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Home > Surreal Catalonia - Great Tour of Emporda
More info: Receive detailed hotel list, bike specs, and route description
More infos BOOK NOW !In the backyard of Catalonia's famed Costa Brava lies the Empordà plain, a gorgeous region boasting a rich agricultural as well as a cultural heritage dating back to prehistory. Great eras have brought a diverse array of people here, from the Iberians through the Greeks and Romans and medieval times, each leaving their distinct mark on the landscape and lifestyle.
On this tour, you will begin and end in the medieval town of Torroella de Montgri. In between, the route takes you along quiet countryside fields to lively seaside paths, as you cross through Empordà natural parks, charming coastal towns, and picturesque medieval villages. The plain unfolds as you pedal, revealing wonders that include the ancient ruins of Empuries, Pals and its rice fields, the region's capital at La Bisbal d'Empordà, and the stunning beaches of Sant Pere Pescador. Explore it all at your own pace.
Your introduction to the Empordà begins at Toroella de Montgri, originally a royal port for the Kings of Aragon. In the shadows of the looming Montgri Massif, Toroella is one of the towns located within the Natural Park of Montgri, Medes Islands, and Baix Ter.
Visiting the Museum of the Mediterranean here is a great way to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of the area before you set off on you bikes.
Wave goodbye to the Montgri Massif as you leave Torroella, pedalling through sunny countryside and villages before reaching the seaside by L'Escala. A fishing village famous for its anchovies, it's a great place to stop for lunch and enjoy the beautiful views.
A picturesque bike path along the coast will then lead you back in time to Sant Marti d'Empuries and the adjacent ruins of the ancient city of Empuries. Established in the 6th century BCE, Empuries is the only Greek city still conserved on the Iberian Peninsula, and is a truly fascination visit.
You will then ride through the medieval of San Pere Pescador before heading to your destination of the day: Castello d’Empuries.
Shake the sand out of your shoes after breakfast and start the cycle back to San Pere Pescador (through another itinerary than yesterday) and then you will pedal inland, as you make your way into the southern Empordà region. Let your mind and imagination roam as quiet countryside roads wind into rural villages, seemingly transporting you to the area's medieval past. Sant Miquel de Fluvià and its Romanesque monastery, the castle of Sant Mori, and the magnificent panorama of the Empordà plain from Foixà are sure to slow your pedal and get your camera out as well.
Your final village of the day, Madremanya, is no exception, with its great stone buildings and architecture that have stood the tests of time.
The stones of Madremanya may not budge, but you certainly will on today's ride! Turning once again towards the coast, you will pass through a number of medieval settlements en route, including Cruilles and its "unmissable" tower, as well as Torrent and its unique Jam Museum. Another can't-miss is beautiful La Bisbal d'Empordà, the region's capital and home to a medieval castle and pottery museum.
Cycling onwards, you will find yourself breathing the salt air once more at the old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, where you'll spend the night.
From Calella, you will complete your roundabout loop back to Torroella de Montgri, where your adventure began. Cycling through the "Empordanet" area, you will enjoy a wonderful variety of cultural sights and picturesque landscapes, from flower-filled medieval villages to lush rice fields. Halfway through your ride, the historic site of Pals provides the perfect place to stop for lunch and to explore the town's great towers and restored Gothic quarter, while admiring the view of the surrounding fields of Empordà.
You might recognize your old friend the Montgri Massif, as you come full circle and point your bicycle towards Torroella.
After breakfast, depart Torroella at your leisure.
3 nights in a charming guesthouse, 2 nights in 3-star hotels
3 nights in 4-star hotels, 1 night in a 3-star hotel and 1 night in a charming guesthouse