Girona is a compact city of about 100,000 people divided by the Onyar River. The Barri Vell (Old Town) on the eastern bank holds the cathedral, Jewish Quarter, and medieval walls. The modern commercial centre spreads west of the river around Placa de la Independencia and the Eixample grid. Each neighbourhood has a distinct character, and you can walk between them in 10 to 20 minutes. Here is a breakdown of where to stay, what to see, and who each area suits. For more details, see our weather by month.
Best Neighborhoods in Girona: Where to Stay and Explore
Barri Vell (Old Town)
The Barri Vell is the medieval core on the eastern bank of the Onyar. This is where you will find the cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, the city walls, and the Arab Baths, all within a 5 to 10 minute walk of each other. The streets are narrow, steep, and mostly car-free. Accommodation here consists of boutique hotels in converted historic buildings (€120 to €250 per night), small guesthouses, and a few apartments. Staying in the Old Town means you are steps from everything but you will need to navigate cobblestone streets with luggage and some uphill climbs. Suits couples, history enthusiasts, and first-time visitors who want the atmospheric medieval experience. Parking is virtually non-existent; if you are driving, book a hotel with parking or use the underground car park at Placa de Catalunya. For more details, see our best time to visit.
Eixample and Mercadal (Commercial Centre)
The grid-patterned Eixample district west of the Onyar is Girona’s main commercial and residential area, anchored by Placa de la Independencia and the Rambla de la Llibertat shopping street. Hotels here are mostly mid-range chains and stylish independent options (€80 to €150 per night). You are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Old Town but on flat, easy terrain with better parking availability. Restaurants, tapas bars, and shops are concentrated along Carrer de la Forca, Carrer Nou, and the Placa de la Independencia arcades. This area suits families with strollers, business travellers, and those who prefer modern convenience over medieval charm. The train and bus stations are a 10 to 15 minute walk southwest. For more details, see our things to do.
Sant NarcÃs and Devesa
Southwest of the centre, Sant NarcÃs is a quiet residential neighbourhood adjacent to Devesa Park. This area offers the best budget accommodation including the Ibis Budget Girona Costa Brava (rates from about €50 per night). You are 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the Old Town or a 5-minute bus ride on lines L1 and L2. The Devesa Park provides green space for morning runs and the Saturday market. This area works well for budget travellers, cyclists, and anyone arriving by car who wants free or cheap parking. The Fira de Girona exhibition centre and the Auditori concert hall are here. For more details, see our events and festivals.
Pont Major and Northern Riverbank
The area north of the Old Town along the Ter River is primarily residential with a few riverside walking paths. It is not a tourist zone but has one notable accommodation: the Pensio Viladomat guesthouse, offering simple rooms from about €40 per night. You are a 15-minute walk from the cathedral along quiet streets. This area is bike-friendly with easy access to the Greenways path that starts near the train station and follows the river north. Suits long-stay cyclists and budget travellers. For more details, see our where to stay.
Montjuic and Southern Heights
The hill south of the Old Town named Montjuic (not to be confused with Barcelona’s Montjuic) is a quiet residential area with a few small B&Bs and apartments. The Torre Gironella and fragments of the old city walls run up the hillside. You get panoramic views of the city and the Pyrenees. It is about a 20-minute uphill walk from the cathedral, so not ideal for those with mobility issues. Best suited to returning visitors who want a quiet, local experience away from the tourist centre. For more details, see our travel tips.
