CULTURAL OFFER, EMPURIABRAVA AND SURROUNDING
As you can see, the cultural activities in Empuriabrava's holiday package are endless...
CULTURAL VISITS AT THE MUNICIPALITY (Empuriabrava-Castelló d'Empúries)
The municipality of Empuriabrava and Castelló d'Empúries stands out of its touristic and natural ingredients, for its rich cultural history. As the ancient capital of the county of Empuries, Castello possesses multiple remains from medieval times, which we are sure you will love to see. The Tourist Office offers guided visits almost all the year round and this is the best way to discover the past of the municipality ancestors: The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria, the lodge, the jail, the Santa Clara Convent, the Palace of the Counts... as we said before: endless!
The best time to visit Castelló d'Empúries is at the beginning of September, during the Festival of Troubadours and Medieval Market.
Furthermore,
we have the ecological flour mill museum (beautiful preserved) where every year
before summer a market fair is held, dedicated to flour, bread and wheat. Let's
not forget the Butterfly Park which deserves a visit in itself.
CULTURAL VISITS AROUND THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS
Roses (5 Km.). Roses is a town with most dispersed and varied remains, from prehistoric times right through the period of Greek influence and up to the occupation during the French War. We would like to point out the Dolmen at "La creu de Corbatella" and the Citadel among the many places you should visit...
Cadaqués (20
Km.). Simply the mention of its name it reminds people of this beautiful
place. What else can we say...? Take the chance to visit the house of Salvador
Dali in Port-Lligat and Cap de
Creus!
Empúries (20
Km.). Impressive ruins from the ancient Greek and Roman cities, a most for
people who like stones (II Century AC until III DC). One must visit this even if
stones are not your favourite sights!
Figueres (15
Km.). The city of museums: The
Theatre-Museum Salvador
Dalí, The Toy Museum
and The Emporda Museum,
in that order, you should allow a bit of your spare time to visit them,
finishing with a visit to the Sant Ferran Castle..
Peralada (10 Km.). Even if it is only to see the Cloisters and the Castle, have a glass of cava or gamble dew Euros in the Casino is worth a visit. Take a chance to walk round the old village.
Girona (50
Km.). Recommended visits:
the Cathedral, a nice walk round the Jewish quarters, the city walls and the
Cinema Museum, but take your time, because Girona has many hidden attractions
which we are sure you will find...
Besalú
and Serinyà (50 Km.). The medieval town of Besalu has been a subject in
postcards for many years and we recommend you to find some magic around the stre
ets.
Do no forget to visit the Prehistoric caves of Serinyà not far from Besalú.
Perpignan and Tautavel (75 Km.). Before, people went to Perpignan to see films or shopping. That's something of the past. Try to visit the historic side of the city, like the Palace of the King and Queen of Mallorca and its historical center. Take a chance to go to Tautavel and its museum where they have found the most ancient hominids in Europe.
We are aware that we areonly offering you a little example of our cultural offer but the lack of space is the reason why. Quickly we will mention a few more: the quick visit to the Barcelona post-olimpic, a quick llok at the wildest parts of the Costa Brava between Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Lloret de Mar, Botanical gardens in Blanes, Iberian ruins in Ullastret, Ripoll, Nuria Valley... Take a look at the suggested excursions in our separate leaflet on excursions...
MUSIC FESTIVALS, EXHIBITIONS, CONCERTS AND OTHERS
The visitor fill not find amiss activites to complement their stay in Emporda. Some of the music festivals are now internationally known, the likes of Peralada, Torroella de Montgri, Cap Roig in Calella, S'Agaró or Cadaqués (all in Summer) but besides ther are the Blues, Jazz and Gospel Festival in Roses in July; religious music in Girona and Figueres Jazz in Spring as well as classical music festivals in Sant Pere de Rodes, Sant Pere Pescador, L'Escala-Empúries, Calonge, etc... besides other less relevant local "fiestas"...
When we talk about exhibitions, we do no talk about museums only as in Emporda one finds little privat exhibitions spread all round. Not in vain l'Emporda is known as a land of painters...
(Consult the website of the Culture Department of the Catalan Government, in Catalan!)
FAIRS AND "FIESTAS"
Empuriabrava and Castelló d'Empúries:
. Fiesta of Our Lady of the Candles (Candelera) in Castelló, first february week.
. Carnivals in Empuriabrava and Castelló.
. Second hand boat market in Empuriabrava, at Easter.
. Flour, bread and wheat fair in Castelló, in Spring.
. Fiesta of Our Lady del Carme inEmpuriabrava, in July, with concerts and fire works.
. Fiesta of Saint Laurent in Castelló, with various activites, concerts and fire works on the second week in August.
. Festival Land of Troubadours and Medieval Market in Castelló, the second week in September.
(Official Programm of the Townhouse)
The sourrounding area:
It's impossible to give detailed information about the large quantity of fairs and local "fiestas", which are held in most of the little villages and cities in Emporda, and in which you would like to point out just for a quick look or to get home made natural products and handycrafts... We suggest you get into the website of Fairs in Catalunya from the Catalan government where you will find up to date information or to consult the local Tourist Offices...