Girona restaurants day trips
 

We are going to Girona for 3 days in February having previously been to Barcelona, Sitges and Reus. Any suggestions of places nearby to visit or good places to eat?
thanks
Muriel

We had a lovely meal at the Cal Ros in Girona several years ago. We found it by carefully following the directions in Fodor's Spain.

To the northwest of Girona, there is a volcanic park. You will need to do a substantial hike to get to the hot springs.

While I am not a really big fan of Dali, I did find the Museum in Figueres an interesting and fun experience.

While it is bit of a drive from Girona, Montserrat is spectacular. The drive itself is worthwhile.

All that said, be certain to spend at least a day in Girona. The old quarter is fascinating, the cathedral impressive (I would spend the money to view the Treasury) and the walking tours are worthwhile.

Incidentally, according to family legend, one part of my family was expelled from Northern Spain in the 15th century. The excellent records, and exceptionally helpful and enthusiastic staff, available in Girona enabled to find a name that might have belonged to my ancestors. If you have any interest along those lines, start at the tourist office on the right bank of the river.

MurielH,
Driving excursions from Girona that we've enjoyed:

1) A loop through the charming medieval villages of the Lower Emporda:

From Girona take the C 66 to Pubol (Dali's castle for wife Gala), detour to Monells, Cruilles, back on C 66 to La Bisbal, the pottery town, short detour north to very atmospheric Peratallada, continue up to Ullstret for impressive Iberian ruins, back down to C 66, over to Torrent, up to striking Pals, over to delightful Begur with castle in ruins, fabulous views from atop the town.

To make this an all day trip, continue south along the coastline stopping at Aiguablava on Fornells bay and fishing villages of Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell. Back to Girona on C 66.

2) Finish the Dalí triangle

Drive up to Figueres for the over-the-top Dali Museum, then east through Castello d'Empuries, up the GI 614 to laid-back, bohemian, artsy,
whitewashed Cadaqúes (to me it looks like a Greek island village). Make an appointment to visit the Dalí home at Port Lligat, up to Cap de Creus if you want to hike. Back down to the Roses-Figueres road, C 260.

3) the extinct, lush, volcanic region of the Garrotxa.

Up the C 66 to Banyoles (pretty lake), stop at medieval Besalú, on to the city of Olot, back east on the GI 524 to charming medieval Santa Pau, stopping for a walk along this route up to a crater or a carriage ride through the Volcanic Zone, back to Banyoles, return to Girona.

4) The atmospheric city of Vic with its immense porticoed Plaza Mayor, cathedral and impressive Museo Episcopal with its collection of 20,000 pieces of catalán art.

5) The most stunningly scenic drive on the Costa Brava:

Take the N11 at the C 65 southeast to Sant Feliu de Guixols for the hair pin turn coastal drive down the GI 582 (amazing) to Tossa de Mar. (but beyond Tossa the coast becomes hugely overdeveloped and ugly, ugly).

About dining:

If you're looking for a high-end, gastronomic, Michelin star splurge, the obvious place for a blow-out, unforgettable meal would be the Celler de Can Roca, just outside the city.
www.elcellerdecanroca.com

We missed it on our Jan. trip but found a very pleasing (and less expensive) substitute in Hotel Restaqurant La Placa, in charming, medieval Madremanya. Very popular with Girona residents on weekends, so must reserve. Delightful terrace dining on summer nights.
www.laplacamadremanya.com
(enjoy the music)

Others we like (check web pages to make sure they'll be open in Feb):

Begur:
Hotel Restaurant Aiguaclara
www.aiguaclara.com

New Italian restaurant, Primer Piatto in Hotel Bliss
www.blissbegur.com

Mas Comangau, on road from Aiguablava to Begur. Wonderful, reasonably priced lunch menu.
www.mascomangau.com


Besalú:

Curia Real, on Placa de la Libertat, overlooking bridge and river-made a nice and less expensive substitue for
Els Fogons de Can Llaudes, closed in winter

Figueres:

Hotel Restaurant Empordá (fabulous but pricey-on road north of town)
www.hotelemporda.com

Durán, in town
www.hotelduran.com

Road from Figueres to Olot:

Mas Pau in Avinyonet de Puigentós.
Beautifully decorated, antique-filled upstairs dining room. El Bulli tie-in.
www.maspau.com

Ullastret:

Restaurants El Sport (also a boutique Rusticae hotel) and Iberic, both in village

Olot:

Ca l'Enric (another splurge) on road to Besalu in Vall de Bianya
www.calenric.net

Santa Pau:

Cal Sastre, right on main square
www.calsastre.com

Palafrugell:

La Cuina de Can Pipes in Mont-ras, 5 km away.
www..canpipes.com

Peratallada:

Can Bonay on main square-good place to try Emporda regional specialties.
www.bonay.com

Pals:

Sa Punta, at Plaja Pals
www.hotelsapunta.com

Calella de Palafrugell:

Tragamar on beach. Belongs to Barcelona's Tragaluz group.
www.grupotragaluz.com

Regencos:

La Cuina Del Teatre, on road from Begur to La Bisbal-also a Rusticae member. Restaurant built in former theater, with floor to ceiling glass windows facing the garden. Charming.
www.hoteldelteatre.com

Hope this helps.

thank you so much for this info,really helpful