Girona

By crossing the city bridges over the Onyar River, you can see the pastel-coloured houses that line the bank on the site of the old city walls. Pont de Ferro, an iron bridge built by Gustave Eiffel, offers beautiful views of the city's trademark facade, the quintessential Girona experience.

The 1680 Baroque façade of Girona's majestic and imposing cathedral has the widest Gothic nave in the world and hides a beautiful Romanesque cloister. Be sure to admire the interior, with its 11th-century ‘Tapestry of the Creation’ in the cathedral museum.

The Jewish ghetto – El Call – is one of the best preserved in Europe and is a major tourist attraction. Take a walk around the old quarter with alleyways of stairs bordering Carrer de la Força. The roots of the old Jewish community can be explored at the Museum of the History of the Jews, built on the site of a 15th-century synagogue. Hot tip: Some scenes of season six of Games of Thrones were filmed here.

Despite the name and the presence of Moorish architecture, the Arab Baths are housed in a breathtaking Romanesque building from the 1100’s inspired by Roman public baths. The highlight is the Apodyterium, a fantastically preserved room with an impressive octagonal swimming pool in the centre.

Venturing a bit beyond Figueres one can find the beautiful Monestir Sant Pere de Rodes, a former Benedictine monastery perched atop the green Verdera mountain and surrounded by absolutely breathtaking landscapes. The area is also home to the ruins of a medieval town and a pre-Romanesque-style church.

Panorama Trails offers the chance to admire the Catalan countryside on horseback, to wander along sandy beaches, through medieval villages and atop rolling green hills. Take the chance to experience the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean the way they were experienced for thousands of years.

Just north of Girona lies the Lake of Banyoles, a crystal clear body of water about 2 kilometres long, favoured particularly by rowers. Stroll, swim or row your way around the picturesque lake, and stop for a rest, a snack and coffee at the nearby establishments in the town of Banyoles.

The Girona's most ancient church, serving as the city's cathedral until the 10th century, is a spectacular Gothic building with an imposing bell tower built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The church holds regular services and houses some impressive works of art.

Parc de la Devesa is a large and lush park just northwest of the city centre, a green oasis in where locals relax in the sun and wander among the beautiful vegetation. There are lovely gardens surrounded by water and a greenhouse displaying various plant species, as well.