Easy Catalonia Cycling Holiday: Costa Brava, Medieval Villages & Vineyards

Welcome to Catalonia's Vineyard Country.

Arrive at Girona Airport or Figueres-Vilafant Train Station, where you'll be met and transferred to your boutique hotel in Palau-saverdera.

Set at the foot of the mountains and surrounded by olive groves, this traditional Catalan village offers a peaceful introduction to the rural landscapes of Alt Empordà. Take time to wander the quiet village lanes, settle into your hotel, or simply relax and enjoy the slower pace of life.

This evening, you may choose to dine at the hotel restaurant and sample traditional Catalan dishes prepared with local ingredients.

Accommodation: 3-star Hotel B&B, El Niu de Sol, Palau-saverdera or similar.

Seaside Promenades & Vineyard Farm Shops.

Distance: 36 km | Cycling Time: ~3 hours | Terrain: Flat country lanes and paved coastal paths.

Set out through the open countryside of Alt Empordà, following quiet lanes towards the Mediterranean and the seaside town of Roses. Take time to enjoy the waterfront promenade, stop for a coffee or swim, and visit the historic Citadel of Roses, which reveals layers of Greek, Roman and medieval history.

The return ride takes you inland through olive groves and traditional farming landscapes to the village of Pau. Stop at the Empordàlia agroshop to sample regional wines, olive oils and other local produce before continuing back to Palau-saverdera.

It is an easygoing first ride that combines coast, countryside and a relaxed introduction to the food and wine traditions of Empordà.

Accommodation: 3-star Hotel B&B, El Niu de Sol, Palau-saverdera or similar.

Medieval Castles & Local Cooperatives.

Distance: 39 km | Cycling Time: ~3.5 hours | Terrain: Gently rolling countryside

Cycle west through the peaceful landscapes of Alt Empordà, following quiet country lanes between vineyards, olive groves and open farmland to the historic village of Peralada.

Take time to explore its cobbled streets and medieval centre, including Sant Domènec's cloister and the impressive Peralada Castle, surrounded by elegant gardens and home to one of the region's best-known cultural estates.

The return journey winds through more of Empordà's wine country to Garriguella, where you can stop at the village wine cooperative to discover locally produced wines and artisanal products. From here, continue through gently rolling countryside back towards Palau-saverdera.

With medieval heritage, vineyards and relaxed rural riding, today offers a wonderful introduction to the wine-growing traditions and historic villages of inland Empordà.

Accommodation: 3-star Hotel B&B, El Niu de Sol, Palau-saverdera or similar.

Gothic Architecture & Protected Nature Reserves.

Distance: 28 km | Cycling Time: ~3 hours | Terrain: Flat nature trails and farm tracks.

Leave Palau-saverdera behind and ride south through the open landscapes of Alt Empordà towards Castelló d'Empúries, an atmospheric medieval town with a rich historical legacy. Take time to visit the impressive Basilica of Santa Maria, often referred to as the "Cathedral of the Empordà" for its scale and striking Gothic architecture.

From here, continue into the peaceful wetlands of Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park, following flat trails through reed beds, lagoons and agricultural landscapes. Stop at discreet bird hides along the way, where you may spot herons, storks, flamingos and other migratory species.

The final stretch leads to Sant Pere Pescador, set beside the River Fluvià, where you'll settle into a charming rural farmhouse for the next stage of your journey.

Accommodation: Rural guest house, Can Mas, Sant Pere Pescador.

Beaches, Dalí Museum, or Relaxation.

Enjoy a relaxed day in Sant Pere Pescador, with the freedom to do as much or as little as you like.

Head to the nearby golden beaches of the Costa Brava for a swim or a leisurely walk along the shore, or simply unwind beside the saltwater pool at your farmhouse and enjoy the peaceful rural setting.

For a cultural change of pace, take a short trip to Figueres to visit the renowned Dalí Theatre-Museum, dedicated to the life and surrealist world of Salvador Dalí.

Whether you choose the beach, art or complete relaxation, today is a welcome chance to recharge before the final rides of your Catalan journey.

Accommodation: Rural guest house, Can Mas, Sant Pere Pescador.

Apple Orchards & Pyrenean Panoramas.

Distance: 42 km | Cycling Time: ~3/4 hours | Terrain: Flat agricultural tracks and quiet country lanes.

Set out on a relaxed loop through the fertile countryside of Alt Empordà, following peaceful tracks and lanes alongside the River Fluvià. Ride through a patchwork of apple orchards, open pastures and traditional farmland, passing small rural hamlets where life continues at an unhurried pace.

The predominantly flat terrain makes for an easygoing day in the saddle, leaving plenty of time to stop, take in the scenery and enjoy the quiet agricultural landscapes that define this part of Catalonia. On clear days, look north for wonderful views towards the distant peaks of the Pyrenees, rising beyond the Empordà plain.

Complete the loop back to Sant Pere Pescador, with the remainder of the afternoon free to relax at your farmhouse or return to the nearby coast.

Accommodation: Rural guest house, Can Mas, Sant Pere Pescador.

Ancient Roman Ruins & Walled Settlements.

Distance: 42 km | Cycling Time: ~3/4 hours | Terrain: Coastal paths and quiet back roads.

Follow the coastline south from Sant Pere Pescador, riding along peaceful back roads and coastal paths with the Mediterranean never far away. Your destination is the beautifully preserved medieval village of Sant Martí d'Empúries, where stone lanes and historic buildings sit just above the sea.

The highlight of the day is a visit to the remarkable Empúries Archaeological Site, one of Catalonia's most important ancient settlements. Wander among the remains of Greek and Roman streets, temples and villas, and admire mosaic floors dating back more than 2,000 years, all in a spectacular seaside setting.

Afterwards, there is time for a refreshing swim at a nearby beach before beginning the return ride north to Sant Pere Pescador.

Accommodation: Rural guest house, Can Mas, Sant Pere Pescador.