The surroundings of Espolla

DO Empordà Wine Route

The DO Empordà Wine Route is a marketing club set up by the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board with the support of the DO Empordà Regulatory Council that brings together the public and private wine sectors to offer wine tourism activities and experiences on the Costa Brava.

This wine tourism route includes visits to wineries, meals in the vineyards, accommodation in wineries located in beautiful natural landscapes, wine therapy treatments, visits to wine museums and similar, and many other experiences such as blind tastings, bicycle touring around the wineries, kayaking with wine-tasting session included, and so on. It also promotes and supports events linked to winemaking and wine tourism, such as VÍVID Wine Festival, Sons del Món Music Festival, Wine Roots, among many others. The DO Empordà Wine Route bears the ACEVIN certificate of quality

Interpretation centers and museums

Visiting these spaces means moments of cultural, artistic and historical discovery. You can take a walk through twenty-five centuries of history through the Ciutadella de Roses or a review of Dalin's life and work from one of the most emblematic buildings in Figueres. Visit more than a dozen museums and interpretation centers in the Empordà to discover, through art and culture, the stories that make the Empordà a unique territory.

The Dalí Theatre-Museum, inaugurated in 1974, was built on the remains of the old Figueres theater, and contains a wide range of works that describe the artistic career of Salvador Dalí, from his first artistic experiences and his creations within Surrealism, to the works from the last years of his life.

Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat, an essential place to visit to get to know the painter's universe well. The House-Museum is located in the Bay of Portlligat, in the north of Cadaqués, the town where Dalí had spent long periods of time during his childhood and youth. In the house you can visit the painter's workshop, the library, the rooms where he spent his private life, the garden area and the pool.

The Empordà Museum, located in the center of the town of Figueres, has one of the main art collections in the region. Created in 1946, its collections date from the end of the 19th century and come from donations and legacies from illustrious figures of the city, as well as from the funds of the Prado Museum in Madrid. It contains pieces of archaeology, history and art from the town and the region, thanks to the important donation of the collector Frederic Marès. The M.E. is a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to the investigation, conservation and dissemination of local and regional cultural heritage through the organization of exhibitions and activities, notably oriented towards contemporary artistic creation.

Toy Museum of Catalonia inaugurated in the old Paris hotel the Toy Museum of Catalonia. The visit of the collection can have several readings: the nostalgic one through the toys of our grandparents and grandmothers; and that of observation, with which we follow the scientific and technical advances of each moment that have influenced the design of games and toys. The collection has more than 4,000 toys acquired since 1960. It is recognized as one of the best among the most important in Europe in this specialty.

Castillo de San Fernando, an 18th century fortress, the largest in Europe, located at the top of the city and has been visitable for three years. Said fortress, property of the State, is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense, enjoying as a Monument the qualification of Asset of Cultural Interest. It was erected following the defensive criteria of the time known as Vauban, the name of the French soldier who invented them.

The Empordà Technical Museum offers visitors an exhibition of more than 3,000 mechanical antiques from the s. XVIII-XIX. The first sewing machines from the year 1830. Unique typewriters in the world. Telephones and switchboards. Comtoise watches of magnificent beauty or a Hispano-Suiza car from 1908 are some of the pieces that have made it considered one of the best collections of tools and inventions on display to the public.

Ciutadella de Roses includes an archaeological site of just over 12 hectares and a history museum that chronologically explains the evolution of the town in the last 2,500 years. It is currently a heritage space open to the public with a museum inaugurated in 2004 and an archaeological site where you can walk through the history of the last centuries of our country.

Ruins of Empúries is the only archaeological site on the peninsula, where remains of the Greek civilization -Empòrion- and the Roman city ''Emporiae'' coexist. The monumental complex transports us to the daily, commercial, social and religious lives of its former inhabitants. The Greek houses, the agora, the mosaics or the forum are some of the main points of interest to visit; as well as the Monographic Museum ofthe excavations, where we can observe pieces of art and finds made in the Ruins.

Guided tours and theatrical performances

Beyond being iconic monuments of our heritage, castles, churches, monasteries, and settlements have something more that makes them special and turns them into one of the preferred destinations for visiting with children. The hidden legends of kings, queens, princes and princesses, heroes and heroines; their majestic and noble image, the magnificent views that the majority of them offer; the wars, sieges, and experiences that occurred, or whose stories of love and heartbreak were witnessed... a whole series of elements that make them unique.

Excursions and treks

Trekking in the Alt Empordà is a popular activity among nature and hiking lovers. This region has a great diversity of landscapes, ranging from the Pyrenees mountains to the Mediterranean coast.

Trekking in the Alt Empordà offers the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the area and discover its impressive landscapes. There are a variety of routes and trails that adapt to different levels of difficulty and duration.

The Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park is a nature reserve that is home to a large number of species of birds and other animals. Here you will find well marked trails that will take you through wetlands, lagoons and marsh landscapes. It is an ideal place to watch birds and enjoy the tranquility of nature.

The Cap de Creus Natural Park is another popular destination for trekking in the Alt Empordà. This mountainous area of the Mediterranean coast offers impressive rocky landscapes and panoramic sea views. You can explore the paths that meander over the hills and cliffs, and discover hidden coves and beaches with crystal clear waters.

The Sierra de l'Albera is a mountain range located on the border between Spain and France. Here you will find trekking routes that will take you through lush forests, green valleys and panoramic peaks. In addition, the area has a rich history and culture, with picturesque towns and archaeological remains that are worth exploring during your trekking.

Cycling and motorcycling

The tramontana wind blows, blurring the clouds. A rough path crosses vineyards and cultivated fields, cliffs that hide small coves and pine forests that stain the gentle hills. The milestones are marked by Romanesque art, the bustle of a fishing port and the gastronomy of the sea and mountains.

Here the car is worthless. There is no traffic or noise. The rhythm is imposed by the landscape, the only protagonist, Salvador Dalí and Josep Plá knew it well. And we know that to decipher all that essence that Alto Empurdàn treasures, our best ally is the two wheels. So put on your shorts, put on your helmet and you're ready to enjoy.

Relaxation treatments

Relaxation treatments and spas are popular options for those who want to rest, relax and rejuvenate both body and mind. These locations offer a variety of services designed to relieve stress, promote relaxation, and improve general well-being.

Relaxation treatments and spas are an excellent way to disconnect from daily stress, take care of your body and enjoy some self-care time. In addition to the physical benefits, they can also have a positive impact on your emotional and mental well-being.

Massages are one of the most common treatments in spas. Different body tissue manipulation techniques such as Swedish massage, Thai massage or deep tissue massage are used to release muscle tension, improve blood circulation, relieve pain and promote relaxation.

Water therapies help relax muscles, improve circulation, eliminate toxins, and provide a general sense of well-being.

Facial treatments are ideal for caring for and rejuvenating facial skin.

In addition to massages, there are other body therapies available at spas. Many spas also offer alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, reflexology, acupuncture, or hot stone therapy. These therapies focus on balancing the body's energy and promoting relaxation and well-being.

Relaxation treatments and spas are an excellent way to disconnect from daily stress, take care of your body and enjoy some self-care time. In addition to the physical benefits, they can also have a positive impact on your emotional and mental well-being.

Gastronomy and Gourmet spaces

The gastronomy of the Alt Empordà region is a true delight for food lovers. Due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, fresh seafood abounds in the Alt Empordà. From succulent prawns and lobsters to a wide variety of fish such as sea bream, hake and anchovies.

Some popular seafood specialties are "suquet de peix" (fish stew), "fideuà" (similar to paella but made with noodles) and "esqueixada" (a refreshing salad made with salt cod). Traditional dishes such as "cargols a la llauna" (grilled snails), "civet de senglar" (wild boar stew) and "canelons" (stuffed pasta tubes) are popular choices for meat lovers.

To complement the delicious food, the Alt Empordà offers a wide selection of local wines. The region is known for its vineyards and produces a whole range of wines, including white, red and sparkling varieties. Wine aficionados can enjoy tasting tours and explore local wineries to discover the unique flavors of Alt Empordà wines.

Cap de Creus and Costa Brava

This particular and unique place is subject to the action of the waves, mainly caused by the tramontana (name given to a cold wind that blows from the north and northwest) and the easterly winds.

Geomorphologically, it forms part of the foothills of the eastern Pyrenees, or Montes Alberes, which jut out into the sea through the Cabo de Creus massif. On granitic and schistous terrain from the Ordovician (Paleozoic), it presents a dominant vegetation of bushes and shrub formations. Cap de Creus, at whose end there is a lighthouse, is located on a small mountainous peninsula, cut by numerous notches, like small coves, oriented according to the slate structure.

The strength of Cap de Creus as an artistic, plastic or literary material has been a source of inspiration for writers and artists.

Natural Site of National Interest of the Massís de l'Albera

Protected Natural Area, Partial Nature Reserve, Natural Site of National Interest. Located in the easternmost sector of the Pyrenees, this area offers natural and landscape interest of the first order, with areas of lush, ancient and diverse vegetation, and very ancient buildings and human remains.

The Sierra de l'Albera extends along the eastern section of the Pyrenees, from the Pertús pass to the Mediterranean. It is an area of natural and landscape interest of the first order, with areas of lush, ancient and diverse vegetation, and very ancient buildings and human remains.

It separates the two plains of Rosselló and Empordà. The highest peaks are Puig Neulós (1,257 metres), Puig dels Pastors (1,167 metres), Puig dels Quatre Termes (1,156 metres) and Pico de Sallafort (992 metres).

Within the mountain range there are two sectors with special protection as a Natural Site of National Interest: the western one, of Requesens- Baussitges, and the eastern one, of Sant Quirze de Colera - Balmeta, separated by the area of the Banyuls pass .

The area has a considerable density of megalithic monuments, the highest in Catalonia, with a large number of dolmens and menhirs, such as La Murtra or Pedra Gentil. Also worth noting is the Romanesque art heritage, with a large number of parishes and hermitages, and the monumental Benedictine monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera, a jewel of the Catalan Romanesque, recently restored.

At the end of La Jonquera, to the south of Puig Neulós, Requesens Castle stands out among the treetops, which was renovated at the end of the 19th century according to the model of architectural romanticism, which gave it the stamp of a legendary castle and fanciful that it currently has.

Also worth noting is the Albera Tortoise Reproduction Center, located at the Mare de Déu del Camp sanctuary, in Garriguella.

Espolla

This particular and unique place is subject to the action of the waves brush. Its municipal territory extends from the southern slopes of the Sierra de la Albera, to the Empordà plain.

Its source of wealth is the vineyard, the wine is made in the oldest wine cooperative in the region, its wines are of high quality with Denomination of Origin Ampurdán. From its olives, an oil with Denomination of Origin Oli de l´Empordà is obtained.

Within its territory are a large number of dolmens and menhirs, exponent of ancient settlements of other civilizations. Much of its territory is protected within the Natural Area of National Interest of La Albera.

Figueres

Capital of the Alt Empordà region, it extends over a fluvial plain located in the interior of the province of Girona.

Known for being the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, this city with deep Catalan roots offers visitors the chance to visit the Dalí Theatre- Museum, dedicated to the great surrealist painter. A cultural offer that is completed with several museums such as the fantastic and always surprising toy museum, the Catalunya Museum, the Empordà Museum, the Electricity Museum and the Empordà Technique Museum. You will experience the dynamism of the city with the Acoustic Music Festival or the Figueres Comedy Festival, among others. Enjoy a calendar full of parties and events throughout the year.

Figueres also has an important monumental heritage in which its old medieval walls and the castle of Sant Ferran stand out, as well as abundant examples of modernist and neoclassical architecture that appear scattered throughout the city center.

In addition to the many attractions that Figueres has, its privileged location is added, which will allow you to discover the great tourist potential offered by the beautiful towns of the Costa Brava.

Girona

Girona is a city on a human scale that, however, has the appeal of big cities. You can take a leisurely stroll through the historic city and visit its monuments and museums, and you can comfortably stroll through the streets and squares enjoying the tourist services, the cultural offer, thefestivals, the restaurants...

Take advantage of it at any time of the year and, if you can, come more than once, because the city is alive and always has surprises to offer you.

Its historic center or old quarter has monumental elements unique to the continent. It is bounded by the so-called Passeig de la Muralla, the patrol path of the old Carolingian walls (9th century) and the late Middle Ages (14th and 15th centuries). Among its monuments stand out the call (ancient Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in the Iberian Peninsula), the colorful houses of l'Onyar, the Arab baths and the cathedral, with a huge single nave that is the widest in the world in Gothic style.

Barcelona

Barcelona Ciudad Condal is the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia. It is the second most populated city in Spain, and the sixth in the European Union. Barcelona is considered a benchmark in many aspects. A modern and cultural city, it has been chosen on multiple occasions to host major world events, such as the 1992 Olympic Games or the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures, being recognized as a 'Global City' for its great cultural, historical, and architectural wealth. , as a financial, commercial and tourist city.

One of the most emblematic characteristics of the city is its structure, copied by different cities over the years for its simplicity and brilliance in the design of the streets. Following the scheme of the city.

If we walk through Ciutat Vella, we will find ourselves in the old quarter of the city, stepping on Roman and Jewish soil. The part of the Raval and the Gothic will make us fall in love with its narrow streets of dark stone and if we go down a little more, we will arrive at Barceloneta and its beaches, or l'Eixample with its points of tourist, architectural, commercial and leisure interest, strolling through the famous Ramblas or visit the Barcelona Cathedral, the Church of Santa María del Mar, the Church of Santa María del Pí or the Sagrada Família. If what we want is art we can visit the Palau Güell, the Liceu, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Casa Milà, the Casa Batlló, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), the Santa Mónica Art Center, the Picasso Museum Barcelona, and numerous cinemas, theaters, restaurants,hotels...