Every November, Girona changes pace. The cinemas, squares and courtyards of the Barri Vell —the same neighbourhood overlooking the River Onyar— fill with screenings, meetings with directors and that slightly feverish atmosphere that only a well-run film festival can create. In 2026, the Girona Film Festival celebrates its 38th edition, from 10 to 14 November, under the slogan “Els referents són la nostra identitat” (“Our role models are our identity”).
It is a festival designed above all to showcase emerging talent: it features an Official Section of feature films and short films, open-air screenings beside the Onyar and networking activities bringing together filmmakers, technicians and film students. Part of the selection can also be watched via streaming, for those who cannot make it to every screening.
Girona fills up quickly during those days. And this is where a plan that many festival-goers opt for comes in: staying on the coast and travelling into the city for the screenings, before returning afterwards to quieter surroundings. The Costa Brava and the Maresme make this easy: all the towns where GHT Hotels Group has properties are within a reasonable travelling distance of Girona.
In this blog post, you will discover:
Tossa de Mar, where cinema already has a history of its own
Lloret, Platja d’Aro, S’Agaró and Calella: other possible bases
Getting around
Tossa de Mar, where cinema already has a history of its own
If there is one town in the area with a genuine connection to cinema, it is Tossa de Mar. Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, starring Ava Gardner, was filmed here in 1950, and its time in the town remains part of how Tossa tells its own story: the medieval walls of the Vila Vella, the Roman villa of Els Ametllers and the streets of the old town that were already appearing on screen more than seventy years ago.
It is also the town where GHT Hotels Group has its largest presence on the coast —with six properties— making it a natural base for anyone looking to combine the festival with the beach. Hotel GHT Neptuno Tossa & VENUS SPA, for example, has an adults-only spa (available for an additional charge), which is ideal after a full day of screenings and exploring the town.
Lloret, Platja d’Aro, S’Agaró and Calella: other possible bases
Lloret de Mar is a convenient drive from Girona and offers very different options depending on the hotel, from adults-only properties to others designed for families, all close to Fenals beach. Further north, Platja d’Aro and S’Agaró offer a different pace, with Sant Pol bay and its pine-covered surroundings as a backdrop. And in the Maresme, Calella has one particular advantage for those who prefer not to drive: there is a train connection to Girona, although a change is required.
Getting around
To travel from the coast to Girona by car, the AP-7 is the main route, with local roads such as the C-65 or GI-682 completing the journey depending on your starting point.
It is worth checking the festival programme in advance at gironafilmfestival.com to plan which screenings and venues interest you, and booking your accommodation early: November in Girona is busier than usual when the festival is taking place.
Between screenings, the Barri Vell is perfect for wandering around at your own pace. And at the end of the day, the Mediterranean is still there, just a short journey away, waiting at any of the GHT Hotels Group destinations. You can check availability and book on the official GHT Hotels website.
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