If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona and thinking about a day trip to nearby Girona, this private guided tour by high-speed train could be just what you need. While I haven’t personally taken this exact journey, the reviews and details paint a pretty appealing picture for anyone wanting to see this medieval city comfortably and with some expert insights.
What really draws us in are the fast, comfortable train ride that whisks you out of Barcelona in about 38 minutes, and the chance to explore Girona’s well-preserved Jewish Quarter and spectacular city walls. Plus, for fans of Game of Thrones, this tour offers a peek at filming locations, adding a layer of excitement for TV buffs.
The potential downside? This is a full-day, around five-hour adventure, so it might not be ideal if you prefer more relaxed, unstructured days or have mobility considerations.
Thank you Katja for taking us on a lovely journey on the high speed rail from Barcelona to Girona. We enjoyed your insights into life in Spain as well as your other travels. Walking through Girona and hearing the stories was interesting! And thanks for your help in coordinating more tours.
Our guide was excellent! She explained so many interesting things to us and checked to make sure we were ok with the walking parts of the tour. The things she showed us were very interesting. She also shared about what baking was typical for the region and what we could try. We had 1.5 hours free time which was nice. The train ride was awesome, so smooth. Would highly recommend this tour!
Katya was an amazing tour guide. She was very personable and relatable. The experience was like walking through Girona with a history major friend that we haven't seen in a while. She really made the city come to life with all the cultural knowledge and historical events that makes Girona what it is today. I highly recommend this tour and maybe you will be blessed with Katya as your tour guide.
But overall, this tour seems well-suited for travelers who want a mix of history, culture, and scenery without the fuss of organizing transportation themselves. It’s especially good for those who enjoy guided experiences and efficient travel.
If you’re someone who appreciates knowing the story behind the sights, loves quick, scenic escapes from city life, or just wants to add a dash of medieval charm to your trip, this experience could be a perfect fit. Let’s unpack everything you’d want to know before signing up.
- Key Points
- A Deep Dive into the Girona Private Tour
- Seamless Travel on Spain’s Fastest Train
- Personalized Exploration with a Private Guide
- Exploring Girona’s Stunning Sights
- Film & TV Buffs Will Love the Game of Thrones Spots
- Flexibility and Comfort
- The Value of the Experience
- Tour Highlights & Drawbacks
- Who Would Love This Tour?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
- More Guided Tours in Barcelona
- More Tours in Barcelona
- More Tour Reviews in Barcelona
Key Points
- High-speed train offers a quick, stress-free journey from Barcelona to Girona
- Private guided tour ensures personalized attention and in-depth insights
- Highlights include Girona’s medieval walls, Eiffel Bridge, Arab Baths, and Jewish Quarter
- The trip includes a visit to Game of Thrones filming locations
- Price at $272 per person offers a good value for transportation and guided expertise
- Tour duration around 5 hours, with flexible starting times
- Not including meals or hotel pickup, so plan accordingly
- Ideal for travelers wanting a comprehensive yet efficient day trip
A Deep Dive into the Girona Private Tour
You can also read our reviews of more guided tours in Barcelona
Seamless Travel on Spain’s Fastest Train
One of the standout features of this experience is the high-speed train ride, which reaches speeds of up to 310 km/h. This isn’t just about getting there quickly—it’s about arriving relaxed. You avoid the typical traffic jams or long drives, and the comfort on board includes toilet access, a cafeteria for drinks, and comfortable seating.
Multiple reviewers emphasize how smooth and enjoyable the train journey is. One traveler mentioned, “The train trip is great!” highlighting how this part of the experience sets a positive tone for the day. Plus, with a round-trip ticket included, you don’t have to worry about booking separate trains, making it a hassle-free start and finish.
Jimena our guide for the day could not have been more helpful. She was easy to find at the meeting point and very helpful in getting us on the train to Girona. Once there she walked us through the new and into the old part of the city. She was very knowledgeable, entertaining and we both thoroughly enjoyed our day with her. Thank you.
Girona is a must see! We did a half day tour and we loved seeing the GOT places where it was filmed! Our guide was fantastic and knowledgeable about the old city!
We enjoyed our tour to Girona. Our guide was friendly, and knowledgeable and provided good insights into the historical sites of Girona. Taking the high-speed train was easy and allowed us plenty of time to see everything, and even have a relaxing lunch in a street-side café before returning to Barcelona. This was a fun way to spend the day, and still be back to Barcelona in time to enjoy the late afternoon and evening out on the town.
Personalized Exploration with a Private Guide
The tour’s private guide is where the experience really shines. Several reviews note the guides’ knowledgeable, engaging, and friendly nature. Words like “excellent,” “amazing,” and “very personable” keep popping up, signaling that you’ll get a more tailored, relaxed tour compared to crowded group excursions.
The guides don’t just take you to sights—they share stories, historical facts, and local tidbits. For example, one guide explained Girona’s history and culture, making the city come alive. Another guide shared regional baking traditions, adding flavor to the tour. This personal touch helps you connect more deeply with the city.
Exploring Girona’s Stunning Sights
Once in Girona, the tour covers a lot of ground in a few hours. The Old Town is a highlight and offers a fascinating mix of Roman and medieval architecture. Walking through the Jewish Quarter, considered one of the best-preserved in Europe, is a particular treat. Visitors often marvel at the cathedral, which boasts the widest Gothic nave in the world, and the colorful houses along the Onyar River.
The Gustave Eiffel-designed bridge, Pont de les Peixateries Velles, is another standout. It’s not just a pretty crossing; it’s a piece of engineering history, built in 1877. From the top of Girona’s medieval city walls, you’ll enjoy panoramic views that leave many visitors saying it’s worth every step.
The train trip is great! Our guide Paco was well prepared for every question. He knows the history and knows how to tell it 🙂 litlle advice would be to introduce people in the group to each other, just to became familliar with each other 😉
It was an awesome experience. A myst do if you are in Venice. Love it!
Was exactly as stated. Meeting point was good, train ride good, got back on time. Saw everything we wanted to in Girona. Guide was knowledgeable and pleasant. Nice way to spend the morning.
Film & TV Buffs Will Love the Game of Thrones Spots
For fans of the series, part of the tour focuses on filming locations from Game of Thrones, particularly from season 6. It’s a fun addition that makes this trip a little more special for those interested in TV history. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious, seeing these real locations adds a layer of excitement.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Barcelona
Flexibility and Comfort
The tour includes Arab baths entry, which, depending on the day, might be replaced with a visit to the Museum of Jewish History (since the baths are closed on Sundays). This flexibility is thoughtful and helps ensure you see the best of Girona regardless of schedule constraints.
The duration of about 5 hours includes travel, guided exploration, and some free time for personal discovery. Many reviews mention the well-paced nature of the tour, with enough time to enjoy sights without feeling rushed.
The Value of the Experience
At $272 per person, this tour offers quite a bit: high-speed train transportation, a private guide, an Arab baths visit, and a comprehensive tour of Girona’s most iconic sights. Considering the convenience of private guidance and the comfort of fast travel, many find it a worthwhile investment.
Our tour guide Richard was exceptional! Such a fun and cheerful person, always with a smile on his face. 😊 He was also extremely knowledgeable about Girona. The bullet train was a fun way to get there from Barcelona. It was the perfect half-day trip.
We took a Saturday tour to Girona with guide Ricardo. We had an absolutely fabulous time and only had six people on our tour. It was a wonderful size group made up of people from the US and Mexico. Ricardo was charming funny and very knowledgeable. He was well aware of good lesser known paths to take through Girona, which was very crowded, but he was able to keep us off a lot of the busiest streets. he had great stories about all of the places we visited and really took the time to let us explore the monuments without feeling rushed. We even got to go down into the Arab baths which I didn’t realize was going to be on our tour. Several of us climbed up all of the steps to the cathedral and …
Roger was an excellent guide. we enjoyed learning about the city, its history, and culture.
Some reviews highlight the quality of the guides—not only knowledgeable but also personable, making the experience more engaging. The train ride alone is often praised for being smooth and enjoyable, turning what could be a stressful transfer into part of the fun.
Tour Highlights & Drawbacks
While most reviews are glowing, some mention minor inconveniences like mobility considerations, since the tour involves some walking, or the possibility of missing out on certain stops if schedules shift. Also, meals and additional expenses aren’t included, so it’s worth bringing snacks or planning for lunch.
Who Would Love This Tour?
This experience is ideal for history buffs, TV fans, or anyone wanting a comfortable, guided escape from Barcelona. It’s especially suited for those who prefer to avoid the hassles of self-organized travel, as everything from train tickets to guiding is taken care of.
If you value personalized attention and want to learn about Girona’s cultural and architectural gems, this is a good pick. It’s less suitable if you’re looking for a more leisurely, unstructured day or if mobility is a concern—since there’s some walking involved and the Arab baths may not be accessible on Sundays.
Roger our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful, He gave us options for free time and his tour was interesting.
Mateo was awesome! He was extremely knowledgeable and personable and truly made our experience memorable. He led the best tour of our stay in Barcelona.
We really enjoyed this tour. Girona was such a beautiful place to see. The old town was amazing. We loved seeing the locations from Game of Thrones. The views of the city were breathtaking. Our guide, Roger, was fantastic. He gave us great information on everything we seen and was very helpful. Really enjoyed this tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour suitable for children? While the description doesn’t specify age restrictions, the tour involves some walking and sightseeing, so it’s best for older kids or teenagers who enjoy history and TV shows.
How long is the train ride? The train ride from Barcelona to Girona takes about 38 minutes, offering a quick and comfortable journey.
What is included in the price? The tour includes high-speed train transportation, a private guide, a guided tour of Girona, and entry to the Arab baths (or the Jewish Museum if baths are closed).
Are meals included? No, food and beverages are not included unless specified. You might want to bring snacks or plan for lunch during free time.
Can I cancel this tour? Yes, cancellations are allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a 70% refund.
Is the tour flexible in timing? Yes, check availability for starting times, but the tour generally lasts around 5 hours.
What languages are available for the guide? Guides are available in English and Spanish, with an audio guide included in both languages.
Do I need to bring anything? Just your passport or ID card. Wear comfortable shoes since there’s some walking involved.
Barcelona: Girona Private Guided Tour by High-Speed Train
"Thank you Katja for taking us on a lovely journey on the high speed rail from Barcelona to Girona. We enjoyed your insights into life in Spain as w..."
Final Thoughts
This private Girona tour from Barcelona offers a well-rounded day combining rapid, stress-free travel with expert-guided exploration. Whether you're fascinated by medieval architecture, eager to see Game of Thrones filming spots, or simply want a taste of Catalonia’s history and scenery, it delivers a lot for its price point.
It's a strong choice for travelers who want a structured yet personalized experience, with the convenience of high-speed rail and guides. While it might not be the best option if you're on a tight mobility schedule or prefer spontaneous adventures, those who enjoy learning, sighting, and efficient travel will find plenty to love here.
Overall, it seems like a satisfying way to make the most of a day trip—getting to see a stunning city, hear captivating stories, and travel comfortably—all in one go.
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