# Cerca de Girona

From Girona almost everything is close. To the east, the stone villages of the Baix Empordà and the rice fields of Pals; to the north, Figueres and Peralada; to the west, Besalú, the volcanic Garrotxa and the Ripollès; to the south, the Montseny and Vic, and beyond the border, Carcassonne.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/girona/getaways

## Planes de un día
- [Besalú: bridge, Jewish quarter and basalt](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/besalu/itineraries/besalu-bridge-jewish-quarter-and-castellfollit.md) (37 min en coche): The fortified bridge, the Jewish quarter and Sant Pere in the morning, lunch facing the Fluvià and, in the afternoon, the village hanging from the basalt. 40 minutes from Girona.
- [Fageda d'en Jordà: beech forest and farm](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/besalu/itineraries/fageda-den-jorda-in-autumn.md) (37 min en coche): A morning in medieval Besalú, a Catalan buffet lunch and, in the afternoon, a guided walk through the beech forest on lava with a farm visit and tasting. 40 minutes from Girona.
- [Peralada: Dalí, winery and mill](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/itineraries/peralada-dali-museum-and-winery-from-girona.md) (44 min en coche): The Teatre-Museu Dalí first thing, the Perelada winery with a three-wine tasting and a long lunch in an 18th-century mill between Figueres and Peralada. 45 minutes from Girona.
- [Peratallada and the Iberian city of Ullastret](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peratallada/itineraries/peratallada-and-ullastret-iberian-city-from-girona.md) (48 min en coche): The largest Iberian city in Catalonia on top of a hill, the old town of Peratallada inside its rock moat and lunch in a courtyard among walnut trees. 50 minutes from Girona.
- [Pals: rice fields, Gothic quarter and beach](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/pals/itineraries/pals-rice-fields-gothic-quarter-and-beach.md) (49 min en coche): A little train through the rice fields to the mill, the Gothic quarter and its viewpoint over the Montgrí, lunch in a 16th-century farmhouse and a walk along the beach. 50 minutes from Girona.
- [Vic: square, cured meats and inn](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/vic/itineraries/vic-square-and-inn.md) (59 min en coche): A morning on foot through Vic's Plaça Major and old town, the medieval museum, lunch of Osona cooking and the cathedral painted by Sert before heading back.
- [Caldes de Montbui: Roman baths and a thermal soak](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/caldes-de-montbui/itineraries/roman-baths-and-el-safareig-soak.md) (1 h 5 en coche): The fountain that spouts water at 74 °C, the Roman baths with a guided visit, Catalan food at Robert de Nola and an hour of thermal bathing for €8. Half an hour from Barcelona.
- [Montseny: beech forest, summit and chestnuts](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/autumn-les-agudes-and-chestnuts-in-viladrau.md) (1 h 6 en coche): The classic climb to the roof of the Montseny, from the golden Santa Fe beech forest to the ridge of les Agudes and the Turó de l'Home, and a chestnut lunch in Viladrau. An hour from Girona.
- [Montseny: guided mushrooms and the inn](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/guided-mushroom-sunday-in-the-montseny-and-inn-lunch.md) (1 h 6 en coche): Four hours in the forest learning to recognise mushrooms with the park's guides and a grilled lunch at the inn in Montseny village. Only certain autumn Sundays.
- [Montseny: easy beech forest and grill](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/montseny-beech-forest-and-grill.md) (1 h 6 en coche): A flat walk round the Santa Fe reservoir, among beeches that turn copper in autumn, and a grill lunch in the mountains. By car, or by train and Bus Parc.
- [Montseny: Gothic castle and chestnuts](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/montsoriu-castle-and-chestnut-lunch-from-girona.md) (1 h 6 en coche): A climb through the forest to the Gothic castle of the Viscounts of Cabrera, a free guided visit and a lunch with Viladrau chestnuts all over the menu. An hour from Girona.
- [Ripoll: two monasteries and a greenway](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/itineraries/ripoll-monasteries-and-greenway-from-manresa.md) (1 h 22 en coche): The 1251 Descent from the Cross in Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the portal and cloister at Ripoll, lunch with Ripollès produce and a flat stroll along the old mining railway. An hour from Manresa.
- [Rupit: waterfall and inn](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/rupit/itineraries/rupit-sallent-waterfall-and-suspension-bridge.md) (1 h 27 en coche): An easy walk along the stream to a 115-metre waterfall, the stone village with its suspension bridge, the bell tower and lunch at a 1930 inn. An hour and twenty from Manresa.
- [Codorníu: cellars by train and lunch in the tower](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/penedes/itineraries/codorniu-cava-cellars-by-train-sant-sadurni.md) (1 h 34 en coche): Puig i Cadafalch's Modernista cellars toured by underground train, the village cava centre and lunch in the estate's tower. 45 minutes from Barcelona, by train too.
- [Penedès: cava and a table among the vines](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/penedes/itineraries/penedes-cava-and-vineyard-lunch.md) (1 h 34 en coche): A morning in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia to understand cava, a winery visit with a tasting and a long lunch with the vines in front of you. Best by train: that way nobody drives.
- [Penedès: a walk through the vines and an aperitif at the winery](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/penedes/itineraries/penedes-wine-walk-and-aperitif-from-barcelona.md) (1 h 34 en coche): The Camí del Vi in Vilafranca, flat between the vines, then wine and tapas at aperitif time on the terrace of a family-run winery in Sant Sadurní. Home by mid-afternoon.
- [Núria: rack railway and snowshoes](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/itineraries/rack-railway-and-snowshoes-nuria-sanctuary.md) (1 h 34 en coche): You ride up to Núria on the Cremallera rack railway from Ribes de Freser, snowshoe for two hours with an Oxineu guide and eat Catalan food at El Racó de la Vall, with the cable car included in your ticket.
- [Montserrat: horse, table and rack railway](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montserrat/itineraries/horse-riding-lunch-and-rack-railway.md) (1 h 36 en coche): A horse ride in western style at the foot of Montserrat, Catalan lunch in Marganell and an afternoon at the sanctuary, going up on the rack railway from Monistrol Vila.
- [Berga: viewpoints and a mountain table](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/berga/itineraries/berga-easy-walk-and-lunch.md) (1 h 38 en coche): A morning of effortless viewpoints beside the Queralt sanctuary, a long lunch of Berguedà cooking and coffee in the old town. You are home before dinner.
- [Berguedà by motorbike: Coll de la Creueta and a mountain table](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/berga/itineraries/bergueda-motorbike-route.md) (1 h 38 en coche): A hundred kilometres of bends between Berga and a pass at almost 1,900 metres, with stops at La Pobla de Lillet and Castellar de n'Hug, and an inn lunch on the way back.
- [Garraf: coves and rice by the sea](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/garraf-coves/itineraries/garraf-coves-and-rice.md) (1 h 42 en coche): A tiny village at the foot of the cliffs, the beach of the huts, a path above the sea and a rice dish to finish. Half an hour from Barcelona by train.
- [Montserrat: cable car and Sant Jeroni](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montserrat/itineraries/montserrat-cable-car-and-sant-jeroni-from-manresa.md) (1 h 46 en coche): The 1930 cable car up to the monastery, the Sant Joan funicular and a two-and-a-half-hour circuit to the roof of Montserrat, with a buffet and the basilica afterwards. Half an hour from Manresa.
- [Montserrat: flat path and mató](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montserrat/itineraries/montserrat-flat-path-and-mato.md) (1 h 46 en coche): Go up by rack railway, walk early to the Sant Miquel viewpoint, hear the Escolania and buy mató with honey at the farmers' market.
- [Sitges: seafront promenade and rice](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/sitges/itineraries/sitges-promenade-and-rice.md) (1 h 47 en coche): The seafront promenade from end to end, the old town of the Punta and the Cau Ferrat, and a rice dish facing the sea. By train from Barcelona, without thinking about parking.
- [La Molina: a day on the slopes and a grill at Pista Llarga](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/cerdanya/itineraries/skiing-la-molina-and-pista-llarga.md) (2 h 5 en coche): A day on the slopes at La Molina, from the greens of Pista Llarga to the reds of the Tosa d'Alp, with lunch at the foot of the slope at El Tirol. An hour and a half from Barcelona through the Cadí tunnel, or on the R3 train.
- [Cerdanya: the Tosa by gondola and the Puigcerdà lake](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/cerdanya/itineraries/snow-without-skis-and-gondola.md) (2 h 5 en coche): For those who do not ski: the La Molina gondola goes up to the summit of the Tosa d'Alp, at 2,537 metres, you eat at the refuge at the top and the afternoon is for the Puigcerdà lake. An hour and a half from Barcelona.

## A small circle with a different landscape on every road

Girona sits in the centre of a small circle, and every road leads to a different landscape. The C-66 heads east, to the Baix Empordà: through La Bisbal you reach the Iberian city of Ullastret and [Peratallada](/en/spain/catalonia/peratallada), and through Palafrugell [Pals](/en/spain/catalonia/pals) and its beach. The AP-7 north leads to Figueres and [Peralada](/en/spain/catalonia/peralada) and, past La Jonquera, continues along the French A9 towards Narbonne. To the west, the Banyoles road and the A-26 go to [Besalú](/en/spain/catalonia/besalu), Castellfollit de la Roca and Olot; from Olot, the C-26 crosses to [Ripoll](/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll). The C-25 heads for [Vic](/en/spain/catalonia/vic) and Viladrau, and the AP-7 south, via the Arbúcies exit, climbs to the [Montseny](/en/spain/catalonia/montseny).

Without a car there are fewer options, but there are some. The Rodalies train and regional services reach Figueres, and the Dalí Museum is a walk from the station; the Peralada winery needs a taxi. The TEISA buses towards Olot stop at Besalú and Castellfollit, and the Sarfa ones leave the bus station for Pals. On Sundays there are fewer services: check the timetables before you go.

## What makes the province famous is close by

**Under an hour away** is what makes the province famous: Besalú, 37 minutes, with the fortified bridge and the Jewish quarter; the [Dalí Museum and the Peralada winery](/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/itineraries/peralada-dali-museum-and-winery-from-girona), 44; [Ullastret and Peratallada](/en/spain/catalonia/peratallada/itineraries/peratallada-and-ullastret-iberian-city-from-girona), 48, and the [rice route at Pals](/en/spain/catalonia/pals/itineraries/pals-rice-fields-gothic-quarter-and-beach), 49. Vic, with its Plaça Major and Sert's cathedral, is 59. These are plans where you leave mid-morning and come back with the light.

**Between an hour and an hour and a half** come the mountains and hot water. The Montseny is 66 minutes away, with the [Montsoriu castle and the Viladrau chestnut](/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/montsoriu-castle-and-chestnut-lunch-from-girona) or the [Santa Fe beech wood with a chargrill lunch](/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/montseny-beech-forest-and-grill); the [Caldes de Montbui hot springs](/en/spain/catalonia/caldes-de-montbui/itineraries/roman-baths-and-el-safareig-soak), 65; the [two Ripollès monasteries and the Ter greenway](/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/itineraries/ripoll-monasteries-and-greenway-from-manresa), 82, and [Rupit and the Salt de Sallent](/en/spain/catalonia/rupit/itineraries/rupit-sallent-waterfall-and-suspension-bridge), 87, along a winding road best driven down in daylight.

**Between an hour and a half and two hours** the day is already long, and in return you reach the other end of Catalonia: the Penedès and the [Codorníu cellars](/en/spain/catalonia/penedes/itineraries/codorniu-cava-cellars-by-train-sant-sadurni), 94 minutes; Berga, 98, and Montserrat, 106, with the [Aeri and the climb to Sant Jeroni](/en/spain/catalonia/montserrat/itineraries/montserrat-cable-car-and-sant-jeroni-from-manresa). What lies south of Barcelona makes more sense from there, in [near Barcelona](/en/spain/catalonia/barcelona/getaways).

**From two hours** the trip calls for a night. The Cerdanya is about two hours away via Ripoll and the Collada de Toses; [Carcassonne](/en/france/occitanie/carcassonne/itineraries/weekend-cite-from-girona), 2 h 20 via the AP-7, the A9 and the A61, and [Grandvalira](/en/andorra/grandvalira/itineraries/grandvalira-ski-weekend-from-lleida), about three hours twenty. Further still are [Siurana and the Priorat](/en/spain/catalonia/siurana/itineraries/siurana-priorat-weekend-vineyards-reservoir), three hours.

## Caldes and the Dalí Museum for cold days without snow

In winter, the nearest snow is in the Cerdanya, 125 minutes away: a [ski Sunday at La Molina](/en/spain/catalonia/cerdanya/itineraries/skiing-la-molina-and-pista-llarga) or, for non-skiers, the [cable car up to La Tosa d'Alp](/en/spain/catalonia/cerdanya/itineraries/snow-without-skis-and-gondola). If you fancy staying, the [weekend in Puigcerdà](/en/spain/catalonia/cerdanya/itineraries/cerdanya-ski-weekend-from-barcelona) combines Masella and La Molina. For cold days without snow, the hot water of Caldes and the Dalí Museum.

Spring is the best time for the Empordà: the Pals rice fields are green, Ullastret and Peratallada can be toured without the heat and the [night in the Garrotxa with a balloon flight](/en/spain/catalonia/besalu/itineraries/besalu-garrotxa-one-night-balloon) takes off at dawn over the volcanoes.

In summer, the coast gets saturated and it is better to look inland or upwards. The [weekend in the Ripollès with the Núria Rack Railway](/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/itineraries/ripolles-romanesque-monasteries-and-nuria) is best from May to October, and the bends of the [motorbike route through the Berguedà](/en/spain/catalonia/berga/itineraries/bergueda-motorbike-route) up to the Coll de la Creueta are enjoyed from May to July and in September.

In October and November the forest rules. The [Fageda d'en Jordà](/en/spain/catalonia/besalu/itineraries/fageda-den-jorda-in-autumn), the beech wood that grows on lava, combines with Besalú; in the Montseny there are the [climb to Les Agudes](/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/autumn-les-agudes-and-chestnuts-in-viladrau), the [guided mushroom Sundays](/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/guided-mushroom-sunday-in-the-montseny-and-inn-lunch) and the [mushroom and beech-wood weekend](/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/montseny-autumn-mushrooms-beech-forest), with a night in a masía.

## The Dalí Museum first thing and a tasting at Peralada

- **Without a car, in a day:** [Figueres and Peralada](/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/itineraries/peralada-dali-museum-and-winery-from-girona). Train to Figueres, the Dalí Museum first thing, a taxi to the winery for the tasting and lunch in an 18th-century mill.
- **With one night:** [Rupit and the cliffs of the Collsacabra](/en/spain/catalonia/rupit/itineraries/rupit-collsacabra-cliffs-one-night). 87 minutes away, to see the stone village when the visitors leave and walk to Tavertet without watching the clock.
- **With two nights:** [the medieval Empordà based at Peratallada](/en/spain/catalonia/peratallada/itineraries/medieval-weekend-peratallada-emporda). 48 minutes away, sleep inside the moat, fly in a balloon at dawn and tour the dolmens of the Gavarres.