Last Updated on April 11, 2025
By January, I was desperate. And so I found myself plundering Skyscanner for something sunny I could pin my hopes on. An hour later, I’d booked the four cheapest return flights I could find in the school summer holidays. And then, I forgot all about it.
By the time I started to plan our trip in earnest in late April, I needed to look at a map to remind myself exactly where Girona was in Spain. Then, I had to figure out whether to head northeast to the Costa Brava. Or should we aim for the beach towns near Barcelona?
One way or another, though, it was clear that the flight times made it sensible to stay in Girona itself for at least one night. Which I didn’t mind at all.
I figured that after a week of reapplying sun lotion to squirming children and hanging wet swimming costumes out to dry, a short city break at the end of our beach holiday might offer a welcome change. So, in the end, I booked for two nights to give us a whole day to explore.
And, although Girona isn’t as uber child-friendly as some other cities we’ve visited, I was glad to have time to experience this elegant Catalan city. I loved the colourful houses along the River Onyar and the multitude of pretty cafes, all without the crowds of Barcelona. Plus, there were still plenty of fun things for families.
Here’s what we most enjoyed doing in central Girona with kids, plus some ideas about where to eat and stay.
What to do in Girona with kids
Walking the medieval walls
We timed our hour-long walk along the restored, free-to-clamber Muralles de Girona for just after breakfast, while much of the walls were still in the shade. An early evening stroll would be another good way to enjoy this dramatic 3-kilometre stretch of city fortifications.
Be warned: there are a lot of steps and ups and downs, so little legs may tire quickly. But our 7 and 11-year-olds took it in their stride, charging along the ramparts, which grew up in the 9th century to protect the city from invaders.
It was surprisingly uncrowded during our August visit, and peering out across a mishmash of soaring spires and terracotta rooftops provided a memorable introduction to this ancient city.
Lots of steps and beauty, plus a climbing frame in Jardin de les Pedreres on the way to the wall
Tips
- We started at the Jardí de la Infància, where there is a small playground (this website has better pictures than me), and then followed our noses up through lanes and steps and little gardens (some with more play equipment) until we found the start of the walls. The signage isn’t great, but Google Maps is fairly helpful, as is following the people wearing sensible walking shoes.
- We then finished at Jardins dels Alemanys, where we had a little rest on one of the pretty blue benches before wandering out by the cathedral, most recently famed for acting as a dramatic backdrop in Game of Thrones.
- With this all said, I later read that we did the walk the hard way, and starting at Jardins dels Alemanys means you have more downhill stretches. However, we enjoyed the views walking towards the cathedral rather than having our backs to it, and I was glad to walk down the Cathedral’s incredible steps instead of clambering up. Either way, your legs will get a workout – and your camera will thank you.
Admiring Girona’s famed cathedral and many steps
Exploring the Old Quarter (Barri vell)
Soaking in the early evening colour from the Pont de les Peixateries Velles
Our kids are now of an age where they will potter around for a while without too many complaints. Which is good, as exploring Girona’s timeworn historic centre was a major highlight.
Tips
- The city centre is home to a handful of small playgrounds (searching for ‘playground’ or ‘parc infantil’ in Google Maps will help you pinpoint them). Although best avoided during the heat of the day, these spots may provide a welcome pit stop for younger children during an early morning or late afternoon outing.
- The “must-see” spots are the Girona Cathedral (we stuck to photographing the outside, although you can pay to go inside) and the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, a red, lattice bridge where you can enjoy views of paintbox houses along the River Onyar.
- Older kids who are keen on art (or who have been bribed by the promise of ice cream) may be persuaded by a trip to Girona’s Museum of Art in the striking setting of a former Episcopal Palace. The galleries include major Renaissance and Baroque works, as well as temporary exhibitions. We explored the collection using the children’s trail.
- Talking of trails, the Tourist Information Office has developed an orienteering circuit of the Old Quarter, which looks like a fun way to explore the labyrinth of medieval lanes.
- Consider stopping by the House of Culture to see what’s on. During our visit, they were hosting a small, free, interactive exhibition.
- Early evening is a good time to do a little window shopping. My 7-year-old loved La Carpa, a magical toy store.
Hands-on fun at the Museum of Cinema
Maybe it was the huge contrast after so many days at the beach, but we really loved Girona’s Museum of Cinema. It’s filled with lots of beautiful, interactive exhibits, from optical illusions to magic lantern shows. It’s a great way to escape the heat of the day (or a rain storm). I feel like my photos don’t really do it justice, but perhaps put that down to the fact we were busy having fun.
Tips
- We spent about 90 minutes exploring, and everything was accessible for English speakers.
- Check the website for prices and opening times. The museum is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Play in the park
Plenty of shade in Girona’s biggest urban park
To the northeast of the city is La Devesa Park. With over 2,500 trees, many over 50 metres tall, there are plenty of shady spots to kick a ball or play with a bubble wand (if you’ve been organised enough to pack one).
Tips
- On Tuesday and Saturday morning, there is a street market selling fruit, vegetables and a range of knick-knacks.
- There is also a playground towards the southeast of the park.
Where to eat in Girona with kids
Top image is the outdoor seating at Konig 2; bottom left is fish tacos 1810 Tacos and Tapes; bottom right is coffee and cake at La Fabrica Girona
Seeing as we weren’t there for long, we did a worryingly good job of testing out a lot of cafés and restaurants. I’ll put that down to research rather than gluttony.
Just note that we are now in the parenting stage where we no longer need to think about highchairs. Also, as we’d eaten a lot of tapas by this point in our holiday, so we took the opportunity to widen our repertoire. Here are our best picks.
Idle Hands – This stylish café serves excellent coffee, stacks of pancakes and great cakes.
La Fábrica Girona – A chic place for brunch, popular with the many cyclists who flock to the region thanks to the excellent cycling routes and lanes.
1810 Tacos and Tapes – A mural-daubed Mexican restaurant serving excellent tacos and vegan options. There are plainer choices for fussy eaters, including cheese quesadillas or chicken nuggets.
König 2 – This good-value, quick-service restaurant certainly isn’t the place to come for fine dining, but it has a stellar outdoor terrace on the Plaça Independència. Its crowd-pleasing menu features burgers, patatas bravas and bagels.
Xurreria de la Cort Reial – It would be rude to come to Girona and not sample a xuixo, a sweet viennoiserie pastry first created in the city and now a regional favourite. This is a good place to put them to the test.
Rocambolesc Gelateria – This parlour serves yummy ice cream with lots of different toppings.
Crêpdequè? – This takeaway creperie offers up sweet and savory options.
Where to stay in Girona with kids
Girona Housing Ginesta 9
Girona Housing Ginesta 9 | Check availability
As we like a bit of space to sprawl, we stayed in this comfortable 2-bedroom apartment.
I am not sure it would suit all families as one bedroom is on a mezzanine-level above the living room. Plus, the tiny lift is a squeeze with cases, and there isn’t any parking if you happen to be driving.
The big draw for us was the decent price and the location on a very pretty quiet lane, close to all the sights.
Peninsular
Peninsular | Check availability
This good value hotel offers bright, modern quadruple and triple rooms, as well as junior suites, which should work well for families. Again, it’s handy for all the sights, and there’s also a well-rated buffet breakfast.
Hotel Històric
Hotel Històric | Check availability
If you are looking for old-world charm and plenty of space, the 2-bedroom family suite at this 4-star hotel looks just the ticket. It sits in the heart of the Old Quarter, but the soundproofed walls should mean a peaceful slumber.
Hotel Nord 1901
Hotel Nord 1901 | Check availability
It feels like central Girona is missing a really family-friendly hotel with a pool. Let me know if you decide to open one. Until then, I think this lovely boutique hotel in the Old Quarter might be your best bet. Cots and extra beds can be provided (at an extra cost), and there are some larger suites that might suit families, some with outdoor space. The pretty garden terrace is home to a decent-sized plunge pool.
Getting to and from Girona airport
Sagales Airport Line offers a fairly regular bus service between the airport and central Girona, which takes about 30 minutes. There are also services to towns along the Costa Brava, as well as to Barcelona.
Alternatively, a taxi from the airport to central Girona will cost around 30 euros and take around 20 minutes.
Final thoughts on Girona with kids …
Girona Cathedral is a good spot for an album cover photo
Is Girona the most kid-friendly city we’ve ever visited? No. And I dare say the hills and steps would be hard work if travelling with a young toddler. But, if good food, striking architecture and a little culture are the sort of things you hunt out while on holiday, I’d say it’s definitely worth a visit.
And although it may lack the big family-friendly attractions of Barcelona – such as a Science Museum or Aquarium – it also lacks the crowds. This makes for a much more laid-back city break (or day trip), which can easily be added to a beach holiday.
And where did we end up staying for our sunny week by the sea? Well, after much deliberation, we decided on Calafell, south of Barcelona. A bit of a wildcard choice, given it certainly wasn’t the closest option, but we loved it. I’ll write more about that soon.
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