Instagram-worthy bars across Girona

There are lots of reasons to head to Els Jardins de la Mercè: the food (good and with design-led presentation), the spectacular garden is an amazing places for a few drinks, you can often enjoy a cultural event... And, of course, the photo opportunities are endless. Indeed, the restaurant's courtyard is so gorgeous we're convinced that time works differently there, moving much slower. You go in, have lunch or a drink or two, take a few photos and before you know it, it's already midnight. We're not exaggerating. 

Anything with a vintage vibe is an instant success on Instagram. And L'Antiga is an excellent example of vintage in Girona. It's one of those places where time seems to stand still, in a positive way – it already has its own inherent charm, so there's no need to try and change that. With more than 100 years of history and a down-to-earth style, in summer and winter, inside or out, you can find groups of retirees, families and young people enjoying breakfast or an afternoon snack. This café forms part of the collective memory of many Girona residents, and it's doubtless already received numerous likes on Instagram: it doesn't deserve less. 

If you've never been to this place, you're in for a real treat. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most beautiful bar on the whole Costa Brava. During the day, you can enjoy views over an endless deep blue sea and the rocks of Cala Banys beneath your feet. If you've got battery life on your mobile by the time night falls, it's the ultimate in intimate, romantic spots; and despite being just five minutes from the centre of Lloret de Mar, the only thing you'll hears is the whisper of the water and the voices of loved-up couples. An unforgettable destination.

Comfort, elegance, style... these are just some of the labels that define the Lounge Bar in the Hotel Aiguaclara in Begur, located in a colonial palace from 1866. Enjoy the warm summer nights of the Costa Brava over mojitos, gin and tonics, mint tea and tapas that everyone will like. What will be the real hit on Instagram, though, is the vintage decor: pallet sofas, marble tables, soda siphons, candles and lights that enhance the irresistible atmosphere. 

Publishing a photo of the Bar-Restaurant de l'Aeroclub Empordà can have consequences: you'll suddenly find yourself with a lot more friends and followers, all wanting to know where this slice of paradise is; and whenever you look at your photo, you'll want to head straight back there. This bar, which looks like something straight from 'Out of Africa', is located in an amazing setting, surrounded by nature, at the flight school of Torroella de Montgrí. They host DJ sessions and live music, while also serving good food and excellent cocktails. The best time to go is, without question, when the sun is just starting to set – and make sure your mobile is totally charged because the landscape is spectacular. Unmissable.

Type #Besalú into Instagram or Pinterest and thousands of images of the Pont Vell (Old Bridge) will appear. Each day, the cobbles of the bridge bear the weight of tourists who've come from all over the world to marvel at this photogenic spot and enjoy the extensive history of this town that's one of Catalonia's best-preserved medieval sites. Once you've done the required selfie on the bridge, head for the Call Jueu (Jewish Quarter) to seek out 10 del Pont. At this small, charming place you can taste different varieties of tea – from the classic green tea with mint to tea with apple and kiwi, as well as Sir Stuart (a mix of green tea with black tea, cardamom, fennel, ginger and rose petals). If you're not such a fan of tea, you'll also find herbal infusions, coffee and hot chocolate, as well as pastries to go with your drink. For a great view to accompany your break, sit on the terrace that gives onto the Plaça de la Sinagoga, where you'll find an excellent photographic alternative to the typical perspective of Besalú bridge.

When Girona locals want to show off their city but don't have any more monuments to go to, they often head to El Pati del Rabí (which literally means 'rabbi's courtyard'). This peaceful bar, located in an old stone building in the Jewish Quarter (Call Jueu), is the perfect mix of chic and vintage. Order a mojito or a G&T (they have a pretty good list of gins), decide where you want to sit down (the terrace is impressive) and you've got the setting for the perfect photo. No filters required!

Let's accept it: in Girona there are few truly hipster establishments. Not many places to enjoy a chai latte with coconut milk and a portion of chia seed pudding, two of the most popular protagonists on the social media accounts of It girls and fashion bloggers. But at La Fàbrica, as well as eating incredible cakes and enjoying an authentic coffee, you can do a truly hip thing and snap (and eat!) a serving of avocado toast. 

Ca la Pilar Dumingu has got everything necessary to be a success on Instagram. The shelves full of 'National Geographic' magazines, the Casa Negre soda siphons, the ceramic fittings in the bathrooms, mosaic floors and high ceilings... Add in the sandwiches, which taste as good as they look, and the artisan cakes, and you'll be a triumph on social media as well as a die-hard addict of Ca la Pilar Dumingu.

It's an obvious choice, but we couldn't realistically not include this one. It's the most Instagrammed bar in Girona by a long way. From the boho décor that will inspire you to get out your Moleskine notebook and jot down endless verses of poetry, to the mosaic floor and view over the river Onyar, or even the bathrooms (dreaded by anyone who's had one too many), everything there deserves to be photographed.

Got your mobile fully charged? Make sure it's at 100 percent before you head to Banys Vells (which means Old Baths) because an irresistible need for posting photos to Instagram is about to overcome you. While enjoying a drink on this terrace located right in front of the lake, the immensity of the landscape will grab you in such a way you'll want to move to Banyoles henceforth! With tables set out right on the waterfront, pairs of ducks coming to say hello and, if you're lucky, Ramona the carp as well (check her out on Google!), watching the sunset or sipping on an evening drink there is, frankly, extraordinary. Don't forget your swimsuit or towel, because during the swimming season you can take a dip in between drinks and snacks.

Another bar where everything deserves to be captured by your camera – indeed you won't know where to start snapping. The setting will transport you to an exotic, sensual place from where you won't want to return. Check out any of the spaces with their suggestive names (Cove, Intimate, Clandestine, Heaven...) and your mobile will be kept busy. And if you go with your partner, get ready for a romantic evening of chill-out music and candlelight. Success is guaranteed – in both the real and virtual worlds.

In the middle of the road that crosses Banyoles – and only five minutes from the town's famous lake – you'll find a charming spot: the Pati de Ca La Flora. This former dairy, which dates from 1914, has been transformed into a bar-café and bed and breakfast, where great attention is paid to the details. The lush plants that stand ouside, the traditional decor with wooden furniture and the beams in the ceiling all make this place a haven for anyone looking to have breakfast, enjoy a beer or have a snack. And to take out their mobile to take plentiful photos.

It's unlikely that the people who lived in this house back in 1800 could have imagined that, two centuries later, it would have been transformed into one of the most popular night-life spots in the centre of Palafrugell. The inviting decor, which is warm and detailed in each of the spaces of this converted home, and the ambience will ensure Candela becomes a must-visit every time you're in this part of the Costa Brava. You can have a bite to eat and enjoy good drinks, both inside and out in the courtyard. From time to time, you'll find activities going on that offer you new experiences, so keep an eye on it!

A 200-year-old plane tree, lush palm trees and olive trees that mark the passing of time. This garden of delights also plays host to the lounge bar of Mas Gusó, a country house ('masia') built in 1564 in Sant Martí d'Empúries and which, from the '90s, has been a small paradise for letting your hair down. Mas Gusó is Instagram material from top to bottom!