El Mercadal (Girona) Travel Guide - Free

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El Mercadal
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El Mercadal in Girona blends riverside walks, Plaça de la Independència, the Mercat del Lleó, cafés, shopping and easy access to the old city.

Between the Onyar and the Devesa

El Mercadal occupies the flatter western side of Girona’s historic centre, between the Onyar river and the broad green space of the Devesa. Its streets feel more open and regular than those of the medieval Barri Vell across the water: arcaded promenades, civic squares, modern shopfronts and busy pedestrian routes give the district a distinctly urban character. The neighbourhood is centred on Plaça del Mercadal and extends around the Rambla de la Llibertat, Plaça de la Independència and the Mercat del Lleó, with bridges providing direct connections to the old city.
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Squares, Markets and River Views

Daily life is especially visible around the market and the cafés of Plaça de la Independència, whose neoclassical arcades create one of Girona’s most recognisable public spaces. The Mercat del Lleó supplies a more local perspective, with stalls selling produce, fish, meat and prepared foods. Along the river, the Pont de Pedra and neighbouring bridges open up views towards Girona’s colourful façades, while the Rambla offers a sociable walking route lined with shops, cafés and terraces. The area is also close to the Passeig de la Devesa, a tranquil avenue beneath mature plane trees.

A Lively Base for Exploring Girona

El Mercadal combines central convenience with a lived-in rhythm. Offices, independent businesses, restaurants and civic institutions mingle with residences, so the atmosphere changes noticeably between the market’s working hours, the daytime bustle of the Rambla and the more relaxed evenings around the squares. The neighbourhood makes a practical base for exploring Girona on foot: the old city lies immediately across the Onyar, the railway and bus stations are within walking distance to the south-west, and the Devesa provides space to slow down. Its appeal lies less in a single monumental sight than in the way bridges, markets, arcades and everyday streets bring several sides of Girona together.

Best attractions in El Mercadal

El Mercadal’s main attractions are urban and closely connected to everyday life. Plaça de la Independència provides an elegant arcaded setting for cafés and people-watching, while the nearby Mercat del Lleó offers an authentic look at Girona’s food-shopping culture through its produce, fish, meat and prepared-food stalls. The Rambla de la Llibertat forms a lively pedestrian route towards the Onyar, and the Pont de Pedra is one of the best places in the neighbourhood for views of the riverfront houses and the historic city beyond. The Passeig de la Devesa, with its mature plane trees and broad paths, adds a spacious green counterpoint to the central streets. Cross the river towards the Barri Vell for Girona’s principal historic monuments, but treat them as neighbouring rather than El Mercadal attractions.

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Best landmarks in El Mercadal

The Pont de Pedra is El Mercadal’s most recognisable river landmark, linking the neighbourhood with the old city and framing views of Girona’s colourful Onyar façades. Plaça de la Independència is equally important as an architectural ensemble: its continuous arcades and formal façades create a nineteenth-century civic space that grew from the redevelopment of former convent land. The Mercat del Lleó is a more functional but deeply local landmark, representing the neighbourhood’s established relationship with food commerce and daily shopping. The Rambla de la Llibertat, with its shaded promenade and historic urban frontage, forms another defining element of the district. Together these places explain El Mercadal’s identity as a western river quarter shaped by markets, bridges, public space and the city’s expansion beyond its medieval core.

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Explore El Mercadal on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in El Mercadal, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in El Mercadal

Dining in El Mercadal is concentrated around the Rambla de la Llibertat, Plaça de la Independència and the streets leading towards the Mercat del Lleó. The area mixes cafés and terraces with restaurants serving contemporary Catalan cooking, familiar Spanish dishes and international food, reflecting its role as a central commercial quarter rather than a single-speciality enclave. The market is particularly useful for understanding local ingredients, from seasonal fruit and vegetables to fish and prepared foods, although it is primarily a place for shopping rather than a formal food hall. Coffee, pastries and light meals suit the daytime rhythm of the Rambla, while the arcades around the square provide a sociable setting in the evening. Visitors seeking a more traditional market lunch should check individual venues and current arrangements, as opening patterns and dining options can change.

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Best bars in El Mercadal

El Mercadal’s evening scene is sociable rather than dominated by large nightclubs. The bars and cafés around Plaça de la Independència, the Rambla and the streets near the river provide places for vermouth, beer, cocktails and late conversation, with terraces giving the squares much of their after-dark character. Some venues cater to dining as well as drinking, while the central location makes it easy to continue towards cultural events or other parts of Girona. Nightlife is generally mixed with residential and civic activity, so the atmosphere varies by street and is more measured than in a dedicated club district. The old city across the Onyar is nearby, but its bars should not be presented as part of El Mercadal itself.

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Best nightclubs in El Mercadal

El Mercadal’s evening scene is sociable rather than dominated by large nightclubs. The bars and cafés around Plaça de la Independència, the Rambla and the streets near the river provide places for vermouth, beer, cocktails and late conversation, with terraces giving the squares much of their after-dark character. Some venues cater to dining as well as drinking, while the central location makes it easy to continue towards cultural events or other parts of Girona. Nightlife is generally mixed with residential and civic activity, so the atmosphere varies by street and is more measured than in a dedicated club district. The old city across the Onyar is nearby, but its bars should not be presented as part of El Mercadal itself.

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Best shops in El Mercadal

Shopping in El Mercadal combines everyday retail with central Girona’s independent commercial life. The Mercat del Lleó is the focal point for fresh produce, fish, meat and other food shopping, allowing visitors to see ingredients and routines that are less visible in souvenir-oriented areas. The Rambla de la Llibertat and surrounding streets contain cafés, fashion shops, specialist businesses, gifts and small retailers, while the approaches to Plaça de la Independència offer further browsing among mixed-use premises. The selection changes as businesses open and close, so the neighbourhood is better understood as a working urban shopping quarter than as a themed retail destination. For historic streets and specialist shops across the Onyar, visitors can continue into the Barri Vell, keeping that area geographically distinct from El Mercadal.

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El Mercadal essentials

Getting There
El Mercadal is readily reached from Girona’s railway and bus stations, which lie to the south-west of the neighbourhood and connect the city with Barcelona, Figueres and other destinations. From the stations, central streets lead towards the Onyar and the Rambla de la Llibertat; the walk is straightforward but involves crossing busy roads rather than following a single pedestrian route. Local buses serve central Girona, although visitors staying near the old city or station will often find walking practical. Taxis can set down near the main roads and squares, while vehicle access is less convenient within the pedestrianised central streets.
Getting Around
El Mercadal is compact and best explored on foot, with the Rambla, Plaça de la Independència, the market and the river bridges all within an easy central circuit. The terrain is generally flatter than in the Barri Vell, although bridge approaches, kerbs and busy crossings require attention for visitors with reduced mobility. The Pont de Pedra and nearby crossings provide direct routes into the old city, while the Passeig de la Devesa extends north-west from the neighbourhood. Cycling is possible on the wider streets, but pedestrians have priority in the central promenades and caution is needed around traffic and terraces.
Safety
El Mercadal is a busy central district where normal urban precautions are appropriate. Keep wallets, phones and bags secure in crowded areas around the Rambla, bridges, market and railway-station approaches, particularly when stopping for photographs. At night, stay aware of traffic and cyclists on the wider roads and use well-lit main routes when returning to accommodation. Terraces and squares can remain active in the evening, while quieter residential streets may feel less busy. Follow posted guidance at the market, respect queues and take care around river edges and bridge approaches.
Emergency Situations
In Spain, call 112 for urgent medical, fire or police assistance; operators can coordinate the appropriate emergency service and may provide help in several languages. For non-urgent matters, visitors can ask accommodation staff, a pharmacy or the local police for directions to the appropriate service. State that you are in Girona and give a recognisable location such as Plaça de la Independència, the Mercat del Lleó, the Rambla de la Llibertat or a named bridge. Carry identification and keep travel-insurance details accessible, especially when undertaking activities beyond the central streets.
Do's and Don'ts
Treat the Rambla, market and arcaded squares as shared public spaces: queue patiently, keep doorways clear and ask before photographing stallholders or people at work. In cafés and restaurants, check whether service is included and follow the venue’s own arrangements for tipping rather than assuming a fixed percentage. Keep voices down near residences late at night, avoid climbing on historic structures and do not touch or obstruct artwork, market displays or river infrastructure. When crossing the bridges, leave room for other pedestrians and cyclists, and remember that Catalan is widely used alongside Spanish in Girona.
Local Tips
A useful orientation walk begins at the Pont de Pedra, follows the Rambla de la Llibertat to Plaça de la Independència, continues to the Mercat del Lleó and finishes beneath the trees of the Devesa. The route shows the neighbourhood’s contrasting sides without requiring a steep climb. For a more local view, look beyond the main restaurant terraces towards the market streets and smaller businesses around the square. River crossings are worth repeating at different points because each offers a different relationship between El Mercadal’s open streets and the old city’s dense façades.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHola[oh-lah]
GoodbyeAdiós[ah-dee-ohs]
YesSí[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePor favor[por fah-vor]
Thank youGracias[grah-thyahs]
Excuse me/SorryPerdón[pehr-dohn]
How are you?¿Cómo estás?[koh-moh ehs-tahs]
Fine. And you?Bien. ¿Y tú?[byen. ee too]
Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?[ah-blahs een-glehs]
I don't understandNo entiendo[noh ehn-tee-ehn-doh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseQuisiera ver el menú, por favor[kee-see-eh-rah behr ehl meh-noo, por fah-vor]
I don't eat meatNo como carne[noh koh-moh kahr-neh]
Cheers!¡Salud![sah-lood]
I would like to pay, pleaseQuisiera pagar, por favor[kee-see-eh-rah pah-gahr, por fah-vor]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!¡Ayuda![ah-yoo-dah]
Go away!¡Vete![veh-teh]
Call the Police!¡Llama a la policía![yah-mah ah lah poh-lee-see-ah]
Call a doctor!¡Llama a un médico![yah-mah ah oon meh-dee-koh]
I'm lostEstoy perdido[ehs-toy pehr-dee-doh]
I'm illEstoy enfermo/a[ehs-toy ehn-fehr-moh/ah]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Quisiera comprar...[kee-see-eh-rah kohm-prahr]
I'm just lookingSolo estoy mirando[soh-loh ehs-toy mee-rahn-doh]
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?[kwan-toh kwehs-tah]
That's too expensiveEso es demasiado caro[eh-soh ehs deh-mah-see-ah-doh kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?¿Puedes rebajar el precio?[pweh-dehs reh-bah-hahr ehl preh-syoh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?¿Qué hora es?[keh oh-rah ehs]
It's one o'clockEs la una[ehs lah oo-nah]
Half past (10)Son las diez y media[sohn lahs dyehs ee mee-dyah]
MorningMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
AfternoonTarde[tahr-deh]
EveningNoche[noh-cheh]
YesterdayAyer[ah-yehr]
TodayHoy[oy]
TomorrowMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Dos[dohs]
3Tres[trehs]
4Cuatro[kooah-troh]
5Cinco[theen-koh]
6Seis[says]
7Siete[syeh-teh]
8Ocho[oh-choh]
9Nueve[nweh-veh]
10Diez[dyehs]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?¿Dónde está...?[dohn-deh ehs-tah]
What's the address?¿Cuál es la dirección?[kwal ehs lah dee-rehk-syohn]
Can you show me (on the map)?¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?[pweh-dehs mohs-trar-meh (ehn ehl mah-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?¿Cuándo es el próximo (autobús)?[kwan-doh ehs ehl proh-ksee-moh (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billete (a ...)[oon bee-yeh-teh (ah ...)]

History of El Mercadal

Medieval Expansion Beyond the Onyar

El Mercadal developed on the western bank of the Onyar as Girona expanded beyond the tightly enclosed medieval core. Its name recalls the market function associated with this side of the river, whose flatter ground allowed streets and civic activity to spread more readily than on the steep hill of the old town. The district was connected to the historic centre by bridges and gradually became an important approach to the city’s commercial and institutional life. Its development should be understood as part of Girona’s long movement beyond its Roman and medieval walls rather than as a separate settlement.

From Convent Lands to Urban Streets

The neighbourhood’s later shape was influenced by the former conventual and open lands on the western side of the city. The Franciscan presence associated with Sant Francesc helped give the area its historical identity, while the removal or transformation of older religious and defensive structures during the modernising phases of the nineteenth century released land for streets, squares and public buildings. This process produced the more regular urban fabric that distinguishes El Mercadal from the irregular lanes across the river. The district consequently became a bridge between Girona’s historic institutions and its expanding modern town.

The Making of Plaça de la Independència

Plaça de la Independència emerged during nineteenth-century urban development on land associated with the former Sant Francesc convent. Its arcaded, neoclassical character reflects the period’s preference for ordered civic spaces and formal façades. The square was named after the Spanish resistance to Napoleonic occupation, a reference to the wider Girona campaigns of the Peninsular War, although the plaza itself belongs to the later reshaping of the city. It became one of the neighbourhood’s principal meeting places, combining residential buildings, cafés and public movement around a central open space.

Market and Civic Neighbourhood

During the twentieth century El Mercadal consolidated its role as a commercial and civic quarter. The Mercat del Lleó, opened in 1944, formalised a food-market tradition that had long been associated with this side of Girona and continues to anchor local routines. Improvements to roads, bridges and public spaces strengthened links with the railway station, the Devesa and the old city, while the riverside became increasingly important to the city’s visual identity. Today the neighbourhood combines inherited market and civic functions with offices, independent businesses, restaurants and cultural activity.

El Mercadal in Photos

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Neighbourhoods near El Mercadal

The closest neighbourhoods to El Mercadal, if you have time for more than one stop.

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Girona
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