Would you like to discover the best routes around Girona?
Thanks to its wide tourist, cultural and historical offer, there are many routes and excursions in Girona, one of the most entertaining provinces to visit in Catalonia. That’s why in Willy’s Plan we have made a compilation of the best excursions and routes in Girona. Don’t miss them!
The 8 best routes through Girona
1. Excursion from the Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes to Garbet Beach.
You can not miss this route through the Alt Empordà. This excursion in Girona combines charming village + paradisiacal beach and is an ideal place for a getaway with children in Catalonia. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best excursions in Girona.
The Monestir St. Pere de Rodes, located in the mountain range where its name comes from, facing the coast of Llançà and a south side of Port de la Selva, is undoubtedly one of the most visited viewpoints of the Costa Brava. Although its origins are unknown and its first documents date from the year 878, it is preserved in very good condition and is the best representation of the Catalan Romanesque.
After this cultural visit to the past, lunch would be in the charming coastal village of Llançà, less than half an hour’s drive away. Whether for its numerous coasts or its beautiful forests, this town is ideal for hiking trails and excursions in the province of Girona.
We highly recommend a stroll along the promenade and a climb to the Castellar viewpoint. And to finish the route nothing better than the fantastic Garbet Beach, located in the bay of Cap Ras.
Despite being small, this beach surrounded by nature is one of those indispensable places on the Costa Brava, perfect for a refreshing swim in its dazzling blue waters, open the sun lounger and disconnect or if you feel like adventure, take a kayak ride.
For + Info: Excursion from the Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes to Garbet Beach
Excursion to Cadaqués, Far Calanans and Cala Sabolla.
Along with the route in Llançà, with places like Garbet Beach or the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, this excursion from Girona is undoubtedly one of the best plans to do in the Alt Empordà and an ideal route to make an family getaway with friends or as a couple.
Cadaqués, according to Dalí, is “the most beautiful village in the world”, and we are not the ones to contradict Dalí. Get to know its history by getting lost in its old town, its walls and its labyrinthine streets and especially with its famous suquet de peix, a typical delicacy of its wide range of gastronomy. Then, after about 5 km, we arrive at Far de Calanans. This lighthouse is of great importance for the town of Cadaqués, since it allowed the entrance of many boats to the town, working at the same time as a maritime and commercial port of the town.
It was built on a cliff, so its access was very complicated and the materials arrived by sea, representing a great challenge for the engineers and architects of the time. An effort that today is a tourist attraction for many, where they can enjoy wonderful views of the town and unforgettable sunsets. This lighthouse has also been the protagonist of a famous movie like “Perdona si te llamo amor”, directed by Joaquín Llamas, and after descending from Far de Calanans, we will continue our route until we reach Cala Sabolla, perfect for a day at the beach without crowds, as it is not very well known by tourists.
This beach ensures spectacular photographs, it is one of the best excursions in Gerona!
For + Info: Excursion to Cadaqués, Far Calanans, and Cala Sabolla
3. Excursion from Sant Llorenç de La Muga to Boadella Swamp
If you are looking for nature excursions in Girona, this is your route. Sant Llorenç de La Muga, with just 250 inhabitants, is one of the villages in Catalonia with the most architectural treasures and stunning natural surroundings you can imagine. The medieval area of Sant Llorenç de La Muga, with its forests of pines, holm oaks and oaks, forms a landscape of authentic fairy tale.
In this excursion near Girona we recommend a walk through the old town, visit the Plaza Carles Camps, climb the tower located next to the parish church of Sant Llorenç, take a walk along the walls, go to La noria de Sant Llorenç, cross the famous old bridge and visit the Hermitage of Sant Antoni.
Secondly, we will go to the Castell de Mont-Roig or Mas Puig tower, a small fortification in ruins that allows us to enjoy incredible views of the mountains and the Pantà de Boadella, the last place of the route.
This reservoir, one of the most beautiful water reservoirs in Catalonia, was initially built to control the possible flooding of the Muga River and to guarantee the water supply of the surrounding towns. However, over time it has become one of the main tourist attractions of the area, where you can enjoy a delicious picnic or while enjoying a unique landscape in the light of the sunset.
For + Info: Excursion from Sant Llorenç de La Muga to Pantà de Boadella
4.Excursion from Pont d'en Valentí to Gorg Blau de Sant Aniol Aguja
In this Willy’s plan we propose you a natural route through the Alta Garrotxa area, another incredible plan to do in Girona for a weekend.
The Pont d’en Valentí is the gateway to our route through Sardenes. Being surrounded by a lot of vegetation, the Pont d’en Valentí is like a small hidden treasure. According to its inhabitants it is one of the most important, since it was built to allow access to the forest areas of the high Garrotxa and facilitated the routes between some villages at the time of its construction.
The second place of the visit would be the Ermita de Sant Aniol Aguja. As its name indicates, this ancient church from the year 859 refers to the saint that bears its name and in its time was one of the most important Benedictine monasteries of Besalú.
This monastery was really small and its community was proportional to it, so it did not have sufficient resources for its maintenance and in time it was subjected to the dominion of the canons of the cathedral of Gerona. It is still kept alive by the fervent devotion of parishioners who still go to it most of the year.
After resting in the hermitage and regaining strength with something to eat (which we recommend to take with you), we will continue our way finding the Gorg Blau and the Salto del Brull, where our route ends. If you dare to get here on this route through Girona, it is important to wear clothes and especially hiking shoes, to be more comfortable.
For more info: Excursion from Pont d’en Valentí to Gorg Blau de Sant Aniol Aguja
5.Excursion through Castellfollit de la Roca
Castellfollit de la Roca, village of about 1,000 inhabitants and with less than 1 Km2 of surface, it is one of the smallest municipalities of Catalonia. The small municipality is bounded by the confluence of the rivers Fluvià and Toronell, between which rises the spectacular basalt wall.
The profile of the church and the houses that hang over it, on the edge of the cliff, has become one of the most photographed and painted images of Catalonia; it is also a magnificent natural viewpoint from which you can see the valleys of the two rivers.
As if it were a magical place, Castellfollit de la Roca has become an increasingly touristy place, in addition to being one of the most popular hiking and cycling routes and a large number of sportsmen and women every year.
If you decide on this excursion through the nature of Girona, be sure to visit this incredible volcanic area taking a walk along the paths of the natural park of the Garrotxa visiting the beautiful cliff of the village and the basalt quarry where the stones were obtained to build the Parc Güell, take a look at the church of Sant Salvador dating from the twelfth century, and of course visit the famous Museum of sausage and the Museum of Vietnam.
For more info: Excursion around Castellfollit de la Roca
6.Excursion from the Hermitage of St. Mary. Martí del Corb to Puig Rodó Viewpoint
In this excursion to La Garrotxa, within the excursions near Girona, we propose one of the many excursions to do in Olot. In this Willy’s Plan route you will visit three iconic places of this region, within the mythical Fageda d’en Jordà: the Sant Martí del Corb Hermitage, the Sant Miquel del Corb Hermitage and the Puig Rodó viewpoint. This particular excursion we recommend you to do in autumn, since the Fageda d’en Jordà is especially beautiful when it is covered by its orange and reddish leaves.
The Sant Martí del Corb Chapel was of great importance for the harvesters of the area in times of drought, so they went in procession to this small church to pray and ask for the longed-for rain. For its part, the Ermita Sant Miquel del Corb, a small fairytale chapel hidden in nature, retains all the charm of the Romanesque style and served as a religious point for the processions of the parishioners. Nowadays, since its paths are ideal for long walks in the middle of the woods, it is ideal for hiking trails and excursions in the Garrotxa. We also recommend you to visit Masia L’Antiga to enjoy typical gastronomy and learn about the importance of the farmhouses for the Catalan culture.
After visiting them, we will be delighted with the best views of the Sierra del Corb, which can only offer the Mirador Puig Rodó, a spectacular place located in the Sierra del Corb, in the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of the Garrotxa (You should take a look at the best volcanoes in Catalonia).
For more info: Excursion from the Hermitage St. Martí del Corb to Puig Rodó Viewpoint
7.Excursion from the Marimurtra Botanical Garden to Castell de Sant Joan
Beautiful landscapes, good gastronomy, nightlife, places of historical and cultural interest… Blanes, capital of La Selva, one of the most attractive regions of Catalonia, is located right where all the attractions of the region start. So you can not miss this route from the Jardí Botànic Marimurtra to the Castell de Sant Joan.
The best alternative to get to know the heritage, landscape and even the architecture of each place we travel to is to visit botanical gardens. On this occasion, the Marimurtra Botanical Garden has more than 4,000 species of insects, birds and plants. What we recommend is to calmly descend the stairs of Epicur, where you will find an architectural jewel of Roman culture as the Temple of Linné.
The next stop would be Cala Sa Forcanera, the perfect beach if you want to escape the crowds, and finally, for history lovers, the last mandatory stop on the tour would be the Castell de Sant Joan or Castell de Blanes, on top of the hill that separates the beaches of Fenal and Lloret de Mar, where you will enjoy the best views of the city and amazing sunsets.
Are you going to miss this wonderful route through Girona?
For more info: Route from the Marimutra Botanical Garden to the Sant Joan Castle
8.Excursion from Platja de Llafranc to Far de Sant Sebastià
In this excursion through Girona province we will visit one of the most spectacular beaches of the Costa Brava, in the Baix Empordà region, on a route through Llafranc, which you can not miss for anything in the world.
This small and cozy village has only one beach, located at the foot of the mountain of Sant Sebastià and needs no more. Although it barely exceeds 316 inhabitants, in summer the population grows because it is filled by many people from the city who have their second residence there. Without forgetting the architectural charm of its narrow streets and buildings, enjoy a great plan for its promenade while tasting quality seafood in one of its terraces, breathing the sea breeze and the perfect balance between tranquility and good atmosphere.
After the camí de ronda from Llafranc to Calella de Palafrugell, the route ends at the Far de San Sebastià or Far del primer orden, considered one of the most important lighthouses in the Mediterranean. Right next to the lighthouse, there is an Iberian settlement where you can access free of charge to see the ruins of the buildings and their important historical pieces.
The best thing to do is to go to the Sant Sebastià viewpoint, located at the entrance of the restaurant of the lighthouse itself, and have a drink while you enjoy the spectacular sunset.
Did you like our selection of the best excursions and routes in Girona? If you missed any of them, don’t hesitate to recommend them in the comments! 🙂
