Architect Anna Noguera redesigned this 16th-century house in the shadow of Girona’s cathedral to be her weekend retreat from Barcelona, and now rents it out to discerning visitors with an eye for design. And it’s every bit as spectacular as you might hope: an oasis of modernist calm in a building still ringing with ancient delight, including the original rainwater collection system in the courtyard.
Inside you’ll find curved lamps, Eames chairs, exposed stone walls and warm lighting. The house is split into 2 apartments, The Garden (sleeping 2-4) and The Veranda (sleeping 4-6), which can be booked separately or together if you're coming with a bigger group (max 10). The design in both is stunning - modern, minimalist, stylish - with top of the range fittings offsetting the ancient features and brickwork or pale stone walls. We especially loved the small rainwater-fed pool in the Garden, and the views of the narrow Moorish streets of the Jewish Quarter from the glorious covered Veranda. Either one is an ideal base for a stylish city break in Girona, exploring the city's architectural treasures, eating out at some of Spain's best restaurants, cycling through nearby woodlands or driving out to secret beaches.
Highs
- A fantastic location in old Girona, within walking distance of everything
- Housekeeper Montse will look after you really well: she's the wife of a local chef and can offer concierge-level activities and meals
- It’s as stunning as the photos suggest: clean lines, wonderful lighting and a beautiful combination of ancient and modern
- The Veranda Apartment is perfect for a family of 4-5, while the Garden Apartment will suit 1 or 2 couples (who are happy sharing a bathroom)
- Both apartments have state-of-the-art kitchens for self-catering, plus lovely dining areas
Lows
- There's normally a 5-night minimum stay (sometimes 3 nights if it fills a gap or is last minute), so it's not suitable for quick visits
- Driving around the city centre’s narrow streets can be complicated, but if you are up for it, there is garage parking
- The Veranda Apartment has no access to the garden and pool
Best time to go
Girona is a year-round destination, although each season is very different. The spring and autumn are very pleasant and better if you’re planning to visit the beaches, which can be very crowded in the summer. They are also the best seasons for walking. In May the city celebrates Temps de Flors and the streets are full of flowers. In the autumn, Temporada Alta is a 12-week festival of music, dance and theatre, held in the city. The summer is very hot; winters are cold with snow on the mountaintops nearby.
Our top tips
Girona is a renowned culinary destination, serving up classic Catalan food, which tends towards surf’n’turf in its most exquisite varieties. One of the most decorated restaurants in the world, El Celler de Can Roca, is on the edge of the city - you'll need to book months ahead to get a table. And there are currently 7 other (more affordable) Michelin-listed eateries in the city, so you can have a real feast of a holiday.
Girona is also a mecca for cyclists of all persuasions, with hundreds of signposted routes on or off road, some starting in the city and following gravel lanes through woodland to the Catalonian coast. You'd need to be fairly fit to go there and back in a day (it's around 50km / 3 hours each way), but some of the bike-hire outlets in Girona also offer a pick-up service.
Girona is also a mecca for cyclists of all persuasions, with hundreds of signposted routes on or off road, some starting in the city and following gravel lanes through woodland to the Catalonian coast. You'd need to be fairly fit to go there and back in a day (it's around 50km / 3 hours each way), but some of the bike-hire outlets in Girona also offer a pick-up service.