carved stone," comes from the rock that the village was carved out of and built from, with its defensive moat also carved from the stone. The village flourished during the Middle Ages, driven by trade in products like linen and wool. It is known for being remarkably well-preserved, retaining its original defensive walls and layout despite centuries of change. Here we decided to stop for breakfast at ‘Nou Bar del Poble Peratallada’ and ordered coffees and tomato bread (pan con tomate) which is the most typical Spanish breakfast. While there are not many shops in this town, we saw a lot of nice restaurants so it can be a good potential spot for lunch or even to stay over here if you are looking for a relaxed country getaway. It took us around 1 hour to explore the town.
From here, just 10 min drive away you will find Pals. Pals is another medieval village with a history dating back to the 9th century, developing around a fortified castle on a hill called Mont Aspre. Today, the town is famous for its exceptionally preserved medieval architecture, including the iconic Torre de les Hores (Tower of the Hours), which is the only remaining part of the original castle that was dismantled in the 15th century. The town was declared a Site of Historical Interest in 1973, thanks to its restoration efforts led by a local doctor. Here you will find a lot of cute shops to explore and nice streets but I would say fewer restaurants than in the previous town. It took us a bit less than an hour to visit.
Both towns are absolutely beautiful and remind me a lot of Tuscany region, it is highly recommended to visit them.
From here we went to Begur, but I personally would not recommend, it was more lively and with more activity but not necessarily as charming as the other towns so I’d skip it from the itinerary.
From Begur, we headed towards the coast to Llafranc. If you are going straight after Pals it will only take you 20 min to reach Llafranc. Llafranc is a small coastal town set out in a little bay with a lovely promenade to have a walk around. Here you will find a lot of terraces where you can stop to have caña (a small beer) on a sunny day.
From Llafranc you can choose to either walk for 20/30 min on a costal path to the next stop, which is Calella de Palafrugell, or to drive. The problem you might encounter is that in Calella de Palafrugell there are not many parking spots so we were lucky and managed to find a spot on the street but if you go during a busier period you might prefer to park in Palafrugell and walk from there.
Calella de Palafrugell is absolutely stunning and we spent quite a few hours here. The area of the port and the seafront are just beautiful, it is a great place to have a walk around and explore the little streets. We booked for lunch at ‘La Blava’ and it was absolutely amazing, we tried arroz caldoso (rice with seafood and meat), typical from the region and it was great. Not only was the food good but the views of the terrace overlooking the sea were amazing. It is very important that you book in advance as this is a very popular place.
After lunch we went for an ice cream to ‘L'enxaneta’ and then headed back to Girona. The drive back will take you around 1 hour.
When we arrived to Girona, we went shopping and for a walk around the city centre as the shops close on Sundays and we wanted to make the best out of Saturday.
For dinner we went to ‘ditifet.’ And again incredible. We ordered the scallop tartar, the turbot and steak, all to be shared. I would say that the restaurant is more on the fancy side and price wise is slightly more expensive than the usual Spanish restaurant but food was perfect and it was absolutely worth it. After dinner, if you want to have a drink you can go to ‘River Gironal’.
Day 3: Girona
On the last day, we went for brunch to ‘Verd Coffee & Brunch’ and explored the city before heading to the airport. Everything is very close in the city centre so you can walk easily to all the main spots.
What you shouldn’t miss in Girona –
Plaza de la Independencia: Once the site of the old Convent of Saint Agustí, this square became Girona’s proud civic stage in the 19th century—its name a tribute to the city’s fierce resistance during the French sieges of 1808–09. Today, elegant neoclassical façades and orderly arcades surround the space, but at its heart stands the bold Monument to the Defenders of Girona.
River and houses - The colourful houses overlooking the Onyar River, also known as the "hanging houses," are iconic symbols of the city, originally built on medieval walls along the riverbanks. Their history is tied to the city's medieval past, with their foundations integrated into the old defensive walls, and the vibrant colors added over time to create the distinctive aesthetic they have today.
Cathedral - Girona Cathedral sits at the highest point in the city and boasts the widest Gothic nave in the world. Built between the 11th and 18th centuries, it blends Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Originally a mosque during Islamic rule, it was reconsecrated in 908 AD. Highlights include its grand staircase, twin bell towers, and the stunning 11th-century Tapestry of Creation.
Pujada de Sant Domènec - The Ascent of Saint Domènec is one of Girona’s most iconic stairways—famous for its beauty and its role in Game of Thrones. Built between the 14th and 17th centuries, it’s lined with Renaissance buildings and crowned by the baroque Church of Saint Martí Sacosta. Locals and visitors alike pause here—for photos, a drink at Le Bistrot, or a glimpse of the “Temps de Flors” blooms. It’s a historic gem with cinematic flair. Tip: Go early in the morning or at golden hour for the best photos without the crowds.
City Walls- Girona’s walls date back to the 1st century BC, originally built by the Romans—possibly over older Iberian foundations. They were reinforced during Roman times to defend against invasions, and later expanded in the Carolingian era due to Girona’s strategic border location. In the 14th century, new medieval walls were added to protect growing neighborhoods. Over time, parts were damaged by wars, while others were restored. Today, visitors can still walk along these historic ramparts and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Arab Baths- a 12th-century Romanesque-style building (not Arab-built) inspired by the Roman and Moorish bath tradition, they served as public baths until the 14th century and were later used by Capuchin nuns in the 17th century. Today, the restored complex is a popular historic site, notable for its preserved architecture and as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants- founded outside the walls of Girona in the late 10th century, with its current Romanesque church and cloister built starting in the 12th century. After its monastic activity declined in the 15th century and it was abandoned in 1835, the complex was converted into the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia in Girona in 1857.
Whether you're after medieval streets or seaside views, Girona and Costa Brava pack it all into one unforgettable weekend. Save this itinerary for your next escape—you won’t regret it!