Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
A magical city of bridges, steps, and medieval walls, Gay Girona, is a worthy destination on any traveler’s bucket list, even if it isn’t very – well – gay!
With only one gay sauna and no exclusively gay bars, Girona offers respite from its more famous Catalonian brother, Barcelona, and trust us: after a few nights there, you will need it.
Girona instead offers fairytale charm with the picturesque Onyar river fronted by glorious Modernista mansions and many fine Romanesque and Gothic buildings hinting at past wealth.
The city also has a rich and fascinating LGBTQ+ history and has long been a hub of creativity and progressive thinking, which has made it a welcoming place for queer individuals.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Girona was a hotbed for LGBTQ+ activism, with many individuals and groups working to advocate for the rights of the community. One of the most notable groups was the Group for Homosexual Liberation, which was founded in 1976 and helped to organize some of the city’s first gay pride events.
In the 1990s, Girona became home to one of the first openly gay mayors in Spain, Joaquim Nadal. Nadal, who served as mayor from 1991 to 1999, was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and worked to make Girona a more inclusive and accepting city.
Today, Girona continues to be a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, with a growing number of queer-friendly businesses and events. The city’s annual LGBTQ+ pride celebration, which takes place every June, is a vibrant and colorful event that draws visitors from all over the world.
In addition to its thriving LGBTQ+ community, Girona is also home to several historic sites that are important to the queer community. For example, the city’s Jewish Quarter, which dates back to the Middle Ages, was a place where LGBTQ+ individuals could find refuge and acceptance. And the nearby town of Banyoles was home to the painter Josep Maria Sert, who was openly gay and created several works of art that celebrated queer life.
Overall, Girona’s LGBTQ+ history is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the community, as well as to the city’s progressive and inclusive spirit. Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for a welcoming and accepting destination, Girona is a fantastic place to visit.
While we do wish someone would open a gay bar in town – and have found a few gay bars less than an hour’s drive away – the charm of Gay Girona is slowing down, enjoying a less hectic pace and flitting from one wine bar to the next.
Thankfully, however, Spain is one of the most gay-friendly countries in southern Europe – along with Portugal – so why not take advantage of the opportunity to mingle in bars, turn on your gaydar, or perhaps just organize a meet-up via a gay dating app beforehand? In charming towns like this, you just never know where you will end up if you put yourself out there…
In this article we will cover...
Attractions in Gay Girona
Girona, a charming city situated in the northeastern region of Catalonia, is often overlooked by many travelers. However, for the LGBTQ+ community, Girona offers an exceptional experience that is both unique and exciting. Being gay doesn’t dictate what attractions we visit, but we highly recommend exploring Girona’s rich culture and historical treasures.
This picturesque city, with its beautifully preserved medieval architecture and stunning Roman ruins, offers a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s sipping wine in the sun, indulging in some of the tastiest tapas or admiring the breathtaking views from any of the bridges that cross the Onyar River, there is something for everyone in Girona.
For those with more time, exploring the picturesque coastline and small towns along the Costa Brava with a rental car is a must-do. While Girona is very safe, it is always wise to be cautious with valuables in crowded areas, especially at night in bars.
This outstanding construction is absolutely breathtaking, a memoir of the past and a current architectural beauty. Try visiting on Sundays when service makes the atmosphere even more moving – and entrance is free.
Discover the monumental city of Girona and all of its glorious secrets on a guided tour with a knowledgeable local. With over 2,000 years of history, try to focus on the medieval Jewish quarter to take in all the top highlights.
You simply can’t neglect the river Onyar during your vacation to Girona, even if you tried! The postcard surroundings draw in huge crowds and wander the Eiffel Bridge for the pictorial scenery of colorful communities and exquisite bridges.
The only way to truly know a city is through its food, and we love this 6-hour tour that took in all the most beautiful sites of the city while indulging in all the tasty treats Girona could throw at us. Even if you don’t go on a tour, you simply can’t skip town without trying the xuixo pastry or ice cream crafted by the Roca brothers of the renowned restaurant Celler de Can Roca.
If you’re a lover of quality beer over gluttonous food, then you’re in luck, as Girona has one amazing brewery with over 200 types of beer. Spend the day sampling 3 different beers, then enjoy a tapas-style dinner with 100% local produce.
From the Cathedral pop next door for this world-class museum exhibiting five floors of religious art. It still pails in comparison to the grandeur of the Cathedral, but anything less would be sacrilegious.
Fans of the TV show won’t want to miss finding all the filming locations scattered around town from the sixth session. There isn’t much information available online, but luckily one resourceful extra has put together a tour to find all the filming locations and get behind the scenes.
An icon of Catalonia, this ancient monastery is worth the one-hour drive north simply for the view alone – over the glittering Mediterranean coastline. The fusion of culture, history and natural beauty, however, makes this spot one of the region’s most underrated tourist attractions.
Uncover the inimitable environment of Garrotxa and trek hidden paths where outlaws and smugglers once took refuge. 40 volcanic cones shape the background, and more than 20 lava flows, with a climate that births a diversity of vegetation. There is everything from holm oaks to beautiful beech trees to enjoy here. Peppered with walking trails across valleys, it makes for a beautiful excursion from Girona.
Take a quick and easy bus to Banyoles for an afternoon of relaxing by this gorgeous lake and wandering through its surrounding old town.
Girona Pride is an exciting and colorful event that should not be missed by anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and their allies. This celebration is an excellent opportunity to experience the diversity and inclusivity of the local community while taking in the beauty of the city. The event takes place every June in the heart of Girona’s historic district, and it has grown exponentially in popularity and size since it started in 2019.
Girona Pride offers a variety of events, such as live music, performances, dance parties, and a colorful parade that winds through the streets of the old town. With an estimated 15,000 attendees, this event is a testament to the openness and acceptance of the local community. You’ll find people from all walks of life, joining together in solidarity and joy, and the atmosphere is truly electric. So, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor to Girona, Pride is the perfect occasion to explore the city’s vibrant cultural and artistic scene while celebrating diversity and inclusion. Make sure you mark your calendar for Girona Pride, and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Girona Spain
Spain is a world leader in LGBT tourism, and nowadays, pretty much every hotel and hostel in Girona can be considered gay-friendly – after all, being gay-friendly is not all about upscale luxury, but about providing friendly and open service and welcoming everyone with open arms!
Having said that, everyone likes to be surrounded by people with common interests, and as such, there are a few well-known hotels in Girona that are known hot spots for gay travelers to stay – most are close to all the attractions of Girona by day and night!
The following gay-friendly hotels in Girona are only the most popular with gay travelers, but there are hundreds of other hotels in Girona – Just make sure you try to stay near the historic center and if you are renting a car, watch out for free parking to make your life easier.
Whether you want a fun and social hostel, a cheap place to crash after a night of partying or a chic designer option to sip wine and surround yourself with fabulous people – Gay Girona has something for everyone!
AC Hotel Palau de Bellavista ☆☆☆☆☆
While there are no gay hotels in Girona, we found the sleek glass AC Hotel to be the next best thing. Part of the Marriott hotel chain (known for the #love travels LGBT campaign), you can expect the celebrity treatment here whether relaxing in the outdoor pool, admiring the impressive views from the rooftop bar or indulging in their modern rooms and suites.
Free private parking is available which handy if you are driving since Girona’s historical center is only a 5-minute walk away.
DoubleTree by Hilton Girona ☆☆☆☆
A stylish hotel from the international Hilton Chain, well known for its LGBT-friendly marketing campaigns. Guests enjoy access to a gym, sauna, steam bath, and a fabulous terrace bar + pool. Rooms a bright, very colorful and exceptionally clean (if not a bit…plain).
A country-style hotel in Girona’s old town featuring original features such as 18th-century stone walls and wooden beams. We loved the mix of modern with old-world, the affordable prices and returning home for afternoon siestas with ease.
A neoclassical villa in Girona’s exquisite Montjuic area, 500 m from the Cathedral and Jewish quarter. We loved the elegant rooms, outdoor pool with exclusive views over the entire city and daily organic homemade breakfast. The owner Carmen is incredible and will go out of her way to ensure your entire stay is 100% perfect.
Our favorite LGBT-friendly budget stays in the Girona Old Town with a glorious rooftop bar/terrace, clean rooms, and very affordable rooms. Don’t expect luxury, but with staff this friendly, you’ll not miss the extra amenities of larger hotels.
A no-fuss international hotel chain around 1.5 kilometers from the historic center of Girona. With free parking and high standards, you always know what you’re getting at the Ibis. Low prices, clean rooms, and a hassle-free stay.
A fun hostel close to the gay scene in Girona. With stellar reviews, helpful staff and a nice breakfast view, we think this is a great option for those on a budget, who don’t mind sharing a dorm and are looking to meet other travelers to take on the nightlife of Girona with.
There are generally plenty of cute young guys to meet here – and the laws of probability say at least some will be gay!
Gay Nightlife in Girona
Girona is more about medieval wanderlust, gorgeous hotels and sipping wine in a shady courtyard than all-out nightlife, and sadly gay life in Girona does not even offer one true gay bar. For gay, nightlife, try south in Barcelona, Sitges, and Valencia or north in French Montpellier.
Still, there are a few great gay-popular places for beer, wine, cocktails, and dancing if you don’t mind shifting through straights.
There are. However, some LGBT hotspots are dotted around the Costa Brava within a 50-60 min drive of Girona if you hire a car.
Gay-Friendly Bars in Girona
The best nightclub in Girona to dance the night away. A large international crowd consists of young, beautiful people who party away to the latest hits until the sun rises most days. No matter where you start out, if you don’t go home, it’s pretty much guaranteed you will end up here.
The best bar in Giron for live music performances is conveniently located in the old town. Hosting both international and domestic artists for concerts, and jam sessions. Presentations and more – with three annual festivals: Jazz a la Fresca, Jacophonic and Jazz & Fires.
A scenic location for delicious food, drinks and cocktails. On Thursday nights, there is live music, but no matter when you go – day or night – they have over 30 gins and 60 types of beer to sample, so there is always something for everyone.
Get a taste of Dublin in this cute little Irish bar with live music and cheap drinks. Friendly atmosphere, but better to organize your own meeting here as it’s not that gay-popular.
Llibreria-cafè Context
(Temporarily or permanently closed. If you know something, please suggest an edit.)
An upscale bar mixed with a fabulous cultural space: think poetry recitals, concerts, and exhibitions while enjoying fabulous cocktails, wines, and cured meats.
A local vintage-chic favorite in the old Jewish quarter. A fun terrace, plenty of people to chat with and delicious G&Ts.
One of the most famous hang-outs in Girona with some of the best views in town over the Onyar river. Best for day-drinking lounging by the windowsill, though don’t be surprised if creativity takes you over and you feel like writing poetry or sketching your surroundings. It’s just that kind of place!
A gay-popular location for live music sets, delicious cocktails, laid-back vibes and funky lighting. Reggaeton, electro-Latino, funk, rock, hard rock, blues, rock and roll, heavy, indie, pop, blues, disco, electronica, soul, surf, folk, punk, Dj’s and jam sessions…They have it all!
Gay Bars Near Girona
A 40-minute drive would to Lloret de Mar is this cute gay-owned bar from couple Hans and Rodrigo. Fabulous lighting, special shows, theme nights and a good time every night of the week. The kind of place to shun labels of distinctions, but you are welcome as a family here.
Different Pub
A 50-minute drive North to Castelló d’Empúries here, you can find this funky little gay nightclub with a charity of music, theme nights and customers ready to boogie…
The old Mas Marco gay bar is now open to everyone and a concert venue, so while we queers are still welcome, it’s just the same as every other place now…
Gay Cruising & Gay Saunas in Girona
Had enough of gay cruising in Girona – either in the bars or elsewhere? For those who want a bit more guaranteed action, there is only one gay sauna in Girona, so maybe try it out or consider a hook-up app while traveling.
The Sauna Sparta offers everything you need to relax and enjoy yourself, whether you are in for a quick visit or a lazy afternoon. Sauna Sparta is the only gay sauna in Girona and is open every day of the year from 3 pm until 10 pm. Faculties include a cruising Area, glory holes, TV, Jacuzzi, steam + Finnish sauna, private cabins, and XXX video rooms.
Under 25 years old also enjoy half-price entry. It’s basic, rather cold and in desperate need of a renovation, but with no completion, what else do you expect? A mix of locals, French and American guys, normally older, but you never know what you’ll find!
Gay Map Of Girona
Finding it hard to envisage where everything is Gay Girona? Hopefully, this queer-centric map helps where we have marked all the bars, clubs, parties, hotels, saunas, massages and more will help you stay in the spot best suited to you!