Cyclist’s Guide To Girona

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Girona is now well established as a capital of cycling. It has been decades since the first pros moved here to use the Catalan city as a training base and nowadays around 100 professional riders call Girona home for at least some part of the year. With this influx of pros Girona has raised its […]

Girona is now well established as a capital of cycling. It has been decades since the first pros moved here to use the Catalan city as a training base and nowadays around 100 professional riders call Girona home for at least some part of the year. With this influx of pros Girona has raised its profile as a place for those seeking a European cycling holiday. The myriad stunning rides and routes based out of a vibrant and beautiful medieval city has inevitably drawn ever-increasing numbers of cycling tourists to the area. Girona is such a fantastic place for cycling that you could, in theory, arrive with a bike and simply muddle along, discovering a fair amount of what the city and surrounding area has to offer. However being somewhat more organised is preferable and as such we have compiled this comprehensive, but by no means inexhaustible, guide to Girona cycling.

Where To Eat in Girona

Food occupies the average cyclist’s consciousness to a greater degree than most ‘normal’ people. Whether you arrive starving at dinner time or need to know the best lunch spot, here’s our top picks of where to eat and drink in Girona:

Girona Cycling Cafés

  • Eat Sleep Cycle Café – Right next door to our shop is our very own cafe! Join us all day, every day for cyclist-friendly breakfast, lunch & evening meals. Carrer d’Albereda, 15, Girona
  • Federal – In the heart of Old Town, Federal is serving traditional breakfast and brunch, smoothies, and even a breakfast burger! Vegan friendly. Carrer de la Força 9, 17004 Girona
  • La Fabrica – A Girona classic, La Fabrica has an established reputation for serving delicious speciality coffee, and a range of breakfast and brunch classics from avocado toast, oats, and bagels! Vegan friendly. Carrer de la Llebre, 3, 17004, Girona
  • La Comuna Café – New to town, La Comuna has quickly established a reputation for pre-ride coffee stop, serving a health array of food. Vegan friendly. Carrer de la Barca, 34, Girona, Cataluna 17004
  • Coffee & Greens – A popular breakfast option if you’re looking for something light, super açaí bowls and sandwich options. Rambla de la Llibertat, 25, 17004, Girona
  • Hors Categorie – Good coffee, healthy food and craft beers, catch them on Tuesdays for Taco Tuesday! Carrer del Perill, 3, 17001 Girona
  • Bionèctar – Delicious, organic plant-based food and juices. Carrer D’en Francesc Eiximenis, 8, 17001, Girona

Out of Town:

  • Rustik Empordà – Grab a snack on the way out of the door and then ride to Bellcaire D’Empordà to fuel up on a tasty breakfast at Rustik. Carrer de dMolí, 4, 17141, Bellcaire

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Tapas

  • El Cafe – a local bar serving tapas, coffee and drinks. Carrer dels Ciutadans, 1 17004, Girona
  • Txalaka – Delicious pintxos (a Basque speciality similar to tapas). Carrer Bonastruc de Porta, 4, 17001, Girona
  • Can Canalla – Km0 food prepared with love & a great wine selection. Plaça Bell.lloch 4, 17004 Girona

Lunch & Dinner

  • La Picolla – Venture out of the old town for Girona’s best pizza, Carrer Migdia, 89, 17003 Girona
  • L’Alqueria – Fantastic Paella & the place to go for rice! Carrer Ginesta, 8, 17002, Girona
  • B12 – An all vegan bar and restaurant serving tapas and burgers as well as having a huge selection of beers! Plaça del Vi, 11, 17004 Girona
  • Om – Another all vegan restaurant in Old Town serving a super selection of foods for lunch and dinner. Carrer de la Força, 4, 6, 17004 Girona
  • Arròs i Peix – Visit Arròs i Peix for delicious fresh seafood. Carrer dels Ciutadans, 20, 17004, Girona
  • Plaça del Vi, 7 – Local food & wines beautifully prepared, Placa del Vi, 7, Girona

Fine Dining

The Girona area is home to a number of Michel Star restaurants, why not treat yourself to something extra special?

  • El Celler de Can Roca – The 3 Michelin Star restaurant owned by the  famous Roca brothers has twice been named the best restaurant in the world. Carrer de Can Sunyer, 48, 17007 Girona
  • Les Cols – this 2 Michelin Star restaurant is situated in the town of Olot in the La Garrotxa region, a converted masia (farmhouse) by chef Fina Puigdevall. Carretera de la Canya, 106, 17800 Olot, Girona
  • Massana – Awarded one Michelin Star, Massana’s focus is on local, seasonal products such as game, wild mushrooms and truffle. Carrer Bonastruc de Porta, 10, 17006 Girona
  • Divinum – Divinum hasn’t (yet) been awarded a Michelin Star but is certainly worthy, created by chefs who studied under Joan Roca, the food is an original blend of flavours, textures and aromas  Divinum Carrer de l’Albereda, 7, 17004 Girona

Coffee/snacks

  • Oniria Cafe – Serving speciality coffee, cake, and vegan cookies, Oniria is nestled in Ladama, a green grocery and plant haven! Carrer Nord, 13, 17001 Girona
  • Espresso Mafia – Another Girona coffee classic! Carrer de la Cort Reial, 5, 17004, Girona
  • Martina Sweet Cakes – This place is exactly as it says on the tin – delicious sweet cakes! Carrer de la Força, 1, 17004, Girona
  • Gelats Rocambolesc – From the owners of the Michellin Star rates Can Roca comes Rocambolesc ice cream, inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, here you can choose from delicious flavours and add toppings such as candy floss. Carrer de Santa Clara, 50, 17001, Girona
  • Crêpdequè? – A ‘hole in the wall’ serving crêpes with topping of your choice, perfect for a snack or desert as you stroll through the Barri Vell. Carrer de les Ballesteries, 49, 17004, Girona

Out of Town:

  • Dulce Pikika – If you ride or drive out towards the coast a stop at Dulce Pikika for one of their artisan cakes is a must! Av. Del Cavall Bernat, 143, Local 3, 17250, Castell-Platja d’Aro, Girona

Where To Sleep in Girona

A good night’s rest is essential preparation to taking full advantage of a day’s cycling in Girona, somewhere to safely store your bike is a bonus, the city has it all:

Girona Cycling Friendly Hotels & Guesthouses:

    • Hotel Carlemany – This four star cyclist friendly hotel has a dedicated bike room and in general is accommodating to cyclists.
    • Casa Cacao – A luxury boutique hotel opposite Eat Sleep Cycle.
    • Equipe Girona – With a pool, and bike facilities, this is a perfect spot for cyclists.

Girona Cycling Friendly Apartments

    • Velo Vern – Apartments to rent which are built with cyclists in mind.
    • Bravissimo Apartments – Apartments located right above Espresso Mafia in the heart of the old town.
    • Villas in Girona – If you’re looking for an escape a villa in Girona or the Costa Brava region could be just what you need.

Out of town:

    • Rocacorba Cycling – A little further out than the city, nestled just 2km away from the famous (or infamous) Rocacorba climb, Rocacorba is the perfect cyclist get away.
    • La Bruguera de Pubol – A stunning guest house in the beautiful village of Pubol with an on-site yoga studio. Powered on renewable energy, with a salt water pool, and permaculture garden, you’ll find the perfect peace here after a long day in the saddle.

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Where to Cycle in Girona

Now to the important bit, the cycling!

We’ve waxed lyrical on many occasions about the amazing cycling that Girona has to offer both on and off road. When you come to here you will find an enormous selection of roads and iconic climbs at your disposal such as the Girona classic, Rocacorba.

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The best way to find your way around on two wheels is to hire a guide. A local guide will know the Girona area inside out and can impart local knowledge you would otherwise not be privy to! The advantage of having someone showing you the way means you can focus on enjoying your surroundings without worrying about taking a wrong turn!

Of course, if you prefer to you can also guide yourself by following a route installed on a device which you can pick up from Eat Sleep Cycle. Or you could simply create your own, hire a bike and just explore!

Whichever way you choose to see Girona by bike you will no doubt fall in love with the smooth roads, abundant climbs and fantastic views that it has to offer!

To See & Do In Girona

Whether you’re having a rest day or travelling with a partner who doesn’t cycle there are plenty of things in and around Girona to occupy your time outside of pedalling.

Barcelona
Barcelona is a relatively short train journey away and as is to be expected from a major city there are plenty of activities to do there. Why not hire a Brompton in Barcelona as a novel way to get around the city?

Wine tasting in the Empordà Region
Located just north of Girona is the autonomous region of Empordà the area is known for its wine production and there are a number of vineyards which you can visit either by bike or another form of transport, and taste the produce.

Figueres Dalí Museum
If impressionist art is your thing then a visit to the place that Salvador Dalí called home is a must. The town of Figueres has a Dalí museum dedicated to the artist which is open Tuesday-Sunday.

Aqva Gerunda
Relax and wind down after a long day of cycling in Girona or simply treat yourself regardless at the town’s Roman baths and spa.

Banyoles Lake
The lakeside town of Banyoles is a short ride, drive or bus journey from Girona and is not one to miss, (our Lazy Lunes ride heads there every Monday at 10am). A coffee by the lake is a must as well as exploring the old town. If rowing, swimming or running are your thing it’s also a perfect location for all three.

Running
There are plenty of on and off road running routes around Girona, which can provide a great way to see the city and surrounding area!

Getting to Girona

Of course, the first part to enjoying Girona is getting here! There are numerous ways to travel to the city, depending on where you are coming from.

Girona Airport
By far the simplest way to get here is to fly into Girona. Flights into the tiny Girona Costa Brava airport, however, are usually from Europe only, plus during the winter months they are few and far between. If, however you do manage to get a flight to the local airport you are a mere 12.8km away from the city. There are no trains from Girona airport but buses are regular during the day and cost just €2.75 for a single. If you prefer to have a transfer arranged for you, you can do so via Eat Sleep Cycle for €35.

Barcelona Airport
If you can’t get directly to Girona then don’t fear as Barcelona-El Prat will serve. Albeit slightly further away, it is still relatively easy to transfer from El-Prat to Girona. A Sagales coach will cost you €19, a taxi transfer (which Eat Sleep Cycle can arrange) will cost €180 or if you choose to take the train it will cost €16 plus the metro fare from El Prat to Barcelona’s main station: Sants. If you decide to take the train be aware that this transfer may not be enjoyable with a bike bag and cases!

Madrid Airport
While Madrid is rather more of a jaunt away there are potentially more flight options for international travellers. Why not integrate a trip to the Spanish capital while you’re there? There are direct trains from Madrid to Girona as well as a bus network.

Train from London, Paris and other places in Europe
For those from Europe for whom time is not of the essence the option to take a train may be of interest. Most large city stations will service trains to the area, although beware that you may have to make changes along the way if you’re coming with a bike bag and luggage in tow.

Drive from other parts of Europe
Driving is also a good option for European-based visitors, northern Spain can be reached relatively easily and surprisingly quickly from most of Europe – just watch out for the tolls!

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Girona – A City for Cyclists

Whatever time of year and in whatever capacity you visit Girona its charms are sure to compel you to return. The sheer number of cyclists who settle in the city are testament to how special it really is for two-wheeled exploring! This cyclists guide to Girona is intended to be an up-to-date guide to our home city and we will be updating it regularly with any new recommendations and activities – so be sure to check back!

Girona Cycling Tours

If this has got you inspired to travel to Girona then why not view our Girona cycling tours and check out what camps and packages we have available. If you’re planning to travel here and don’t want to worry about bringing a bike then take a look at our rental bikes in Girona for top-quality, fully-serviced road, gravel and mountain bikes. If you’ve any questions about your possible cycling tour to Girona give us a call now on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online for more info!

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Written by Louise Laker

The bike has always been an escape for me - a way to get rid of the stresses of the day, to set myself a physical & mental challenge, to meet great people and have ton of fun.

After years of studying, working in the sustainability sector and road racing on the UK circuit, I moved from London to Girona to pursue the dream of professional cycling.

Instead, something more incredible happened - I co-founded Eat Sleep Cycle in the cycling capital of Europe, Girona.

We create & deliver beautiful cycling tours all over Europe. We love what we do and that shows in our work.

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