Catalonia Food & Wine: the Emporda Region
Self-Guided - Girona to Figueres - 8 days
This one-week itinerary takes you through the Empordà, one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and fertile soil, the foothills of the mountains surrounding the plains provide ideal conditions for grape cultivation. Ancient farmers in the area chose to use the plains for planting olive trees while utilizing the slopes for terraced vineyards separated by dry-stone walls. Since 2005, the influential wine guru Robert Parker has put Empordà on the global wine map. Due to the hard work of local wineries, this area has received the designation of Origin as Empordà. This tour is suitable for regular cyclists, combining half of the route on quiet secondary roads and half on well-maintained, unpaved paths. The stages average around 40 km without significant climbs.
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Day 1
Arrive in Girona
Highlights: Girona, Onyar River
In Girona, there is much to explore and experience. The city is renowned for its well-preserved Jewish quarter and its Cathedral, which features one of the largest stone-vaulted spaces in Gothic architecture. A walk along the ancient city walls is highly recommended, offering stunning views, or you can stroll along the Onyar River, where you'll enjoy the picturesque sight of the colorful houses lining the riverbank.
Standard accommodation: Hotel Peninsular, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Gran Ultonia, or similar. -
Day 2
Ride Girona to Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Highlights: El Carrilet, Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera and Santa Cristina d'Aro, San Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Pol beach
Starting from the local office, you will follow a bike path heading south to leave the city. The route leads you directly to the Mediterranean Sea, following the greenway known as "El Carrilet." Along the way, you'll pass through the towns of Quart, Cassà de la Selva, Llagostera, and Santa Cristina d'Aro. Throughout the ride, the Gavarres Massif, a forested mountainous area known for its oak trees and cork production, will serve as a constant backdrop. We will arrive in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where our hotel will be located near the beautiful Sant Pol beach.
Daily distance: 45km (28miles)
Elevation gain: 280m (918ft)
Standard accommodation: Hotel Barcarola, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel S'Agaró Spa, or similar. -
Day 3
Cycle to Calella de Palafrugell
Highlights: Palamós, Platja de Castell, Calella de Palafurgell, Costa Brava, Ruta del Tren Petit
Today, you'll cycle north along the coast, combining scenic coastal roads with seaside boulevards, and visit the main port town of Palamós. After a few kilometers, you'll pass by the pristine cove of Platja de Castell, where you can spot an ancient Iberian settlement on the left. This is a perfect spot for a picnic and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, you'll arrive at the picturesque old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, one of the gems of the Costa Brava. The final part of the ride will take you along the greenway known as the "Ruta del Tren Petit".
Daily distance: 30km (19miles)
Elevation gain: 271m (889ft)
Standard accommodation: Hotel Sant Roc (no seaview), or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Alga, or similar. -
Day 4
Ride Calella de Palafrugell to Torroella de Montgrí
Highlights: Cork Museum, Pals, Torroella de Montgrí
Today's route heads north, inland, passing through Palafrugell, known for its lively fish, meat, and vegetable market—a great opportunity to discover the local products of the region. You can also visit the Cork Museum. After leaving Palafrugell, you'll arrive at the medieval village of Pals, one of the best-preserved medieval centers. The ride will take you through natural wetlands, featuring vast rice fields and long stretches of sandy beaches. The bike tour concludes in Torroella de Montgrí, at the base of the Montgrí Massif with its iconic castle.
Daily distance: 29km (18miles)
Elevation gain: 240m (787ft)
Standard accommodation: Hotel Fonda Mitjà, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Moli del Mig, or similar. -
Day 5
Ride to Castelló d’Empúries
Highlights: Alt Empordà county, Bay of Roses, Sant Martí de Empúries, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, of Castelló d’Empúries
The route continues north, crossing the Montgrí Massif into the Alt Empordà region. You’ll arrive at the expansive Bay of Roses, known for its long sandy beaches. Near the picturesque medieval village of Sant Martí d'Empúries and right by the beach, you should take time to visit the archaeological site of Empúries, featuring Greek and Roman ruins, marking the entry of classical cultures into the Iberian Peninsula. The journey then proceeds north, passing through the protected wetlands of Aiguamolls de l'Empordà. The day ends in the village of Castelló d'Empúries, rich in architectural heritage with its Gothic church, Count’s palace, old market, and Jewish quarter.
Daily distance: 36km (23miles)
Elevation gain: 190m (623ft)
Standard accommodation: Hotel Canet, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Palau Maceli, or similar. -
Day 6
Castelló d’Empúries Loop
Highlights: vineyards of Empordà and wineries, Vilajuïga, Pau
Today's ride offers stunning views of the Pyrenees as a backdrop while cycling through century-old vineyards. You’ll be pedaling through the renowned Empordà wine region, famous for its excellent wines. Along the way, you'll have the chance to pass by some of the area's most interesting wineries, particularly located in the towns of Vilajuïga and Pau, where you can immerse yourself in the local wine culture.
Daily distance: 37km (23miles)
Elevation gain: 214m (702ft)
Standard accommodation: Hotel Canet, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Palau Maceli, or similar. -
Day 7
Cycle to Figueres
Highlights: Peralada, Garriguella, Vilamaniscle and Rabos, Figueres city, Theatre-Museum Dalí
Your final ride begins with a ride to Peralada, the capital of the wine designation of origin (DO), where you'll explore the castle and the charming medieval town. From there, you will cycle through the upper part of the vineyard region, passing through Garriguella, Vilamaniscle, and Rabos, home to some of the oldest vineyards of the Emporda. Make sure to stop at the modernist winery of the Espolla cooperative for a quick visit.
The ride then takes you on a long downhill descent to your final destination, the city of Figueres. Once in Figueres, you will have the opportunity to visit the world-renowned Dalí Theatre-Museum, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain.
Daily distance: 43km (27miles)
Elevation gain: 440m (1444ft)
Standard accommodation: Hotel Ronda, or similar.
Premium accommodation: Hotel Pirineos, or similar. -
Day 8
Tour ends in Figueres
Highlights: Tour End, Last Day
Your tour ends today after breakfast.
Thanks for joining us and have a good flight back home. ¡Hasta luego!
PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.
Includes | Includes 7 nights lodging (standard category: 2* and 3* / premium category: 3* and 4*) All breakfasts Bike fitting and briefing in English by our professional staff at tour start Access to smartphone app with tracks and digital roadbook Pre-tour travel documentation and general information on the tour region City hotel tax (per night per person) Luggage transfers Not Included Bicycle rental (see Prices tab) Airfare or transportation to and from the tour start and end Entrance to museums or other activities not indicated as included (e.g. 1* Michelin dinner, winery visit and tasting, etc.) Any meals or beverages not indicated as included Transportation of people and/or bikes for skipping stages Any type of insurance (medical, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage, bike rental) Solo Traveler and Private Group departures available: please inquire. Solo traveler supplemental fee: €77 - Please inquire for avaibility. If you are a group of three, the 3rd person sharing a room gets a 10% discount! (Applies to adults only) Lodging Upgrade: Room upgrades are available - choose between standard and premium accommodation categories (see Prices tab). *Extra nights: If you'd like to add nights before/after the tour, we will be happy to help! Locations available: Girona, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Calella and Figueres. Please inquire for pricing and availability. Extra meals & activities: (please inquire for availability) - 1* Michelin dinner (Day 1 in Girona or Day 6 in Castelló): €158 - Winery visit, picnic and wine tasting (Day 7, on the way to Figueres at La Vinyeta): €45 - Half board supplement (4 dinners): €110 for standard catergory / €143 for premium category ________________________________________ Navigation and travel documents: On our self-guided tours, detailed tour information and route navigation tracks are provided through the free smartphone app Ride With GPS - our "digital roadbook" - which includes daily routes, maps, elevation profiles, and ride descriptions; schedules and hotel itinerary; cultural and sightseeing information, visit suggestions; emergency numbers and more, all stored in one organized, easy to use app. Downloading the app content also allows for offline mode navigation. Participants can also upload the routes to their own GPS device, and even print the detailed route notes before leaving home. At your arrival, the reception staff will give you the following tour documentation: - Detailed daily maps (approx 1:50.000) - Hotel list (due to extraordinary situations like overbooking or organizational needs, some hotel can be changed). - Luggage tags (to be applied on each piece of baggage). - General information book with the Map of Cycle Tours Catalonia shop ________________________________________ Luggage transfers are included in your package. Please attach the provided identification tags to each piece of luggage and indicate the total number of bags you have. Each person is allowed a maximum of two pieces of luggage: one suitcase (with a maximum weight of 20 kg) and one piece of hand luggage. You should drop off you luggage at reception by 9am at the latest and is delivered to the following accommodation by 5pm. If you plan to arrive before this time, we recommend bringing a change of clothes with you, in case you need to freshen up before your luggage arrives. Please note that luggage is not insured during transport, so it is essential to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage. The luggage transport service cannot be used by participants to skip the cycling stage. In case you need help to skip the cycling stage, please contact our emergency number and we will arrange it for you. ________________________________________ PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included. Tour code: esbs4251a |
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Countries | Spain |
Begin/End | Girona – Figueres |
Arrive/Depart | Girona is situated north of Barcelona and can be reached by bus, train, plane, or by car. It is 98 km (61 miles) from Barcelona. By plane - Girona Airport (GRO) Girona Airport connects with various European cities during the summer season, though flights are significantly reduced outside of this period. A bus runs from Girona Airport to Girona city, taking around 25 minutes. Taxis are also available and take approximately the same time. By plane - Barcelona Airport (BCN) Barcelona is a major airport with numerous destinations year-round. You should check the options available for your departure city. - There is a bus from Barcelona Airport to Girona, which takes approx. 2h30min. - If you'd rather travel by train, there is no direct connection to Girona. First, you must travel to Barcelona Sants station, where you can catch various trains to Girona. If you arrive at Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus T1-T2 to Terminal 2. The shuttle runs from 5:30 AM to midnight every 6 to 7 minutes, and from midnight to 5:30 AM every 20 to 25 minutes. The shuttle takes about 10 minutes. Once you arrive at Terminal 2, you can take a train to Barcelona Sants and then another train to Girona. - Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Barcelona Airport to Girona, which takes about 1 hour. By train There is a train from Barcelona to Girona that departs approximately every hour from Sants station, as well as from Passeig de Gràcia and Clot. The journey takes about 1h35min. Additionally, there are High-Speed Trains (AVE/AVANT) that run several times a day from Sants station, with a travel time of only 38 minutes. By bus If you are departing from Barcelona city, there is a bus to Girona that leaves approximately every hour. The bus stops in the city center and at Estació d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord (Barcelona's main bus station). The journey takes approximately 1 hour. |
Total Distance | 220km (137miles) |
Daily Distance | 29 to 45 km (18 to 28 miles) |
Rating | 101 |
Notes | Difficulty level: This tour is quite easy and suitable for regular cyclists, combining half of the route on quiet secondary roads and half on well-maintained unpaved paths. The average stage is approximately 40 km, with minimal elevation changes. This tour is part of our Partner Tours Collective program: operated by select local partners that we know and trust, the tour is similar in quality to those we operate directly in many ways. Please click here for more details. |
Terms | Terms & Conditions |
Dates | Prices | Single Supplement | |||
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Dates | This tour is available from March 1 to October 31 and departures are divided in 3 seasons: Low season: March 1-31 and November 1-16 - double room: €790 per person (standard category); €1030 per person (premium category) - double room for single use supplement: €227 (standard category); €387 (premium category) Mid season: April 1 - June 19 and October 1-31 - double room: €870 per person (standard category); €1160 per person (premium category) - double room for single use supplement: €272 (standard category); €483 (premium category) High season: June 20 - September 30 - double room: €980 per person (standard category); €1450 per person (premium category) - double room for single use supplement: €326 (standard category); €593 (premium category) *2025 price, per person based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure. This tour can start any day of the week (Mon-Sun). Please note that often restaurants in Spain are closed on Monday. Solo traveler departures are also available (only one person on the departure), with a supplemental fee of €77. Please inquire for avaibility. ________________________________________ Bike Rental options: We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition. The bikes must be returned in the same condition in which they were delivered. Bikes are not insured against theft, so you will be responsible for taking care of them. During the bike fitting and welcome meeting, you can purchase insurance for minor damages. The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour (6 cycling days), including: a pannier, a helmet and a water bottle. Per couple you will receive a mobile holder, a basic reparation kit and one bike lock. PLEASE NOTE: bikes won’t be delivered to the starting hotel. Bike rental rates Hybrid bike: €130 E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €320 E-Gravel bike: €320 Gravel bike 2 (carbon frame): €285 Gravel bike (Specialized Diverge STR Comp 2024, dropped handlebar): €320 For more information on bikes available for this tour, please see here: Catalonia Bikes ________________________________________ Additional useful information: • Do you have any questions about how our bike tours work? Check out our FAQs page! • If the self-guided formula isn't right for you, check out this blog introducing the differences between Guided and Self-Guided Tours. |
Prices | Depending on the season: From €790 per person (standard category)* From €1030 per person (premium category)* |
Single Supplement | Depending on the season: From €227 per person (standard)* From €387 per person (premium)* |
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