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On our Empordà cycling tour, you’ll explore the fabulous landscapes of one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world.
Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and fertile soil, the foothills of the mountains surrounding the plain are the perfect terrain for growing grapes and olives. The region has been famous for its gastronomy and wine since Classical times, when the Greeks and Romans came for the strategic coastal location, and stayed for the fantastic farming conditions!
In 2005 influential wine guru Robert Parker put the Empordà on the world wine-producing map. Thanks to the hard work of the local wineries, the Empordà has been awarded Protected Designation of Origin status. On your Empordà cycling tour, you’ll be visiting one of the region’s very best wine cellars!
This is an easy tour for regular cyclists, which combines beautiful mountain views with the rugged coastline of the Costa Brava. You’ll be cycling along a mixture of small, quiet roads and well-kept dirt paths. Stages are an average of 40km in duration, without any major climbs.
The tour includes a guided visit to a local wine cellar, with a wine tasting and a picnic of local products.
Day 1: Girona
Arrival day
Accommodation: Hotel Gran Ultonia Girona
Enjoy some time at leisure in the beautiful city of Girona! The city is famous for having one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in the world, and the Cathedral boasts one of the widest vaulted naves in Gothic architecture. We highly recommend that you climb up to the ancient city walls to enjoy the spectacular views all the way to the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees. Make sure that you take a walk along the Onyar river, where you can enjoy a picturesque view of the brightly-coloured houses that line the riverbanks.
Day 2: Girona-Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Route: 42.9 km/26.6 miles
Elevation: +276 m/+906 ft
Accommodation: Hotel S’Agaró Spa
Meals included: Breakfast
Your Empordà cycling tour starts today! The first route follows a cycle path out of the city of Girona, heading south towards the Mediterranean Sea. This section follows a greenway called “El Carrilet” , passing through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera and Santa Cristina d’Aro, with the chance to visit local markets.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the Gavarres Massif, a mountainous forest area consisting mainly of cork oaks, making it an important area for cork production. The day’s ride ends in San Feliu de Guíxols, where you will stay near the charming Sant Pol beach.
Day 3: Sant Feliu de Guíxols – Calella de Palafrugell
Route: 30 km/18.3 mi
Elevation: +271 m/+898 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Alga
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s route takes you north along the coast, combining the coastal road with seafront boulevards, giving you fabulous views over the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll pass through the important port town of Palamós, where you can make a stop at the Museo de la Pesca, a unique museum which explores the past, present and future of fishing on the Costa Brava.
Heading out of Palamós, you’ll follow the historic “Ruta del Tren Petit” greenway towards the pristine cove of Platja de Castell, where you can explore the ancient Iberian settlement of Puig de Sant Andreu de Ullastret, which dates back over two millennia and is the largest of its kind on the peninsula. This is the perfect spot to have a picnic and take a swim in the Mediterranean sea.
Leaving Castell behind, continue along the inland road to the picturesque fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, considered to be one of the pearls of Costa Brava.
Day 4: Calella de Palafrugell – Torroella de Montgrí
Route: 34 km/21.1 miles
Elevation: +279 m/+916 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Moli del Mig
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s route will take you towards the north and inland. You’ll pass by Palafrugell, a lovely town with a fresh food market where you can try locally-sourced fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. It’s a great place to discover local produce. You can also visit the town’s very own Cork Museum, formerly one of the largest cork factories in the world and the source of much of the region’s wealth.
Continuing along the inland road, passing by natural wetlands with extensive rice fields, you will reach Pals, a beautifully well-preserved medieval town, the perfect place to take a break and explore the narrow cobbled streets flanked by elegant aristocratic houses. From here, you will cycle to San Julián de Boada, where we highly recommend a diversion to the spectacular medieval town of Peretallada before continuing on to Torroella de Montgrí, finishing at the foot of Montgrí castle.
Day 5: Torroella de Montgri – Castelló d’Empúries
Route: 38.1 km/23.7 mi
Elevation: +190 m/+624 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Palau Macelli
Meals included: Breakfast
The route continues to the north, passing the Montgrí massif and into the region of Alt Empordà. You’ll cycle along the long Bay of Roses, enjoying views over sandy beaches.
At L’Escala, we highly recommend that you stop to visit the well-preserved archeological settlement of Empúries, once the gateway of the classical Greek and Roman cultures into Spain, and the only site on the Iberian Peninsula where the remains of a Greek city coexist with those of a Roman city.
Continuing along the coastline, you’ll pass by the pretty medieval settlement of Sant Martí de Empúries, which retians its original medieval city walls, and is situated right in front of a superb beach.
The route then continues north, where you will pass through the protected marshlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, situated within L’Empordá Nature Reserve, the most important of its kind in the region. The route ends in the village of Castelló d’Empúries, which boasts a rich architectural heritage; a gothic church, a palace, an old market building and a well-preserved Jewish quarter.
Day 6: Castelló d’Empúries Loop
Route: 38.1 km/23.6 mi or 57.9 km /36 miles
Elevation: +181 m/+593 ft or 734 m/2408 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Palau Macelli
Meals included: Breakfast
This ride provides fantastic views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop as you cycle through centuries-old vineyards. Today, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the region’s most interesting wineries, which are mainly located in the towns of Vilajuïga and Pau. You’ll also discover Empuriabrava, Catalonia’s very own “Venice”, and the beautiful seaside town of Roses.
Optionally, you can extend today’s cycling route and visit Cadaques, a charming fishing port made famous for its association with Catalan painter Dalí. Here, you can visit the Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat, and admire the seafront modernist buildings, built by local residents who made their fortune in Cuba, and inspired by Cuban architectural styles. The route also passes through the picturesque Natural Park of Cap de Creus, a windswept peninsula at the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Day 7: Castelló d’Empúries – Figueres
Route: 45.4 km/28.2 miles
Elevation: +444 m/+1457 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Pirineos
Meals included: Breakfast
Today, you’ll cycle along quiet backroads through the Costa Brava’s undulating interior, passing through pine forests, farmland and a number of picturesque villages. Your final major climb of the tour will take you up to the Sanctuary of Els Àngels, from where you can enjoy spectacular views. Your route will finish back in Girona, where you can refuel after your Costa Brava cycling tour with a wonderful dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants.í.
Day 8: Figueres
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, our tour comes to an end.
Figueres train station is within walking distance of your hotel, and has many regular trains to Barcelona for your onward journey. Alternatively, if you would prefer a private transfer, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to assist.
Hotel Gran Ultonia
Hotel Ultonia is located in the centre of Girona, 3 minutes’ walk from the Old Town, Cathedral and Arabic baths. It offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, flat-screen TV and minibar
All 71 rooms at the Hotel Gran Ultonia in the center of Girona are new, spacious and bright, and have easy access to La Terrasseta, an exclusive space for guests with fantastic views of the Cathedral of Girona.
Hotel S´Agaró Wellness & Spa
S’Agaró Hotel is located in the heart of the Costa Brava.
S’Agaró Hotel is located in the heart of the Costa Brava, in the exclusive, idyllic bay of S’Agaró, one of the Costa Brava’s most prestigious enclaves, a pioneer in quality holidays, internationally recognised for its select, glamorous surroundings. S’Agaró Hotel is right on the seafront, on Sant Pol beach, one of the Costa Brava’s top locations. A small beach of fine sand, far removed from the noise of other coastal areas in the summer season.
Hotel Alga
Enjoy a privileged location next to Port Bo Beach, in the charming fishing town of Calella de Palafrugell
Located just 500m from the beach, the hotel boasts extensive gardens, two swimming pools and a padel court. The in-house restaurant, El Càntir, offers delicious local fare based on products from the local market.
Hotel URH Molí del Mig
It is a unique space in the heart of Emporda.
The Hotel Moli del Mig Restaurant and SPA is located in the the majestic area of Massis del Montgrí and one kilometer away from the historic center of Torroella de Montgrí. With a careful restoration of the ancient mill, it boasts the most modern facilities and cutting-edge design that seek to highlight its historical value, respecting the landscape in an integrated architecture in the natural environment with seven acres of gardens and fields.
Hotel Palau Macelli
Hotel Palau Macelli is located in the heart of the village of Castelló d’Empúries, next to the Basilica of Santa Maria, the old convent of Santa Clara and the city walls.
Discover a world of comfort and elegance, where each space has been carefully designed for the enjoyment of all our customers.
Relax in our spa, located in the old stables of a noble house, refresh yourself and free yourself from stress in our pool or rest in our warm and cosy rooms.
Hotel Pirineos
Four-star family-run hotel in Figueres, just minutes from the Dali Theater Museum.
The hotel is especially characterised by the warm and welcoming family atmosphere which it has maintained all these years. It has 53 modern rooms, fully equipped and decorated in warm colors.
1.190,00€ – 1.430,00€
Are you a food and wine lover with a passion for pedalling? This special bike tour will allow you to discover the Empordà, one of the oldest wine-producing regions.
Book before the end of 2024 for a discounted price!
| Departure Date | 1 Mar – 19 Jun, 20 Jun – 30 Sep, 1 Oct – 31 Oct |
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