Girona and Costa Brava Day Trip with Kids

Colourful houses lining the River Onyar in Girona Spain

We’d been in Barcelona for three days and the kids were done with buildings. “No more churches,” my eight-year-old announced over breakfast. Fair enough. So we booked a day trip to Girona and the Costa Brava, and by lunchtime they were dangling their feet in turquoise water from a beach that looked like it belonged in Thailand. Sometimes the best family days are the ones where you leave the city entirely.

Colourful houses lining the River Onyar in Girona Spain
Girona’s colourful houses along the River Onyar are the first thing you see. They’re painted in pinks, yellows, oranges, and reds — like a stack of Lego bricks balanced over the water. My daughter immediately asked if people actually lived in them. They do. Some of those windows have washing lines. It makes the whole scene feel real and lived-in, not like a postcard. The kids loved spotting the brightest one.

Girona and the Costa Brava are about 100km north of Barcelona. Most guided tours combine both — a morning exploring Girona’s medieval old town, then an afternoon on the coast. It’s the perfect antidote to a week of Gaudi buildings. Narrow streets. Turquoise coves. Beach time. Ice cream. Everything a family holiday should include.

Here’s how to do it with kids.

Hidden turquoise beach cove along the Costa Brava coastline
The Costa Brava coves are genuinely stunning. Turquoise water, pine trees growing right down to the sand, rocky cliffs on either side. My kids ran straight into the sea without waiting for me to apply suncream (lesson learned). The beaches on the guided tours are carefully chosen — they’re accessible, safe for swimming, and have enough sand for castle-building. Not all Costa Brava beaches are family-friendly, so having a guide who knows the right ones is worth the cost.
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Short on Time? Here Are Our Top Picks

Girona & Costa Brava Small-Group Tour — $120
The classic combo. Medieval Girona in the morning, beach coves in the afternoon. Hotel pickup included.
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Girona & Costa Brava with Pickup (GYG) — $116
Same concept, different operator. Small groups, great reviews. Slightly cheaper.
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Costa Brava Kayak & Snorkel Day Tour — $103
Active adventure for sporty families. Kayaking, snorkelling, cliff jumping. Ages 8+.
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Girona with Kids: What to Expect

Grand staircase leading up to Girona Cathedral facade
The Girona Cathedral steps are famous from Game of Thrones. If your older kids watch the show (or have seen clips), they’ll recognise these 86 steps immediately — they’re the ones Cersei walks down in the “Walk of Shame” scene. My son didn’t care about Game of Thrones but he did care about counting the steps. He got to 87. We had a disagreement about the top one. Either way, it’s a workout.

Girona is a beautiful medieval city that most families overlook because everyone’s focused on Barcelona. That’s a mistake. The old town is compact, walkable, and genuinely fascinating for children. You can see the highlights in 2-3 hours.

The colourful houses along the River Onyar are the postcard shot. The Jewish Quarter (El Call) has some of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe — narrow, stone-paved alleys that feel like stepping back 800 years. The Cathedral sits at the top of a grand staircase (86 steps — the kids will count them).

Narrow medieval street in the Jewish Quarter of Girona
The Jewish Quarter is like a medieval maze. Stone walls, archways, steps leading nowhere, hidden courtyards. My kids treated it like a treasure hunt. They kept running ahead and shouting “DEAD END!” or “COME THIS WAY!” from around corners. It’s the kind of exploration that works for every age — toddlers love the sensory experience, older kids love the adventure. No museum required. Just walk and discover.

Most guided tours give you about 2 hours in Girona. That’s enough for the old town highlights but you won’t get inside the Cathedral (unless you skip something else). The walking is moderate — some steps and cobblestones. Buggies work on the main routes but not in the Jewish Quarter. Carrier recommended for under-2s.

Colourful houses reflecting in the River Onyar Girona
The reflections in the river are best in the morning when the water is calm and the sun catches the facades. Most tours arrive in Girona around 10am, which is perfect for the light. From the Pont de les Peixateries Velles (the iron bridge reportedly designed by the Eiffel company), you get the classic view of the houses from both sides. Get there before the bridge fills with other tour groups. Photo: Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Costa Brava with Kids: What to Expect

Rocky cliff coastline along the Costa Brava Spain
The Costa Brava coastline is dramatic. Rocky cliffs drop into clear water with hidden coves tucked between them. The name means “Wild Coast” in Catalan and it’s accurate — this isn’t the flat, sandy coast you’ll find further south. For families, that ruggedness is part of the charm. The coves are sheltered, the water is calm, and the scenery makes every beach feel like a private discovery.

After Girona, the tours head to the coast. This is where the day changes gear completely. Architecture gives way to nature. Streets become beaches. Shoes come off.

The Costa Brava coast is a series of rocky coves with clear turquoise water. The beaches that the guided tours use are typically chosen for family suitability — shallow water, some sand, accessible paths down from the road. Towns like Calella de Palafrugell, Tossa de Mar, and Lloret de Mar are common stops.

Family enjoying a beach day with children swimming at the coast
The beach time is usually 1.5-2 hours. Enough for swimming, sand play, and ice cream. The water is colder than you’d expect (the Mediterranean is not warm this far north in spring), but by June it’s perfectly swimmable. My kids didn’t notice the temperature at all — they ran in regardless. Pack towels. Most tours don’t provide them. And bring swimwear under your clothes to save time changing.
Seaside promenade and beach at Tossa de Mar Costa Brava
Tossa de Mar is one of the prettiest Costa Brava towns. It has a medieval walled old town (Vila Vella) perched on a headland above the beach. Kids love the castle walls — you can walk along the ramparts and look down at the sea from both sides. The beach below the old town is sheltered and has gentle waves. If your tour stops here, budget time for both the beach and the old town walls. Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Kayak & Snorkel Option (Active Families)

Kayakers paddling through turquoise sea along Costa Brava coast
The kayak tours paddle along the Costa Brava coastline to hidden coves. It’s a full-day adventure with kayaking, snorkelling, and cliff jumping (optional). Genuinely thrilling for sporty families. But be honest about your kids’ abilities — the kayaking sections are 1-2 hours of paddling. Ages 8 and up will manage fine. Under-8s will struggle and get frustrated. It’s an active day, not a lazy one.

For families with older, sporty children (ages 8+), the Costa Brava kayak and snorkel tour is a completely different experience. You paddle along the coastline in sea kayaks, stop at hidden coves for snorkelling, and some tours include cliff jumping into deep water.

This is not a gentle boat ride. It’s a proper adventure day that requires physical effort. The payoff is accessing beaches you can only reach by sea — coves with no other travelers, underwater rocks teeming with fish, and that feeling of genuine discovery.

Children snorkelling in clear turquoise sea water
The snorkelling in the Costa Brava coves is surprisingly good. The water is clear enough to see fish from the surface. Equipment is usually provided by the tour. My eight-year-old had never snorkelled before and was hooked within minutes. Even the less confident swimmers stayed near the shallows and could see small fish and sea urchins. Bring underwater cameras if you have them — the kids will want proof.

Practical Tips for Families

Cobblestone street through a medieval Spanish town
Girona’s cobblestones are charming but treacherous in flip-flops. Wear trainers for the morning in Girona (cobbles and steps), then switch to sandals or water shoes for the coast in the afternoon. We packed a small bag with beach gear and left it on the coach during the Girona section. Smart footwear management is an underrated parenting skill on day trips.

It’s a long day. Most tours are 10-12 hours including travel from Barcelona. Factor this in. With under-5s, that’s a big ask. Children aged 6+ handle it well because the day has variety — city in the morning, coast in the afternoon. Under-5s might struggle with the coach time (about 90 minutes each way).

Pack swimwear. Wear it under your clothes. You won’t want to waste beach time changing. Also pack: towels (most tours don’t include them), suncream, water shoes (rocky beaches), a change of clothes for the coach ride home.

Food. Most tours include a lunch stop in a coastal town. Some include the meal, others give you free time to find your own. Budget 15-20 euros per person for lunch at a beach restaurant. The food along the Costa Brava is excellent — fresh seafood, paella, and fideuà (Catalan noodle paella that kids tend to prefer).

Coach naps. The ride back to Barcelona in the late afternoon is when every child falls asleep. Bring a travel pillow or hoodie for the coach window. This is the secret benefit of guided day trips — someone else drives while your children sleep and you get 90 minutes of peace.

Small fishing boats in a Mediterranean village harbour
The Costa Brava fishing villages are the kind of places you dream about returning to. Small harbours with painted boats, cats sleeping on warm stone, old men mending nets. My kids said it was “like being in a cartoon.” They meant it as a compliment. We’ve since booked a week on the Costa Brava because one afternoon wasn’t enough. That’s the effect this coast has on people.

The Best Tours for Families

1. Girona & Costa Brava Small-Group Tour — $120

Girona and Costa Brava small group tour
Nearly 7,000 reviews with a perfect 5.0 rating. That’s exceptional for a 10-hour day trip. Hotel pickup from Barcelona, guided Girona walking tour, beach time on the Costa Brava, and door-to-door transport. The guides are consistently praised as knowledgeable and patient with families. At $120 per person it’s not cheap, but for a full day that includes transport, guiding, and two completely different experiences, it’s fair value.

The most-reviewed Girona and Costa Brava tour with nearly 7,000 reviews and a perfect score. Small group, hotel pickup, guided Girona tour, and beach time included. Our full review covers the day’s itinerary. The obvious choice for families who want everything organised and stress-free.

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2. Girona & Costa Brava with Pickup (GYG) — $116

Girona and Costa Brava group tour with pickup
Slightly cheaper at $116 with nearly 2,000 reviews. Same concept — Girona old town in the morning, Costa Brava coast in the afternoon. Small group format. Pickup from central Barcelona. The GYG version sometimes has different coastal stops, which can be an advantage if the Viator version stops at busier beaches. Check both and compare itineraries for your dates.

An alternative operator with nearly 2,000 reviews. Same Girona + Costa Brava format with small group and pickup. Our review compares this with the Viator option. Worth checking if option 1 is sold out or if the itinerary suits your family better.

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3. Costa Brava Kayak, Snorkel & Cliff Jump — $103

Costa Brava kayak snorkel and cliff jump adventure
The adventure option for active families. Kayaking along the coastline, snorkelling in hidden coves, optional cliff jumping, and lunch included. Nearly 4,000 reviews. This is NOT a gentle day trip — it’s a proper full-day adventure that requires stamina. Ages 8+ recommended. If your kids are the sporty, outdoorsy type, this is their dream day. If they prefer ice cream to exercise, stick with options 1 or 2.

A full-day active adventure along the Costa Brava coast. Nearly 4,000 reviews. Kayaking, snorkelling, cliff jumping, and lunch provided. Our review covers the fitness requirements and family suitability. Best for families with children aged 8+ who want an active, outdoorsy day away from museums and buildings.

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Getting There Independently

Medieval castle tower at Tossa de Mar Costa Brava Spain
If you go independently, Tossa de Mar is the best Costa Brava stop for families. It has a proper sandy beach, the medieval walled old town, restaurants, and enough to fill a half-day. Buses run from Girona to Tossa (about 90 minutes), or you can hire a car and stop at several coves along the way. The castle tower dates from the 12th century and the kids can walk along the walls for free.

If you prefer going without a tour, high-speed trains run from Barcelona Sants to Girona in 37 minutes. From Girona, buses reach coastal towns like Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, and Lloret de Mar. A hire car gives you maximum flexibility to stop at coves and fishing villages along the way.

With children under 8, I’d take the guided tour. The logistics of trains, buses, and coastal navigation add stress to what should be a relaxing day. Once kids are old enough to manage multi-transfer journeys, going independently gives you freedom to linger wherever you want.

More Barcelona Family Guides

Coastal village with beach and colourful houses in Spain
The Girona and Costa Brava day trip is the perfect complement to a Barcelona city break. Three or four days of Gaudi, aquariums, and buses, then one day of medieval towns and turquoise coves. The contrast makes both halves better. The kids appreciate Barcelona more after a day away. And the beach cures whatever museum fatigue has built up.

The Girona day trip balances perfectly with Barcelona’s other family highlights. Back in the city, Sagrada Familia and Park Guell are the must-do Gaudi buildings. For another day trip, Montserrat with kids takes you to the mountains instead of the coast. And for a lazy day between adventures, the catamaran cruises from Barcelona harbour give you sea time without the two-hour drive. Between Girona, Montserrat, and the city itself, you’ve got a week of family memories sorted.