Girona’s surroundings and province
The city of Girona is located in the Gironès country, or ‘comarca,’ which occupies the geographical centre of the wider Girona province. It is bordered by Baix Empordà (the comarca that separates Gironès from the Mediterranean Sea), Alt Empordà, Pla de l’Estany, La Garrotxa and La Selva.
Just over 80,000 people live in the areas surrounding the city of Girona, and more than 100,000 people live in the city itself. Salt and Cassà de la Selva are the second and third most populated municipalities in the Gironès comarca, with around 30,000 and 9,000 inhabitants, respectively.
The whole comarca is defined by the course of the River Ter, which, over the centuries, has been one of the area’s main sources of wealth. It is also why, in the late 19th century, Gironès became one of Catalonia’s leading motors of industrialisation. It is possible to navigate a long stretch of this river in a canoe, giving you the freedom to take pit stops in various sites of outstanding natural beauty. There are also many paths and trails that run parallel to the river that can be travelled by foot, on bike or horseback.
Most of Girona’s surrounding areas are less than an hour’s drive from the Mediterranean Sea, the Pyrenees mountains and many of the beautiful rural inland municipalities, making this the perfect base for your trip to the area. Not only is it a wonderful place for discovering the wider Girona province, but visitors can also explore the neighbouring provincial capitals of Barcelona and Lleida with relative ease.
One of the most popular places to visit in the Gironès comarca is Llagostera, whose old town is presided over by an imposing Medieval castle built between the 14th and 15th centuries. It is also home to the Renaissance-style Casa de les Vídues, which was built in the 16th century: a charming palace that has now been converted into a thriving cultural centre.
Cervià de Ter, famous for its 10th-century feudal castle, is another popular tourist destination. The well-preserved Medieval town of Madremanya, which is crowned by Sant Esteve Church and just a short drive from Millars Castle, is also worth visiting.
As for the wider Girona province, the possibilities for sightseeing are almost endless. The Costa Brava, for example, is home to a plethora of traditional seaside towns where you don’t have to look hard to find exquisite fish and seafood, including Tossa de Mar, Palamós, Calella de Palafrugell, L’Estartit, L’Escala, Roses, Cadaqués and El Port de la Selva.
If you’re planning on heading inland, you could pay a visit to Figueres to admire the creative genius of Catalan artist Salvador Dalí in his Theatre-Museum. You could then take a stroll around the old towns of authentic municipalities such as Pals, Besalú and Peratallada. Alternatively, you could explore the landscapes of La Garrotxa and sample the evocative and delicious “volcanic cuisine” that is typical of the area’s restaurants.
We must also mention Girona province’s proximity to the Pyrenees Mountains, where you can enjoy a wide range of amazing experiences such as riding a cable car at Núria and skiing at La Masella, Vallter 2000, La Molina and Guills Fontanera.
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