Car Rental in Girona

Why rent a car in Girona?

Girona is a fascinating place to explore. Its architecture is a mix of Medieval Spanish, Jewish, and Arabic architecture, and it has plenty to experience in terms of culture and cuisine. With a rental car, you can easily reach the famous Costa Brava beach area to the west, the Catalan Pyrenees to the east, or even visit the French side of the Mediterranean coast which is just across the border.

Top ways to enter Girona

• Girona Airport: Sometimes also called Girona–Costa Brava, it served more than two million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for many low-cost carriers and is especially busy during the summer months when around 20 different airlines fly to and from Girona. Located just 15km (9 miles) south of Girona’s center, the airport can be reached in about 15 minutes.
• Barcelona El Prat Airport: The second-largest in Spain and among the busiest in Europe, Barcelona’s primary airport is a huge aviation hub. A focus city for Vueling, Air Europa, and EasyJet, it also served by tens of other companies. The airport hosts flights to and from destinations in nearly all the countries of Europe as well as in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Located 125km (77 miles) from Girona, the airport can be reached in 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
• Reus Airport: Reus Airport hosted just over 1 million travelers in 2018, with about 90% of the traffic taking place in the summer months. Popular with low-cost carriers, it connects the region with the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and other European countries. Located about 200km (125 miles) southwest along the coast from Girona, Reus Airport can be reached in two hours.
• Lleida Airport: Also known as Lleida–Alguire, this small airport in Catalonia’s interior is served by three different airlines that host flights to and from the Balearic Islands and the United Kingdom. Located 240km (149 miles) west of Girona, Lleida Airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Perpignan Airport: Also called Perpignan–Rivesaltes and Llabanère, this cozy airport serves the southern French city of the same name. As of 2019, it hosts flights to and from other destinations in France as well as in Algeria, Morocco, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Belgium. Perpignan Airport is just 100km (62 miles) north of Girona and can be reached in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll have to cross an international border, so make sure your rental car provider permits that. An alternative can be to go to Girona by public transportation and picking up a rental car after arriving in the city. 
• By rail: If you arrive in Girona by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Girona Railway Station. Located about 1km (0.6 miles) from Girona’s city center, the station is on the Spanish high-speed rail line.

City facts

• Located near the Mediterranean coast, Girona has a humid subtropical climate. The average high temperature is 30°C  (86°F) in July, the warmest month, and 13°C  (56°F) in January. Although July and August are the driest months of the year in Girona, the city, nonetheless, gets noticeably more precipitation than beach destinations in Southern Spain. During the months of September and even in October, the temperature is very pleasant during the day, you can go to the beach, but in the evening, it gets quite cool, especially on days when the Tramontana, the typical wind of this area, blows.
• Historically inhabited by ancient Iberians, Romans, and Visigoths, as well as the Moors and Jews, and part of many old kingdoms, Girona has always been a melting pot. A lot of this mixed heritage can still be appreciated in the city’s architecture, festivals, and cuisine. There is a wide variety of restaurants combining traditional and avant-garde cuisine, including the best restaurant in the world, according to the prestigious Restaurant Magazine: El Celler de Can Roca, which is run by the three Roca brothers.

Top sights and activities

• Jewish Old Town. Although most of Girona’s Jews were expelled in 1492 following the issue of the Alhambra Decree, the city’s Jewish quarter, or Call, is one of the best-preserved such areas in Western Europe. Made up of steep climbs, narrow side streets, and imposing stone buildings, it is a fascinating place to explore. Interesting places to visit include the Jewish Heritage Museum, as well as the Nahmanides Studies' Institute dedicated to the Talmudist and scholar Moses ben Nahman who hailed from Girona.
• Banys Arab. Another place reminding of past times and lost inhabitants is Banys Arab, the city’s old bathhouse. Although nowadays it no longer serves its original function, the building has been turned into an interesting museum where you can learn both about the tradition of Arab baths and the history of Girona.
• River Onyar. One of the nicest walks in Girona is along the coast of Onyar, a small river that bisects Girona’s Old Town. Although the river itself is neither too large nor exceptionally beautiful, some of the nicest buildings in the city are located on its shores - if you’ve ever seen a postcard from Girona, it probably came from the riverbank. The bridge crossing the river was designed by Gustave Eiffel.
• Girona Cathedral. Built as a church more than 1,000 years ago, then used as a mosque by the Moors, then made into a cathedral again, Girona’s main house of prayer is a testament to the city’s long and diverse past. The cathedral has seen several important reconstruction efforts over the centuries, the most notable of which took place 200 years ago, adding its famous gold-and-silver altar.

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits: 20 km/h on roads with a single carriageway and pavement platform, 30 km/h on roads with a single lane in each direction of traffic, 50 km/h on roads with two or more lanes in each direction or in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car’s documentation and proof of insurance have to be inside the vehicle at all times.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm traveling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight, and they must have the airbag deactivated.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads in the country are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘Carretera de Peaje’ or "carretera de peatje" in Catalan (like all road signs and indicators, they use this language) and autopista.. On maps and road signs, all toll roads include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Costa Brava. One of the most famous coastal areas in Spain, Costa Brava is the perfect place for a beach vacation for those who find Costa del Sol too crowded and neat. Made up of deep bays, rugged cliffs, and impressive coves, “the wild coast” is great for relaxing and doing water sports as well as visiting picturesque fishing towns such as Tossa de Mar, Blanes, or Pal. There are man-made attractions, too, from the ruins of medieval walls and towers in Tossa, beautiful white villages such as Cadaques, and towns such as Begur, where every year in September, the Indianos Festival is celebrated and the whole town dresses in white and celebrates the return of the emigrants to America, drinking rum and dancing in all the squares,  to Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres. Most places of Costa Brava are within a 30 to 50-minute drive east of Girona.
  
• Garrotxa Volcanic Park. Made up of volcanic cones, forests, and panoramic landscapes, Garrotxa is a fascinating place to visit. Home to a landscape not found anywhere else in northern Spain, it is a great place for a day outdoors. Although the area remains seismically active, the volcano has done no real damage since 1428. About 60 km (37 miles) north of Girona, the park can be reached in an hour or less. In the area of La Garrotxa, you can discover Besalú. It was the seat of an independent county in the 4th century, and today it is a medieval village that conserves great historical and artistic value.  The whole town looks like something out of a fairy tale, and its majestic Romanesque bridge over the river Fluvià is particularly noteworthy.
• Castellfollit de la Roca. The small town of Castellfollit is something of a contradiction — on one hand, it is a quaint and peaceful settlement, but on the other, it is built on the edge of a cliff and overlooks a canyon, giving it one of the most dramatic locations in all of Spain. Regardless of which aspect attracts you more, you’re likely to have a good time here. The drive from Girona takes about 50 minutes, and you can visit Castellfollit on the same trip as the aforementioned Garrotxa Volcanic Park.
• One of the most interesting activities to enjoy in Girona is wine tourism. Here you can enjoy an unforgettable experience, specifically in the Empordà area. The DO Empordà Wine Route will allow you to discover a deep-rooted tradition in this land, which dates back to Roman times. On the DO Empordà Wine Route, you can discover the cellars, enjoy delicious meals in the very heart of the vineyards, spend the night in a winery and take part in all kinds of activities and workshops with the main theme: wine. 
• Figueres. This small town of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants is located even further north than Girona, practically on the border with France, and its claim to fame is that it is the hometown of Salvador Dalí, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. The town features a large museum, designed by the famous provocateur himself, the building of which is instantly recognizable by the giant white eggs on top of its crimson facade. The drive from Girona takes about 45 minutes.
• Barcelona.  Basically at an arm’s reach from Girona, spending just one day there might feel like doing a disservice to this great city. Drive just 100km (62 miles) south along the coast, and you’ll be able to see world-famous landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia, Ciutat Vella, where the Gothic Quarter and its beautiful Cathedral stand out, el Born The Ramblas, the heart of the city that goes down to the port where you can see a reproduction of one of the Caravelas (ships with which Columbus discovered America), Passeig de Gràcia with its modernist buildings such as the Palau de la Música, and the Parc Güell, Camp Nou stadium. Decide for yourself if you’d like to go back or stick around longer.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Girona is the Fiat 500, followed by the Renault Clio and the Ford Fiesta. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• The Pyrenees. With dramatic summits, sparse population, and plenty of wildlife, the Pyrenees mountain range separating Spain from France is a nature lover’s paradise. Here you can go on a long hike between spectacular waterfalls, swim in a glacial lake, and perhaps even spend the night in a wooden mountain hut. Ripoll, a town that can be considered a gateway to the Pyrenees, is just 105km (65 miles) northwest of Girona and can be reached in 1 hour and 15 minutes. It should be noted that while many of the roads crossing the Pyrenees are in good shape, getting a 4WD rental car is still strongly advised to drive in the mountains.
• Andorra. Tucked high into the previously mentioned Pyrenees, but deserving special mention of its own, the Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest – and most laid back – countries in Europe. Naturally, it is known for its stunning mountain scenery (and great winter sports), but also boasts a very hospitable local population and a unique culture influenced by its Spanish, French, and Catalan neighbors. Many tourists, as well as Spaniards and French, travel to Andorra for shopping, as the taxes are much lower. The drive from Girona to Andorra la Vella, the small and charming capital, takes about three hours. Since you’ll be crossing an international border, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• Toulouse. France’s fourth-largest city is located near the Spanish border and is, therefore, a mix of Catalan and French influences. There are plenty of interesting places to visit from Basilique Saint-Sernin, the largest Romanesque church in the world, to Les Abattoirs, a former slaughterhouse that’s been turned into a beautiful art museum, and the Space City, a futuristic science theme park. Located 300km (186 miles) northwest of Girona, Toulouse can be reached in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Like with Andorra, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the international border.

Car rental prices in Girona

• Vans - from $45 per day
• Small cars - from $16 per day
• Medium cars - from $22 per day
• SUVs - from $22 per day
• Large cars - from $43 per day
• Station wagons - from $42 per day
• Premium cars - from $47 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to land a good rental car in Girona:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Girona is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 74% cheaper than the yearly average.