History buffs will have heard of Girona’s well-preserved medieval centre. Others will recognise it as the city of Braavos in Game of Thrones. Whichever your interest, it's a stunning part of this elegant Catalonian city, with a fascinating mix of architectural styles. Set on the cobblestoned streets facing Plaça del Vi, with its back towards the River Onyar, this block of 8 apartments is a short stroll from the main attractions – a Gothic-style Cathedral, the 13th-century Arab Baths, the medieval Walls – and steps from the atmospheric old Jewish Quarter.
Once a private townhouse, transformed a decade ago into an immaculate apartment building, original details such as corridor tiles and high ceilings with mouldings remain. Inside, muted colours and minimal furnishings lend the 2- and 3-bedroom apartments a modern, Scandi feel; tall windows add to the comfortable sense of space and allow light to flood in. They’re chic, but not intimidatingly so: homes-away-from-home. The open-plan kitchens, calm and cosy living rooms and sun-drenched balconies might tempt you to stay put for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or you're welcome to have a breakfast buffet at the Hotel Ciutat de Girona who own the apartments (5 minutes’ walk over the bridge), and there are eateries everywhere in this authentic Catalan city.
Highs
- A perfect location in the heart of the Old Town, just steps from the river
- Spacious, light-filled interiors, with pops of 50s-style furnishings
- Great for families; all bedrooms can be set up as twins and our toddler loved the suitcase of toys provided
- Wonderful restaurants all around, and excellent kitchens for self catering a few meals
Lows
- You can't drive up to the front door, the nearest parking is 5 minutes' away over the bridge. Perhaps ditch the car altogether and travel here by train
- No pool, and the closest beaches are a 30-minute drive away
- Note: a refundable security deposit is payable in addition to the stay cost
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Apartments
- 8 apartments for 2-6
- Self catering (restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
Rooms
The 4 categories of apartment vary in size (through Comfort, Luxury, Penthouse Comfort and Penthouse Deluxe), but each features the same elegant muted décor. It’s all creams and beiges, with minimal artwork – a framed wall hanging here, nest of copper tables there. Excellent lighting includes warm spotlights and Scandi-style lamps, meaning you can create perfect mood lighting any time.
Comfort and Luxury apartments each have 2 bedrooms and 1 shower bathroom; Comfort apartments overlook the Plaça del Vi to the front of the building, and come with a balcony, while Luxury apartments to the rear face towards the pedestrianised Rambla de la Llibertat. The penthouses add extra m2, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms apiece – perfect for families with older kids. The Penthouse Comfort has an interior balcony linking the 2 bedrooms, while the Penthouse Deluxe has the added luxury of a suntrap terrace that looks out over the emblematic Rambla de la Llibertat and the River Onyar.
You’re in the heart of the Old Town, above bistros and bars, but inside it is blissfully silent: soundproofing and calming bedrooms guarantee a good night’s sleep.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Safe box
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Well-equipped open-plan kitchens and comfortable living spaces (plus a breakfast bar in the Deluxe Penthouse) are cosy settings for holiday meals. For a small surcharge, you can breakfast at Hotel Ciutat, a 5-minute walk away. It has all the buffet classics – eggs, bacon, cheeses and cured hams, eggs, a selection of bread and pastries, fruit compote and yoghurts, and a self-serve juice machine – but no a la carte options. Back at the apartments, swanky coffee machines and an artisan bakery across the square might tempt late risers to have breakfast in bed, instead.
For other meals, we self-catered for lunch one day buying supplies from a nearby mini-market, about 100m away. Hotel Ciutat also has good-value Mediterranean-style Restaurant Blanc, but Girona is a foodie hotspot so it’s worth venturing out to top-rated restaurants for meals. If you haven’t pre-booked a table at 3 Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca (voted one of the world’s best eateries), don’t worry! Cosy bistros, gourmet tapas bars, and laid-back fish restaurants are dotted around the Old Town.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Kids' meals
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
- Catering service
Activities
- Explore the Old Town: walk along the medieval walls for stunning panoramas, admire the Gothic nave in the cathedral, wander the cobbled streets of the Jewish Quarter, and visit the Arab Baths
- Stroll along the River Onyar past colourful houses, and criss-cross over stone bridges
- Hotel Ciutat offers private themed tours around the city and region – choose from a cultural tour of Girona’s historic hotspots to a foodie tour, to a moonlight trekking tour in the foothills of nearby mountains!
- Explore the Catalonian countryside by bike (Hotel Ciutat can arrange rentals) or book a hot-air balloon ride for a bird's eye view
- Day trip around the 3 main sights of the Dalí Triangle: the museum in Figueres, his house in Port Lligat and the castle in Púbol
- Bask on beautiful hidden beaches in the Costa Brava (30 mins' drive), or hop on the train to see Barcelona’s Modernist gems (40 mins)
- Try to time your visit for the famous flower festival or the Fires de Sant Narcís – for human towers made by castellers, thrilling fire runs, streets festooned with blooms
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Kids
These are family-friendly apartments, stylishly decorated but not intimidatingly so for parents with small children (we saw a few of these staying on our most recent visit) – and which also work really well for teens. We loved the age-appropriate suitcase full of toys left out for our little one – a really nice touch.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
There are 4 categories to choose from: Comfort and Luxury, which each have 2 bedrooms, or Penthouse Comfort and Penthouse Deluxe, which each have 3 bedrooms. All bedrooms can be set up as twins or doubles, and cots are available upon request (no surcharge) in every apartment.
Baby equipment:
Baby cotsRemember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
Kitchens are well equipped for self catering and there are family friendly restaurants all around, including one at Hotel Ciutat, which has special mealtimes for familiesKids Activities on site:
Toys and books on requestKids Activities nearby:
- Walk along the city walls, built in 1BC
- Older children will love the Passeig Arqueològic, which is full of local legends and ghost stories
- Parc de Domeny has ziplines, a playground, a climbing wall and skateboard area. Bring a picnic
- The Cinema Museum teaches a history of film, from shadow theatre to the magic lantern to Charlie Chaplin, and there are regular workshops for kids
- The Costa Brava's golden beaches are 30 mins' drive away
- There's lots on for families if you're here during the flower festival or the feast of Sant Narcís
Distances:
- Airport: 20 mins' drive (Girona)
- Hospital: 10 mins' taxi
- Shops: outside the apartment
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Girona is an hour north of Barcelona in Catalonia, northeast Spain. The apartments are in the heart of the Old Town, a block from the River Onyar.
By Air:
Fly into Girona (16km) or Barcelona (118km).
By Car:
It’s a 20-minute journey from Girona airport; we'd recommend taking a taxi. From Barcelona airport, it takes roughly an hour by car (an easy drive along the high-speed toll road to Girona), or you could take the train (1 hour 10 minutes) then a taxi. If you are exploring more of Catalonia, you will want to hire a car.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.com.
Airports:
- Girona 16.0 km GRO
- Barcelona El Prat 118.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 35.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
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