Flavours of Catalonia

Idyllic scenery, terrific food & wine
 
Discover the many flavours of Catalonia on this self-guided walk, with luggage transported. The relaxed and leisurely routes allow plenty of time for visits to historic villages and dips in the sea, as well as indulging in excellent cuisine at each of the high-quality hotels.
Flavours of Catalonia. 7 nights
Flavours of Catalonia. 7 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in northern Catalonia

Catalonia may be renowned for its dramatic coastline, where turquoise waters caress whitewashed fishing villages, and for the honey-coloured medieval villages that crown the rolling inland hills, but what is perhaps more of a revelation is the highly innovative gastronomy for which the region is increasingly famed. Our holiday reveals all aspects of this idyllic corner of Catalonia, with the chance to discover the region’s culinary secrets while staying in some truly exceptional hotels.
This most leisurely of walking holidays leads you gently across the inland plain and its ancient villages before winding through scented pine woods to the pretty bays of the Costa Brava. There is plenty of time to discover the ancient villages, stumble upon a tiny courtyard restaurant, browse the craft shops brimming with hand-painted ceramics and to swim in some of the prettiest coves of the Mediterranean.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on almost any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    Pleasant sea breezes ensure that summers do not seem excessively hot.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 13 14 16 18 21 25 29 28 26 21 16 14
    mm 46 45 59 54 52 41 25 44 68 101 58 56
  • Arrival in Madremanya
    Night 1: at Hotel Restaurant La Plaça or Can Bassa (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks from Madremanya: 13km or 13.5km

    Circular walk via Púbol: 13.5km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 240m
    We suggest a lovely walk that explores the undulating countryside to the north of Madremanya which leads to the medieval village of Púbol, famous for the 14th-century castle that Salvador Dalí bought for his wife and which is now a fascinating museum devoted to his works.

    Circular walk via Font Picant: 13km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 290m
    Alternatively, head south into the Gavarres hills. You first walk to Font Picant before looping back through open meadows and farms, with birdsong usually the only sound.

    Spend a leisurely day in Madremanya
    Yet another option is to take a quiet wander through the narrow cobbled streets of Madremanya, or spend time lazing by the pool or amid the hotel's aromatic herb gardens.
    Circular walk via Púbol: 13.5km
    Circular walk via Font Picant: 13km
  • Madremanya to Es Portal: 13km, 4.5hrs; ascent 95m/descent 130m
    After a short transfer, you walk along farm tracks between fields of corn and sunflowers that lead initially to the walled village of Peratallada. Take time to explore the crumbling castle and arcaded streets lined with beautiful medieval houses of this typically Catalan village, before continuing eastwards across the plain, rising gently for a wonderful view of the sea as you approach your next destination, Es Portal, on the outskirts of hill-top Pals. You have two nights here.
    Madremanya to Es Portal: 13km
    The walled village of Peratallada
  • Circular walk from Es Portal: 15.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent/descent 135m
    Choose to enjoy a pleasant circuit across the plain, passing a number of pretty villages, including walled Palau-Sator, and Fontclara and Sant Julià. For many, the highlight of the walk is the visit to the beautifully restored medieval town of Pals. Take time to explore its cobbled streets and climb to El Pedró viewpoint from where there are excellent views to the sea, the Medes Islands and the Montgri Mountains, or take a stroll around the town's ramparts, with their six rectangular towers.
    Circular walk from Es Portal: 15.5km
    Medieval town of Pals
  • Es Portal to Aiguablava: 11.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent 280m/descent 270m
    Briefly heading off back through Pals, today's route follows sandy tracks and wide trails through pinewoods to reach ancient Begur, which has several pavement cafés in the Old Town, before meandering down to the coast and the highly acclaimed Hotel Aigua Blava (for two nights), set in an enviable position above a secluded cove at Aiguablava.
    Es Portal to Aiguablava: 11.5km
    Hotel Aigua Blava
  • Circular walk from Aiguablava: 7.5km, 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 380m; longer option: 9.5km, 3.5hrs
    Spend the day relaxing by the pool, or explore the Begur headland and some of its most picturesque coves and beaches, including Aiguafreda and Sa Riera. There is also the option to walk on to Sa Tuna, which has been voted 'the most beautiful place in Catalonia'. There is ample time to stop for a dip in the sea and for a delicious seafood lunch, before heading to Begur to explore the village itself using our self-guided town trail – in particular, we recommend climbing to the castle ruins for far-reaching views along the coast.
    Circular walk from Aiguablava: 7.5km
    The bay of Sa Tuna
  • Aiguablava to Llafranc: 9.5km, 4hrs; ascent 430m/descent 420m
    Offering a mix of inland and coastal trails, this is a wonderful walk with which to end your holiday. Although more demanding than previous days, with several ascents and descents as you progress from cove to cove, it is nevertheless a real highlight. You start by descending through pine-clad hills to the sandy bay at Tamariu, a lovely spot for a break. From here, you head across the rocks and along the coastal path, passing the rocky headland of La Musclera to reach the secret, idyllic bay of Cala Pedrosa. After pausing for a swim, perhaps, you climb through scented pinewoods to the San Sebastian lighthouse. This is a fine viewpoint overlooking your destination, the pretty village of Llafranc, where your final night is spent at the Hotel Terramar.
    Aiguablava to Llafranc: 9.5km
    The idyllic bay of Cala Pedrosa
 

Accommodation

All the hotels offer excellent standards of service and accommodation – and wonderful dining.

In Madremanya we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 April 2024 - 30 June 2024, 01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024, 01 April 2025 - 30 June 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start Sunday-Thursday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2024 £1605 £420
    1 - 26 May 2024 £1720 £420
    27 May - 23 Jun 2024 £1865 £490
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1835 £480
    1 - 24 Oct 2024 £1595 £420
    1 - 30 Apr 2025 £1670 £440
    1 - 26 May 2025 £1790 £440
    27 May - 23 Jun 2025 £1940 £510
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £1910 £500
    1 - 24 Oct 2025 £1660 £440
    3rd & 4th person discount -£50 to -£52
    Single traveller supplement £50 to £52

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 01 April 2024 - 30 June 2024, 01 September 2024 - 31 October 2024, 01 April 2025 - 30 June 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start Sunday-Thursday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2024 £2115 £420
    1 - 26 May 2024 £2235 £420
    27 May - 23 Jun 2024 £2375 £490
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £2345 £480
    1 - 24 Oct 2024 £2110 £420
    1 - 30 Apr 2025 £2200 £440
    1 - 26 May 2025 £2325 £440
    27 May - 23 Jun 2025 £2470 £510
    1 - 30 Sep 2025 £2440 £500
    1 - 24 Oct 2025 £2195 £440
    3rd & 4th person discount -£175 to -£180
    Single traveller supplement £175 to £185

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: Out: UK–Girona via Paris (Eurostar/TGV), approx. duration 10h30, plus 0h30 taxi. Home: Figueres Vilafant–UK via Paris (TGV/Eurostar), approx. duration 10h40, plus 1h40 taxi.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 10 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel La Plaça, Madremanya
    Terrace: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £20
    Terrace: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £20
    Terrace: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2025 £21
    Terrace: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £21
    Hotel Aigua Blava, Aiguablava
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Apr - 31 May 2024 £22
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2024 £35
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Sep - 30 Sep 2024 £35
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £22
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Apr - 31 May 2025 £23
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2025 £36
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Sep - 30 Sep 2025 £36
    Junior suite with lounge & terrace: 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £23

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel La Plaça, Madremanya (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £163 £210
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2025 £170 £219
    Hotel Aigua Blava, Aiguablava (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 May 2024 £190 £263
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2024 £230 £316
    01 Sep - 30 Sep 2024 £230 £316
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £190 £263
    01 Apr - 31 May 2025 £200 £276
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2025 £240 £329
    01 Sep - 30 Sep 2025 £240 £329
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £200 £276
    Hotel Terramar, Llafranc (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 05 Apr 2024 £117 £148
    06 Apr - 10 Apr 2024 £150 £192
    11 Apr - 31 May 2024 £117 £148
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2024 £150 £192
    01 Sep - 30 Sep 2024 £150 £192
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £117 £148
    01 Apr - 05 Apr 2025 £122 £154
    06 Apr - 10 Apr 2025 £160 £204
    11 Apr - 31 May 2025 £122 £154
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2025 £160 £204
    01 Sep - 30 Sep 2025 £160 £204
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £122 £154
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Girona or Barcelona
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Barcelona. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Barcelona easyJet,  jet2 
    Belfast Intl. - Girona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Barcelona Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Birmingham - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Barcelona easyJet 
    Bristol - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Barcelona Ryanair 
    Nottingham East Midlands - Girona jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Barcelona Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Edinburgh - Barcelona (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Barcelona jet2 
    Glasgow - Barcelona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Glasgow - Girona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Barcelona Ryanair 
    Glasgow Prestwick - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Girona Ryanair 
    Leeds Bradford - Barcelona jet2 
    Leeds Bradford - Barcelona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Leeds Bradford - Girona jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Barcelona easyJet,  Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Liverpool - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Barcelona British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Barcelona British Airways,  easyJet,  Iberia,  Vueling 
    Gatwick - Girona TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Barcelona British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Barcelona easyJet,  Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Luton - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Barcelona easyJet 
    London Southend - Girona Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Barcelona Ryanair 
    Stansted - Girona jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Barcelona easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  Vueling 
    Manchester - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Barcelona easyJet 
    Newcastle - Barcelona (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Girona jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Southampton - Barcelona (via Paris) Air France 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Barcelona. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Barcelona

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Barcelona Sants to Girona (0h40), taxi Girona station to hotel (0h30) £62-£64 1900
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Palafrugell (0h15), bus Palafrugell to Barcelona airport T1/ T2 (3h, pay locally) £13-£14 1130
    taxi hotel to Girona station (1h30), rail Girona to Barcelona Sants (0h40) £88-£92 1200 (1300 Sun)

    Connecting travel options - flying via Girona

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    taxi Girona airport to hotel (1h) £62-£64 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Girona airport (1h) £62-£64 flexible
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfer on day 2
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • (Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; Catalan, Basque and Gallego have equal status in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, respectively. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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