Girona Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Girona, Catalonia, Spain |
| 👥 Population |
103,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 150 Mbps; Fiber optic widely available in the city center. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Safe to drink, though many locals prefer bottled or filtered water due to high mineral content. |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo. Prices approx. €15-€20 for 50GB. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Revolut and N26 are highly popular; local accounts available via Sabadell for residents. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Girona Housing, Airbnb, and local agencies like Finques Company. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, contactless payment is accepted even in small bakeries and taxis. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb and local apartments (avg. €1,200/month for a central 1-bed). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Can Beatus or Equity Point Hostel (approx. €30-€45/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Barri Vell (Old Town) - near the Cathedral and Jewish Quarter. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Eixample or Devesa - quieter, better grocery access, and more modern apartments. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Cooker (Carrer de la Rutlla, 16) - approx. €150/month for a flex desk. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Federal Café (Carrer de la Força, 9) - laptop friendly with great Wi-Fi; Coffee €2.50. |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Girona Tech Hub meetups and 'Girona Digital Nomads' Facebook group events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Language exchange at McKiernans Irish Pub (Rambla de la Llibertat). |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Taxi Girona (App: PideTaxi). Uber/Cabify have very limited presence. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Girocleta (public bike sharing for residents) or Eat Sleep Cycle for pro rentals (€40/day). |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Sant Pere Pescador or Platja d'Aro (approx. 40 mins by car/bus). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Vueling (operates largely from nearby Barcelona-El Prat). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Ryanair (major hub at Girona-Costa Brava Airport GRO). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterráneo) connects to France and Barcelona. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Girona Railway Station (AVE High Speed connects to Barcelona in 38 mins). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
T-10 card (approx. €11 for 10 trips) valid for urban buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
RENFE Medium Distance trains and Sagalés/Sarfa buses for Costa Brava. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta (Av. de França, s/n). |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Happy Yoga Girona (Carrer de la Creu, 11) - €12 drop-in. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
GEiEG (multiple locations) - comprehensive sports complex approx. €50/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Fresh Laundry (Carrer de Santa Eugènia) - self-service wash/dry for €8. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Glovo and Just Eat are the market leaders in Girona. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Xuixo (sugar-coated pastry filled with crema catalana) at Fleca Payerols. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
B12 (Plaça de l'Independència) - vegan bar and restaurant. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Rocambolesc (Carrer de Santa Clara) - gourmet ice cream by the Roca brothers. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Mercat del Lleó (Public Market) for fresh local produce at fair prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon.es (Prime delivery is 24h), El Corte Inglés. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Mercadona or Bonpreu/Esclat online delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Plaça de la Independència and Carrer de la Sèquia. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Biergarten Girona or Dos Kiwis Brewing (nearby in Gaüses). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Plaça del Vi, 7 - excellent selection of Empordà region wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
No permanent stalls, but 'Food Trucks' are common during the Temps de Flors festival. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
König (multiple locations) - famous for burgers and local tapas; very affordable. |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Girona Cathedral (featuring the widest Gothic nave in the world). |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Cinema Museum (Museu del Cinema) - entry €6. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
The Jewish Quarter (El Call) and the Eiffel Bridge (Pont de les Peixateries Velles). |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Sant Pere de Galligants (Romanesque abbey). |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Temps de Flors (Flower Festival in May) and Narcissus Festival (San Narciso in October). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Barri Vell (Old Town). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Teatre Municipal de Girona. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Mercat de les Ribes del Ter (Tuesdays/Saturdays). |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Sunset Jazz Club (Carrer de la Plateria) for live performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Mural cycle at the Monar district and underpass art near Devesa. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Girona Cooking Classes (Carrer Hortes) - approx. €75 per session. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Dual Art Gallery (Carrer de la Muralla). |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) - 12th century Romanesque structure. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The Girona Lioness (La Lleona) - legend says you must kiss her bottom to return to Girona. |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
25% standard rate in Spain. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
19% - 26% depending on amount. |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Worldwide income basis for residents (>183 days). |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
47% (on income over €300,000). |
| 🧾 VAT |
21% (standard), 10% (reduced for food/transport). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, strict rules applied under Spanish law. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - annual tax paid to the Girona Town Hall. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
ITP (Property Transfer Tax) is 10% for resale properties in Catalonia. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Beckham Law (Fixed 24% tax for 6 years) or the new Startup Law Visa for Nomads (15% tax). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €180,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €252,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €320,000) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
La Devesa Park - the largest urban park in Catalonia with 2,500 plane trees. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park (40 mins away). |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Olot-Girona Greenways (Vies Verdes) - retired railway track for cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Passeig de la Muralla (the old city walls walk with views over the Pyrenees). |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Ter River banks and nearby Banyoles Lake. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Strictly regulated; only allowed in designated BBQ areas like Sant Grau. |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Correos (Carrer de Santa Eugènia); SEUR and MRW for express. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Pccat Girona (Carrer de l'Obra). |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
TT Cassà (nearby club) or public tables in Parc Central. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Servei Lingüístic de la UdG or Escola Oficial d’Idiomes (EOI) Girona. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Biblioteca Pública Carles Rahola - modern, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, and quiet zones. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Centre Cívic Barri Vell-Mercadal. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Elite Gaming Center (nearby in larger mall zones). |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Casino Peralada (approx. 40 mins north). |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING GIRONA