Estadi Montilivi: Guide for Visiting Fans

Girona has no metro. Full stop. But that's fine, because the city is small enough that it doesn't need one. Several TMG (Transports Municipals de Girona) city bus routes serve Estadi Montilivi, providing the most practical public transport option. The bus to take is the L8 service, alighting at the stop called UDG Montilivi, from which a short five-minute walk will see you arrive at the stadium. Transports Municipals del Gironès operates the service approximately every 30 minutes, with the journey taking around 15 minutes. A single ride costs €1.40.

If the weather holds up, the nicest and perhaps most straightforward way to get to the stadium is to walk from the city centre. The walk is around 2.5km, equating to around 40 minutes, but the climate is warm in Girona and the walk is genuinely pleasant.

If you're arriving from Barcelona, the Renfe AVE high-speed trains connect Barcelona Sants to Girona in about 40 minutes, with tickets ranging from €10–€30 depending on how early you book. Girona's nearest airport is Girona-Costa Brava (GRO), located south of the city — roughly a 20–25 minute taxi or bus ride into the city centre, from which you can connect to the stadium via bus L8 or taxi. Uber and Bolt operate in Girona; a rideshare from the city centre to the stadium takes around 10 minutes.

Don't make your game day plan revolve around parking at Montilivi. The stadium has limited dedicated parking directly on site — perhaps 200–300 spaces in a small lot on the south side, accessed via Carrer de Montilivi. These spaces fill extremely quickly, 90+ minutes before kickoff for regular La Liga matches, and are primarily claimed by season ticket holders who arrive early.

Street parking exists in the surrounding residential and university neighbourhoods, but it's not plentiful on matchdays and residents get priority. A more practical approach: drive to a large surface car park near Girona city centre or the train station area — there are several paid options near the Eixample district — and hop the L8 bus or grab a taxi for the remaining few kilometres. Budget roughly €5–€10 for central parking. If you insist on driving all the way to the ground, give yourself at least 90 minutes before kickoff and be prepared for a slow crawl on the way out. The streets around the university campus narrow quickly and patience is not optional.

Skip the Montilivi neighbourhood itself for accommodation. Your best bet is to stay in the centre of Girona, which is around a 30-minute walk away from the ground. Specifically, aim for the Barri Vell (Old Town) or the Eixample area west of the Onyar River.

Staying in Girona's Old Town puts you within walking distance of the city's main attractions, bars, and restaurants. The medieval streets, the Jewish Quarter, and the cathedral steps are all right there — you're not going to hate your pre-match morning. Hotels in the Old Town run roughly €80–€150 per night for a solid 3-star option, with boutique properties and converted stone townhouses at the higher end. The Rambla de la Llibertat is a lively pedestrian street in the heart of the city, perfect for shopping and dining, bustling with markets, street performers, and cafes — staying within a few blocks of here gives you easy access to the pre-match pub scene without being stuck in a tourist trap. The Eixample is a quieter, more residential area with good shopping options and a relaxed atmosphere, great for families or those looking to stay away from the tourist-heavy areas. Hotels here tend to be slightly cheaper and are well-connected by TMG buses.

There isn't much to shout about in terms of bars and pubs in close proximity to the stadium, which is why your best bet pre-match is to enjoy the day in the city of Girona, around 2.5km away. That said, here are the spots consistently recommended for away fans:

McKiernans (Rambla de la Llibertat, 32) — Located on the Rambla de la Llibertat, this is one of the top suggestions repeatedly cited for visiting fans. It's the kind of easy, welcoming place that works well if you want to meet a mix of tourists, expats, and match-going locals without having to decode a Catalan-only menu.

Cu Cut (Pl. de la Independència, 10) — Situated on the Plaça de la Independència, this is one of the recommended spots in the city centre for away fans. The terrace seats on the square are ideal for a pre-game cerveza in the sun, and it's busy enough on matchdays that you'll find the atmosphere building.

½ Kmi-bar (Avinguda de Montilivi) — Located on the Avinguda de Montilivi, this is a popular hotspot among home and away fans, a nine-minute walk from the stadium, with Catalonian flags and Girona's logo on the wall. This is the one spot actually close to the ground, and it fills up fast, so arrive early.

Bar Oxford (Carrer del Riu Llierca, 6) — Cited as one of the top suggestions for visiting fans in the city. Relaxed, local, and not overcrowded on most matchdays — exactly the kind of place where you can sit down and eat a proper meal before heading out to the ground.

All away fans are permitted entry into the Estadi Montilivi via turnstiles located behind the North Stand, all of which open 2 hours before kick-off. Get there early — not because the queues are long (the stadium is small and processes quickly enough), but because the away section sells out fast and you'll want to settle in.

There is no published clear-bag requirement at Montilivi in the style of American NFL or MLS venues. Expect a standard Spanish football security check — bags are searched at the gate, prohibited items include bottles, cans, flares, and banners on poles. Small backpacks and shoulder bags are generally fine, but keep it compact and don't bring anything you wouldn't want confiscated.

The away section is completely uncovered, so for matches played in the winter months there is a very real risk of getting wet — away fans are advised to bring a coat or umbrella. In spring and autumn it can be fine, but Girona gets rain, and Montilivi will give you nowhere to hide from it in the away end.

Accessibility seats should be booked directly through Girona FC's official channels. Recent renovations have significantly improved disabled access, including lift access to all levels and improved facilities. The Tribuna Principal (Main Stand) on the west side of the ground is the best point of contact for accessible entry, as it contains the most modern infrastructure. Wheelchair users and companions should contact Girona FC's ticketing office in advance, as the available positions are limited given the stadium's modest size and single-tier configuration.

Sensory accommodation provisions — such as quiet zones or assistive listening loops — are not widely documented at Montilivi at this time. Visitors with specific requirements are strongly advised to contact the club directly before matchday, as the staff are generally accommodating but the facility is not purpose-built for it. The main west stand is built on a reinforced concrete framework and provides covered seating higher than surrounding sections — the most practical starting point for any accessibility enquiry.

The away section is a very tiny wedge in the corner between the Preferent and Gold Nord Stands at the Estadi Montilivi, just a single tier, so all fans are packed in tight together — which can actually help with the atmosphere even when numbers are small.

The positioning of the section isn't ideal — the angle of the pitch from the away end is slightly awkward, as the stand goes behind the goal without fully wrapping around like a bowl. The section is also completely uncovered, so bring a layer regardless of the forecast.

Due to the limited size of the stadium, away fans are accommodated in just one tier, meaning views can be sub-optimal, particularly for those at the back of the away section. For the best views, secure a ticket as close to the front as possible.

For home-end tickets (if travelling incognito or with a mixed group), the Fondo Nord and Fondo Sud behind the goals house the most passionate supporters and vocal ultras, while the Tribuna Preferència offers a more family-friendly atmosphere. The Tribuna Principal (west stand) offers the best facilities and views, housing VIP boxes, press areas, and corporate hospitality sections added during recent renovations.

Away fans are given a small portion of the ground in the corner between the Preferent and Gold Nord Stands, but it is far from a hostile experience — Girona supporters are generally very welcoming. This is not a venue where you need to hide your colours or walk in nervous groups. The Girona fanbase is relatively young, cosmopolitan, and frankly still a bit surprised to be in La Liga, let alone competing in Europe. Estadi Montilivi creates an incredible atmosphere on matchday, in part due to its relatively modest size, and the club's passionate fanbase generates plenty of noise in virtually every game. What you'll notice immediately is that the ground has almost no buffer between the stands and the pitch — sitting in the away corner, the players feel absurdly close, close enough to hear coaching staff instructions and close enough to make your presence felt even with a 500-person allocation. The open-air roof means crowd noise dissipates more than you'd expect from such an intimate bowl, but on a dry Catalan evening with the floodlights on and both sets of fans in full voice, it is genuinely special.

By Bus: Post-match, TMG runs extra services for around 60 minutes after the game, though queues can form — consider walking 10 minutes back toward town to catch less crowded buses at earlier stops. The UdG Montilivi stop will be backed up immediately after the final whistle. Wait 15–20 minutes inside or near the stadium, then walk a couple of stops down toward the university to board a less-crowded service. Journey back to the centre takes around 10–15 minutes once you're on.

By Taxi/Rideshare: Surge pricing is real on Bolt and any available Uber-style services in Girona post-match, especially for high-profile games. A taxi from Estadi Montilivi to Girona Station takes about 5 minutes and costs roughly €10–€13 in normal conditions — expect that to jump 30–50% immediately after the whistle. The practical move: walk 5–10 minutes down Avinguda de Montilivi toward the university campus, drop a pin somewhere off the immediate stadium perimeter, and you'll get a faster pickup at a better price.

By Car: The streets off the stadium's south side and through the Montilivi neighbourhood funnel onto a small number of roads toward the AP-7 motorway. Realistically, plan on 20–30 minutes to reach a free-moving road after a full-house game. The opinionated tip: stay in the stadium for 10 minutes after the final whistle. The rush clears faster than you'd think, the streets around a 14,000-capacity ground don't gridlock for long, and you'll be moving within 25 minutes of the whistle if you're patient.

How do I get from Girona city centre to Estadi Montilivi?

Take the L8 bus service, alighting at the UDG Montilivi stop, from which a five-minute walk brings you to the stadium. Alternatively, walk the full 2.5km from the Old Town in about 35–40 minutes.

What bus line goes to Estadi Montilivi?

Lines serving the area include bus routes 105, 152, 42, 601, 663, L1, and L6, as well as regional train R11. For most away fans coming from the city centre, the L8 is the most direct and reliable option.

Is there a bag policy at Estadi Montilivi? There is no American-style clear-bag requirement. Standard Spanish football security applies — bags are searched at the gate. Keep bags small (under A4 size is a safe rule), leave bottles, cans, and anything pointed at home.

How much does parking cost near Estadi Montilivi?

Dedicated on-site parking is extremely limited — perhaps 200–300 spaces , mostly taken by season ticket holders. Street and paid parking near the city centre runs €5–€10; driving directly to the ground is not recommended.

Where is the away section at Estadi Montilivi?

Away fans enter via turnstiles behind the corner between the Preferent and Gold Nord Stands. The section is single-tier, uncovered, and compact — typically 500–600 seats total.

What time do the gates open?

All turnstiles open two hours before kick-off. Given the small away allocation, arriving as soon as gates open is worth it.

How do I get to Girona from Barcelona?

The Renfe AVE high-speed trains connect Barcelona Sants to Girona in about 40 minutes, with tickets ranging from €10–€30. It is by far the easiest and cheapest option for a day-trip matchday.

Is Estadi Montilivi cashless? The stadium itself broadly accepts card payments at concessions. TMG bus fares cost €1.40 per ride , and you can tap a bank card on most services. Carry a small amount of cash for emergencies, but cards will get you through the day.