A Love Story from Girona, Spain

Words by Dalene Heck | Photography by Dalene and Pete Heck

I’ve written only one other love story on this blog, and that was about Pete and I.

Thus the weight of that post should highlight the importance of what I am about to write about a simple urban center in the Catalonia region of Spain. Luminous and colorful, perched on a hillside with medieval walls, small but chock-full of amenities – Girona appears the perfect city for people who don’t like cities. So right away, the two of us got off to a great start.

Exploring Girona

Girona is pure romance. And not necessarily the kind of romance that inspires corny love, with cartoon birds leading two people together, or slurping noodles (or in this case, a slice of jamon) until lips meet under the glow of candlelight. Not to say that Girona couldn’t be that. It is a place that requires long leisurely meals fuelled by local cava, has several bridges over the Onyar river for strolling and smooching on, and so much more. It is an ideal spot for lovers to discover or bolster their feelings for one another.

But I was there under different circumstances, and at first glance, I labeled those circumstances as unfortunate. After a brief stay for a few days, Pete then took off on a trip through Pyrenees, leaving me for six nights on my own. That is a rare occurrence – in the last several years Pete and I have only ever been apart for a handful of nights. Six in a row would be a test. And I immediately kinda failed when I asked my friend Katie to come and stay with me for a few of those nights in order to spend some quality time with her, but also, I admit, to placate my own loneliness.

But once Katie left and I was on my own in Girona, instead of feeling lost I found myself swept up in a romantic notion. Of being independent, of finding inspiration, of finding myself.

(WAIT. That IS terribly corny. But true.)

I know you don’t want to hear me whine about not being with Pete (I’ve done that before.) And this time, I didn’t even feel compelled to do so. I felt comprehensively happy. Proud of myself. Adventurous. I went for walks on my own, I ate dinner out alone, I had offers to meet up with other friends in the area but actually preferred the silence.

Maybe, after these several years of being a part of a rigid twosome, maybe I was due for some serious introspective time. I expect part of it was that, but I also firmly believe that Girona brought the best out of me. What Pete expected of me may have been correct in other places – refusing to go out on my own, having only toast and peanut butter every night for dinner, lamenting constantly about the sad state of my loneliness – but I felt at complete ease in this small Catalonian city. I was in the comfort of an amazing apartment right on the river and had a choice of superb restaurants within meters. The very best gelato in the world was a couple of minutes away. I walked anywhere and everywhere without a care in the world and a ridiculous perma-grin plastered on my face.

Flowers even decorated the streets and river in advance of the famed Flower Festival. (Although I liked to think I was just apart of Girona’s seductive plan for me.)

I found myself writing more and, being more productive than I have been in awhile. And even though I was in deep with a client that had me fuming at times, nothing could kill my optimism about my time in beautiful Girona.

So much so that I believe Pete began to get worried about my independence and newfound love of a city without him. (But he also made sure I wouldn’t forget about him by planting a few messages before he left.)

Information about Girona

Getting There

Getting from Barcelona to Girona is pretty straightforward. There are a few options but via train is often the fastest and convenient. The high-speed train will have you there in under one hour. There are buses (and they are a more budget-friendly choice) but the journey will take longer. Alternatively you can hire a car and explore the Catalonian countryside, Girona is approximately 1.5 hours from Barcelona.

Where to Stay in Girona

Girona offers a selective mix of accommodations, from boutique hotels in the historic Barri Vell (Old Town) to modern hotels. There are also Airbnbs and VRBOs offering cozy guesthouses, stylish apartments, and even historic buildings converted into unique places to stay.

Hotel Museu Llegendes de Girona ($$$)

Hotel Museu Llegendes de Girona is right in the heart of old town Girona. It’s in a beautiful building and the hotel and rooms are all nicely decorated. All rooms are spacious and comfortable and the guests love the light breakfast at the hotel.

Availability and Reservations

Hotel Nord 1901 ($$)

Hotel Nord 1901 is beautifully boutique hotel right in the heart of Girona’s old town. Guests, especially families, love this hotel for the spacious and comfortable rooms, the quiet ambiance, the friendly staff, and the small outdoor pool for the hot summer days.

Availability and Reservations

Girona Catedral ($$)

This is the coolest thing about staying in the old town in Girona. Many of the businesses and homes are in the old buildings, including the Girona Catedral guest house. It’s right next door to the Girona Cathedral and is close to many shops, restaurants and bars. Staying here is a good option for both couples and families.

Availability and Reservations

Things to Do in Girona, Spain

Girona is one of our favourite cities in the world. The charm of the old town, the incredible food and endless opportunity of scenic spots keeps us coming back again and again.

Some of our favourite things to do include:

• Walking the old City Walls.
• Getting lost wandering the streets in the old town.
• Climbing the steps of the Girona Cathedral.
• Have a smooch on the the Eiffel Bridge.
• Stroll along the Onyar River.
• Indulging in an ice cream Rocambolesc Gelateria.
• Having a gin and tonic at one of the many gin bars in Girona.

Tours in Girona

We love taking tours from Viator. And there are a number of options of tours in and around Girona that you can take. Whether it’s a tours to see all the spots from Game of Thrones, a food and wine tour of the old town, or a hot air balloon over the Costa Brava countryside, there’s always something for everybody.