Old Town in Girona

Girona's Old Town, the Barri Vell, is one of the best preserved medieval quarters in Catalonia. Stone alleys climb from the Onyar river to the cathedral, past the Jewish Quarter, the Arab Baths and a ring of city walls you can still walk end to end.

Most visitors start at the colourful Onyar houses, cross the Eiffel-built Pont de les Peixateries Velles, then lose themselves in the Call, the old Jewish Quarter that is among the most complete in Europe. The 90-step Baroque staircase up to the cathedral is the single most photographed spot in the city, and the rooftop walk along the Passeig de la Muralla gives you the whole valley at once. A guided old town walk is the easiest way to read the layers, from Roman foundations to medieval defences, without missing the hidden courtyards locals love. Walking tours here run roughly two hours and cover the cathedral, the Jewish history museum, the riverside and the walls, with plenty of time for photos. If you prefer to go at your own pace, a self-guided ticket bundle to the main monuments lets you decide how long to linger in each one.