The Catalan Coast
A delicious story of vineyards, olive groves, fishing villages and rolling rural landscapes, this tour takes in all the fantastic Catalan contrasts from Girona and the Empordà coast to Figueres. Leave colourful Girona city for a glide along the green ways to meet the glittering Med at St Feliu de Guíxols. Hug the sandy-cove-coast. Cross the estuary plains where Torroella de Montgrí’s castle-topped ‘massif’ rises out of the Gola de Ter Natural Park, and you’re soon coasting along the beautiful Bay of Roses. Beyond the long sandy beaches and protected Aiguamolls marshlands, Castelló d’Empuries and Empordà’s time-honoured wine region beckon. Cycle by ancient vines and stop for tours and tastings to get a real taste for the place, before a route full of ancient rural villages finally leads back to Figueres, birthplace of Surrealist painter, Salvador Dalí. Read More
Europe, Spain
Any Day
Bed & Breakfast
£909.00
8 Days, 7 Nights
Mar - Nov
Grade 3 (Moderate)
Overview
Pedal down greenways from colourful Girona to St Feliu de Guíxols by the Mediterranean Sea, then wind your way up the beach-laden Catalan coast to explore the many medieval villages of the beautiful Gola del Ter estuary Natural Park and the Bay of Roses. Sit back and sip a refreshing glass of well-deserved Empordà during a day in the vineyards from Castelló d’Empuries. Discover archaeological sites full of ancient treasures or put a toe in the water in some quiet Catalan cove. As well as stunning scenery, highlights include Dalí’s eccentric Theatre Museum in Figueres; the castle-topped Montgrí ‘massif’; the natural park of Aiguamols de l’Empordà and the famed wine cellars of Empordà wine region– such a must that we’ve included a tasting (and picnic) in the tour price!
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive & explore
Arrive in Girona and relax and unwind with a glass of something local on the café terrace, take a wander to admire the ancient town and its ramparts. Climb the Roccoco steps leading up to the world’s widest Gothic nave or wander through the narrow streets in the Old Town to explore Europe’s best-preserved Jewish Quarter.
Overnight: Girona.
Day 2 From green pastures to the bluest of seas
From the art museum at the old Episcopal Palace to the bright façades of the medieval Onyar houses which cling to the old riverside walls, Girona is colourful stuff. But it’s time to take to two wheels along the ‘El Carrilet Via Verde’ – a scenic, former railway track bed green way with a backdrop of the forest-covered mountains of the Gavarres Massif. Pedal through a patchwork landscape of woods, pasture and stretches of earthy farmlands via Quart, Llambilles, Cassa de las Selva, Llagostera, then up to Col de Sant Grau for a delightful descent down to the coast and the champagne cork capital, St Feliu de Guíxols. Don’t miss the famous Romanesque Porta Ferrada at the town’s Benedictine Monastery or the fine seafront manor houses near the golden beach and blue Mediterranean waters of San Pol.
Overnight: St Feliu de Guíxols.
Miles 28 Kms 45
Day 3 Catalan coast roads & sandy coves
On a day of coast-hugging cycling, the port town of Palamós is an ideal first stop and the perfect scene-setter with its fishing museum. Just a short pedal further and the beautiful, unspoilt sandy cove of Platja de Castell promises an archaeological site (pre-Roman Iberian settlement) at the far end of the beach and tempting restaurants overlooking the bay. Another former track-bed greenway – the ‘Ruta del Tren Petit’ – guides you gently northwards to the picturesque fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, home not just to more beautiful beaches and coves, but a fab fruit, veg and fish market, where you’ll find a museum dedicated to the local cork industry – the product of the region’s cork oak forests.
Overnight: Calella de Palafrugell.
Miles 19 Kms 30
Day 4 Castles & medieval villages
A short upward spin starts the day to reach the hilltop village of Pals – a little medieval gem with cobbled streets, a beautifully preserved centre and ramparts just made for looking out towards the Medes Islands and the Baix Empordà. Check out the Visigothic tombs here before pedalling a short or longer route through a world of natural delta wetlands rich in migrating birds, rice fields and long sandy beaches all the way to Torroella de Montgrí . This one-time ‘royal’ town set in the middle of a Natural Park has a magnificent (but unfinished) castle to the north of the town on top of the imposing Montgrí Massif. Park up and stroll out for an hour or two, and you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views from the top.
Overnight: Torroella de Montgrí
Miles 18 Kms 29
Day 5 The expansive Bay of Roses beckons…
Cycling northwards along the ancient coastline into Alt Empordà, the great Bay of Roses boasts not just an inviting stretch of sandy beaches and 3,000 years of fascinating history, but beautiful Mediterranean colours and truly amazing sunsets. A visit to the Greek and Roman ruins at the archaeological site of Empúries near medieval Sant Marti de Empúries is a must – a real reflection of how those classic cultures interacted with the Iberian Peninsula.
Continue pedalling northwards and there are reflections of a different kind in the protected, wildlife-rich marshland habitats of the natural park of Aiguamolls de L’Emporada. Your accommodation for the next two nights is in Castelló d’Empuries, a village rich in architectural heritage from its old market to impressive Gothic church and even a Count’s palace.
Overnight: Castelló d’Empúries
Miles 22 Kms 36
Day 6 Vineyards & wineries galore – Circular day ride
To make the most of the stunning Empordà scenery and century old vineyards, this day in the saddle includes a stop for a wine tasting and delicious picnic (both included in the tour price). It’s time to take a circular ride around the vine-filled slopes which undulate towards the sea, to the impressive mountain backdrop of the Pyrenees mountains. The famous wine cellars around Vilajuïga and Pau will be lining up along the route and at the heart of these Empordà villages, so prepare your palate for some fine visits and sampling experiences. And don’t worry – after a gastronomic assault on the taste buds, the loop back to Castelló d’Empúries is a leisurely one!
Overnight: Castelló d’Empúries
Miles 23 Kms 37
Day 7 From vineyard slopes to surrealist painters
A chance to enjoy another true taste of the place, this time at medieval Peralada, heart and Designation of Origin of Empordà’s wine region, and home to both the prestigious Peralada winery and the impressive Castillo de Peralada, now a museum.
Pedal through the upper reaches of this delicious domain, dotted with time-honoured villages announced only by their belltowers, before a long, gentle downhill ride to Figueres, capital of the Emporadà. It’s a city which celebrates the renowned eccentric surrealist painter, Salvador Dalí at the Dalí Theatre Museum – one of Spain’s simply-must-experience places to visit. Enjoy!
Overnight: Figueres
Miles 27 Kms 43
Day 8 Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast following your final night in Figueres.
Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore this vibrant city.
Dates & Prices
Download PricesFor tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above
PRICE INCLUDES
Ensuite accommodation in 2 and 3 star hotels with buffet/continental breakfast (prices based on two adults sharing)
Upgraded accommodation is in 3 and 4 star hotels with buffet/continental breakfast (prices based on two adults sharing)
Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (panniers, lock & puncture repair equipment). Bike delivery is normally the morning of day 2
Luggage transfer between hotels
Local assistance on call (although puncture repair is excluded)
Information pack with detailed joining instructions and daily route overviews sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure so you can plan ahead and look forward to your cycling
Printed routing information and GPS information available on receipt of bikes.
Local visitor taxes
Guided wine cellar tour with tasting, and picnic (on Day 6 – circular day ride).
Please note that the price EXCLUDES
Costs of getting to and from the tour area
Transfers to / from Girona Airport or Barcelona Airport (on request)
Accommodation Options
Selected 2 and 3 star hotels in Girona, Calella de Palafrugell, Torroella de Montgri, Castelló d’Empúries (2 nights) and Figueres.
Extra nights can be added in Girona and Figures on this tour. We are pleased to discuss details.
Upgrades:
Selected 3 and 4 star hotels throughout. We are pleased to discuss hotel details on request.
Options:
Half board (5 meals) is an option on this tour.
Half board in upgraded accommodation (4 meals) is an option on this tour.
A gastronomic dinner at The Emporium Restaurant (1 Michelin Star) in Castelló d’Empúries is an option on Day 5 or 6 (at extra cost). We are pleased to discuss details on request.
More Information
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