Fascinating Girona: its most beautiful villages

Girona is considered one of the most beautiful and attractive provinces of Catalonia within rural tourism. You can find authentic treasures that year after year attract thousands of visitors in search of unique and charming landscapes. From dreamy coasts with crystal clear waters and white houses, to inland villages anchored in medieval times and built in stone.

Calella de Palafrugell, Mediterranean essence in Girona

One of those little villages that you will never forget. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean, in the heart of the Costa Brava, this coastal town has taken all the cultural recognition due to its picturesque white houses built on the slope of the hillside. One of the most awaited moments by tourists is the arrival and departure of all the fishing boats that give life to the village. In addition, another of its main attractions is the offer of routes and trails that it has. One of them, the Camino de la Ronda, surrounds the town and offers spectacular views of the sea and the entire coastal landscape of Calella de Palafrugell.

Cadaqués, the village that inspired Dalí

Another of the essential coastal towns of Girona is Cadaqués. In addition to conquer with its fishing landscape and its beach of clean waters and white sand, this town has a huge cultural heritage among its streets. Its historic center is considered one of the most beautiful in the area. The Santa Maria Parish Church, in Gothic style, stands out among all the buildings, giving character to the town and adapting to the coastal aesthetics. Likewise, the Casa Blaua is another of its great attractions, a modernist style building that does not go unnoticed. Not to be overlooked, of course, is its relationship with Salvador Dalí.

Castellfollit de la Roca

Moving further into the interior of the region is Castellfollit de la Roca, a spectacular village built on the edge of a huge cliff that provides spectacular views. The basalt rock cliff, over 50 meters high, is brushing the Fluvià river and gives the impression that the stone houses of the village are looking over the edge of the cliff. Just strolling through its streets or discovering the remains of the ancient Roman road is a spectacle worth seeing and visiting.

Tossa de Mar, representing the beauty of Costa Brava in Girona

It has been named one of the most beautiful towns in Catalonia as it is considered the perfect mix between the coastal landscape and the medieval town. It was the international actress Ava Gardner who made this spectacular place famous. The walls of the castle of Tossa de Mar generate a symbiosis with the natural landscape and delimit the beach with the old town, generating multiple scenarios that leave no one indifferent.

Peratallada, pure rural charm in Girona

Many of the most charming villages of Girona seem to be made to be discovered and absorbed by its narrow streets worthy of another time. Peratallada is one of those places. This village is one of those that has managed to maintain the essence and the medieval atmosphere that characterizes this region. With its alleys and stone houses, it is a village worth getting lost in. Despite its small size, Peratallada has an emblematic Romanesque church of the thirteenth century, the Church of San Esteban, and the Plaza de las Voltes, a meeting place for all the inhabitants of the village.

Besalú

It is one of the medieval towns par excellence in Girona and throughout Catalonia. With an imposing stone bridge, it welcomes all visitors who want to discover in this town a little piece of history of the region. Some of the obligatory stops in Besalú are the church of Sant Vicenç, the house of Cornellà and the characteristic facade of the old church hospital of Sant Julià. It also has a medieval-era Jewish quarter whose Miqvé is one of only two Jewish bathhouses that have been discovered in Spain.

Camprodón

Located in the valley that gives it its name, Camprondón is one of the most visited villages in the area, and no wonder. This village has a huge cultural and historical heritage, starting with its impressive bridge, the Pont Romà, which preserves a great historical ensemble from medieval times. Other places of interest to take into account are the monastery of Sant Pere and the museum dedicated to Isaac Albéniz, the prestigious composer and pianist who, precisely, was born there.

Monells, a journey back to the 10th century in the heart of Girona

It is a small village in Girona that currently belongs to a regional group whose core is Cruilles, Monells and Sant Sadurní de l’Heura. However, this village is one of the oldest known in Catalonia, since the first records place it in the tenth century. This is precisely one of its main attractions. Walking through the streets of Monells can already be an experience to fall in love but, in addition, its stone houses, the old wall and the town square put the finishing touch.

Pals, the medieval jewel of Girona

It is considered a Place of Historical Interest as it is one of the largest villages and best preserved all its medieval legacy. The simple fact of walking through its streets already transports you back in time. Pals is a place full of history and remains that will enchant lovers of the past. One of its must-sees is the Tower of the Hours, the only remaining remnant of an ancient castle and, of course, the Church of Sant Pere whose more than 1000 years of age make it bring together remnants of all architectural styles.

Santa Pau

Another of the many medieval villages in the interior of Girona. It is also characterized by its location, in the heart of the Garrotxa Natural Park. This location gives Santa Pau privileged views and a vegetation landscape that give it a special touch, noting the contrast of the stone buildings with the green of the reserve. Besides being able to enjoy its gastronomy and visit the old town and its castle, Santa Pau offers its visitors an endless number of routes and trails adapted to all kinds of people and experiences.

Beget

To finish this list of the most beautiful villages of Girona, we could not leave out the village of Beget, in the municipality of Camprodon. Beget is surrounded by the valley that gives its name to the municipality and perfectly preserves the charm and medieval landscape so common in the area. With two medieval bridges at the entrance and exit and a clear Romanesque style in its buildings, this village is also able to take the visitor to another era. One of the essential stops is the church of Sant Cristòfor, one of the best preserved Romanesque temples in the area.