Barcelona to Girona & Dali Museum Day Tour: A Candid Review

Okay, so you’re in Barcelona, and you’ve maybe seen the Sagrada Familia, possibly strolled down Las Ramblas, and you’re now scratching your head wondering, “What’s next?”. You’re looking for a bit more culture, maybe something outside of the main city center, but doing it independently feels a bit, I guess you could say, tricky. Well, quite a few tour operators are offering this combo trip to Girona and the Dali Museum from Barcelona, so I ended up booking one myself – here’s how it all shook out, from start to finish.

Why Girona and the Dali Museum?

You see, Girona is that city that’s always kind of been just off my radar. Many have said that it boasts a seriously amazing history, particularly because of its Jewish Quarter and also its Roman and medieval architecture. Too it’s now got some serious street cred after being used as a filming location for “Game of Thrones.” The Dali Museum, found in Figueres (Dali’s birthplace), always appears in brochures as like, this totally surreal and kind of captivating place. I mean, who isn’t a little curious about Salvador Dali? Putting the two together into one trip just feels rather, quite, efficient.

Booking the Tour: Small Group Advantage?

So, after scrolling through countless tour options, I decided on what looked like a smaller group tour – you know, one that promised a more, um, intimate experience. I was really picturing a cool, comfortable van rather than a massive, big tour bus. It seemed that the “small group” vibe might mean fewer headaches trying to keep track of like, dozens of people and maybe even the possibility of a more, I guess personal interaction with the guide. What I discovered when booking is that “small group” can really mean a few different things, but usually tops out at around 15-20 people, I mean still a crowd, that, yet better than the 50-person coach tours you very often see. Make certain you verify group sizes prior.

The Ride There and Back: A Bit Tedious

Here’s the truth, the drive from Barcelona to Girona, plus the stretch to Figueres (where the Dali Museum is), and back, can very easily eat up a large chunk of the day. Arguably, it felt a little like, perhaps, I was spending nearly as much time sitting as I was actually exploring. A small group definitely helped the bus felt slightly less, perhaps claustrophobic than those huge double-decker buses, so I was grateful for this when traveling. This long travel is definitely just part and parcel of venturing out to these locations from Barcelona.

Girona: History in Every Stone

I will state, Girona totally lived up to my expectations. In fact, as a matter of fact, those, um, old streets were truly a sight. The Jewish Quarter truly felt as if it was like, frozen in time, yet those colorful houses along the Onyar River — really picture perfect. I walked a part of the city walls, which arguably offered a very nice view. A few tips? Have on comfortable shoes! You do a decent amount of strolling here and you will certainly want to stay clear of sore feet if you want a comfortable day! Also, possibly spend some time trying some of Girona’s sweets.

Dali Museum: Prepare for the Surreal

Well, alright, if you think that Girona is historic, brace yourself for the pure creative energy you’ll come across at the Dali Museum. Too the architecture of the building on its own is a spectacle; I mean, just think, like giant eggs on the roof. Inside, it’s sort of a wild mix of paintings, sculptures, and odd, somewhat bizarre installations. Is that, possibly, a little overwhelming? Quite possibly, but you should expect something that will stimulate, that’s for sure. It’s rather tricky to explain – you should really just visit to fully grasp it.

The Guide: An Important Piece of the Puzzle

I’ll let you know, tour guides are seriously so hit or miss, yes? The guide can totally change the mood for the entire day. We happened to get what seemed to be a rather passionate guide, he clearly had, I guess you could say, a deep affection for both Girona and Dali. He shared some nice stories that really added to the entire experience. Although, full disclosure, at the end of the day following someone around all day can be rather, perhaps, a bit tiresome – so I kind of split off a little during some free time and did my own thing, so too can you.

Food: Quick Bites and Local Flavors

Look, the tour included a couple of free time slots for lunch – one in Girona, another in Figueres. Instead of doing some really fancy dining, I very often grab something fairly quick and simple – you see, a tasty pastry or some tapas. That left me a bit more time to see more things. Possibly try to taste some local things when you have a shot, I’m a firm believer that savoring regional food just adds another layer to travel!

Things I Wished I’d Known Before

• Comfortable Shoes are Your Best Friend: Fact, you’ll be doing a fair bit of walking. Save yourself!
• Manage Expectations for “Small Group” Sizes: I think anything below 20 can very realistically still be considered small – verify this!
• Dali Museum Can Be Crowded: First thing, attempt to prepare yourself, it is a popular site, particularly during peak travel times.
• Charge Your Phone: Truthfully, for photographs and, I mean, simply getting lost (it happens!).

Was it Worth It?

Alright, that’s kind of what it boils down to, huh? You see, all in all, the Barcelona to Girona and Dali Museum tour was, I feel, worth the money. It’s really a pretty convenient way to go to multiple cool sites in one day without coping with driving and coordinating everything yourself. I have to admit the “small group” part made a big difference. Yes, it is arguably a long day, yet it is definitely loaded with both history and art. I think this trip could be for you if you want an adventure outside of Barcelona. You, similar to I, just appreciate some convenience!