18 Activities
Catalonia Beautiful Villages Between Girona and the Coast
Starts from
Barcelona
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
18
Duration
11 hours
Length
20 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Barcelona
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hours
Length
20 mi
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Discover three of the most beautiful villages in inland Catalonia with their architecture of arches and stone façades.
- Contemplate the seafront with its white houses and small coves in Calella de Palafrugell.
- Walk through some of the locations where the film "Ocho Apellidos Catalanes" was filmed.
Near Girona there are charming villages with their traditional architecture, mainly in stone. Built during the medieval period, many of them former fortified enclosures, they have been completely rebuilt to the delight of the tourist.
Along the route the visitor will come across narrow cobbled pedestrian streets with stone arches leading to squares, churches and ancient watchtowers. The façades of the houses are decorated with flowers, which adds to the charm of the place. Some villages like Monells have been filming locations for movies.
The route also includes a first stop at the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its whitewashed houses whose main façade overlooks small beaches with turquoise water.
Along the route the visitor will come across narrow cobbled pedestrian streets with stone arches leading to squares, churches and ancient watchtowers. The façades of the houses are decorated with flowers, which adds to the charm of the place. Some villages like Monells have been filming locations for movies.
The route also includes a first stop at the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its whitewashed houses whose main façade overlooks small beaches with turquoise water.
Categories
Near Girona there are charming villages with their traditional architecture, mainly in stone. Built during the medieval period, many of them former fortified enclosures, they have been completely rebuilt to the delight of the tourist.
Along the route the visitor will come across narrow cobbled pedestrian streets with stone arches leading to squares, churches and ancient watchtowers. The façades of the houses are decorated with flowers, which adds to the charm of the place. Some villages like Monells have been filming locations for movies.
The route also includes a first stop at the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its whitewashed houses whose main façade overlooks small beaches with turquoise water.
Along the route the visitor will come across narrow cobbled pedestrian streets with stone arches leading to squares, churches and ancient watchtowers. The façades of the houses are decorated with flowers, which adds to the charm of the place. Some villages like Monells have been filming locations for movies.
The route also includes a first stop at the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell with its whitewashed houses whose main façade overlooks small beaches with turquoise water.
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Discover three of the most beautiful villages in inland Catalonia with their architecture of arches and stone façades.
- Contemplate the seafront with its white houses and small coves in Calella de Palafrugell.
- Walk through some of the locations where the film "Ocho Apellidos Catalanes" was filmed.
Day Itinerary
18 Activities
Day 1
20 mi2 mi
A Stroll Around Catalonian Medieval Villages
The route runs non-stop to the coastal town of Calella de Palafrugell. There is time to appreciate the coastal scenery from the viewpoints and take a few minutes to enjoy the beaches, whether for diving or snorkelling.
The planned route goes into the province of Girona to discover three of the most charming villages in Catalonia: Pals, Peratallada and Monells. The mixture of their architecture and history has been used for cinematographic purposes. In addition, the mixture of colours between the rock, flowers and vines that decorate the houses, make these villages very photogenic.
If you're travelling in summer, take light clothing because temperatures are high both on the coast and inland. The rest of the year, there are no extremely low temperatures.
The planned route goes into the province of Girona to discover three of the most charming villages in Catalonia: Pals, Peratallada and Monells. The mixture of their architecture and history has been used for cinematographic purposes. In addition, the mixture of colours between the rock, flowers and vines that decorate the houses, make these villages very photogenic.
If you're travelling in summer, take light clothing because temperatures are high both on the coast and inland. The rest of the year, there are no extremely low temperatures.
10:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Car parks are available, but parking is also possible in permitted areas on the surrounding streets.
This car park is ideal for walking to the city centre and the viewpoints.
This car park is ideal for walking to the city centre and the viewpoints.
0.2 mi
5 min
10:4515 min
Punta dels Burricaires
Scenic Lookout
Open Details
Ready to be surprised with the first postcard of the villages of Catalonia? From this viewpoint, you will see why Calella de Palafrugell is one of the most charming places on the coast of Catalonia.
The low buildings in the centre painted white, together with the small horseshoe-shaped beaches and the crystal-clear water, make for a perfect postcard at first sight.
If you visit in summer, you can even dip your feet in the Mediterranean.
The low buildings in the centre painted white, together with the small horseshoe-shaped beaches and the crystal-clear water, make for a perfect postcard at first sight.
If you visit in summer, you can even dip your feet in the Mediterranean.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:1530 min
Les Voltes
City Centre
Open Details
The historic centre of Calella de Palafrugell is tinged with white thanks to the colour used on the façades of the houses and shops, something more typical of the villages of Andalusia than of Catalonia.
Strolling through the pedestrian streets such as Les Voltes and arriving at Plaça Sant Père is a journey that must be made to contemplate the charm of this place. The promenade is even a small walkway where you pass through the old arcades of the buildings built on the beach.
The recommended photo? Stand on Carrer Miramar in front of Malaspina beach.
Strolling through the pedestrian streets such as Les Voltes and arriving at Plaça Sant Père is a journey that must be made to contemplate the charm of this place. The promenade is even a small walkway where you pass through the old arcades of the buildings built on the beach.
The recommended photo? Stand on Carrer Miramar in front of Malaspina beach.
0.2 mi
5 min
12:0015 min
Mirador de Manuel Juanola i Reixach
Scenic Lookout
Open Details
A few meters further on, you reach the next viewpoint, situated on a point jutting out over the coast.
From here you can see the small beaches and rock formations jutting out of the water on one side, and Canadell beach with the colourful fishermen's huts at the bottom.
This beach is the best if you want to go snorkelling thanks to the calmness of the waves.
After the tour of Calella de Palafrugell, it is time to return to the car and continue the route.
From here you can see the small beaches and rock formations jutting out of the water on one side, and Canadell beach with the colourful fishermen's huts at the bottom.
This beach is the best if you want to go snorkelling thanks to the calmness of the waves.
After the tour of Calella de Palafrugell, it is time to return to the car and continue the route.
8.1 mi
25 min
12:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
In just a few minutes you reach one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia, Pals.
There is a large, free car park before entering the historic centre.
There is a large, free car park before entering the historic centre.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:0015 min
Ajuntament de Pals
Historic Site
Open Details
The architecture changes completely once you leave the Mediterranean coast and enter the interior of Catalonia.
The white-painted façades are replaced by very old buildings with exposed stone and large arches leading to the squares.
In the main square of Pals, the town hall stands out. Although the interior of the building cannot be visited, its main façade with balconies and many windows makes it very photogenic.
The white-painted façades are replaced by very old buildings with exposed stone and large arches leading to the squares.
In the main square of Pals, the town hall stands out. Although the interior of the building cannot be visited, its main façade with balconies and many windows makes it very photogenic.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:301 hr 30 min
El Pedró
Restaurant
Open Details
With an open-air terrace surrounded by old buildings, this restaurant is one of the best in Pals. It offers one of the most characteristic dishes of the area, rice casserole with meat, cuttlefish and seafood.
If you are travelling with children, there is a children's menu where you can choose from hamburgers, croquettes, cannelloni or spaghetti.
The desserts are very elaborate. Consider trying the carrot cake with walnuts or the pineapple ravioli with coconut ice cream.
If you are travelling with children, there is a children's menu where you can choose from hamburgers, croquettes, cannelloni or spaghetti.
The desserts are very elaborate. Consider trying the carrot cake with walnuts or the pineapple ravioli with coconut ice cream.
0.2 mi
5 min
15:1530 min
Pals Castle
Castle
Open Details
The walk continues through the cobbled streets where time seems to turn backwards. Pals was a fortified village and witness to this are the remains of the castle, walls and towers that are still standing.
Although there is not much left standing, it is worth contemplating the two great towers that embellish the village, the tower of homage and the tower of the hours. You can climb the latter to see the village from above and the Montseny mountains in the distance.
Although there is not much left standing, it is worth contemplating the two great towers that embellish the village, the tower of homage and the tower of the hours. You can climb the latter to see the village from above and the Montseny mountains in the distance.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:0015 min
Church of Saint Peter
Church
Open Details
The gothic style and stone façade, stands out for its small stained-glass windows that give a special colour to the interior of the parish church. Its U-shaped construction can be seen perfectly from the viewpoint of the tower of the hours.
It is usually open every day at 09:00 a.m. for mass, although the closing time varies daily.
After the visit to the church, you have to retrace your steps to return to the car and continue your route.
It is usually open every day at 09:00 a.m. for mass, although the closing time varies daily.
After the visit to the church, you have to retrace your steps to return to the car and continue your route.
3.8 mi
15 min
16:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
A few kilometres further on, Peratallada invites you to make another stop on the route. Leave the car in the open-air car park and start the walk through the village.
0.2 mi
5 min
16:4510 min
Arco de Piedra
Landmark
Open Details
After getting out of the car, cross one of the arches, the old entrance to the walled enclosure, to begin the walk through the historic centre.
Further on, the large stone archway appears, providing access to different cobbled streets. Ideal for taking photographs, it is a symbol of the architecture that was established here during the Middle Ages.
Further on, the large stone archway appears, providing access to different cobbled streets. Ideal for taking photographs, it is a symbol of the architecture that was established here during the Middle Ages.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:0015 min
Muralles de Peratallada
Historic Site
Open Details
A large part of the stone walls from the Middle Ages still remain, many of which have been rebuilt. Even two of the towers, the circular tower and the tower of the hours, have been preserved.
One of the entrances to the historical centre is through the old gates of the walled enclosure, the Portal de la Verge.
At the top of the gate, you can still read the sign that welcomed you to Villa de Pera.
One of the entrances to the historical centre is through the old gates of the walled enclosure, the Portal de la Verge.
At the top of the gate, you can still read the sign that welcomed you to Villa de Pera.
0.2 mi
5 min
17:3015 min
Plaza del Castillo
Plaza
Open Details
This rectangular square is one of the main squares in the village. Next to what used to be the old castle of Peratallada, today a venue for events, stands the building where the local tourist office is located.
You should pay attention to this building because if you look up you will see five small arches, which shows that this type of construction was very characteristic of the place.
You should pay attention to this building because if you look up you will see five small arches, which shows that this type of construction was very characteristic of the place.
0.1 mi
5 min
18:0015 min
Plaza Mayor
Plaza
Open Details
If you continue along the Calle Mayor, one of the most picturesque streets in the village, and after a small turn at Les Voltes, you will come to the Plaza Mayor.
Here the typical architecture of these villages from the Middle Ages is on display in its greatest magnificence: low stone buildings, small balconies with wrought iron and large stone arches.
Everything is complemented by an exquisite decoration in each place, where the creepers climb up the facades of the houses, dyeing with green and colourful flowers all around.
Here the typical architecture of these villages from the Middle Ages is on display in its greatest magnificence: low stone buildings, small balconies with wrought iron and large stone arches.
Everything is complemented by an exquisite decoration in each place, where the creepers climb up the facades of the houses, dyeing with green and colourful flowers all around.
7.7 mi
25 min
18:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Leave the car in the open-air car park, walk a few steps and enter the wonderful medieval village of Monells.
0.3 mi
10 min
19:0030 min
Monells
City Centre
Open Details
Monells is another village that stands out in the province of Girona. In fact, it has begun to gain national fame thanks to the fact that part of the filming of the movie Ocho Apellidos Catalanes, which became very popular in the country, was filmed here.
Its features are typical of the medieval villages, with their period architecture, cobbled arcades and flowerpots.
Its features are typical of the medieval villages, with their period architecture, cobbled arcades and flowerpots.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:4510 min
Ajuntament de Monells
Landmark
Open Details
To round off your visit to Monells, you should walk along the Rue des Arcs, which runs parallel to the river Rissec and borders the historic centre.
If you look towards the other side of the river, the most representative building is the town hall, with modern touches but still maintaining the medieval air of its stone façade.
If you look towards the other side of the river, the most representative building is the town hall, with modern touches but still maintaining the medieval air of its stone façade.
0.2 mi
5 min
20:001 hr 30 min
MONKI Restaurant
Japanese Restaurant
Open Details
Ideal for snacking, it offers elaborate portions and fusion with Asian food.
There are exquisite dishes such as T-bone steak carpaccio with honey mustard and Parmesan, artichoke with scallops, a good assortment of sushi, vegetable noodles and vegan cannelloni.
Finally, you can order a traditional local dessert, the xuixo de Gerona, a fried pastry filled with cream inside.
There are exquisite dishes such as T-bone steak carpaccio with honey mustard and Parmesan, artichoke with scallops, a good assortment of sushi, vegetable noodles and vegan cannelloni.
Finally, you can order a traditional local dessert, the xuixo de Gerona, a fried pastry filled with cream inside.