The county of Alt Empordà is a place full of magic, culture, history, charm... and I could go on. Between the sea and the mountains, there are three natural parks that make the landscape look like something out of a fairy tale.
And not only that, given that the cultural resources are a very significant symbol for the region, among monasteries and ruins are hidden villages with a spectacular history.
Here is a list of the most charming villages in the county of Alt Empordà:
Roses
Roses is one of the most important towns in the region and also one of the most charming. You may have heard of it in terms such as the Gulf of Roses or the Bay of Roses, and no wonder, given that with more than 3,000 years of history it could be said to be the essence of the Mediterranean.
The location of the village is perfect: very close to the French border and 20 km from the capital of the region (Figueres). Moreover, the landscape is typical of a postcard, as Roses has both sea and mountains, which gives it a special charm.
Roses is well known for its beaches and coves, but also for its nest of history dating back to prehistoric times. The town has a megalithic heritage of which it has been possible to discover how and where the first settlers lived thanks to the dolmens and menhirs there. If you are interested in this world, you should know that there is a megalithic route to do on foot, easy and suitable for everyone. Very close to this route is the Castrum Visigothic, the ruins of a medieval settlement located at the top of Puig Rom. In addition, you cannot miss the famous Ciutadella de Roses, an essential place to visit for any citizen or visitor, since inside you will find a very important archaeological site and a museum that shows the whole history of Roses, from prehistoric times to the present day.
For those of you who like hiking or mountain biking, you should know that in Roses there are a large number of routes of different levels and durations that will allow you to discover the bay from its most secret corners. You can go up to the Mirador, the Puig de l'Àguila or through the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà.
For those of you who like to walk, the Camino de Ronda is a must, as you will be able to walk along the different beaches and coves of Roses through a unique landscape.
For those of you who love the sea, you should know that the Bay of Roses is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world. With a wide variety of beaches and countless coves, Roses is an ideal place to spend the day with the family and to practice water sports thanks to its calm and transparent water. The coves, belonging to the Cap de Creus, are worth a visit and a snapshot, as the mixture of green vegetation and the blue of the sea are the perfect mix for a postcard.
Although if you are not a swimmer, don't think that you won't be able to take advantage of these places, because Roses offers one of the best sunsets you will ever see.
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is a small village located in the north of Alt Empordà that has a unique and special charm. Many of you may be familiar with its name and associate it with the famous painter Salvador Dalí, and you are not wrong. The painter lived for many years in a cove in Cadaqués, more specifically, in Portlligat. It was there that he painted many of his works, as it was his place of inspiration.
To get to know Cadaqués from top to bottom, you must first start with the old town and its narrow, maze-like streets. At the highest point is the famous church of Santa Maria de Cadaqués, which, as you will have seen, is the icon of the town and what stands out most from afar. Surrounded by the little white houses that symbolise Cadaqués, the origin of the present church dates back to the time of piracy, when the pirate Barbarosa destroyed the old building and the fishermen decided to use their earnings to build a new church.
If you go down to the coast, you will notice that the waters of Cadaqués are full of small boats bobbing to the rhythm of the waves, a landscape much photographed by visitors and instagramers.
One of the great attractions of Cadaqués is its beaches and coves with crystal-clear waters, perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling. You can even discover some lesser-known places, such as the Woodisde (a sunken English steamer) or the Coral Cave.
For those of you who like to walk on dry land, Cadaqués has some ideal hiking and trekking routes for spectacular views of the cliffs. Whether it's the Camino de Ronda or the old path leading to the Cap de Creus lighthouse, adventure and beauty are guaranteed.
Surely, because of all those hidden corners in Cadaqués, Dalí was absolutely right when he said of Cadaqués "this is the most beautiful place in the world and sometimes you believe it".
L'escala
You may be familiar with the name of this municipality because of its famous anchovies: anchovies from l'Escala. Yes, you're right, it is the town's star gastronomic product. The reputation of the anchovies of l'Escala is known worldwide and many visitors only come to the town to buy this product or to visit one of the anchovy factories.
Well, not everything in l'Escala is anchovies. Located in the south of the Gulf of Roses, it is a fishing village with several settlements that mark the history and origins of the current municipality. The best known is the medieval village of Sant Martí d'Empúries, which was once the seat of the county of Empúries. Strolling through the neighbourhood is like being transported back to medieval times. Although it is quite small, the village does not disappoint anyone: it is pure charm. Moreover, both municipalities (Sant Martí d'Empúries and l'Escala) are linked by the Empúries promenade, suitable for walking or cycling, where you can find different tourist sites such as the Greco-Roman archaeological site, the Hellenistic quay and the Mirador de les Coves viewpoint.
The Greco-Roman site, better known as the Ruins of Empúries, could be considered the main tourist attraction of L'Escala (apart from the anchovies, of course!). It is one of the most important sites in Catalonia and has a very high historical and cultural value due to its good state of conservation, from the floor mosaics that can be found in the stately homes to the Roman forum and the amphitheatre.
In short, the nature in l'Escala is spectacular. Between the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park and the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Ter Natural Park, adventure is guaranteed. There are many hiking and cycling routes to discover the landscapes that surround the municipality.
Figueres
Figueres, the capital of the Alt Empordà region, is one of the most important towns in the province of Girona due to its proximity to the French border.
It is a fairly small capital compared to Girona or Barcelona, but the truth is that it is full of different places of interest.
Perhaps one of the best known is the theatre-museum of the painter Salvador Dalí, a place where the painter's first paintings were exhibited and where we can now find several rooms, paintings, the painter's last room and his tomb. It is one of the icons of Figueres and is easy to identify, considering that its façade is red and full of bread and eggs.
The busiest place in the city is the famous Rambla and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. It is the most commercial area of the city and it is also the place where we can find some of the most beautiful buildings.
One of the places not to be missed on a visit to Figueres is the castle of Sant Ferran. Just a ten-minute walk from the centre of Figueres, this large fortification was built to defend the Empordà region.
Port de la Selva
Port de la Selva is a municipality with fishing origins, as the first huts were built by fishermen who lived in Selva de Mar to store their tools and fish. Little by little, and after various difficulties, the town of Port de la Selva, as we know it today, was formed.
One of the main tourist attractions is the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest, located at the top of a mountain. The views from the top are spectacular, making it a must for anyone visiting Port de la Selva. You can also take the opportunity to visit it by taking a hiking route from the village to the monastery, I assure you it's worth it and you won't regret it. (Besides, the way back is downhill, hehe).
Speaking of routes, Port de la Selva is a place full of them, ideal for hiking or mountain biking. The best known is the one that follows the Camino de Ronda, which goes around the coastline and where you can discover the different beaches and coves of the town.
If you're more of a water person and less of a land person, Port de la Selva is the perfect place for water sports, whether it's water skiing, swimming or rowing. The sea is quite calm, and the clear waters allow you to enjoy the sport to the full. There are even hidden coves that can only be reached by swimming or by boat. Do you dare to look for them?
Garriguella
Garriguella is located in the north of the Alt Empordà region. The municipality is divided into two nuclei. The first one that was occupied is known as "Baix Garriguella". Although we don't know much about its past, there are the remains of the old chapel of San Sebastián. Strolling through the centre of the neighbourhood is like a journey back in time... with period stone doorways that maintain the architecture of the 16th century.
The most populated nucleus is Garriguella (Noves) and surrounds the church of Santa Eulàlia, or rather, the remains.
For those with a sweet tooth, the name of this village may be familiar to many of you because of the Garnatxa and Bunyol Fair, the ideal place to try the famous and delicious fritters from l'Empordà.
In Garriguella there are several places of interest, such as the Torre de la mala veïna, the Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Camp or the Mirador de la costa de la torre. All the places are worth visiting, but what really attracts the attention of tourists is the Albera Natural Park, a spectacular place with a great variety of flora and fauna, with many different species typical of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. In fact, one of the most visited places is the Turtle Reproduction Centre, a place for the conservation and breeding in captivity of endangered turtles from Catalonia and other parts of the world. It's a very fun visit to make with children!
Maçanet de Cabrenys
Maçanet de Cabrenys has its origins in prehistoric times, hence the Pedra Dreta menhir and other megalithic remains that have been found.
In Maçanet de Cabrenys there are many routes for hiking or cycling, but there are also routes to learn a little more about the history of the town in its past. For example, you can follow the Route of the Exile, with three different paths that were followed by a large number of people during the exile of 39.
One of the beauties that Maçanet de Cabrenys has and that few tourists know about are the "gorgues". There are several scattered around the municipality: the Gorga de les Dones; the Gorga del Cassó, the Farga... and above all, my favourite: the Gorga dels Tobogans, where a rock is shaped like a toboggan and we can jump into the water.
In this town you can find a very curious sport and at the same time, a lot of fun: futbolgolf. Yes, you read that right, football and golf. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to kick a football with the intention of putting it into a hole? It sounds strange, but the truth is that it is pure fun, the perfect option to have a good time with family or friends. What's more, you're surrounded by nature, as the courses are in the heart of the forest, in the open air. Do you have a better plan?
Palau saverdera
Palau-Saverdera has changed a lot over the years. Little by little it has been growing and receiving more inhabitants.
It is a village full of historic buildings, perhaps the most emblematic of which are the 11th century church of Sant Joan de Palau-Saverdera and the 15th century Palau-Saverdera Castle, which still preserves the Torre de les Hores (Tower of the Hours).
The Hermitage of Sant Onofre is also a very popular place to visit. In fact, it is the protagonist of one of the obligatory routes for all the inhabitants of Palau and the surrounding area. It is located at the top of the municipality and the truth is that the white of the hermitage stands out among the colours of the mountain.
You can also follow the megalithic village route and discover the different dolmens that are still preserved.
Sant Pere Pescador
Sant Pere Pescador is a place full of wonderful landscapes, surrounded by pure nature. The municipality has some of the most beautiful beaches and coves on the Costa Brava, with dunes and fine sand. Moreover, the crystal-clear waters make Sant Pere an ideal place for windsurfing, sailing and kayaking.
For those of you who don't like water, you have other options: there are many hiking routes and green areas for walking, cycling and even horse riding, such as the Cortal de la Vila route, l'Illa d'en Carlemany, the Llúdriga path or the Camí Vell de Can Sopa, of different lengths and levels.
You should know that the fields of crops and fruit trees is one of the details that make the difference between Sant Pere Pescador and any other town. It is the symbol of the municipality, so if you have the chance, take the opportunity to walk around the fields, enjoy the fresh air and observe the different types of birds that can be seen given the proximity to the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà.
Castelló d'Empúries
Castelló d'Empúries is a town well known in the Alt Empordà region for its medieval origins. In fact, it hosts one of the most important festivals in the area, the Festival Terra de Trobadors, in which the whole town becomes a medieval stage, with a market of stalls and little shops (and they even change the currency!), workshops, guided tours, exhibitions, themed areas..... If you have the chance, this is a fair not to be missed.
Castelló d'Empúries has a wide variety of museums. You can visit the Puig Mercadal Synagogue of the 13th century Jewish community, the Ecomuseu-Farinera (highly recommended for the little ones) where you will discover the different techniques and processes of bread making that were used in the past and that have evolved up to the present day. Another museum not to be missed is the Museum of Medieval History of the Cúria-Pressó, one of the most emblematic places in the municipality. It is a place full of history that you can visit, where you will discover what the old prison was like and how it worked.
Castelló d'Empúries is a place full of culture and history, but also a magnificent place to walk or cycle along the different paths of the Aiguamolls or along the lakes. Moreover, you can discover the "little Venice" in Empuriabrava, an urbanization of Castelló based practically on tourism. Empuriabrava is full of navigable canals that lead directly to the residences, and the truth is that a boat trip along the canals is a real charm!
And last but not least... how can we forget the flyers! Empuriabrava is home to Windoor Realfly, an indoor flying centre for both beginners and professionals, so if you go, try the wind tunnel!
