Girona Airport Information

Girona Airport (Gerona Airport) also known as Costa Brava Airport serves the Costa Brava holiday region of north eastern Spain, but is also less than 100km from Barcelona so many visitors to Barcelona fly to Girona.

Car Hire at Girona Airport in Spain

On-Site Car Hire

 The following car rental companies have offices and airport rental car collection at Girona:

• Dollar
• Firefly
• Goldcar/InterRent
• Hertz
• Thrifty

The car rental desks for the on-site companies at Girona Airport are located inside the Arrivals Hall. Once you have completed the car rental paperwork at the desk, you will be directed to the purpose built rental car park to collect your vehicle. The car park is located around a 2-minute walk from the arrivals hall past the on-site bus station.

Off-Site Car Hire

There are also a number of car rental companies based in car parks a on the approach road to the airport terminal requiring a short (approx 2 minute) shuttle bus transfer.. Companies with premises close to Girona airport terminal include:

• Avis
• Budget
• Europcar
• OK Rent A Car

Airport Location

Located about 12kms to the south of Girona City centre, Girona airport offers fast access to the Costa Brava resorts. The airport has excellent road connections to all the major resorts.

In addition, the airport is only 40 minutes by car from the French border offering good access to the ski resorts of Andorra and the Pyrenees. The drive to Andorra from Girona is around 3 hours, and the route is not the best.

Barcelona is just over an hour's drive to the south on the AP-7, and this has made Girona a popular alternative to Barcelona El Prat airport which is located the south of Barcelona.

Airport Terminal Information

  The Arrivals area at Girona Airport is on the ground floor next to the baggage reclaim hall. The baggage reclaim area is next to the main arrivals hall.

For Girona Airport Departures, the ticket check-in counters and luggage areas are located on the ground floor although boarding is conducted on the first floor of the terminal. After passing the security checkpoint on the first floor you will find a small shopping mall area and a food gallery near the back of the departures hall in the public area.

Transport at Girona Airport

  There is no train service at Girona Airport but it is possible to take a bus or taxi into Girona Train Station at which point you can transfer onto the rail service to travel throughout Spain or France.

Taxi

Girona airport is 15km from Girona city centre, the taxi fare from the airport to the centre should be just over 20 €. More taxi fares from Girona airport are given on the Girona Tourist Guide website.

Bus to Barcelona

The Sagales Bus company runs a regular bus service from the Girona Airport to Barcelona Nord station taking around 75 minutes and costing 25 € (return). Buses are timetabled to coincide with the main flights into Girona (including Ryanair). The bus ticket office is located inside the arrivals terminal, but tickets can be purchased onboard.

Bus to Girona and Costa Brava

There is a regular bus service from the airport to Girona bus station run by Sagales which takes about 25 minutes and runs on an hourly basis. If you are travelling to other Costa Brava resorts can catch connecting buses at Girona bus station.

There are regular coaches from Girona Airport to Barcelona which connect with all the Ryanair flights.

The Sarfa Bus Company operates from Girona airport to the Mediterranean coast including the resorts of Malgrat de Mar, Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Pineda de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Santa Susanna.

The Historic City of Girona

 Many visitors to the Catalan capital of Barcelona or the Costa Brava beaches will pass through Girona Airport en route. The city of Girona (spelled as Gerona in Spain) is located approximately 100 km to the north of Barcelona, and around 7km from Girona Airport. There is a regular bus service from the airport to the city centre.

Girona has a population of just under 100,000, and is a quiet, typical Catalan city. Built on the banks of the Onyar River, Girona has an impressive old town quarter. Overlooking the old town area is the beautiful 11th century Gothic cathedral. The city of Girona retains its Spanish charm and has not been noticeably affected by tourism, unlike many of the coastal towns on the Costa Brava.

Most of the bars, restaurants and nightlife in Girona are located around Independence Square which is surrounded by bars and restaurants where you can eat and drink outside for most of the year at day or night. In December the square has a small Christmas Market.

Girona Market

The old town area has a market on Tuesdays and Saturdays (0900-1300) selling local foods, crafts and clothing. Many of the stalls are set up on the bridge which divides the new town from the old town area. From the bridge there are spectacular views over the river.

Girona Old Town

Girona has a small, but impressive old town quarter which stretches along the banks of the River Onya. The bridge connecting the new town area to the old town has some beautiful views of the coloured houses which line the river bank. The old town consists of a single main street lined with small shops and bars following the path of the river.

Girona Cathedral

At the summit of the old town is the impressive cathedral which was constructed between the 14th-17th century. If you climb the hill to the cathedral, you will be rewarded with some spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Wine Tours

Two of the finest wineries in Catalonia are located in Girona province at Perelada and Espelt. Tours are available to both where you can learn about the wine-making process and sample and buy local wines.

The Girona Museum of Cinema tells the history of filmmaking through from the shadow lanterns they used in China to today's huge blockbusters. The official website can be found at Museum Del Cinema

Cycling in Girona

The Girona region has long been associated with cycling. Many professional cyclists have lived and continue to live in the city, perhaps the most famous being the now disgraced Lance Armstrong, who made Girona his home and base for many years during his time with the US Postal team.

Whilst being well-known for its excellent road cycling, Girona is less renowned for mountain biking. The Girona region is home to some of the best off-road riding in Europe, most of the local riders are mountain bikers with hundreds turning up to race every weekend.

Arab Baths

The Arab Baths located in the old town area of Girona are an impressive example of 12th Century Roman architecture and worth a visit if you have an hour or so to spare. Entrance is good value at €2. There is also a small museum which is included in the entry price.

The Dali Museum at Figueres

The official museum of Salvador Dali is located in the town of Figures around 30-minute drive to the north of Girona on the AP7 motorway. The museum was designed and built by Dali in the town of his birth and attract visitors from around the world. For more information see the official Salvador Dali Museum website

Mona Monkey Sanctuary

The Mona Monkey Sanctuary is situated just ten minutes from Girona Airport in the small town of Riudellots de la Selva. The foundation was established in 2000 to help rehabilitate illegally captured monkeys, chimpanzees and other primates. Visits to the sanctuary need to be arranged in advance by contacting the Mona Monkey Sanctuary directly.

Hotels in Girona

 There are a number of hotels located close to Girona Airport. Hotel Vilobi Park is the closest and is walkable from the airport terminal. The excellent 4-Star Hotel Eden Park is located is only 5-minute drive from Girona Airport. The hotel has a pool, a good restaurant and is in an attractive setting in the Girona countryside.

In Girona city centre there are plenty of hotels and hostals catering for all budgets. At the edge of town Hotel Ibis offers affordable accommodation and easy access if you have a car.

Girona Climate

Girona has a Mediterranean climate, which means even in the winter months, the daytime temperatures are very mild. The early spring and autumn are good months to visit and enjoy the warm sunshine. Being located around 30km inland, the temperatures are slightly cooler than on the coast in winter, and a little warmer in summer.