Charming town of the Empordà
Beyond the most well-known villages on the Costa Brava (Pals, Begur, Tamariu, Calella, Palamós...), there are other villages in the interior of the Empordà that are truly authentic and still one of the best-kept secrets of the Costa Brava.
These villages are perched on hilltops, surrounded by fields and vineyards, full of charming corners and traditional local shops. Some people compare this area of the Empordà to Tuscany, but honestly, if I have to choose, I choose the Empordà: here we have it all!
Today we’re setting off on a route through the lesser-known villages of the Empordà. First, let’s get our bearings: we are in the central Costa Brava, in front of Cap de Begur, Pals, and Torroella de Montgrí, right in the heart of the Costa Brava. Heading inland, we find La Bisbal, the capital of the Baix Empordà region, and the main hub of this beautiful route I’m proposing. Around it, charming villages perfect for a stroll at any time of the year.
Palau-Sator
What to see in Palau-Sator?
After passing beneath the impressive Tower of the Hours, you’ll discover the medieval village of Palau-Sator, which has preserved all of its medieval charm, including its walls and castle. Wander through its cobbled streets and make your way to the castle square, in the heart of Palau-Sator.
Don’t miss the Rural Museum, where you can learn about traditional trades and customs of the area, nor the picturesque ice well, a reminder of the town’s agricultural and commercial past.
Located in the heart of the Costa Brava, La Costa Golf & Beach Resort offers direct access to Golf de Pals and is just a few meters from an extensive dune beach. Its 120 rooms feature views of the pool or the golf course greens, ensuring comfort and relaxation.
With an outstanding gastronomic offer, facilities for conventions and special events, and a wide range of sports and leisure activities, this resort is the ideal destination in the Baix Empordà.
Peratallada
What to do and see in Peratallada
Peratallada is probably the most well-known village on this list of Empordà villages and without a doubt one of the most charming corners of the Costa Brava. It appears in all the Costa Brava travel guides, which means it’s no longer as secret as the others mentioned in this article. Tourists do visit Peratallada, but it is still a very pleasant village for strolling, having a drink, or going out for dinner. Fall in love with its cobbled alleyways, beautiful arches, and flower-filled corners.
Halfway between Peratallada and La Bisbal, you’ll find Hotel Mas Rabiol, a beautiful rural hotel with eight truly cozy rooms. Peace, calm, and a garden full of colors and aromas await you.
Hotel Mas Rabiol is a restored 16th-century farmhouse with large stone walls, which still preserves the essence and original structure. Set in a rural environment, it has eight welcoming bedrooms, a dinning room with a spectacular “ampurdanesa” vault, a reading room with fireplace and TV and several salons.
The Mas Rabiol garden, with 50,000 m² and a swimming pool, will delight young and old: a huge area to relax by the large pool to enjoy a nice swim in the summer heat.
Mas Rabiol is an ideal place for relaxing and switching off while enjoying the impressive Empordà countryside. It is the ideal starting point to explore the Empordà and enjoy any time of the year of all the possibilities offered by this very privileged area in the Costa Brava.
Vulpellac
Fonteta and the famous recuit
Vulpellac is a small but charming village located on the outskirts of La Bisbal. It was built within walls and around a Gothic-Renaissance castle, which is now privately owned and cannot be visited. Still, a walk through the old town is well worth it: it is well preserved and remains largely unknown to most tourists visiting this part of the Costa Brava.
We couldn’t talk about Peratallada and Vulpellac without mentioning Fonteta, a tiny village that, together with the other two, forms a single municipality. Stop in Fonteta to taste its famous and delicious “recuit de Fonteta” (fresh curd cheese).
Can Liret is a charming hotel, a result of the sustainable restoration of a traditional house (1894), former cork manufacturing, where corks were made. Located in the center of Palafrugell, the capital of Empordanet, a perfect location to discover the best stretch of the Costa Brava and the Empordà.
A total of 9 rooms with stone walls, Empordà vaults and wooden beam ceilings. Tradition and comfort, complemented by modern design. Can Liret is the personal project of a couple in love with the small country.
The house has a cottage for breakfast, garden and swimming pool.
Cruïlles
Cruïlles, Monells and Sant Sadurní de l’Heura
Cruïlles is a beautiful medieval village full of charm. Together with Monells and Sant Sadurní de l’Heura, it forms the Catalan municipality with the longest name (43 letters): “Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura”. If there were awards for the most beautiful municipalities, this one would surely rank among the top ten. Don’t miss the Monastery of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles.
The Hotel-Spa Classic Begur is a romantic hotel for couples located in the centre of Begur, one of the most charming villages on the Costa Brava, Girona, just over an hour from Barcelona. Set in the pedestrianised historic quarter, it is the perfect setting for a couple’s getaway surrounded by coves, gastronomy and heritage.
This elegant restored Indian house features 12 individually styled rooms, some with jacuzzi in the room and others with special touches for couples such as a tantra chair or motion bed, creating an intimate and unique experience.
In the basement, the former wine cellar has been transformed into an exclusive spa with a water and relaxation area. It includes a hydromassage pool, water features, Finnish sauna and contrast showers, offering the perfect atmosphere to unwind together.
The spa can be reserved for private use as a couple, becoming the ideal setting for a romantic getaway on the Costa Brava. Relaxing massages are also available, either in the spa area or in the privacy of your room.
The "Indiana de Begur" is born from our love for the Empordà. Its splendid landscape is tasted in sips of green and yellow contrasts, hypnotizing plains, blue and toasted capturing the coast.
Its people, its temperance, the natural warmth that they transmit and the products they make enrich the soul and the senses.
The gastronomic experience between vineyards, fields and boats is a collage of aromas and textures of an exquisite naturalness.
Our house Indiana dances to the rhythm of a piano of the last century with current lyrics. We want to be part of the incredible natural scenery, adding the comforts of the 21st century.
We believe that aroma, that just point of decadence, leads us to locate ourselves in the heart of the Empordà, in the center of a seaside town full of glamor, in a colonial house that awaits its guests with the illusion of sharing and offering them the maximum quality.
That is why we project a business that we are passionate about. At first we captured the environment and we ended up drawing a style of understanding life, to share it with you as hosts.
Our house is located in the center of Begur: near the Church, the Town Hall, surrounded by picturesque little shops, terraces and small charming restaurants.
From our terrace Chill-Out we have the best views of the Castle of Begur, which rises above the village whitewashed and mottled Mediterranean colors, wrapped in pine forests and holm oaks. Begur is surrounded by coves that range from emerald to turquoise, seen from small fishing villages, rocks and sand.
Monells
Must-see places in Monells
And finally, we arrive in Monells, one of the most renowned medieval villages in the Empordà. Some scenes of the film Ocho Apellidos Catalanes were filmed here, but that’s not why Monells is so famous. Its reputation comes from the charm of its central arcaded square, authentic and beautiful. The entire village is built around its old castle, of which only the walls remain.
The Hotel Carlemany is an urban hotel located in the centre of Girona, just a short walk from the Barri Vell and the city’s main points of interest. A comfortable choice for couple getaways or family stays, also with pets, as well as for sports breaks or business trips, with the added advantage of private parking in the city centre.
Its 90 spacious and bright rooms feature a contemporary, functional style designed for relaxation. Some rooms include a bathtub or an in-room fireplace, ideal for a more special stay in Girona.
On the gastronomic side, the El Pati Verd restaurant stands out as a local reference point and an excellent venue for celebrations and events, alongside Indigo Restaurant, offering seasonal cuisine, and the Carlemany Cafeteria, a lively meeting place for both guests and locals.
The hotel is especially appreciated by cyclists thanks to its bike-friendly services, including secure bike storage, a workshop and recommended routes, and it is also close to some of the best golf courses in the province, making it a versatile base for discovering Girona and its surroundings.
Madremanya
What can you see in Madremanya?
Technically, Madremanya shouldn’t be on this list because it does not belong to the Baix Empordà region but to Gironès. Still, due to its landscape and surroundings, it fits perfectly into this route alongside the neighboring Empordà villages. Madremanya is a beautiful village and a lovely place to visit if you’re planning to explore Girona.
Looking for a great place to eat? Head to La Plaça, a hotel-restaurant set in a beautiful environment. It’s a renovated 15th-century farmhouse that retains much of its original architecture (stone walls, tiles, barrel vaults, and Bohemian details). A wonderful place in a truly charming setting.
Old XV Century farmstead, in the centre of the medieval village of Madremanya. Stones, tiles, original barrel and Bohemian arches have survived and have been combined with present day finishes.
Púbol and La Pera
The Castle of Gala and Salvador Dalí
We end the route in Púbol - La Pera, a must-visit if you love art and especially if you are a fan of Salvador Dalí. Here you’ll find one of the highlights of the Dalinian Triangle route: the castle Dalí gifted to Gala, which can be visited daily, with or without a guided tour. After visiting Púbol Castle, take a stroll through the village of La Pera, small and full of charm.
How to get to the Empordà
The best option is to travel by car. All these villages are very small and can easily be visited over a weekend. You can expect to visit 3 or 4 villages per day. The easiest route is to take the AP-7 to Maçanet de la Selva and then continue on the C-35 or AP-7 to Girona, followed by the C-66.
If you enjoy cycling tourism, another option is to do the route by bicycle over several days. The terrain is flat, and the area is full of bike lanes and secondary roads away from traffic. On the official website of the Empordà Tourist Office, you’ll find more information about the 250 km of bike lanes. It’s also a good idea to visit a tourist office to get maps and up-to-date route information.
Looking for the best place to stay while exploring the most beautiful villages of the Empordà? Here you’ll find the best charming hotels in the Empordà.
