Roundtrip Girona, nature and historical Costa Brava

In Girona, there is always plenty to see and do. The city is known for its well-preserved Jewish old town, the colorful houses along the river, and the large Gothic cathedral. You can spend hours wandering through the many narrow streets, staircases, and squares. A walk along the city walls is definitely worth it. From there, you have a beautiful view over the city, and you can even see the Pyrenees. Of course, the most famous bridge in Girona, the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, is a must-see. This bridge was designed by Eiffel and indeed bears some resemblance to the Eiffel Tower.

Thijs’s Tip: Besides wandering around the old town, my favorite spot is the ‘Jardins dels Alemanys’. This hidden green courtyard, next to the old city wall, is a perfect place to relax and unwind.

Off to the coast!

After picking up your bike, you’ll follow the bike path to leave the city. The ride takes you straight to the Mediterranean Sea. This section follows the well-known via verde called “El Carrilet,” which passes through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera, and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Throughout the route, you’ll have the Gavarres massif as a backdrop: a hilly forest area, mainly consisting of oak trees, important for cork production. You’ll stay in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where the hotel is near the beautiful Sant Pol beach.

Sea, beach, coves, and fishing villages

Today, you’ll cycle north along the coast, combining the coastal road with seaside boulevards, and visit the important port town of Palamós along the way. After a few kilometers, you’ll pass the unspoiled bay of Platja de Castell, with its Iberian settlement. This is a great spot for a picnic and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll then arrive in the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, one of the gems of the Costa Brava.

Lively fresh market, medieval squares, and sandy beaches

Today, you’ll continue cycling north, heading a bit further inland. Your first stop is Palafrugell, with its fish, meat, and vegetable market, which is open every Tuesday through Sunday. Here, you’ll get a great sense of the local Catalan ingredients and regional products. You may also want to visit the cork museum, which offers more information about the Catalan cork industry, the largest in Spain. After leaving Palafrugell, you’ll reach the medieval village of Pals, with its well-preserved medieval center. It’s an ideal spot for lunch, or at least a drink. You’ll then cycle through wetlands, expansive rice fields, and along long sandy beaches. The bike ride ends in Torroella de Montgrí, where the castle ‘Castell de Montgrí’ stands guard atop the rocky formation.

Greek & Roman ruins, birds, and wetlands

Today, you’ll cycle past the Montgrí massif into the Alt Empordà region. Here, the Bay of Roses begins with its long sandy beaches. Of course, you’ll visit a few beautiful medieval villages, such as Sant Martí de Empúries, which is located right next to a stunning beach. From here, you can cycle (or walk) further into history with a visit to the archaeological site of ‘Empúries,’ where you’ll stand among Greek and Roman ruins. After this historical excursion, you’ll continue cycling to arrive in a completely new environment: the protected wetlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà await you. The day ends in the village of Castelló d’Empúries, with its rich architectural heritage: the Gothic church, the count’s palace, the old market building, and the Jewish quarter.

Vineyards and expansive views

Today, you’ll cycle through the famous vineyards of the Empordà region and past the various wineries of this area. If your legs aren’t too tired, I definitely recommend tasting a wine (or two) here, or picking up a nice bottle for the evening! As a bonus, this day also offers beautiful views of the Pyrenees.

Fairytale Castle and the Wine Landscape

The final day first takes you to Peralada, where you can visit the fairytale-like castle (paid guided tour) and the medieval town. From here, you’ll continue cycling through the vineyards, passing through Garriguella, Vilamaniscle, and Rabos with its old orchards. If you’re interested, you can take a tour of the modern winery of the Espolla cooperative. Fortunately, the last part is mostly downhill, giving your legs a bit of a rest. At the bottom, you’ll arrive in Figueres – the city of Salvador Dalí. After a good night’s sleep, you can visit the world-famous Dalí Museum the next day.

Depending on your schedule, you can travel back to Girona by train on your own, or you can book a transfer through us (see extras). You can also always book an extra day of bike rental and cycle from Figueres to Girona. You can leave your bike in your hotel in Figueres.

• You can travel to Girona in several ways. You can choose our transfer from Girona Airport or Barcelona Airport, which can easily be added for both trips under the heading ‘Prices & accommodation’. If you prefer to travel independently, Girona is easily accessible by train. There are regular train connections to the centre of Girona from both Girona Airport and Barcelona.
• At the end of the trip, you arrive in Figueres. You can choose to extend your trip and add a beautiful extra cycling stage from Figueres back to Girona. If you wish to return directly, you can use our transfer back to Girona, or travel independently by train.
• Current timetables and travel times can be found at renfe.com.

• You can fly to Girona Airport or Barcelona Airport. Both airports offer good connections to the centre of Girona.
• From Girona Airport, you travel by bus to the centre of Girona in approximately 20 minutes. A private transfer is also possible; this takes approximately 15 minutes and can be arranged through us.
  For current bus times, please visit:
  Bus
• From Barcelona Airport, you travel to Girona by train, bus or private transfer.
  By train, the journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours (with one transfer).
  A private transfer is also possible; this takes approximately 1.5 hours and can be arranged through us.
  For current train times, please visit:
  Train (first section) and Train (second section)

• For this trip, the difficulty level is 3. Touring holidays are cycling holidays that are well manageable for the average touring cyclist. The rides are not too long but can include some elevation gain. The route may include longer sections of unpaved terrain (gravel), but is always well rideable. There may be 1 or 2 days where the ride is somewhat longer and more demanding. On average, distances are between 30 and 50 kilometres per day and between 200 and 400 metres of elevation gain per day.

• Catalonia has mild spring and autumn months and warm, sunny summers. The period from March to June and from September to the end of October is ideal for a comfortable cycling holiday, with pleasant temperatures and quiet roads.
• On our dedicated climate page for Catalonia, you will find a clear monthly overview, so you can see exactly when it is most pleasant to cycle in this region: Climate Catalonia
• For a broader overview, you can also consult our general climate page: Climate Spain