The Costa Brava is not just the sea. A few kilometres from the Canyelles Petites beach, The hinterland of the Girona province holds some of the best-preserved medieval villages on Spain's Costa Brava. Cobbled alleyways, golden stone houses, perched castles and shady squares: a journey back in time within driving distance from our Flats in Roses. Here is our selection of six essential villages, all accessible in under an hour.
Peralada: the village of wine and the festival (20 min)
Peralada is the medieval village closest to Roses, and undoubtedly the easiest to combine with a day at the beach. Nestled in the heart of the vineyards of the Empordà designation of origin, it captivates from the moment you enter with its 14th-century ramparts and its imposing castle that dominates the village.
Perelada Castle is today a luxury hotel, a casino, and the setting for the renowned Peralada International Music Festival, one of Europe's most prestigious opera and classical music festivals, held every summer in its gardens. If you are staying in Roses in July or August, check the programme. An evening at the festival is an unforgettable experience.
Wander through the alleyways of the historic centre, visit the Sant Domènech cloister and the Sant Martí church, then finish with a tasting in one of the estate's wineries. Empordà wines are well worth the detour. You'll also find a good selection of them in the Shops and markets in Roses.
📍 Peralada, Alt Empordà – 20 minutes from Roses
Castelló d'Empúries: The Cathedral of Empordà (25 min)
Castelló d'Empúries is often overlooked by tourists in a hurry, who pass by on their way to Empuriabrava. This is a mistake. This former capital of the county of Empúries houses one of the most beautiful Gothic basilicas in Catalonia (Santa Maria, nicknamed «the cathedral of Empordà»), whose monumental bell tower has dominated the plain for centuries.
The historic centre is remarkably well-preserved. Its medieval alleyways, tranquil squares, stone gateways and old manor houses invite you to wander without a precise route. Every corner holds an architectural surprise. The weekly market, held on Monday mornings, is an excellent excuse to soak up the local life.
📍 Castelló d'Empúries, Alt Empordà – 25 min from Roses
Besalú: The medieval gem of La Garrotxa (55 min)
Besalú is undoubtedly the most spectacular medieval village in the entire province of Girona. Located at the gateway to the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, it is crossed by the Fluvià river and dominated by its 12th-century fortified bridge – one of the most photographed images in Catalonia.
Crossing this seven-arched bridge is like stepping straight into the Middle Ages. The historic heart of Besalú has been declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument. Here you can discover the Sant Pere monastery, the underground Jewish baths (mikveh), one of the few surviving examples in Europe, the Royal Court, and countless stone facades that tell ten centuries of history.
Allow half a day to fully enjoy Besalú, and finish with a meal in one of the restaurants on the central square. The local cuisine is as impressive as the site itself.
📍 Besalú, La Garrotxa – 55 minutes from Roses
Pals: The golden city perched on its hill (55 min)
Pals is often referred to as the best-restored medieval village on the Costa Brava, and the reputation is well-deserved. Perched on a hill offering breathtaking panoramas of the Empordà plain, the Mediterranean Sea and the Medes Islands, the village received the Fine Arts Prize in 1973 for the quality of its restoration.
You enter Pals through a stone gateway, climb the cobbled lanes lined with golden stone houses, and suddenly find yourself facing the Torre de les Hores, the medieval tower that dominates the village, offering exceptional views. Artisans, art galleries, and shaded terraces give Pals a lively and warm atmosphere, far removed from a time-capsule museum village.
In the vicinity, the agricultural plain is famous for its rice paddies, an unexpected landscape just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean.
📍 Friends, Baix Empordà – 55 minutes from Roses
Peratallada: the labyrinth of carved stone (60 min)
If you must visit just one medieval village on the Costa Brava, choose Peratallada. Its name literally means «carved stone». A reference to the moats dug into the rock that still surround the village. Classified among the most beautiful villages in Catalonia, Peratallada is a labyrinth of medieval lanes, some of which still bear the traces of cart ruts in the stone ground.
The 12th-century castle, the Plaza de les Voltes with its arcades and terrace restaurants, and the general atmosphere of the village create a truly enchanting ambiance. Peratallada is also renowned for its gastronomy, with several quality establishments offering authentic Catalan cuisine in magnificent medieval settings. Ideally, combine your visit with nearby Pals for a medieval village loop day out.
📍 Peratallada, Baix Empordà – 60 minutes from Roses
Monells: The Secret Place (60 min)
Lesser known than its neighbours, Monells is a hidden gem that is well worth a detour. Its treasure is its Plaza Major, a medieval square surrounded by striking Gothic arcades, considered by specialists to be one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Catalonia. Monells is part of a municipality that includes three villages: Cruïlles, Monells, and Sant Sadurní de l'Heura, which have remarkably preserved their shared heritage.
The tranquility that reigns in Monells is a pleasant contrast to the bustling, more touristy villages. It’s the ideal destination for those seeking authenticity without the crowds, and who wish to enjoy a coffee on a terrace in a medieval square as if time had stood still.
📍 Monells, Baix Empordà – 60 minutes from Roses
How to organise your day?
These six villages naturally combine into day trips. Here are two possible routes from your holiday rental in one of our Apartments in Canyelles Petites :
North Circuit (half-day) Peralada + Castelló d’Empúries – ideal in the morning, back to the beach in the afternoon.
South Circuit (full day) The villages of Pals, Peratallada, and Monells are very close to each other and can easily be visited within the same day.
Besalú Day Combine with a visit to Dalí Theatre-Museum of Figueres en route, as the two sites are indeed close to each other.
Check out our Comprehensive guide to activities in Roses et notre article sur les 10 things to do in Roses with the family to prepare for your stay on the Costa Brava.