Costa Brava - Independent Travel

I
Costa Brava
Girona Spain
Costa Brava
Girona Spain
Introduction
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1
Side-trips along the coast
Southern Costa Brava:
La Selva
Central Costa Brava:
Baix Empordá
Northern Costa Brava:
Alt Empordá
6
Between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean
Ireland
6
Dublin
10
United
Kingdom
17
Side-trips inland
Girona
Banyoles - Besalú - Olot
Girona Pyrenees
23
23
29
33
Culture, leisure
and entertainment
38
Useful information
47
London
Paris
France
Bay of Biscay
Portugal
Girona
Madrid
Lisbon
Brava
Costa
Calella de Palafrugell
S PA I N
Atlantic
Ocean
Mediterranean
Sea
Ceuta
Melilla
Text:
Mª José Anía
Printed by:
EGRAF, S.A.
D.L. M. 30247-2006
Translation:
Michael Benedict
NIPO: 704-06-046-7
Published by:
© Turespaña
Secretaría de Estado
de Turismo y Comercio
Photographs:
Turespaña Archives
Printed in Spain
Ministerio de Industria,
Turismo y Comercio
Graphic Design:
P&L MARÍN
2nd edition
Front cover:
Aiguablava
The Costa Brava is the name given to the coast of Girona, the
Catalonian province at the north-eastern tip of the Iberian
Peninsula, which straggles from the high Pyrenees down to the
Mediterranean. The description “brava” (fierce, rough) refers to
the tumultuous head-on clash between land and waves, as they
gouge, scour and shape the jagged cliffs that are so
characteristic of a shoreline punctuated by rocky headlands,
which jut into the sea like sentinels standing guard over the
diminutive coves (calas) sheltering in their lee. Indeed, the Costa
Brava is longer than it seems, since its intricate zigzag course
means that there are far more real kilometres of coastline than
one might suppose from merely glancing at a map. This
disproportion is particularly evident in areas such as Cape Creus
(Cabo or Cap de Creus) or the coast of Palafrugell and Begur,
where crags and pines alternate with sand and sea in a way
that can only be described as a kind of sensual flirtation.
Not all the coast is quite so
rugged however. Some
stretches, such as the smooth
curve of the gulf of Roses or
the long sweeping sands of
Pals beach, present a radical
contrast. This geographical
variety found along the
shoreline is only a tiny
foretaste of the extraordinary
diversity of scenery to be
found in the interior. In a
territory in which the
maximum distance between
one place and the next never
exceeds 120 kilometres
(75 miles), all the various
forms and colours of nature
come together, ranging from
the coral seabed of the Medes
Islands’ aquatic eco-system to
the snow-capped peaks of the
Pyrenees.
As one might guess, the
climate in these parts is as
diverse and changeable as the
geography. Whilst average
temperatures along the coast
tend to go from 7º C (45º F) in
winter to 28º C (82º F) in
Platja d’Aro
summer, a continental climate
prevails in the inland and
mountain areas, and the
thermometer can register far
more extreme temperatures.
Most days are sunny, and the
degree of humidity –especially
in the north– is low, due
mainly to the Tramontana, the
typical local wind that
sometimes blows with such
uncommon strength in the
area of the Costa Brava
known as the Empordà
(or Ampurdán).
Ruins. Empúries
From the Neolithic to
Surrealism
From the vestiges of the first
settlers who inhabited these
lands in the Neolithic era
–circa 3000 B.C.– up until the
artistic legacy of the surrealist
genius, Salvador Dalí, the
Costa Brava has amassed a
heritage of exceptional
richness. A few of these items
might just be mentioned here
by way of example:
– Extraordinary examples of
Romanesque and mediaeval
art are preserved in the shape
of the imposing Monastery of
Sant Pere de Rodes (St. Peter),
perched above the sea on the
mountainous slopes of Cape
Creus, in an overwhelmingly
beautiful geographical
setting.
– Dating from a bygone age
megalithic relics still remain,
unmarked and unscathed by
the passage of time, such as
the massive Creu d’en
Cobertella dolmen, near Roses.
– The Iberian settlement of
Ullastret, one of the most
important in Catalonia thanks
to its size and excellent state
of preservation, tells us of the
Iberian civilisation that
peopled this territory from the
2nd to the 7th centuries B.C.
– Jewish culture is centred on
the Old Quarter of Girona and
on Besalú, where the mark
left by the respective Jewish
communities is clearly visible.
– The extraordinary
archaeological site of
Empúries, dating back to the
first Greek and Roman
settlement on the Iberian
peninsula, forms a magnificent
balcony overlooking the
Mediterranean.
– The visitor will be captivated
by the charm of tastefully, and
no less painstakingly,
preserved mediaeval towns,
such as the historical centres
of Pals or Peratallada.
3
sharing all the (by no means
inconsiderable) blessings
that they have. It is no
mystery therefore that the
Costa Brava has been and
continues to be a topflight
tourist destination. Ranging
from the many artists who,
already back in the early
years of the 20th century,
started discovering the
charm of its seaside towns,
to members of the wealthy
Barcelona bourgeoisie who
for a some generations now
have chosen the Costa Brava
as the site for their holiday
homes, it would be true to
say that no-one escapes the
fascination exerted by this
‘earthly paradise’. The
growing number of visitors
who feel attracted to this
coast has turned the
smokeless industry that is
tourism into one of the
pillars of the local economy,
an economy whose solidity
and vitality provides its
inhabitants with one of the
highest per capita income
levels anywhere in Spain.
– The Dalí Theatre-Museum in
Figueres, which along with
Púbol Castle and the house in
Portlligat comprise the socalled ‘Dalinian Triangle’, is a
“must” for those interested in
discovering the extravagant,
dreamlike world of this
universally famous artist.
As you see, this province’s
historical and artistic heritage
is as rich as it is diverse.
Culture and scenery merge
here in a mosaic of
attractions, which, coupled
with a policy pledged to the
quality of infrastructures and
services offered to visitors
such as yourself, make the
Costa Brava an unbeatable
destination.
Native hospitality
The Catalonians in these
parts, proud of their
traditions and native tongue
(Catalan is the official
language alongside Spanish),
have somehow managed to
balance their attachment to
their past with an openminded attitude towards all
things foreign. They are a
welcoming people who,
aware of their good fortune
in living in a privileged area
on the Mediterranean, take
pleasure in displaying and
Excellent transport
The Costa Brava and the
province of Girona are easily
accessible, whatever your
point of origin and means of
transport used.
4
– Girona-Costa Brava
International Airport is
situated 10 km from the city
and only 85 km from
Barcelona.
– Many towns can be reached
with ease and comfort by
train. The main stations of call
on the international
Barcelona-France line that
goes via Portbou, are Girona
and Figueres, both of which
are important transport hubs
in their own right. The inland
and mountain areas are
likewise served by a railway
line that links Barcelona and
France via Puigcerdà.
– Regular coach lines crisscross the province. The main
bus and coach stations are to
be found in Lloret de Mar,
Salvador Dalí’s house. Portlligat
Girona and Figueres, with
daily and/or weekly links to
numerous cities around
Europe.
– A comprehensive network of
roads and highways connects
every part of the Costa Brava
and, in turn, link these to the
rest of Spain.
Hence, travel –whether by
public transport or private
car– is fast and comfortable,
since two essential elements
must be added to the
comprehensive local transport
infrastructure. These are: the
short distances between one
point and another; and the
high concentration of
attractions embraced by this
province and its seaboard, a
coast known as the Costa
Brava.
A
Palafrugell
Anglès
Osor
Santa Coloma
de Farners
Riudarenes
Arbúcies Sant Feliu Sils
de Buixalleu
Maçanet
de la Selva
Hostalric
Breda
Mont-Ras
Vall-Llobrega
Fornells de
la Selva
Caldes de
Malavella
Tamariu
Llafranc
Calonge La Fosca Calella
Santa
Palamós
Cristina
d'Aro
Llagostera
N-II
Aiguablava
Sant Antoni de Calonge
Castell d'Aro
Vidreras
LA SELVA
Platja d'Aro
S'Agaró
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Cala Salions
Tossa de Mar
Gaserans
Cala Canyelles
Lloret de Mar
AP-7
Blanes
año 2003
C-32
S
ide-trips
along the
coast
Southern Costa Brava:
La Selva (from Blanes to Sant
Botanical gardens. Blanes
Feliu de Guíxols)
springs, which have given rise
to the spas of Caldes de
Malavella and Santa Coloma
de Farners, establishments
steeped in tradition, which
combine all the old-world
charm of yesteryear with
comfort and the very newest
health techniques.
The southern stretch of the
Costa Brava corresponds to
the district of La Selva, a place
name (selva; jungle) that is
somewhat disconcerting these
days but undoubtedly justified
by the leafy vegetation of the
woods that have traditionally
mantled this exceptional area.
The La Selva district occupies
the southernmost part of
Girona province and extends
from the mountainous
Guilleries Range and
Montseny Massif all the way
down to the sea.
Moving towards the coastal
belt, the town of Blanes
marks the point at which the
Costa Brava formally begins.
Rising above Blanes’ long
stretch of strand, flanked by
its lovely seaside promenade,
is the imposing Sa Palomera
Rock, a massive boulder-like
promontory that protrudes
The hinterland is the site of a
number of medicinal mineral
6
into the sea and so defines
the bay that terminates in the
fishing harbour. The old
fishermen’s village that
sprouted in the shelter of this
rock has grown with the
passing of the years into a
major tourist resort that
attracts a growing number of
summer holidaymakers and
residents. Among the many
attractions that Blanes offers,
the most outstanding is the
Mar i Murtra Botanical
Garden, strategically located
on the slopes of Mt. Sant Joan
(St. John), on bluffs that
command a stunning view of
the sea. It was the German
scientist, Karl Faust, who in
1921 had the wonderful idea
of creating this garden, where
the variety and wealth of
botanical species make it
unrivalled. A visit (which is
almost a “must”) is an
absolute treat for the
senses.
A succession of small inlets,
each a delight (e.g., the coves
of Sant Francesc and
Boadella), dot the coast
between Blanes and
Lloret de Mar. In the
Lloret de Mar
Blanes
neighbourhood of the Santa
Cristina cove, there is yet
another a botanical garden,
the Pinya de Rosa Garden,
created in this instance by
Riviere de Caralt in 1954.
Needless to say, lovers of
plants and flowers have no
excuse for missing their date
with the Costa Brava… and
there are still many more
gardens to come.
Lloret de Mar is probably the
largest tourist centre on the
Costa Brava, in terms of the
Ava Gardner. How is it, one
might well ask, that homage
is being paid to a Hollywood
film star in these strange
surroundings? The reason is
that the town was used as the
film set for shooting the 1950
movie, Pandora and the Flying
Dutchman, an event that
looms as a genuine landmark
in recent local history.
Lloret de Mar
high number of hotels,
lodging houses and night
spots, such as the Gran Casino,
one of three that exist in
Catalonia. The modern Bus &
Coach Station also reflects the
importance of Lloret as a rail
and road hub. However, this
in no way means that
everything hereabouts is
reduced to mass tourism.
Small coves lapped by calm
waters and monumental
historical remains, preserved
intact, are points of
undeniable interest. The Santa
Clotilde Gardens, designed in
1919 by the architect, Rubió
Tudurí Merecen, warrant
special mention. Set amidst
stunning surroundings with
impressive sea views, the
gardens are arranged around
a great mansion that houses
valuable art collections.
background, one comes to
Tossa de Mar. The first thing
that surprises the visitor is the
unmistakeable picturepostcard view of its Vila Vella,
the old walled town that
majestically presides over one
side of the bay from on high.
Officially declared a National
Historic-Artistic Monument in
its day, Tossa is now the sole
example of a fortified
mediaeval town left standing
on the Catalonian coast. An
enormous round-arched gate
frames the entrance way into
Tossa’s Vila Vella, ringed by its
perimeter of defensive walls
and towers that stand guard
over the maze of steep,
narrow streets. A stroll
through these alleyways is a
“must”: aside from reliving
the Middle Ages in what is
already the 21st century and
enjoying a marvellous view
over the bay of Tossa, the
route has a some curiosities in
store, such as the sculpture of
the mythical American actress,
Following the coastal road, as
it winds among verdant pine
groves with the blue of the
Mediterranean in the
8
The fact of the matter is that
the charm of Tossa de Mar
attracted a number of artists
as long ago as the 1930s,
artists such as Marc Chagall,
who dubbed this place a
“blue paradise”. Together
they left an important
collection of contemporary
painting that can today be
seen at the Municipal
Museum, installed in the Casa
Falguera, a 14th-century
Gothic edifice standing at the
entrance to the old town.
Housed in this same museum
are the archaeological
remains of the Roman villa
that once existed in what is
today the centre of a town
converted into a colourful
though peaceful family
tourist resort.
The corniche road from
Tossa to Sant Feliu de
Guíxols brings yet
more unique scenery
into view. Along this
stretch, the steep
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar
cliff sides occasionally relent
and gently descend into the
calm coves and inlets of Bona,
Pola, Giverola and Salions.
An interesting way of seeing
this coast from the seaward
side is to take a cruise on one
of the boats that ply between
the different towns and even
between some of the coves on
the stretch from Blanes to
Sant Feliu. On no account
should travellers miss the
chance of sailing the waters of
the Costa Brava and enjoying
a really exceptional sea trip.
Sant Pere Pescador Empúries
año 2003
L'Escala
Viladamat
Verges
Torroella L'Estartit
de Montgrì
RESERVA
NATURAL
ILLES MEDES
Gualta
Ullastret
La Pera
Pals
Playa Sa Tuna
Cabo Begur
Peratallada Begur
La Bisbal
d'Empordà
Palafrugell
Aiguablava
Mont-Ras
Vall-Llobrega
Calonge
Llagostera
Tamariu
Llafranc
La Fosca Calella
Castell
d'Aro
Palamós
Sant Antoni de Calonge
Platja d'Aro
Santa
S'Agaró
Cristina
d'Aro Sant Feliu de Guíxols
LA SELVA
Blanes
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Cala Salions
Tossa de Mar
archaeological site, below. For
the moment, however, we are
going to discover everything
that this area lying at the
heart of the Costa Brava can
offer, a genuine compendium
of attractions of all types.
Cala Canyelles
Central Costa Brava:
Baix Empordà (from Sant
Feliu de Guíxols to l'Escala)
Resuming our tour of this
district’s coastline, the first
place of note is Sant Feliu de
Guíxols itself, situated on a
bay dominated by the Sant
Elm headland, a splendid
look-out point. Local
seafaring tradition is still very
active in the town’s
commercial and fishing port
and shipyards. In connection
with Sant Feliu’s rich
architectural heritage, special
mention must be made of the
Gothic church belonging to
the old Benedictine
monastery, its frontage graced
by the incomparable preRomanesque atrium, known
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is the
southernmost coastal town in
the Baix Empordà (baix;
lower) district, which, along
with Alt Empordà (alt; upper),
constitutes one of Catalonia’s
leading historical territories.
It is no coincidence that the
place name, “Empordà”
(“Ampurdán” in Spanish)
traces its roots to the ancient
Greek colony of Emporion and
the Roman city of Emporiae,
the first settlement founded
by Greeks and Romans on the
Iberian Peninsula. More
detailed attention will be
given to this important
10
as the Porta Ferrada. It is
precisely this portico that is
the main site for what is
reputedly Catalonia’s oldest
arts festival, the “Porta
Ferrada International Festival”
of music, dance and drama.
Striking examples of
Modernist architecture line
the seafront promenade.
contrast to the bustling tourist
resort of Platja d’Aro, one of
the most popular spots on the
Costa Brava, not only for its
long sandy beach, but also for
its shopping and
entertainment facilities.
Higher up, the coast widens
out into a great bay, on the
eastern side of which stands
Palamós, a town with a
sizeable fishing fleet and
maritime trade. When here,
be sure to taste the delicious
Palamós prawns, a
gastronomic delicacy and one
of the most sought after items
on the fisherman’s wharf,
where the auction always
proves to be an enormously
attractive event.
Between Sant Feliu and Platja
d’Aro is the residential centre
of S’Agaró, an estate begun in
1924 as a pioneering
experiment in luxury tourism,
the clearest exponent of
which is the refined and
classically styled Hostal de La
Gavina. It comes in stark
Platja d’Aro
Palamós
Palafrugell, birthplace of the
great Catalonian chronicler,
Josep Pla. Fans of this famous
writer will doubtless be
interested in paying a visit to
the Foundation that bears his
name, installed in the house
where he was born. Also
situated in the middle of
town, just a few yards down
from Pla’s house, is a small,
interesting museum devoted
to the cork industry. As it
happens, the manufacture of
cork and cork stoppers
continues to make a decisive
contribution to this district’s
economic development.
Calella de Palafrugell
Between Palamós and Calella
de Palafrugell there is a
succession of coves, creeks and
inlets that have tempted a
good cross-section of the
Catalonian bourgeoisie to
establish their weekend
homes here. Indeed, many
artists and celebrities have
settled down in this area over
the course of the 20th century,
as was the case with the artist,
Josep Maria Sert, in the
environs of S’Alguer, near
Palamós.
The three coastal villages
mentioned above may be
visited on foot via the Camino
de Ronda (coastal contour
path) an extraordinary
walkway bordering the sea,
certain sections of which
actually run through tunnels
bored in the cliffside rock. The
magnificent views more than
make up for the walker’s
efforts. Calella de Palafrugell
has a very special charm, with
Portbou beach stretching
away, fringed by white
architecture and the
characteristic porches that
have been preserved in their
original state. It is here, on
this very beach, that the
traditional habanera concert
has been held every first
Saturday in July since 1967
Palafrugell can lay claim to
three of the Costa Brava’s
best-known tourist and
residential resorts, namely,
Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc
and Tamariu. These are all
former fishing villages in and
around the nearby town of
Llafranc
12
Tamariu
(the habanera being the
nostalgic Creole airs that were
sung in the 19th century by
mariners as they sailed back
and forth across the Atlantic).
This festive musical date has
become a really popular
summer event on the Costa
Brava. In Calella de Palafrugell
too there is a date that no
jazz lover can possibly miss:
this is at the Cap Roig
Gardens, the exceptional
botanical gardens which can
be visited during the day and
which, on summer evenings,
serve as the venue for the
Costa Brava Jazz Festival.
Between Llafranc and
Tamariu, on a promontory 167
metres (548 ft.) above the sea,
stands the lighthouse and the
Hermitage Chapel of Sant
Sebastià (St. Sebastian), a spot
of unequalled beauty.
Aiguablava
Begur
Continuing along the coast
northwards, you come upon
the delicious coves of
Aiguablava, Fornells and Sa
Tuna, belonging in this case to
Begur, a town that, despite
being by the coast, was first
founded and developed
inland, at the foot of its
castle. For historical reasons,
population centres developed
away from the coast, at a
distance where they would be
safe from attack by
marauding corsairs and
Peratallada
Pla belvedere, a veritable
balcony from which a view
can be had of the long, sandy
expanse of Pals beach, the
Medes Islands and the
Montgrí Massif. it is only right
that this look-out point
should bear the name of the
writer that best described the
scenery of Empordà. The
neighbouring town of
Peratallada is another
monumental ensemble of the
first order. The walled section,
built entirely on solid rock,
rose around the castle,
forming a typically mediaeval
burgh, which today still
continues to exude all its
original charm. In addition to
the exceptional interest of
Peratallada itself, there is a
bonus in the shape of the
local cuisine, thanks to the
abundance of small, topquality restaurants to be
found on every street.
Pals
pirates. Aiguablava cove, one
of the most beautiful along
the entire seaboard, is known
for being the site of Costa
Brava’s Tourist Parador. The
blue of its ever crystalline
waters merge with the green
of the pines which,
interspersed with boulders,
advance almost to the very
waterline, and at its centre, a
lovely fine sandy beach opens
out. There is no denying that
this Parador’s setting is
unrivalled.
Once in Begur, it is worth your
while to travel a few
kilometres into the interior to
visit two mediaeval towns of
extraordinary charm, viz., Pals
and Peratallada. The historical
centre of Pals, admirably
preserved, merits an attentive
and studious stroll through its
alleys, which lead to the Josep
Ullastret
14
One does not have to be a fan
of archaeology to have one’s
attention drawn to the
Iberian settlement of
Ullastret, a place not to be
missed while touring these
parts. The importance of this
site, which dates from the 7th
century B.C., calls for a visit to
the impressive ruins of what
once represented Iberian
urbanisation and culture long
ago. As always, the Iberians
chose high, strategically
positioned emplacements for
their settlements, making the
setting alone worth seeing.
Púbol Castle
he had made to her back in
the 1930s. It is a mediaeval
structure, an old castle with
something of the air of a
masía (Catalonian country
house), set around a narrow
central courtyard and
abutting onto a good-sized
garden. This is a “must” for
those interested in tracing the
steps of the eccentric couple,
Dalí-Gala. The house that in
the 1970s acted as the
residence for the muse of a
genius, now reveals to the
public its private rooms in a
tour that never fails to
surprise or prove curious in
the extreme.
Lying at the centre of this
district with its prodigious
natural endowments and rich
history, is the local capital,
La Bisbal d’Empordà. Its long
tradition as an active producer
of ceramic ware affords a
marvellous excuse to do some
shopping, a reason as good as
any other for travelling. The
innumerable pottery studios
and shops are squeezed
together on either side of the
main street like some kind of
permanent fair or exhibition.
Torroella de Montgrí
By moving northwards from
La Bisbal, one can get to the
town of La Pera. This is the
site of Púbol Castle, the
extravagant gift which Dalí
made to his wife, Gala, in
fulfilment of a promise that
15
Cerbère
Portbou
Colera
a
From Púbol one can rejoin the
Playa de Colera
La Jonquera
Punta Canons
Maçanet
ALT Port de Llançá
coast by making for Torroella
AP-7
Playa de Els Morts
de Cabrenys
EMPORDÀ
Playa de Garvet
Darnius
situated
at
the
de Montgrí,
Santuario de Nuria
Llançá
Garriguella 260
PARQUE NATURAL
Setcases
foot of the sierra (mountain
CAP DE CREUS
Sant Llorenç Campmany
El Port de
Vilajuïga
ls de Cerdanya
de la Muga
Peralada
Portlligat
range) of the same name, Vilallonga de Ter
la Selva
Queralbs
Albanyà
Vilabertran
Pardines
Cadaqués
Roses
152 near the mouth of the River
Sadernes
Planoles Ribes de Freser Camprodón
Figueres
Ter. En route,
one passes
Cabo de Norfeu
Maià de
Castelló
Oix
Bahía de Montjoi
Montcal
Empuriabrava
through
a
placid,
friendlyd'Empúries
Sant
Pau
de
Seguries
Castellfollit
stellar
Montagut
Navata N-II
PARQUE NATURAL
La Vall de Bianya de la Roca
looking landscape, dotted
n’Hug
St. Mary’s. L’Escala
AIGUAMOLLS DE L'EMPORDÀ
Sant Joan de
Gombrèn Campdevànol
Golfo de Roses
with small villages and old
260
les Abadesses
Besalú
L’Estartit
Sant Pere Pescador Empúries
Pobla
Batet
country Ripoll
houses, some of Vallfogona Olot PARQUE
NATURAL
Bàscara
Lillet
VOLCÁNICA
DE LA GARROTXA
L'Escala
Viladamat
Nature
Reserve,
made
which have today been de RipollèsIslandsZONA
año 2003
Les Preses Santa Pau
Palmerola
up of seven islets that go
to
restored and converted into
Porqueres
Vidrà
Llosses
Borredà hotelsLes
Banyoles
Torroella
form
a Esteve
rich marine eco-system,
or haute cuisine
Sant
Verges de Montgrì L'EstartitPARQUE
Montesquiu
Sant Feliu
Alpens
ada
d'en
Bas
restaurants.
To tell the truth,
a pocket-sized scuba
diving
TheNATURAL
itinerary commences
de Pallerols
St. Agustí
ILLES MEDES
thedewhole
of Girona Santa
paradise.
It
is
also
possible
to
south
of the Gulf of Roses, in
LluçanèsprovinceTorelló
Gualta
María Les Planes
La Pera
Lluçà
Playa Sa Tuna
surprises
the
newcomer,
not
see
the
wonders
of
the
seabed
L’Escala,
a fishing village
de
Corcó
La
Cellera
Ullastret
d'Hostoles
Pals
Perafita
Cabo Begur
del Ter
GIRONA
(from L'Escala to Peratallada
Portbou) Begur whose
merely because of theManlleu
high
without having to descend
name has become
onella
La Bisbal
Palafrugell
ofOlost
its catering and Rodainto the watery depths, by
synonymous with the
Aiguablava
Pratsnumber
de
d'Empordà
Mont-Ras
Vilanova
Osor of theAnglès
Lluçanes
accommodation Gurb
services, but de Tertaking
Bordering
on
France
at
this
extraordinary quality of its
a
trip
on
one
Fornells
de
Vall-Llobrega
Tamariu
de Sau
Sant
Feliu
la Selva
Llafranc
more
so
still
because
of
the
point,
the
northernmost
anchovies. This is an ideal
sightseeing
boats
fitted
with
Folgueroles
Santa
Coloma
La
Fosca
Calonge
Sasserra
Calella
Vic
dewhich
Farners
Caldesstretch
de
painstaking attention to
of
the Costa Brava Palamós
opportunity, therefore, to
transparent hulls
do
Santa
Espinelves
Malavella
Cristinato the Alt Sant Antoni detaste
Calonge
corresponds
and/or buy some.
guided tours of this curious
Riudarenes
Gaià quality. The town of Torroella
d'Aro
Viladrau
Platja
Sta. María sights, such as
Llagostera
has interesting
EmpordàCastell
district,
plaind'Aro
archipelago. Arbúcies Sant Feliu Sils
d'Aroa large
Avinyó
S'Agaró
d’Oló
de Buixalleu
Tona
the castle-palace
refurbished
traversed by the Muga
A short distance off –though
Maçanet
Moià
Santand
Feliu de Guíxols
Vidreras
PARQUE NATURAL
Cala
Salions
Fluvià
Rivers,
both
of
which
still in the L’Escala municipal
The covesDELofMONTSENY
Pedrosa, de la Selva
Sallent in the late 19th century, town
LA SELVA
Hostalric
N-II
Centelles
walls,
porticoed
eventually
flow
into
the
Gulf
area– a visit to the Empúries
plaza
(square)
Monedera,
Farriola
and
Breda
Tossa
de
Mar
Calders
Gaserans
Sant Martí
of Roses.
Pyrenean
and Gothicdechurch,
archaeological site is a
Montgó lie along the stretch
CalaThe
Canyelles
Centelleswhere the
Monistrol InternationalC-17
Lloret de
Marto the north
l’Albera
Range
prestigious
definite “must”. The
of coast between L’Estartit
AP-7
Talamanca de Calders Gallifa St. Feliu
and
the
Montgrí
Massif
to
the
Music Festival is held
every
positioning of these
and
L’Escala,
the
point
at
Blanes
de Codines
St. Llorenç
south
delimit
this
historical
summer.
On
the
coast
is
the
important ruins could not be
which
the
neighbouring
Savall Caldes de
territory,
where,
on
some
days
fishing and
tourist
village
of
more beautiful, had this site
district
of
Alt
Empordà
begins.
Montbui
Matadepera
–in winter, particularly– the
L’Estartit, as well as the Medes
been conceived as some
C-32
Sentmenat
typical Tramontana blows.
splendid terrace over the
Terrassa
Medes Islands
Sabadell
This is a wind which, legend
Mediterranean. It was to
iladecavalls C-16
C-58
has it, engenders a certain
Cerdanyola
touch of madness and genius,
-2
del Vallés
Empúries
something that was eloquently
St. Cugat
Martorell
del
Vallés
AP-7
borne out by the case of the
Molins
artist, Salvador Dalí, who was
Badalona
de Rei
born in Figueres, the capital of
340
BARCELONA
this district.
allirana
Northern Costa Brava:
Alt Empordà
Sant Boi
de Llobregat
El Prat
de Llobregat
CASTELLDEFELS 13 km
17
these very shores that, over
2,500 years ago, the first
Greek sailors came and
established the colony of
Emporion, which in Greek
means “market”. It was here
that the Romans subsequently
set up the military outpost
that was to become the
embryo of a new city, the
Roman Emporiae. And it was
here too, in this important
enclave by the sea, that the
Hellenic and Roman
civilization, which was later to
spread progressively
throughout the Iberian
Peninsula, first took root. The
tour of this archaeological
park is clearly signposted and
the visitor–reception and
–information services could
not be better.
The nearby town of Castelló
d’Empúries, at the mouth of
the River Muga, on the Gulf
of Roses, boasts a rich
architectural heritage
testifying to its noble past,
e.g., the magnificent Gothic
Church of Santa María (St.
Mary) with its Romanesque
bell tower, and the City
Hall. On the coast
Empuriabrava
proper is the large marina of
Empuriabrava, a residential
estate equipped with boat
canals, a feature that has
earned it the name of ‘the
Catalonian Venice’. In reality,
this is an area of extensive salt
marshes (or aiguamolls as they
are locally known), the
remnants of ancient lakebeds.
There is still a wide band of
marshland, between Castelló
d’Empúries and Sant Pere
Pescador, which goes to form
the Empordà Wetlands Nature
Park (Parque Natural de las
Zonas Húmedas del Empordà),
an important ecological
reserve and migratory-bird
sanctuary. A visit to the park
information centre is to be
highly recommended, since
St. Mary’s. Castelló
d’Empúries
those interested in seeing the
local fauna and flora have the
possibility of taking a walking
or bicycle tour. The
observation posts erected in
various parts of the reserve
afford a magnificent
opportunity to get a close-up
view of the many species of
birds in their natural habitat.
Lying at the northern tip of
the gulf and to the south of
the rugged peninsula formed
by Cape Creus, is the
important town of Roses, one
of the main fishing ports
along Catalonia’s northern
seaboard. The town’s scenic
bay and the long sandy beach
that follows the curve of its
shoreline have led to a
proliferation of hotels and
other tourist facilities, so
much so indeed that Roses
now rivals Platja d’Aro in
importance as the Costa
Brava’s second leading resort
after Lloret. The residential
estates on the outskirts of the
town are surrounded by the
still wild and untamed beauty
of a coast indented with
scores of secluded coves and
soaring sea cliffs.
Roses
Cape Creus constitutes a landsea Nature Reserve of special
scenic beauty, which is also
home to vestiges going back
to the distant past. Witness to
this is the high concentration
of megalithic tombs, among
which special mention must
be made of the Creu de
Cobertella dolmen, near
Roses. The dimensions of this
megalithic monument,
covered by a capstone
measuring almost six by four
metres (20 x 13 ft.), are
surprising, bearing in mind
that it dates back some five
thousand years.
On the eastern shores of Cape
Creus is the town of
Cadaqués, nestling in the
folds of a privileged natural
harbour. Picasso painted
famous cubist canvases here in
1910, and from the 1920s
Cadaqués
Portlligat
El Port de la Selva
onwards the town was bathed
in the international spotlight
when Dalí invited leading
figures of the surrealist
movement, such as Éluard,
Magritte, Duchamp or Buñuel.
In Portlligat bay, north of
Cadaqués, Gala and Dalí’s
home can be visited, a string
of fishermen’s cottages that
the couple decorated over
more than forty years. The
result is a maze-like structure
with small interleading spaces
and constant changes in floor
level, where the artist’s studio
and living quarters are
preserved.
Monastery of Sant Pere de
Rodes, which rises imposingly
from a slope high up on the
mountainside, a position that
lends the site a truly
spectacular beauty and
affords sweeping views over
Cape Creus. Of largely
unknown origin, this old
Benedictine monastery
basically assumed its present
form in the 10th and 11th
centuries, though it was to
undergo a series of extensions
and alterations over the
course of its history. Today,
thanks to the restoration
work that has been done, the
public can fully understand
and appreciate this historical,
cultural and scenic heritage
jewel. The majesty of the
architecture and the beauty of
the setting will make this a
totally unforgettable visit, one
that can be rounded off with
lunch at the monastery’s own
From Cadaqués, a scenic road
traverses the ridge to the
traditional seagoing town of
El Port de la Selva. Within its
municipal boundaries lies one
of the most extraordinary
monumental examples of
Catalonian Romanesque, the
Monastery of
Sant Pere de Rodes
pleasant cafeteria-cumlookout point or with some
excursion in the environs (for
suggested tours kindly consult
the information office). If it is
a clear day, the half-hour
climb up to Sant Salvador de
Verdera Castle with its
stunning bird’s-eye view, is
well worth the effort.
From Sant Pere de Rodes
descend inland by the road
that leads to Vilajuïga, where
the very place name and
ancient synagogue both recall
the town’s Jewish past.
Heading onwards to Figueres,
make a stop in Peralada, a
town with deep-rooted
historical traditions dating
back to its foundation under
the reign of Charlemagne,
and the capital of one of the
first Catalonian counties.
There are many good reasons
for paying this town a visit.
These include the mediaeval
town centre, the wine cellars
with their own seal of origin,
the innovative wine spa or
health centre based on
ampelotherapy (grape cure),
the golf course and, in
particular, the landmark
castle, a monument that
conceals not a few surprises.
Apart from housing a luxury
casino in one of its wings, the
castle contains an impressive
library with over 80,000
volumes, including numerous
incunabula and other
bibliographic gems. The
restored Gothic church and
adjoining cloister, the glass
and winemaking museums,
the splendid French-style
gardens where the prestigious
Castell de Peralada
International Music Festival is
held every summer complete
this remarkable privatelyowned complex. The
enterprise that currently runs
this culture, leisure &
entertainment and health
centre traces its origins to the
early 20th century, when
Miquel Mateu, industrialist,
philanthropist and avid art
collector, purchased the castle
as the permanent home for
his art collections.
Between Peralada and
Figueres is the small town of
Vilabertran, formed around
an old Augustinian monastery
or friary dating from the 11th
century and subsequently
extended. Against this
matchless backdrop, a summer
music festival, known as the
Peralada
‘Schubertiada’, is held. It is
worthwhile stopping to visit
this lovely example of
mediaeval canonical
architecture.
Figueres is the district capital
and an important junction
point. A stroll along the
Rambla, its principal
thoroughfare, always lively
and flanked by attractive
neoclassical and modernist
buildings, gives an idea of the
vitality of this city, birthplace
of illustrious citizens, such as
Narcís Monturiol, the utopian
socialist and inventor of the
submarine. Figueres can,
however, lay claim to a name
that stands out above any
other, that of Salvador Dalí.
“Where, other than in my
own city, is the most
extravagant and solid of my
work to endure?”: thus did
the genius of surrealism justify
the fact of having chosen the
former premises of the
municipal theatre of his place
of birth in which to install his
Dalí Theatre-Museum. Figueres
vast artistic production.
Before its official opening in
1974, Dalí had spent over a
decade in designing his
Theatre-Museum down to the
tiniest detail, the most visible
feature of which is the
transparent reticular structure
in the form of a geodesic
dome that crowns the
building, a symbol for the City
of Figueres. A visit to the very
special and unique Dalí
Theatre-Museum in Figueres is
to be immersed in the
unsuspected and hallucinatory
world of Dalinian
surrealism… an experience
that no-one ought to miss.
Our tour of Alt Empordà ends
on the stretch of coast nearest
the French-Spanish frontier, to
the north of Cape Creus,
where the villages of Llançà,
Colera and Portbou are
situated in an area of sheer
cliffs interspersed with small
bays and sandy beaches, that
is to say, typical Costa Brava
terrain.
S
ide-trips
inland
Girona
Quarters in Europe. Yet
beyond its rich heritage,
Girona’s marked personality is
also evident in the cultural
and economic vitality of its
townsfolk, who take pride
–and rightly so– in belonging
to a very fortunate, warm and
welcoming city, made to
human scale and enjoying a
high standard of living.
Lying at the crossroads
between mountain and sea,
between the Pyrenees and the
Costa Brava, the City of
Girona has a store of
monumental sights of
extraordinary beauty and
historic value in its Old
Quarter: mediaeval walls,
examples of Romanesque,
Gothic and Baroque
architecture, and one of the
best-preserved Jewish
A stroll through the Old
Quarter of Girona affords
both the possibility of
contemplating the course of
23
a Cas
tell
Pujad
l Bis
be
de
ys
an
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c
Dom
ene
St.
as
a
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n
Pont de
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é
Caputxins
rH
Ca
rre
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n
r
100
C-250
r
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av
e
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IA
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Al
em
dó
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el
An
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qu
Escales
au
P. R
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tolic
Bac
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nt
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gu
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ol
a
de Porta
F.
Ca
ia
za
a
nzan
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N
200
300
SANT FELIU DE GUIXOLS 36 km
do
en
Car
M
SA
NT
A
e
DE
m
Juli
eta
ONA
Garr
CEL
BARCELONA 100 km
Moorish Baths
l
Claret
400 m
CARTOGRAFÍA: GCAR, S.L. Cardenal Silíceo, 35
Tel. 914167341 - 28002 MADRID - AÑO 2003
cartografiagcar@infonegocio.com
AP-7
ar
ib
r
Ca
a
er
en
María
e
0
Church of Sant Feliu (St. Felix)
ó
l
Bo
A
Bisb
er
Carr
The first sight that rises into
view on the far side of the
river is the majestic Church of
Sant Feliu (St. Felix) (2),
standing at the top of a
ng
J.
Pont de
l´Areny
NI
TÓ
UL
er
BAR
AEROPUERTO 10 km
in
s
s
Pl. Calvet
i Rubalcaba
Carr
DE
N-II
Ca
ate
ers
ó
Agull
ERA
villa
olde
án S uru
Ferr i Zubib
Plaça
Espanya
tx
diz
Ferran s
i Belle
G
Pl. Sibil.la
de Fortia I
Antoni
pu
Jardins de
la Muralla
Plaça
Salvador
Espiriu
ad
an
rrán
RET
Sant
C
Tr.
C. Fe
CAR
rril
a
Tr. C
Ronda
Ca
g
ei
A
Hospital
Santa Caterina
JAUME
i
oll
.C u
Fr urba
T
rn
Be
Plaça
General
Marvà
ss
Pa
ar
sp
Ga asal
C
VÍ
Plaça
Hospital
Delegación
de Hacienda
Portal
Be
AN
GR
Plaça
Pompeu Fabra
el
III iós
re
Pe emon
r
Ce
é
C.
Plaça
Catalunya
sta
Gine
Casa de
Cultura
txins
Capu
Socors
p
Nou
se
Jo
n
lar
Ta ora
M
reda
Alba
er
r
nt
Sa
a
ud
ing Plaça
Av Diputació
c
rre
Pl. Poeta
Marquina
Llebre
Pl. Sant
Josep
Cargol
Sa
n
Ajuntament t
rs
Abeurado
Teatre
Plaça Municipal
del VI
Nou del Teatre
Plaça
Pont de
Bell-Lloc
Pedra
uad
e
r
C
Centre cultural
La Mercè
ces
Fran
Ca
Pl. Marqués
R de Camps
ÁN
ez
PU
lvar
IG C. ÁCastro
de
rtí
t Ma
San
rc
N´Auraga Me
a
ob
Gr
u
No
rer
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Riu
Clar
a
ms
Ca
Pre Plaça
Constituciò
Plaça
Josep Pla
Pg
. Gra
alta
l. Per
Diputació
Ciutadans
s Velles
Ferrerie
rs
Mercade
ta
ts
en
xim
Ei
sc
ce
an
l
Fr
ofo
ist
Cr
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br
O
Perfil
r
rre
13
Universitat
ial
Re
ort-
dó
Besa
Minali
San
VÍA
14
Pe
ral
ta
Oli
ria
d
C
We suggest a walking tour,
starting from the Tourist
Information Office that stands
opposite Devesa Park, next to
the Sant Feliu Bridge (1). From
this bridge over the River
Onyar, the fluvial axis that
bisects the city, one sees a
curious line of buildings, the
rear walls of which, painted in
strong ochre and reddish
shades, lend a very
characteristic note of colour
to the right bank.
ts
Cr
as
.
Pont de
Peixateries
Velles
or
Pl. Jordi de
Sant Jordi
R
Pia
s
r
N
Pl. Santa
Susagna
I
FE
ola
rre
r
20 de Juny
A
Esc
ie
te
Argen
rre
Plaça Sant
Domenec
ie
er
st
er
stairway. This ex-Canonical
convent and Collegiate
Church displays a curious mix
of styles, in which elements of
Romanesque, Gothic and
Baroque coexist. From here
onwards the route moves
sharply uphill, along cobbled
streets that were simply not
made for high heels. Have no
fear, however!: the tiny effort
involved will be more than
compensated by the beauty of
the walk. Passing by the side
of the church, go through the
Portal de Sobreportes (3), one
of the oldest gates in the
mediaeval wall, the arch of
which leads directly into
Cathedral Square. We shall be
returning to this point a little
later on but there is a lot to
see first, so we shall keep
going in order to visit the
Moorish Baths (4) on the very
steep Calle de Ferran el
Catòlic (calle; street). Despite
the name, the baths are in
fact a Christian establishment
dating from the 12th century,
Murallas
M
lle
Ca
GRAN
JAUME
Miquel Blay
12
Ba
Plaça
Independencia
Generalitat
de Catalunya
Artillers
9
Pont de
Sant Agustí
Ca
ca
Ro
l
ira
llm
a
Be
C.
erí
av
Cl
ats
Pr
tlle
Ba
is
Llu
P.
rça
Fo
Jutjats
Gironella
ti
8
Museu de
la Ciutat
Pont d´en
sé Gómez
Ca
na
le
ja
s
To
rre
Muralla
Catedral
Palau de
Justicia
Jo
nt
Fo
ada
Baix
r
be
3 Plaça 11
liu
g
VALL DE
SANT DANIEL
7
ma
r
ei
5
Pg. Reina Joana
10
2
s
ts
an
llig
Ga
6
e
nt F
lde
Ca
ss
4
a
P. S
ca
er
Plaça
Samso Jurats
u
l´H
artí
Bar
artí
sM
P on
Plaça
Sant Feliu
l
Danie
Riu
on M
P. Rei D
e
Jaum
CA
RR
ER
Bellaire
Pa
GIRONA
Sta
Rosa
.L
luc
Iglesia de
t
ia
San
Sant Nicolau
Museu
s
Arqueològic
Galligant
AVINGUDA
RAMÓN FOLCH
Bonastruc
Jardins
John
Lennon
Portal de
França
l
nge
Plaça Á
Sant Pere
1
RO
ND
history in the architectural
vestiges that appear at each
step, and the pleasure of
observing the perfect coexistence of past and present,
since the walk brings
continuous surprises in the
shape of charming little shops
and bars.
AP-7
P. de la Barca
C.
FIGUERES 37 km
FRANCIA 62 km
N-II
25
Romanesque architecture,
nowadays home to the
Archaeological Museum. The
Sant Cristòfol Gate (6) leads
to the Francesa Gardens (7), a
raised platform with views
across to the Cathedral’s
spectacular Romanesque
belfry, known as the
Charlemagne Tower.
Skirting the apse of the
Cathedral via Bisbe Cartanyà
street, make your way to
Apòstols Square (8). On one
side of the square stands the
Episcopal Palace, one of
Girona’s noblest buildings,
which today houses the Art
Gallery (9). Go inside the
Cathedral (10) through the
massive Gothic side door that
gives onto this square (the
main façade is best kept to
last and used as an exit). Once
inside, the sheer size of the
Gothic nave comes as a
surprise; it is no mere
coincidence that is considered
the widest in Christendom. In
the Cathedral Museum,
alongside the cloister, is an
item that is exceptional and
utterly unique of its kind. This
is the Creation Tapestry (Tapiz
de la Creación), a
Romanesque woven work of
art measuring some 12 sq.
metres (130 sq. ft.), made with
wool dyed in bright colours
and representing a complex
lesson in Christian cosmogony.
Archaeological Museum
though in terms of structure
and layout they imitate the
baths peculiar to Moslem
Spain, which were, in turn,
heir to the Roman baths.
From the Moorish Baths, one
can proceed along a section of
the so-called Archaeological
Walk (Paseo Arqueológico) (5),
which is very well preserved
and allows one to admire the
northern sector of the
mediaeval wall and see the
nearby Benedictine monastery
of Sant Pere de Galligants, a
notable example of
Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants
26
Leaving by the main door,
gaze up at the great Baroque
façade that was conceived as
a retable and stands out in all
its magnificence and detail
following the recently
completed process of
restoration. Opening out at
your feet –now is the time to
explore it– is the imposing
stairway (escalinata) (11)
which spans the almost
dizzying difference in level
between the small esplanade
in the square down below and
the promontory on which the
cathedral is perched. In all,
there are 90 steps, divided
into three flights of 30 steps
each, forming a monumental
set-piece of astonishing
proportions. The descent by
the stairway leads down to
Cathedral Square, a magic
space from which to take in
the beauty of the whole.
Cathedral
Art Gallery
Turn into the long narrow
Calle de la Força and walk
downhill until you join the
main street of the erstwhile
Call or Jewish Quarter. On this
street, which acts as the
arterial thoroughfare for a
maze of dark alleyways, is the
Jewish History Museum (12),
LA SEU D'UR
Riu de
Cerdanya
152
Queralbs
Pardines
Planoles Ribes de Freser
standing on the selfsame
site
PARQUE NATURAL
where the city’s last CADÍ - MOIXERÓ
Bagà
Gòsol
synagogue
is known to have
nothing
La Pobla seems very far away–
Guardiola
Salders
Ripoll
stood. A large star of David,
isdea Lillet
bustling shopping
centre
de Berguedà
formed by pieces of marble
and one of the busiest and
Palmerola
set into the paving stonesCercs
of
liveliest
From
Les Llosses
Borredàplaces in Girona.
an exquisite courtyard, leads
here
you
can
cross
the
river
by
Vilada
Berga
Guixers
through
to the Nahmanides’
any of the city’s bridges; with
Studies Institute, named after
the waters of the Onyar
L’Espunyola
Avià flowing beneath your feet,
the undisputed master of the
Gironella
Kabbala who was born in
enjoy
the magnificent picture
Girona Navès
in 1194. AMontmajor
visit to this
of the Cathedral and its
Casserres
museum is essential in order
companion buildings, rising
Puig-Reig
to get an insight into the
imposingly against the skyline.
collective memory of the
Gaià
Navàs Among
Jewish community
the many Sta.
other
places
Cardona that lived
María
Avinyó
in Girona for five hundredBalsarenyof interest that still remain
to
d’Oló
Tona
years.
be visited in Girona, Moià
mention
Sùria
Sallent
must be made of the Cinema
Centelles
Museum (14),Calders
a modernSant Martí
de Centelles
C-17
facility where the
visitor
can
Monistrol
de Calders
getTalamanca
to know the
secrets of the St. Feliu
Gallifa
de Codines
motion picture
and the
St. Llorenç
Savall of Caldes
fascinating world
the
de
Montbui
Seventh Art.
LLEIDA 85 km
Maià de
Montcal
Oix
Castellar
The
nearby Rambla de la Montagut
de n’Hug
Llibertat (13)
–in Girona
Gombrèn
Campdevànol
Matadepera
Terrassa
Sentmenat
Sant Pau de Seguries
La Vall de Bianya
260
Olot
Figueres
Santa Pau
Sant Esteve
d'en Bas
Empúries
Viladamat
año 2003
L'Escala
Porqueres
Banyoles
Sant Feliu
de Pallerols
Les Planes
d'Hostoles
Torroella
Verges de Montgrì
La Pera
La Cellera
del Ter
Osor Anglès
GIRONA
Banyoles -
Riudarenes
Arbúcies Sant Feliu Sils
de Buixalleu
Maçanet
PARQUE NATURAL
de la Selva
DEL MONTSENY
Hostalric
Breda
Besalú - Olot
Gaserans
This itinerary through
the
interior of Girona Province
offers an interesting
AP-7 tour of
two, very distinct and
singularly attractive districts,
Pla de l’Estany and Garrotxa.
C-32
Sabadell
Caldes de
Malavella
Peratallada
Llagostera
Mont-Ras
Calonge La Fosca
P
Santa
Cristina
small territory with d'Aro
its own
Castell d'Aro
Sant
Plat
S'Agaró
well-defined character, the
Sant Fel
Vidreras
principal
appeal of which Cala
Salions
LA
SELVAin the lake
doubtless
resides
N-II
Tossa de Mar
of the same name. Indeed,
Cala Canyelles
Lake Banyoles constitutes an
Lloret de Mar
exceptional phenomenon in
Blanes
Catalonia,
in that it is set in a
limestone basin –fed by
subterranean streams from
the River Fluvià– and is
tectonic in origin, situated at
the foot of the major fault
that divides the Ampurdan
plain from the Garrotxa
mountains. The lake is shaped
like an irregular figure of
Lake Banyoles
29
Gualta
Ullastret
La Bisbal
d'Empordà
Fornells de
la Selva
Espinelves
Viladrau
Empuriabrava
PARQUE NATURAL
AIGUAMOLLS DE L'EMPORDÀ
Sant Pere Pescador
Esponellà
PARQUE NATURAL PLA DE L’ESTANY Bàscara
Batet
ZONA VOLCÁNICA DE LA GARROTXA
Les Preses
Roses
Castelló
d'Empúries
N-II
Navata
Castellfollit Besalú
de la Roca
Only 18 kilometres north-east
of Girona lies Banyoles, in the
C-58
Cerdanyola
middle of the Pla de l’Estany
A-2
delJewish
Vallés
district (literally, “plain of the
Street in the
Quarter
St. Cugat
Martorell
lake”). It is a relatively recent
del Vallés
AP-7
administrative division,
Molins
Badalona
de Rei
approved in 1988 as a
340
separate entity, hived off from
BARCELONA
Vallirana
the neighbouring zone of
Sant Boi
influence traditionally exerted
de Llobregat
El Prat
by the City of Girona.
de Llobregat
Nevertheless, the weight of
CASTELLDEFELS 13 km
Banyoles and the combined
economic and demographic
power of the two imbue this
Viladecavalls C-16
TARRAGONA 40 km
Vilabertran
Albanyà
Sadernes
Camprodón
eight and is ringed by a
perimeter that is over two
kilometres (1.2 miles) long. Its
calm waters are an open
invitation to rowing, and it
was therefore designated as
the official venue for the 1992
Olympic Games sculling
events. The lake’s
surroundings are ideal for
walking or cycling, or simply
enjoying the serene beauty of
the scenery while sipping an
aperitif.
Palaeolithic and was
discovered by the lakeside in
the latter part of the 19th
century. Prehistoric anecdotes
aside, however, what this
district offers the visitor today
is a gently rolling, intensely
worked landscape, dotted
with old farmhouses set
among crops, and small
villages where the weight of
history is skilfully combined
with booming economic
activity.
The town of Banyoles grew up
around the old Benedictine
Monastery of Sant Esteve (St.
Stephen), a Gothic and
Neoclassical building housing
interesting art exhibits.
Another sight worth seeing in
the town centre is the
porticoed Main Square (Plaza
Mayor), scene of the lively
weekly market that has been
held here for over nine
hundred years, a claim borne
out by written records dating
as far back as 1086. If one
wishes to go back even
further into the distant past,
mention must be made of the
famous “Banyoles jawbone”,
which belonged to a hominid
that lived in the Lower
On the road from Banyoles to
Olot, a singular natural
treasure awaits in the shape
of the Garrotxa Volcanic
Nature Reserve, a collection
of as many as forty
cones… fear not, they are all
extinct and at no risk
whatsoever of erupting. It is
undeniably the most
important volcanic region on
the Iberian Peninsula and
stretches over a surface area
of 120 km2 (46 sq. miles),
which falls within the
boundaries of several towns
near Olot, such as Castellfollit
de la Roca, Batet or Santa
Pau. Yet before making any
visit to the reserve, a halt in
Besalú is called for, one of the
Garrotxa Nature Reserve
Mediaeval bridge. Besalú
most picturesque and most
visited towns in the whole of
Catalonia. Reasons abound:
still surviving here is a
mediaeval town layout and
structure that has come down
to us perfectly intact and
speaks of the coexistence
between the Jewish
community that lived in this
area from the beginning of
the Middle Ages and their
Christian neighbours. An
example of this close contact
are the Churches of Sant Pere,
Sant Vicenç (St. Vincent),
Santa Maria and Sant Martí
(St. Martin) set in amongst the
vestiges of Jewish culture,
such as the mikveh or ritual
purification bath and the
typical winding and twisting
alleyways of the Jewish
Quarter. Note too the
magnificent mediaeval bridge
which, like some great stone
frontage, serves as the
entranceway into this historic
old town.
St. Mary’s. Besalú
A few kilometres from Besalú,
following the course of the
Fluvià River Valley, lies
Castellfollit de la Roca, a town
perched on a spectacular
basalt promontory, almost
sixty metres (197 ft.) high and
one kilometre (just over half a
mile) long. The silhouette of
the church and the houses
teetering on the edge of the
precipice confer a wholly
singular image to this curious
geological formation, with its
display of five stone layers or
bands that correspond to as
many orogenic stages.
Castellfollit de la Roca
31
Llivia
año 2003
Guils de Cerdanyà
LA SEU D'URGELL 19 km
Reserve that provide
particularly special and
unusual views: these are the
smoothly rounded hump of
the Mt. Montsacopa volcano,
from which a bird’s-eye view
of Olot can be had, the Batet
high plateau, with its
spectacular panoramic vista
over the Garrotxa valleys and
the Pyrenees, and the heart of
the Jordà fageda (beech tree
grove), a secluded, serenely
beautiful and tranquil spot in
the middle of the forest.
Olot
The City of Olot, located in
the dead centre of the
volcanic area, is one of those
inland towns which, over
time, have created an intense
cultural tradition. One of the
best examples of this is to be
found in the so-called Olot
Pictorical School initiated by
Joaquim Vayreda, within
which numerous artists,
captivated by the charm and
beauty of the surrounding
scenery, created a style of
painting brimming with
lyricism, where landscape
acquires a resounding
protagonism. It goes without
saying therefore that, if the
centre of Olot is of notable
interest for its buildings
–some in Modernist Style– the
natural attractions offered by
the scenic variety of its
volcanic area are beyond
question. To enjoy and take
best advantage of the
surrounding area, it would be
advisable to pay a visit to the
information office to find out
in advance about the various
signposted hiking trails and
the trips on horseback or by
carriage (carruaje) that are so
popular among visitors. There
are three places in the Nature
Puigcerdà
Isòvol
Santuario
Setcases
Queixans
de Nuria
Fontanals de Cerdanya
Vilallonga de Ter
Queralbs
Pardines
152
Planoles Ribes de Freser Camprodón
LA MOLINA
PARQUE NATURAL
CADÍ - MOIXERÓ
LLEIDA 85 km
Also in the Garrotxa volcanic
area is the interesting
historical site of Santa Pau, a
silent village laid out around
its imposing castle. The trafficfree cobbled streets converge
on the Firal dels Bous, a
square flanked by arcades
where one gets the feeling of
being on the perfect film set
for an epic about the knights
of old. Once here, take the
opportunity to try the local
speciality, fesols or small white
beans, cooked in any number
of ways but always equal to
their reputation for quality.
Santa Pau
TARRAGONA 40 km
Sant Joan de
les Abadesses
Gombrèn Campdevànol
Montagut
Sant Pau de Seguries Castellfollit
La Vall de Bianya de la Roca
260
Batet
Vallfogona
Olot PARQUE
NATURAL
de Ripollès
ZONA VOLCÁNICA DE LA GARROTXA
Les Preses Santa Pau
Vidrà
Sant Esteve
Montesquiu
Sant Feliu
d'en Bas
de Pallerols
Ripoll
Palmerola
Vallter 2000 ski resort
of just under one thousand Osor
An
metres (3,280 ft.) above sea
Santa Coloma
level in the Ter River Valley,de Farners
which has earned Espinelves
a wellRiudarene
Viladrau
deserved reputation as a Arbúcies Sant Feliu
de Buixalle
traditional summer holiday
Maça
PARQUE NATURAL
de la S
DEL MONTSENY
spot
ever
since
the
better-off
Hostalric
Centelles
(Ripollès and Cerdanya)
Breda
Calders
Sant Martí
classes began flocking to the Gaserans
de Centelles
C-17
Pyrenees at the beginning of
Monistrol
de Calders
Talamanca
St. Feliu
Following our
itinerary
20th century. The most AP-7
Gallifa the
de Codines
St.
Llorenç
through the interiorSavall
of
typical image of Camprodón,
Caldes de
Girona, we arrive in the Montbuithe birthplace of the famous
Matadepera
composer, Isaac Albéniz, is C-32
Ripollès and Cerdanya
Sentmenat
without doubt the 11thdistricts, bothTerrassa
lying amidst Sabadell
Viladecavalls C-16
mountains and great scenicC-58
century stone bridge over the
Cerdanyola river, an imposing round arch
beauty. While
the
Ripollés
A-2
del Vallés
district is marked
by broken St. Cugat
rising to a point at its apex.
Martorell
terrain, in which AP-7
villages Molins
and del Vallés
The town itself is perfect for a
Badalona
hamlets are mainly
and the inevitable
de Rei quiet stroll
concentrated in the340valleys,
BARCELONA
Vallirana
the Cerdanya
district
consists
Sant Boi
Camprodón
of a high plateau
ample
de of
Llobregat
El Prat
de Llobregat
proportions encircled by
CASTELLDEFELS
13
km
soaring Pyrenean peaks.
Girona Pyrenees
On leaving Olot, it is best to
head first for Camprodón. This
is a town situated at a height
32
Sadernes
Oix
33
Sant Joan de les Abadesses
purchase of the well-known
locally baked biscuits.
Additional attractions are the
local golf course and the
nearby ski resort of Vallter
2000, situated at the
headwaters of the River Ter.
was a leading religious,
cultural and political centre in
the Late Middle Ages, as is
shown by the fact that for
centuries Tossa de Mar lived
under the purview of the
Ripoll monks. Indeed, one
could travel from Ripoll all the
way to Tossa’s Vila Vella
–today one of the most
stunning mediaeval enclaves
on the Costa Brava– without
ever leaving monastery
property. Of this former
splendour there remain items
as significant as the massive
Sant Joan de les Abadesses is
home to two of the area’s
major Romanesque art
treasures. To start with, there
is the venerable Benedictine
nunnery founded by Guifré,
the first Catalonian count, in
the far-off days of the 9th
century. Its innate interest is
such that this ancient abbey
calls for careful inspection.
One of the most valuable
pieces that it contains in its
interior is the sculptural group
representing the descent from
the cross, made up of several
polychrome wooden figures
dating back to 1250. Ripoll
monastery, likewise founded
by Guifré in the same period,
Nuria Lake and Valley
34
12th-century Romanesque
portal, a genuine Bible of
great narrative complexity
carved in stone, with scenes
inspired by the miniatures
drawn by the monks
themselves in the Ripoll
scriptorium. The cloister,
which features a trapezoidal
groundplan and two
superimposed galleries
(though these were built in
different periods), has great
harmony and is also an
outstanding example of
Romanesque. Take your time
to explore this magic space
and note the different motifs
that decorate the capitals:
they give an idea of the fertile
imagination possessed by
those anonymous mediaeval
sculptors.
Proceeding up the River Freser
Valley from Ripoll, one gets to
Ribes de Freser, a town with a
lively commercial life and
friendly restaurants where
one can try the excellent
sausage and pressed meats,
the star product of a local
cuisine that is as tasty as it is
varied. Ribes de Freser is also
the starting point for a visit to
the Nuria Shrine (santuario)
and an utterly memorable
outing. You will have to take
the cog railway (known locally
as the “cremallera”) unless,
that is, you want to walk,
since it is the only means of
transport providing access to
this enclosed and
spectacularly beautiful
Pyrenean valley. The Nuria
Valley lies at a height of close
on 2,000 metres (6,500 ft.)
above sea level and is ringed
by an impressive cirque of
mountains rising to just under
3,000 metres (9,800 ft.).
St Mary’s. Ripoll
navigable lagoon. The valley is
also provided with some ski
runs.
La Molina
A former pilgrimage point for
worshippers wishing to
venerate the Virgin Mary of
Nuria, today this place has the
necessary tourist infrastructure
to receive and house visitors
comfortably without in any
way spoiling the environment
and natural surroundings.
Adjoining the shrine is a
group of buildings –including
a first-class hotel– set around
the banks of an artificial
Puigcerdà
From Ribes de Freser, the road
running in the direction of
Puigcerdà and France offers
idyllic Pyrenean scenery with
long sloping alpine meadows,
grazing cattle and tiny
scattered villages; indeed, if
all this were not real, one
would say it was a
painstakingly crafted model.
Shortly before arriving in
Puigcerdà is La Molina, the
oldest ski resort in the
Pyrenees, which has been
popular since the first decade
of the 20th century. During the
summer months some
chairlifts continue to operate,
so that it is possible to ascend,
without exertion of any kind,
to the summit of Mt. Tossa
d’Alp, a height of 2,400
Llívia
metres (7,800 ft.), whence a
magnificent view can be had
over the Cerdanya plain.
Puigcerdà, the capital of a
district that was divided
between France and Spain
under the Pyrenees Treaty of
1659, is a border town and
important shopping and
service centre. The small
Cerdanya villages always seem
to have agreeable surprises in
store, not only because of
their beautiful surroundings
and well-preserved
architecture, but also because
of a number of haut cuisine
restaurants located in towns
such as Martinet or Bolvir de
Cerdanya. Lastly, mention
must be made of the curious
enclave of Llívia, a tiny piece
Llívia
of Cerdanya situated in French
territory and the site of the
oldest pharmacy-museum in
Europe.
37
Culture, leisure and entertainment
Country of music lovers
Music is an essential
component of summertime on
the Costa Brava. On the warm
summer nights, so many
concert cycles of such high
calibre are held that it is
difficult to imagine a more
comprehensive, better quality
musical programme.
Most recitals take place
at singular venues, such
as castles, gardens or
monasteries, something
that undoubtedly lends
attendance at such events a
certain additional dimension
and appeal.
Peralada Castle
In this wide musical panorama,
two international festivals are
especially prominent, i.e., the
Torroella de Montgrí Festival
(that includes international
music courses and master
classes) and the Castillo de
Peralada Festival, which have
both been awarded
membership of the prestigious
European Festivals Association
(EFA) for the quality of their
programming and longstanding track record. However
there are many other towns on
the Costa Brava that also have
a permanent programme in
the context of their respective
music festivals. Such is the case
of Cadaqués, Vilabertran,
S’Agaró, Sant Feliu de Guíxols
and Blanes; and in the interior,
Girona, Banyoles, Olot, Ripoll,
Camprodón, Sant Joan de
Cavallets (festive mini horse-borne figures). Olot
les Abadesses and Puigcerdà
likewise play host to their own
festivals.
there are those specific events
that take place only on certain
dates and in certain places.
Some of the most singular of
these are now described in
detail below:
Fiestas and traditions
– Tossa de Mar. January.
The Pilgrim’s Vow (Voto del
Peregrino).
This is an extremely old
tradition that is re-enacted
each year and dates back to as
long ago as the 15th century.
At that time, the townsfolk of
Tossa wished to give thanks
for the end of the Black
Plague that had ravaged the
population and solemnly
promised to send a pilgrim to
the Hermitage Chapel of Sant
On the Costa Brava, the ageold culture and open and
festive nature so typical of
Mediterranean peoples
manifests itself both at a
general and at a very personal
level. In a broad sense, wellknown Catalonian traditions,
such as the Sardana dance, are
as deeply rooted as they are
widespread and applicable to
any town and any Sunday of
the year. On the other hand,
39
Sebastià in Santa Coloma de
Farners. The vow has been
repeated for the last five
centuries, and the person who
receives the honour of being
the pilgrim leads the march,
which nowadays is a mass
event with a clearly festive air.
– Calella de Palafrugell. July.
Singing of Habaneras.
On the first Saturday in July,
this widely popular and
endearing event is held on the
beach of Portbou de Calella.
Between sips of burnt rum,
the air is filled with the lilting
sound of habaneras, those
nostalgic Creole-inspired
songs imported by the
Catalonian seafarers who
sailed the Antilles route in the
19th century.
– Verges. Holy Thursday.
Dance of Death (Danza de la
Muerte).
In the Ampurdan village of
Verges, not far from Torroella
de Montgrí, the famous
“Dance of Death” takes place
on Holy Thursday as part of
the traditional Easter
procession that commemorates
the passion of Jesus Christ.
It is a dance of mediaeval
origin which has been
officially declared a Fiesta of
National Interest, precisely
because it has been preserved
in this small town as a relic of
the earliest traditions.
– Blanes. Second fortnight in
July: International Fireworks
Competition.
A real extravaganza of light
and colour –and noise too, of
course– that takes place
against the backdrop of the
broad expanse of Blanes bay.
In the presence of an
enthralled mass audience,
rockets shoot skywards and
are reflected in the dark
waters of the night, creating a
spectacular display that year
after year continues to surpass
the bounds of originality.
– Lloret de Mar, Palamós and
Llancà. July. Seaborne
processions.
16th July marks the feast of
the Virgin of Carmen, when
sailors pay homage to their
patron saint by festooning
their vessels with decorations
and parading in a festive
romería (pilgrimage outing)
across the waters of the Costa
Brava.
Traditional human tower.
Major fiesta
– Cadaqués, July and August.
Laúdes and Lateen Sail
Regattas.
“Laúdes” are typical
Catalonian craft that have
fortunately been revived in a
number of seaside villages on
the shores around Cape Creus.
These original regattas serve
to recall the origins of inshore
sailing.
– Girona. May. Flower show.
During the second fortnight in
May, the Old Quarter of
Girona is transformed into a
huge eye-catching, brilliantly
coloured garden. Aided by
gardening schools and florists,
the townsfolk spare no effort
in decorating courtyards and
buildings in exquisite taste,
thereby enhancing still further
the charm that is already so
much a feature of this city.
– Pals. Second fortnight in
December. Living nativity
scene (Pesebre Viviente).
Although there are many
towns that hold their own
living nativity scenes (pesebre;
literally “manger”) during
Yuletide, the Pals rendition is
to be especially
recommended. The streets
and squares of this mediaeval
town, officially declared a
monumental artistic ensemble
40
41
in 1966, are the perfect stage
set for this representation of
the traditional, religious
iconography commemorating
Christmas.
restaurants in this area are
included in Europe’s goodfood guides.
The extraordinary variety of
the native produce, the result
of the climatic and
geographical diversity that
typifies the province of
Girona, serves as the basis for
the combination of tastes that
characterise the cuisine
known as Mar y Montaña (Sea
and Mountain), a curious
marriage of fish and meat.
Chicken with crayfish (pollo
con cigalas), meatballs with
cuttlefish (albóndigas con
sepia), or the classic seafood
paella, which brings together
the best ingredients of market
garden and sea, are just some
of the tastiest examples of this
cuisine.
Tasty cuisine
Inevitably, it is on the Costa
Brava that the renowned
Mediterranean diet takes on
its full meaning. Moreover, it
is a healthy cuisine, the
maximum expression of the
culture good living and
enjoyment of the senses.
Here, thanks to the mastery
with which the local chefs
have managed to preserve the
essential, by combining
innovation and tradition,
gastronomy enjoys the
highest prestige. It is no
coincidence that many of the
Seafood stew
It goes without saying that on
this coast one simply must try
some memorable fish dishes,
such as suquet or caldereta,
stews that contain different
sorts of fish and seafood in
season. Ranging from the
humble yet sublime anchovies
of l’Escala (tiny sardines
marinaded in salt and oil) to
the exquisite Palamós prawns,
the waters of the Costa Brava
provide the most diverse
ingredients that form the
basis of a cuisine rooted in a
long seagoing tradition.
When in the interior, try the
embutidos (sausage and
pressed meats) which, in the
more rustic mountain
restaurants, are usually served
whole on a fusta (wooden
trencher), to enable diners to
cut portions as desired and
serve themselves at will.
Naturally, to accompany such
meals the best choice is the
classic pa amb tomàquet
(bread rubbed with tomato
and sprinkled with olive oil), a
formula as simple as it is
successful.
Typical delicacies
experts. Dishes made with
mushrooms inevitably have a
distinctive aura of being
something special, inasmuch
as it is a plant that grows
spontaneously only in certain
secluded corners of the
woods. It is rightly said of
mushrooms that they are the
earth’s best “marisco”
(literally, seafood).
Where wines are concerned,
there is the Empordà-Costa
Brava Seal of Origin with its
excellent range of still and
sparkling wines (cavas) to
accompany dishes
representative of the local
cuisine, a cuisine that is
unfailingly imaginative and in
In autumn, the forests offer
one of the most highly prized
gastronomic delicacies,
namely, bolets (wild
mushrooms, also known as
setas). Collecting these and
selecting the best species has
been raised to an art for
42
43
constant evolution, with its
sights firmly trained on the
quality of the fresh produce
and customer service.
Sports and health
For sports and physical
exercise enthusiasts, the Costa
Brava is a veritable paradise in
terms both of its geography
and the facilities and
infrastructures available.
Ranging from summertime
water sports to winter sports,
there is an entire array of
activities that can be enjoyed
throughout the year. By way
of example, here are some
pointers to give an idea of the
possibilities on offer:
– Over thirty beaches –the
highest proportion on the
Mediterranean– awarded the
European Union blue flag, in
recognition of the excellence
of the prevailing conditions.
There are naturally many
beaches with boards for hire
and specialised instructors,
where one can take
windsurfing lessons. One of
the best windsurfing spots is
Pals beach, thanks to its long
stretch of sand and regular
presence of waves.
– The so-called caminos de
ronda are a marvellous option
for a stroll or short ramble by
the sea. They are to be found
all along the Costa Brava:
indeed, it is a sure bet that,
where there are cliffs rather
than sand, there will be some
kind of contour path. In the
past, the caminos de ronda
played a surveillance role and
were the sole link between
one inlet and the next;
nowadays these extremely
well-preserved footpaths are
an open invitation to go for a
walk.
– A total of seventeen yacht
basins and marinas along the
coast provide berths for all
types of leisure craft. Most
marinas have their own
sailing school.
– The Medes Islands,
opposite l’Estartit, are the
ideal natural setting for
scuba diving. The wealth
of marine life, with its
Pony trekking
wide variety of native
flora and fauna,
constitutes an
interesting
ecosystem in this
tiny archipelago
of seven islets.
– Close on one
hundred
kilometres (62
miles) of
“green way”
(vía verde)
links Olot, in the interior, to
Sant Feliu de Guíxols, on the
coast, via the City of Girona.
Also known as the ‘ruta del
carrilet’ (because in former
times it was a railway track),
today it is a route ideal for
walkers and cyclists, a wellkept and excellently
signposted path.
– Five ski resorts in the Girona
Pyrenees: four for downhill
(Alpine) skiing and one for
USEFUL INFORMATION
International dialling code % 34
TURESPAÑA Tourist Information
www.spain.info
Catalonian Tourist
Information Office
Palau Robert. Passeig de
Gràcia, 107. Barcelona
% 932 388 091
www.gencat.net
cross-country (Nordic) skiing.
Neither is it necessary to wait
for winter to enjoy the high
peaks: for instance, the Nuria
Valley resort offers permanent
facilities for relaxation or
hiking.
– Three health spas: two in
Caldes de Malavella and one
in Santa Coloma de Farners, in
the La Selva district. These are
establishments going back a
Girona Costa Brava Tourist
Information Office
www.costabrava.org
Golf in Pals
Scuba diving in the Medes Islands
hundred years or more, with
all the time-honoured
traditions of the past coupled
with the modern techniques
of the present. Apart from
these classic spas, there are
many hotels that are now
branching out into the socalled “health and wellbeing”
tourism, a type of tourism
that is in fashion and steadily
acquiring an increasing
number of devotees.
– A total of thirteen golf
courses: ten on the Costa
Brava and three in the
Pyrenees. There are also nine
Pitch & Putt courses. Things
could not be easier for golf
enthusiasts.
Rowing on Lake Banyoles
Girona Costa Brava Information
and bookings
% 902 200 520 www.eoland.com
TOURIST INFORMATION
OFFICES
Banyoles % 972 575 573
turisme@ajbanyoles.org
Begur % 972 624 520
www.begur.org
Besalú % 972 591 240
www.ajuntamentbesalu.org
Blanes % 972 330 348
www.blanes.net
Cadaqués % 972 258 315
otcadaq@ddgi.es
Calella de Palafrugell
% 972 614 475
www.palafrugell.net
Camprodón % 972 740 010
www.valldecamprodon.org
Empuriabrava % 972 450 802
www.empuriabrava.com
Figueres % 972 503 155
www.figueres.org
Girona % 972 226 575
www.girona-net.com
L’Escala % 972 770 603
www.lescala.org
La Bisbal d’Empordà
% 972 645 166 ajuntabisbal@ctv.es
Llafranc
% 972 305 008
www.palafrugell.net
Llançà
% 972 380 855
www.llansa.net
Lloret de Mar
% 972 364 735
www.lloret.org
Olot % 972 260 141
www.vilaweb.com/olot
Pals % 972 637 380
www.ajuntamentdepals.com
Palafrugell
% 972 611 820
www.palafrugell.net
Palamós
% 972 600 550
www.palamos.org
Peralada
% 972 538 840
www.peralada.org
Platja d’Aro
% 972 817 179
www.platjadaro.com
Portbou
% 972 125 161
tourisme.portbou@ddgi.es
Puigcerdà
% 972 880 542
www.puigcerda.com
Ribes de Freser
% 972 727 728
www.vallderibes.com
Ripoll
% 972 702 351
www.inforipoll.info
Roses % 972 257 331
www.roses-costa-brava.com
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
% 972 820 051
www.guixols.net
Sant Joan de les Abadesses
% 972 720 599
www.santjoandelesabadesses.com
Torroella de Montgrí
% 972 757 974
www.ddgi.es/tdm
Tossa de Mar % 972 340 108
www.tossademar.com
TOURIST PARADORS (State-run hotels)
Central booking office
Requena, 3. 28013 Madrid
% 902 547 979 ) 902 525 432
www.parador.es
Aiguablava Parador
Aiguablava Beach. Begur
% 972 622 162 ) 972 622 166
TRANSPORT
AENA (Spanish Airports and Air
Navigation) % 902 4004 704
www.aena.es
RENFE (Spanish Rail)
% 902 240 202
Informations internationales
% 902 243 402
www.renfe.es
Bus & Coach Station
% 972 212 319
Road & Highway Information
% 900 123 505 www.dgt.es
CANADA. Toronto
Tourist Office of Spain
2 Bloor Street West Suite 3402
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2
% 1416/961 31 31
) 1416/961 19 92
www.tourspain.toronto.on.ca
e-mail: toronto@tourspain.es
JAPAN. Tokyo
Tourist Office of Spain
Daini Toranomon Denki Bldg.6F.
3-1-10 Toranomon. Minato-Ku
TOKYO-105-0001
% 813/34 32 61 42
) 813/34 32 61 44
www.spaintour.com
e-mail: tokio@tourspain.es
RUSSIA. Moscow
Spanish Tourist Office
Tverskaya – 16/2, 6º
Moscow 125009
% 7495/935 83 99
) 7495/935 83 96
www.tourspain.ru
e-mail: moscu@tourspain.es
SINGAPORE. Singapore
Spanish Tourist Office
541 Orchard Road
Liat Tower # 09-04
238881 Singapore
% 65/67 37 30 08
) 65/67 37 31 73
e-mail: singapore@tourspain.es
UNITED KINGDOM. London
Spanish Tourist Office
2nd floor, 79 Cavendish Street
London W1A 6XB
% 44207/ 486 80 77
) 44207/486 80 34
www.tourspain.co.uk
e-mail: londres@tourspain.es
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Los Angeles
Tourist Office of Spain
8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 960
Beverly Hills, California 90211
% 1323/658 71 95
) 1323/658 10 61
www.okspain.org
e-mail: losangeles@tourspain.es
Chicago
Tourist Office of Spain
Water Tower Place. Suite 915 East
845 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60/611
% 1312/642 19 92
) 1312/642 98 17
www.okspain.org
e-mail: chicago@tourspain.es
Miami
Tourist Office of Spain
1395 Brickell Avenue
Miami, Florida 33131
% 1305/358 19 92
) 1305/358 82 23
www.okspain.org
e-mail: miami@tourspain.es
New York
Tourist Office of Spain
666 Fifth Avenue 35th floor
New York, New York 10103
% 1212/265 88 22
) 1212/265 88 64
www.okspain.org
e-mail: nuevayork@tourspain.es
EMBASSIES IN MADRID
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Emergencies % 112
Hospital emergencies % 061
Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) % 062
National Police % 091
SPANISH TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES ABROAD
Municipal Police % 092
Public Information Service % 010
Post & Telegraphs
% 902 197 197 www.correos.es
Canada. Núñez de Balboa, 35 - 3º
% 914 233 250 ) 914 233 251
Japan. Serrano, 109
% 915 907 600 ) 915 901 321
Republic of Ireland. Claudio Coello, 73
% 915 763 500 ) 914 351 677
Russia. Velázquez, 155
% 915 622 264 ) 915 629 712
United Kingdom.
Fernando El Santo, 16
% 913 190 200 ) 913 081 033
United States of America.
Serrano, 75
% 915 872 200 ) 915 872 303
Formiguères
Prades
Pic Carlit
2921
Argelès-sur-Mer
ANDORRA
R
Porta
A
N
LA SEU D'URGELL 19 km
Puigcerdà
Santuario de Nuria
Puigmal
VALL
Prats-de-Mollo
MASELLA
Riu de
Cerdanya
P
LA MOLINA
LLEIDA
Castellar
de n’Hug
PARQUE NATURAL
CADÍ - MOIXERÓ
Salders
Guardiola
de Berguedà
La Pobla
de Lillet
Emb. de
la Baells
Cercs
Guixers
L’Espunyola
Ripoll
Palmerola
Les Llosses
Alpens
St. Agustí
de Lluçanès
Borredà
Vilada
Berga
Lluçà
Avià
Montagut
Gombrèn Campdevànol
Bagà
Gòsol
R
I
Manlleu
Olost
Gurb
B A R C E L O N A
Cardona
Navàs
Balsareny
LLEIDA 85 km
Sùria
Highway
Dual carriageway
National road
“A” Road
“B” Road
Local Road
Railway
Parador
Shrine
Nature Reserve
Golf course
Ski resort
Marina
Spa
Camp site
Airport
Lighthouse
TARRAGONA 40 km
S
O
Maià de
Montcal
1115
Roses
Figueres
Vic
Sant Feliu
de Pallerols
Santa María Les Planes
de Corcó d'Hostoles
Emb.
de Sau
Emb. de
Susqueda
Roda
de Ter Vilanova
de Sau
Folgueroles
Golfo de Roses
Verges
La Pera
Caldes de
Malavella
NATURAL
ILLES MEDES
Pals
Begur
Peratallada
Palafrugell
Mont-Ras
Vall-Llobrega
Fornells de
la Selva
Espinelves
Torroella L'Estartit
RESERVA
de Montgrì
Gualta
Ullastret
La Bisbal
d'Empordà
Santa Coloma
de Farners
L'Escala
Viladamat
Emb. de
Colomers
GIRONA
Anglès
Cabo de Norfeu
Bahía de Montjoi
PARQUE NATURAL
AIGUAMOLLS DE L'EMPORDÀ
G I R O N A
Río
Empuriabrava
Sant Pere Pescador Empúries
Ter
La Cellera
del Ter
Osor
Castelló
d'Empúries
N-II
Banyoles
1023
Sant Esteve
d'en Bas
Torelló
Sant Feliu
Sasserra
Puig-Reig
Sadernes
E
Oix
Cerbère
AP-7
Sant Pau de Seguries Castellfollit
Navata
La Vall de Bianya de la Roca
Sant Joan de
Río
viá
u
l
260
F
les Abadesses
Besalú
Esponellà
Batet
Vallfogona
Olot PARQUE
NATURAL PLA DE L’ESTANY Bàscara
de Ripollès
ZONA VOLCÁNICA DE LA GARROTXALago de
Banyoles
Les Preses Santa Pau
Puigsacalm
Porqueres
Vidrà
1513
Montesquiu
Perafita
Prats de
Lluçanes
Casserres
N
I
Gironella
Montmajor
ra
Sierra de l’Albe Portbou
Playa de Colera
La Jonquera
Punta Canons
Colera
ALT Port de Llançá
Playa de Els Morts
EMPORDÀ
Playa de Garvet
Darnius
Emb. de
Llançá
Garriguella 260
Boadella
PARQUE NATURAL
Sant Llorenç Campmany
Vilajuïga El Port de
CAP DE CREUS
de la Muga
la Selva
Peralada
Portlligat
Vilabertran
Albanyà
Cadaqués
Maçanet
de Cabrenys
Setcases
VALLTER-2000
Fontanals de Cerdanya
DE NURIA
2913
Vilallonga de Ter
Queralbs
Pardines
152
Planoles Ribes de Freser Camprodón
Martinet
Port-Vendres
Céret
Arles
Isòvol Queixans
A
Amélie
Mont-Louis
Guils de Cerdanyà
Navès
I
Pic du Canigou
2784
Thuès-entre-Valls
Llivia
C
Calonge
Santa
Cristina
d'Aro
Playa Sa Tuna
Cabo Begur
Aiguablava
Tamariu
Llafranc
La Fosca
Calella
Palamós
Sant Antoni de Calonge
Riudarenes
Viladrau
Arbúcies Sant Feliu Sils
Platja d'Aro
Sta. María
Llagostera
Castell d'Aro
S'Agaró
d’Oló
de Buixalleu
Tona Seva
Maçanet
Moià
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Vidreras
PARQUE NATURAL
Cala Salions
de la Selva
DEL MONTSENY
Sallent
1694
LA SELVA
Hostalric
N-II
Centelles
Breda
Tossa
de
Mar
Calders
Montseny
Gaserans
Sant Martí
Cala Canyelles
de Centelles
C-17
Monistrol
Lloret de Mar
Tordera
AP-7
Talamanca de Calders Gallifa St. Feliu
Sant Celoni
Palafolls Blanes
de
Codines
St. Llorenç
Malgrat de Mar
Vallgorguina Sant Cebriá
Savall Caldes de
Granollers
de Vallalta
E
Pineda de Mar
Gaià
Avinyó
Montbui
Matadepera
Terrassa
1238
Montserrat
Taradell
La Roca
del Vallés
Sentmenat
Argentona
Sabadell
Viladecavalls C-16
C-58
A-2
ES
Calella
AR
Canet de Mar
M
L
Arenys de Mar
DE
A
Mataró
T
MAR
340
BARCELONA
Vallirana
Sant Boi
de Llobregat
El Prat
de Llobregat
CASTELLDEFELS 13 km
M
C-32
Cerdanyola Ripollet
Premia de Mar
del Vallés
Alella
St.
Cugat
Santa
Coloma
Martorell
del Vallés de Gramenet
AP-7
Molins
Badalona
de Rei
C
O
S
MEDITERRÁNEO
0
5
BRAVA
F
10
20 Km
CARTOGRAFÍA: GCAR, S.L. Cardenal Silíceo, 35
Tel. 914 167 341 - 28002 MADRID - AÑO 2003
cartografiagcar@infonegocio.com
C O S TA
Soldeu