Roman Girona & Costa Brava trail

Journey to the Costa Brava and visit the colourful Roman city of Girona, a cosmos of melting cultures. Explore the winding medieval streets of the Jewish quarter, the Arab baths and the grandeur of its Romanesque Cathedral. After 2 hours here you cross the hills of Santuari dels Angels, where Dali and Gala married, to the village of Pals for lunch. Then follow the coastal route to admire the breath-taking seaviews, cliffs and coves of the Costa Brava and stop in Calella de Palafrugell where you can walk around the rocky coast, sunbathe and swim or visit the spectacular Botanic Garden set on the cliff tops of Cap Roig.

We specialise in small groups and in making every tour the kind of intimate experience you’d normally only find by travelling independently.

We don’t believe in holding your hand as we lead from one attraction to the next, following a strict timetable with no room for flexibility. But what we do believe in passionately is letting our travelers discover the wonders of Barcelona and the region at their own pace and in their own time.

The tour leaves Barcelona at 8:30am and heads straight up to Girona, a well-established city that has survived many a siege in the course of its long history, since its founding in around 76 BC.

It has been dominated by many different peoples, and as a result has a great richness of architectural heritage. The Cathedral, founded in 1038 on the site of a former Mosque, and the spectacular Roman walls, along which you can walk when they are open, are just two examples of this. The river Onyar neatly divides the city in two, separating the old town from the new town.

There is a wide variety of museums and sites of historical interest in Girona, or if you prefer, the narrow streets of the old town are very pleasant just to wander around, for window-shopping or for a quiet coffee while watching the people pass by.

From Girona, the tour will head to the Santuari dels Angels, a beauty spot of such attraction that Salvador Dali chose it for his wedding to Gala. On a clear day, this spot offers panoramic views of the whole Girona region. We will then make our way to Pals, a small city that grew from a fortress. The name of the city comes from palus, the Latin word for marshlands, as this is just what the fortress used to be surrounded by, although they have long since dried out.

From Pals, we will head to the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, passing Begur on the way. Begur, with its hilly landscape and therefore commanding views of the surrounding area, was also the site of a fortress and castle; in total, these were destroyed three times throughout their long history, and now only ruins remain. There will be opportunities to stop for photographs along this road. Arriving in Calella de Palafrugell, you will be struck by the clean lines of the whitewashed houses that almost reach right down to the seafront. Here, you can explore the rocky coastline, perhaps taking a dip in the inviting waters, or you can follow the coastline round to the beautiful clifftop botanic gardens at Cap Roig, the result of a romantic 1920s love story, which took 50 years to complete. From Calella de Palafrugell we will return to Barcelona, arriving at 7:30pm. 

Printed voucher

Suitable clothing, footwear, and sun protection.

You will also have an opportunity to go swimming at Calella de Palafrugell, so if you want, bring your swimming costume and a beach towel.  

Transport in a small minicoach, with full air conditioning.
The services of a professional guide, who will provide a guided tour in English.

Entrance to the Botanic Gardens at Cap Roig.
Lunches - are not included. However we stop in places where you have a range of lunch options to suit all budgets.

Monday and Friday

Tours depart from Plaça Catalunya outside the Hard Rock Café.

Original point of departure