Girona and Dali Museum Full-day Tour – From Barcelona.

About this tour in Barcelona

• CrewSpanish, English
• Duration7 hours
• CancellationTour Cancellation Policy - Spain.
• Pick-upHotel pick-up available

Itinerary

1. Medieval Town of Girona.

   Girona is a medieval city in Catalonia, Spain, known for its exceptionally well-preserved historic center, featuring narrow cobblestone streets, Roman walls, and colorful houses along the Onyar River. Highlights include walking the ancient city walls, exploring the historic Jewish quarter (El Call), and visiting the impressive Girona Cathedral, which has the widest Gothic nave in the world. The city also served as a filming location for the TV series Game of Thrones.

   Key medieval features and attractions

   • Old Town (Barri Vell): A maze of narrow, winding, cobblestone alleys and squares that have remained largely unchanged for centuries.
   • City Walls: Walkable sections of the ancient Roman and Carolingian walls offer incredible views of the city.
   • Jewish Quarter (El Call): One of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, with a rich history and a dedicated museum.
   • Girona Cathedral: A stunning cathedral with a long, wide staircase leading to its entrance. Its Gothic nave is the widest unsupported one in the world.
   • Arab Baths: A 12th-century bathhouse that is a great example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

   We will spend a few hours in Girona so you have the opportunity to explore the Girona Cathedral and the Arab Baths. From Girona, we proceed to the town of Figueres to visit the world-famous Dali Museum.

   We will personally pick you up from the hotel or cruise port with either our private or semi-private excursion.  Bring your luggage with you if needed, and we will store it safely in the vehicle during the day.

2. The Arab Baths.

   – The Arab Baths –

   · History ·

   The first mention of the existence of public baths in Girona dates back to 1194. In 1285, the complex was partially destroyed during the siege by the troops of Philip III the Bold of France. In 1294, King James II commissioned Ramon Taialà, a citizen of Girona, to rebuild them. In 1342, they were owned by Arnau Sarriera, the personal physician of Peter III the Ceremonious. It seems that during the Middle Ages, some of the rooms were used temporarily as a mikveh by the city’s Jewish community. In 1618, they were bought by a community of Capuchin nuns, which they turned into part of their convent. In the 19th century, they were an object of interest and study by early travellers, such as Alexandre de Laborde, who then made them known to the entire world by including drawings and engravings in their books. Subsequently, the studies performed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch provided the scientific justification for their purchase by the Girona Provincial Council in 1929. The Provincial Council supervised their restoration, and they were finally opened to the public in 1932.

   At the conclusion of your visit to Figueres, we will return to Barcelona and drop you off at the place of your hotel, cruise port, or airport.

3. Dali Museum.

   The primary Dalí Museum in Spain is the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres, his birthplace, a surrealist labyrinth designed by Dalí himself to house the world's largest collection of his works, featuring paintings, sculptures, holograms, and iconic rooms like the Mae West Room, serving as his tomb and a total work of art showcasing his genius. It's part of the largerDalinian Triangle, which also includes his home in Portlligat and the Gala-Dalí Castle in Púbol, all managed by the Gala-Dalí Foundation.

4. Discover Girona´s Jewish Quarter, El Call, Spain.

   Girona's Jewish Quarter, or El Call, is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval Jewish areas, a maze of narrow, cobbled streets filled with history, culture, and Kabbalistic study from the 12th-15th centuries, centered around significant sites like the Museum of Jewish History (housing the last synagogue) and ancient mikveh (ritual baths), offering a tangible link to a vibrant community before the 1492 expulsion, with its story now preserved and accessible to visitors.

   Key Aspects of El Call:

   • ** Architecture & Layout**: A labyrinth of tight alleys, stone steps, and hidden courtyards, reflecting medieval Jewish urban planning, with buildings often touching overhead.
   • ** Historical Significance**: A major center for Jewish learning, particularly Kabbalah, home to renowned scholars like Nachmanides.
   • Key Sites:Museum of Jewish History: Located in the former Bonastruc ça Porta Center, it tells the community's story and houses artifacts like ancient gravestones.
     Girona Synagogue: The site of the last medieval synagogue, used until 1492, now part of the museum complex, featuring archaeological finds and displays.
     Mikveh: The beautifully preserved women's ritual bath, an important archaeological find, can be explored on-site or virtually.
     

What’s included

Good to know before you go

Frequently asked questions