🏰 Route 3 — The medieval villages of the Baix Empordà

Torroella de Montgrí · Peratallada · Pals · Monells

Cobbled streets, walls, charming squares and castles that seem frozen in time, across four of Catalonia's best-preserved medieval villages.

📋 Quick facts

🕘 Departure 09:00–09:30 from L'Escala — to enjoy the villages before the crowds.

🏰 1st stop — Torroella de Montgrí

🚗 16 km · 20 min

⏱ 45 min

A medieval old town at the foot of the Montgrí.

✅ Don't miss:

Plaza de la Vila, Sant Genís Church.

🏰 Optional:

climb up to Castillo del Montgrí (45 min, sweeping views over the Empordà and the Medes Islands).

🅿 Free public parking areas.

☕ Services:

cafés, bakeries, toilets.

🏘 11:00 — Peratallada

🚗 15 km · 20 min

One of Catalonia's best-preserved medieval villages.

What to see:

the walls, castle, main square, stone houses.

🍴 We recommend eating here or in Pals.

🍽 [Recommended restaurant — pending]

🏰 15:00 — Pals

⭐ Not to be missed:

Torre de les Hores, Mirador Josep Pla, the walls, Barrio del Pedró.

📸 Best photo: the viewpoint next to the tower.

🏛 17:00 — Monells

An arcaded square, one of the prettiest in the Empordà.

Cafés with terraces for a drink.

🕕 Return to L'Escala — 30 min, arrival ~19:00–19:30.

🍽 Recommended dinner:

grilled meats, seasonal dishes, artisan cheeses, D.O. Empordà wines.

☀ What to bring:

comfortable shoes (trainers if climbing the castle), water, a cap, sunscreen.

🌦 If it rains:

the route still works well, the historic centres have arcades and cafés.

👨‍👩‍👧 With children:

they'll enjoy the walls and squares; only climb the castle if they're used to walking.

🐶 With pets:

a very pleasant route, mostly pedestrian with open spaces.