Gaudí, medieval Girona and rocky coves
This is leg 1 of 3, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava
Barcelona to Girona
Barcelona and Girona sit about 85 km (53 mi) apart in a straight line, with Girona to the north-east. It is leg 1 of 3 on our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava itinerary, a 9-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 85 km · 53 mi
- Est. road distance
- 102–119 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 102–119 km (64–74 mi) of road and 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Barcelona and Girona depends on the line — check timetables.
Use the metro in Barcelona and the high-speed train to Girona. Hire a car in Girona for the coast, since buses between Costa Brava villages are slow and infrequent.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Girona
Walled medieval city on the Onyar; 2 nights.
Girona Cathedral
Cathedral with one of the widest Gothic naves, reached by a grand stairway.
Lake Banyoles
Natural lake with a shady walking loop and rowing boats.
El Celler de Can Roca
Three-Michelin-star restaurant of the Roca brothers.
La Garrina
Natural wine bar with a courtyard and Catalan bottles.
Passeig de la Muralla
Walk along the medieval city walls with towers and views over rooftops.
Call Jueu
Old Jewish quarter with a museum on Catalan Jewish history.
Before you leave Barcelona
Catalan capital; stay 3 nights for Gaudí, markets and tapas.
On this curated route
Where Barcelona → Girona sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Girona to Barcelona is the same 85 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in June, when Girona averages highs 4°C cooler than Barcelona.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona high | 14° | 15° | 18° | 20° | 24° | 29° | 32° | 31° | 27° | 23° | 18° | 14° |
| Girona high | 13° | 13° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 26° | 28° | 28° | 25° | 21° | 16° | 13° |
| Barcelona rain | 34 | 32 | 43 | 50 | 49 | 27 | 28 | 41 | 59 | 70 | 54 | 31 |
| Girona rain | 52 | 44 | 60 | 71 | 63 | 35 | 34 | 37 | 58 | 91 | 65 | 42 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Girona month guides.
Barcelona to Girona: questions travelers ask
How far is Barcelona from Girona?
Barcelona is about 85 km (53 mi) from Girona in a straight line, with Girona to the north-east. By road, we estimate 102–119 km (64–74 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Barcelona to Girona?
An estimated 1 h 15 min – 2 h 30 min, assuming 102–119 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Barcelona to Girona?
Our Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava itinerary includes this leg. Barcelona, Girona & the Costa Brava runs about 9 days across 4 stops, best in May – Jun, Sep.
Onward from Girona
Guides for both ends
- Barcelona travel guide
- Barcelona weather best time to visit
- Girona travel guide
- Girona weather best time to visit
Girona by month
Plan Barcelona → Girona with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.