Pals

Sightseeing Tours

Discover the history and beauty of Catalonia on a 1-day trip to Girona and the Costa Brava. Start your day in Barcelona at 8:30, and head to Girona, a well established city with a fascinating history. Explore its streets, and admire its rich architecture. See the cathedral, established in 1038 on the site of a former Mosque. Visit historical museums such as the Jewish Call and the Arab Bath house. Stroll around the colorful streets of the old town or sit down to have a cup of coffee and watch people walk by. Then on to the fairytale-like city of Pals, a small medieval village that came about from what was once a fortress. From Pals, head to the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, a beach village with whitewashed houses that ramble all the way down to the sea front. Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the traditional restaurants, and spend the afternoon exploring the rocky coastline, visiting the botanic gardens at Cap Roig, or taking a refreshing dip in the inviting waters of the Mediterranean. Arrive back in Barcelona at 19:30.

After meeting up at your bus, you will take the motorway before arriving in Calella de Palafrugell at around 9:45 AM. Calella de Palafrugell is a village of great beauty in both architecture and landscape. The town, splashed with small bays, becomes a fusion of land and sea that has an incomparable setting. Enjoy some free time to explore the village, enjoy the scenery, and take great photographs. Later, start walking along Camino de Ronda, which is going to lead you to the neighborhood town of Llafranc. You will then hike for about 30 minutes over terrain which is easy to navigate for everyone. The “Camino de Ronda” borders all the Costa Brava, and was used to control maritime smuggling. Today, thanks to this, you can discover beautiful spots that wouldn’t be otherwise accessible Heading back to the bus, you will go onward to Pals, a town located inland on the top of a hill. The location is entirely built into an ancient Medieval village, and the enclosure is crowned with a cylindrical tower from the 12th century. It also has an excellent terrace that offers stunning views of the Costa Brava and its immediate surroundings. Walking through the cobbled streets, you will feel like you have gone back in time. In the afternoon, arrive at Figueres where you can enjoy an hour and a half to grab lunch (own expense). Spend your time exploring the quaint streets of the old town before visiting the incredible Dalí Theater-Museum, which houses the largest collection of his artworks.

This 12-hour tour from Barcelona explores the Girona coast, christened as the Costa Brava 100 years ago, due to its rugged coastline of small coves. Its superb natural beauty is apparent in several territories and protected areas, such as Cap de Creus, the Emporda Marshes, and the Marine Reserve of the Medes islands. The area has also historically been a point of entry, transit, and settlement for different cultures and civilizations. Each has left a footprint, evidenced by the Greek and Roman sites in Èmpuries. Depart from Plaça Catalunya at 8:30 AM, and take the motorway to Calella de Palafrugell, a small fisherman’s village of great architectural and natural beauty, where you will visit its incomparable bays for spectacular views. Take an easy 15-minute hike along the Camino de Ronda to the town of Llafranc. The Camino de Ronda borders all of the Costa Brava, and was historically used to control smuggling. Today, you will discover beautiful spots that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible. Explore the elegant seaside town of Llafranc, before heading to Pals at around noon. Located inland, on the top of a hill, the village is built entirely in an integrated medieval site. At the top, there is a 12th-Century cylindrical tower, which is visible from far away. Get stunning views of the Costa Brava and surroundings from the terrace, and walk through the cobbled streets of the old town, to appreciate the round arches, façades with pointed windows arches, and perfectly restored stone balconies. Continue to l’Estartit, an important diving center due to its close proximity to the Medes Islands’ archipelago, of significant interest for the wide variety of flora and fauna that inhabit the area. You'll have free time to eat lunch and stroll around town, then board a boat at 3:00 PM to explore the area from the water. Cruise for 1 hour and 20 minutes to the outer islands for spectacular views, then continue to the stunning cliffs of Sierra de Montgrí, only accessible by boat. Your final stop is the extensive Greek and Roman ruins of Èmpuries. An expert guide will take you on a guided tour of the site, the only one in Spain where both a Greek and later a Roman city existed together. Admire the remains of the city walls, the Acropolis, Market Square, and numerous other buildings. See the Greek port, dating from the 1st-Century BC, and the Roman city highlights, such as a mosaic floor in excellent condition, the Forum, remains of an Amphitheater, and several statues and vestiges of street frameworks. Return to Barcelona at approximately 6:00 PM. You will arrive back at Plaça Catalunya at around 8:00 PM.

Begin this day trip with a visit to Calella de Palafrugell, where it seems that time stands still. Move on to the beach of Port Bo where you'll see the boats on their daily fishing trip. Along the coast, admire the low and whitewashed cottages that have been renovated but retain all the charm of yesteryear. The coastline in this area has been saved from the building frenzy has affected our coast lately. Uncover the Indiano Colonial-style houses, built for people who emigrated to America and Cuba and returned with a fortune. Some returned home with the memory of those foreign lands and its sweet and sad music, the Havaneres. On the beach of Port Bo, admire the packed boats filled with people singing their melancholic songs. Take a 15-minute walk along a sea path to Llafranc, a small Cove of golden sand with a small promenade, terraces, and restaurants. From here, the surrounding hills where the lighthouse of Sant Sebastià stands provides magnificent views over the coast. From Llafranc you'll go to Begur, another fishing village, with a castle at the top overlooking the coast and the plain of the Baix Empordà. Wander through the intricate narrow streets and small squares, discovering little gems that stand out over the other buildings. Stop for lunch in Pals, where you can taste the delicious rice that is grown in this area. After lunch, visit the Gothic quarter known as Pedro, the Church of Sant Pere, the Tower of the hours, and Peratallada, a marvel of medieval civil architecture. See how this small town retains its feudal inheritance intact, with narrow, winding streets and stone buildings. Visit the moat, the Castle-Palace, the square with porches, and other little streets that take your fancy.

Discover the ancient city of Girona and two typical cities along the Costa Brava on a day trip from Barcelona. Explore the region’s culture, history, and scenery with this private guided tour. Start your tour with pickup in Barcelona and drive to the historic town of Girona. Get lost in the maze of narrow streets in the medieval city center, and travel back in time as you explore the vibrant Jewish neighborhood. Pass the Gothic cathedral, and admire colorful houses along the river. Continue towards Costa Brava, and the picturesque village of Pals. Wander down cobbled streets and through picture-perfect plazas, stopping to soak in views of the Mediterranean. Drive along the Catalan coast to the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, where you can enjoy a delicious local lunch. From Calella de Palafrugell, follow ancient pathways once used by fishermen and smugglers to discover the area’s most beautiful beaches. Explore hidden coves and admire the views of cliffs and coastline. Take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters, before returning to Barcelona.