Catalonia Food & Wine: the Emporda Region

Highlights: Girona, Onyar River

In Girona, there is much to explore and experience. The city is renowned for its well-preserved Jewish quarter and its Cathedral, which features one of the largest stone-vaulted spaces in Gothic architecture. A walk along the ancient city walls is highly recommended, offering stunning views, or you can stroll along the Onyar River, where you'll enjoy the picturesque sight of the colorful houses lining the riverbank.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Peninsular, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Gran Ultonia, or similar.

Highlights: El Carrilet, Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera and Santa Cristina d'Aro, San Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Pol beach

Starting from the local office, you will follow a bike path heading south to leave the city. The route leads you directly to the Mediterranean Sea, following the greenway known as "El Carrilet." Along the way, you'll pass through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera, and Santa Cristina d'Aro. Throughout the ride, the Gavarres Massif, a forested mountainous area known for its oak trees and cork production, will serve as a constant backdrop. We will arrive in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where our hotel will be located near the beautiful Sant Pol beach.

Daily distance: 42km (26 miles) 
Elevation gain: 275 m (902ft) 
Terrain type: mostly flat

Standard accommodation: Hotel Barcarola, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel S'Agaró Spa, or similar.

Highlights: Palamós, Platja de Castell, Calella de Palafurgell, Costa Brava, Ruta del Tren Petit

Today, you'll cycle north along the coast, combining scenic coastal roads with seaside boulevards, and visit the main port town of Palamós. After a few kilometers, you'll pass by the pristine cove of Platja de Castell, where you can spot an ancient Iberian settlement on the left. This is a perfect spot for a picnic and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, you'll arrive at the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, one of the gems of the Costa Brava. The final part of the ride will take you along the greenway known as the "Ruta del Tren Petit".

Daily distance: 31km (19miles) 
Elevation gain: 271m (1066ft) 
Terrain type: mostly flat

Standard accommodation: Hotel Sant Roc (no seaview), or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Alga, or similar.

Highlights: Cork Museum, Pals, Torroella de Montgrí

Today's route heads north, inland, passing through Palafrugell, known for its lively fish, meat, and vegetable market—a great opportunity to discover the local products of the region. You can also visit the Cork Museum. After leaving Palafrugell, you'll arrive at the medieval village of Pals, one of the best-preserved medieval centers. The ride will take you through natural wetlands, featuring vast rice fields and long stretches of sandy beaches. The bike tour concludes in Torroella de Montgrí, at the base of the Montgrí Massif with its iconic castle.

Daily distance: 29km (18miles) 
Elevation gain: 271m (889ft) 
Terrain type: mostly flat

Standard accommodation: Hotel Fonda Mitjà, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Moli del Mig, or similar.

Highlights: Alt Empordà county, Bay of Roses, Sant Martí de Empúries, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, of Castelló d’Empúries

The route continues north, crossing the Montgrí Massif into the Alt Empordà region. You’ll arrive at the expansive Bay of Roses, known for its long sandy beaches. Near the picturesque medieval village of Sant Martí d'Empúries and right by the beach, you should take time to visit the archaeological site of Empúries, featuring Greek and Roman ruins, marking the entry of classical cultures into the Iberian Peninsula. The journey then proceeds north, passing through the protected wetlands of Aiguamolls de l'Empordà. The day ends in the village of Castelló d'Empúries, rich in architectural heritage with its Gothic church, Count’s palace, old market, and Jewish quarter.

Daily distance: 38km (24miles) 
Elevation gain: 174m (571ft) 
Terrain type: mostly flat

Standard accommodation: Hotel Canet, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Palau Maceli, or similar.

Highlights: vineyards of Empordà and wineries, Vilajuïga, Pau

Today's ride offers stunning views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling through century-old vineyards. You’ll be pedaling through the renowned Empordà wine region, famous for its excellent wines. Along the way, you'll have the chance to pass by some of the area's most interesting wineries, particularly located in the towns of Vilajuïga and Pau, where you can immerse yourself in the local wine culture.

Daily distance: 39km (24miles) 
Elevation gain: 221m (725ft) 
Terrain type: mostly flat

Standard accommodation: Hotel Canet, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Palau Maceli, or similar.

Highlights: Peralada, Garriguella, Vilamaniscle and Rabos, Figueres city, Theatre-Museum Dalí

The last bike tour heads first to Peralada (the capital of the wine DO) where you will visit the castle and the medieval town. From there you will cycle crossing the upper part of the vineyards zone passing by Garriguella, Vilamaniscle and Rabos wit the most ancient groves. Don’t miss a fast visit to the modernist cellar of Espolla cooperative. From there the tour takes you to a long downhill ride until arriving to your final destination, the city of Figueres. After arriving to Figueres, riders enjoy a visit to the world famous Theatre-Museum Dalí, still one of the most visited tourist site in Spain.

Daily distance: 46km (29 miles) 
Elevation gain: 440m (1450ft) 
Terrain type: rolling hills

Standard accommodation: Hotel Ronda, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Pirineos, or similar.

Highlights: Tour End, Last Day

Your tour ends today after breakfast.
Thanks for joining us and have a good flight back home!

PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. 

Starting point: Girona 

Girona is situated north of Barcelona and can be reached by bus, train, plane, or by car. It is 98 km (61 miles) from Barcelona.

Girona is a small city where everything is conveniently close. The hotels are less than a 10-minute walk from the train and bus station. Pick up your bikes and meet the local staff in office conveniently located right next to the train and bus station.
 

Ending point: Figueres

By plane - Girona Airport (GRO)
Girona Airport connects with various European cities during the summer season, though flights are significantly reduced outside of this period.
A bus runs from Girona Airport to Girona city, taking around 25 minutes. Taxis are also available and take approximately the same time.

By plane - Barcelona Airport (BCN)
Barcelona is a major airport with numerous destinations year-round. You should check the options available for your departure city.
- There is a bus from Barcelona Airport to Girona, which takes approx. 2h30min.
- If you'd rather travel by train, there is no direct connection to Girona. First, you must travel to Barcelona Sants station, where you can catch various trains to Girona. If you arrive at Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus T1-T2 to Terminal 2. The shuttle runs from 5:30 AM to midnight every 6 to 7 minutes, and from midnight to 5:30 AM every 20 to 25 minutes. The shuttle takes about 10 minutes. Once you arrive at Terminal 2, you can take a train to Barcelona Sants and then another train to Girona.
- Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Barcelona Airport to Girona, which takes about 1 hour.

By train
There is a train from Barcelona to Girona that departs approximately every hour from Sants station, as well as from Passeig de Gràcia and Clot. The journey takes about 1h35min.
Additionally, there are High-Speed Trains (AVE/AVANT) that run several times a day from Sants station, with a travel time of only 38 minutes.

By bus
If you are departing from Barcelona city, there is a bus to Girona that leaves approximately every hour. The bus stops in the city center and at Estació d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord (Barcelona's main bus station). The journey takes approximately 1 hour.