Peratallada is a precious medieval village located in the Baix Empordà region in the province of Girona. Its name, which means “carved stone”, says it all about this wonderful destination for a weekend getaway . Both the streets and the facades of the houses are built in stone, with a color contrasting with the flowers that decorate the whole village. On your visit to Peratallada you will travel back in time as you stroll along the castle walls and through the historic center. Do you want to know more about what to do in Peratallada?
The charm of Peratallada lies in its streets, which means that the main points of interest are the places and some buildings that we will talk about in this post. You can see the town in a morning easily, but if you decide to stay longer, here you can read about where to stay, where and what to eat and how to get around the area. We also give you some travel tips that will help you. Get ready to get to know the beautiful village of Peratallada.
What are the best places to see in Peratallada?
1. Keep (Torre del Homenaje)
The Keep is a symbol of Peratallada that you can see from different points as it reaches 8 meters. It stands out over the small low houses that form the village. The best views of the tower are from the Plaza dels Esquiladors and Jaume II Street. Both the tower and the wall with battlements surrounding Peratallada are the few remaining elements of the old castle built in the 11th and 12th centuries.
2. Church of Sant Esteve
The Church of Sant Esteve is a 12th century Romanesque architectural jewel notable for its facade decorated with a rose window and its belfry with pointed arches. Inside there is a polychrome ossuary box that holds the remains of Gilabert de Cruïlles, a feudal lord of the time. Although it dates back to the 12th century, extensions and improvements have been made over the years. Admission to the church is free.
3. Plaça dels Esquiladors, the most beautiful square in Peratallada
The Plaza dels Esquiladors of Peratallada surprises with the harmony that comes from the set of stone houses covered with ivy that invite you to take a thousand photos. This square is named after the sheep shearers who used to gather there annually. Nowadays it is the perfect place to have a drink or a meal on the terrace of the restaurant Can Nau. Just behind the square you can see the Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower).
4. Streets to visit in Peratallada
In Peratallada you will find many postcard-worthy places. Some of the most beautiful streets to visit in Peratallada are the Calle de la Roca and Calle Mayor, where you will find many craft stores and food stalls. We recommend you try the Gelat Artesà ice creams.
La Calle de la Roca is famous for the arch you have to go through to get to the Plaza dels Esquiladors, where tourists always stop to take a thousand photos.
5. Plaça de les Voltes
Starting from the Plaça del Castell and walking a couple of minutes you will reach the charming Plaça de les Voltes. It used to be the social center of the village and is another must-see in Peratallada. This rectangular square used to have arcades on its north and east sides during medieval times, although it currently only retains the arches or vaults on one side. The rest of the square has several restaurants with terraces where you can eat or have a drink.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Peratallada
1. Girona, the capital of this medieval province
Only 45 minutes away by car you will find Girona, the provincial capital and a city of rich history and beautiful architecture that captivates visitors. Its old town of cobbled streets and colorful houses will take you back to medieval times. In the city you should visit the Cathedral of Girona and the city walls that surround the city and on where you can stroll. We also recommend you to walk along the Onyar river and cross its beautiful bridges that give a unique charm to the town. If you want to know more about Girona visit this post: What to see and do in Girona?
2. La Garrotxa, a region
La Garrotxa is a region of great beauty located 1 hour away from Peratallada. It is famous for its impressive volcanic landscapes and unique natural beauty. It is a perfect destination for those who love nature, history and tranquility.
There you can visit the Natural Parks of the Volcanic Zone and Alta Garrotxa, known for its volcanoes. You can also visit some of the most beautiful medieval villages of the region, such as Besalú or Castellfollit de la Roca. In this post you can read more about the Garrotxa: Things to see and do in the Garrotxa
3. Pals, the medieval village on the coast
Pals is a medieval village that dates back to the 9th century. Although it was destroyed during the Civil War, it still retains its charm thanks to the restoration work that took place during the 20th century. In two hours you can walk around the town and see the main points of interest such as the Plaza Mayor, the church of Sant Pere, the wall and the castle among others. Pals also has a beach 6km away from the old town where you can relax, sunbathe or practice water sports.
What to see in 1 day in Peratallada
Peratallada is a must when traveling around Girona. As we have already seen in this post, its charm lies in the streets, which means that in justa couple of hours you can see every corner of the village and take a thousand photos of its stone facades full of flowers. We usually recommend including the village in the route when visiting other places, so you’ll get the most out of the day.
If you’re staying in a nearby town like Girona or a small village in La Garrotxa, Peratallada is a perfect destination for a day trip. Bring your camera and discover the most beautiful medieval village in Catalonia. You can also take the opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomy in one of its incredible restaurants.
Where and what to eat in Peratallada?
In Peratallada, besides trying typical Catalan recipes, you can taste typical products of the region. These include the fesols de Santa Pau (white beans), potatoes from Olot, grilled sausage, sausages and cheeses of the best quality. Here we leave you a list of our favorite restaurants in Peratallada:
- La Candelaria: is a very cozy restaurant where you can enjoy local products and typical Catalan dishes. Everything is delicious and the presentation is impeccable. The price is a little higher than average but it’s worth it.
- L’Eixida Restaurant Gastronòmic: Following the line of the previous restaurant but with a point of sophistication we have L’Eixida Restaurant Gastronòmic. If you are a food enthusiast, we recommend it. You are sure to love their dishes.
- Restaurant La Roca: this restaurant is a simple place where you will find homemade food at a very affordable price.
Where to stay in Peratallada
Both in Peratallada and in the surrounding area you will find cozy hotels and rural houses where to disconnect. In the village the offer is not very wide, but if you search in advance you will surely find a place. These are some of our favorite hotels:
- Hostal La Riera: is a cozy hostel in the middle of the village. The rooms are simple, but it is a very cozy place to stay as it has a nice terrace in a garden.
- Hostal Blau: it is a nice hostel built in a medieval building. It is a very nice place where you can stay from 111 € per night. Breakfast is included.
- Hotel Mas Rabiol: If you are looking for something more luxurious we recommend this 3-star hotel with garden and pool. It has a restaurant, bar and parking and the price per night starts at 117€.
How to get to Peratallada
Although Peratallada is a very touristy town, the truth is that it takes quite a long time to get there by public transport, so we recommend going by car. Once there you can move on foot between the main points of interest. These are all the options you have to get to Peratallada:
- Airplane: the nearest airport is Girona-Costa Brava Airport, where you can rent a car.
- Train: from Barcelona or Girona you can go by train to Flaçà station, 10 km away from Peratallada. From there you will have to take a bus to get to your destination.
- Car: This is the easiest option. The trip takes about 1 hour from Barcelona and about 30 minutes from Gerona.
What should I consider before traveling to Peratallada?
- The best time to travel to Peratallada is in spring and summer.
- Catalonia is a very touristy region, so early booking is recommended.
- Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be perfectly understood in Spanish.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured
- The water in the region is drinkable.
- We recommend to take a private car to move around the region.
- There is a parking lot in Peratallada. 13h is 6€.
- Free tours are organized in the village
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Peratallada
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Peratallada.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Peratallada
The best way to get to Peratallada is by car as it is not very well connected by public transport.
Some of the most typical products of the area are the fesols de Santa Pau (white beans), Olot potatoes, grilled sausage, sausages and cheeses of the best quality.
The best time to visit Peratallada is in spring and summer.
In Peratallada there are just a few hostels and hotels to choose from. Luckily in the surrounding area you also have plenty of options.
Peratallada can be seen perfectly in one morning.
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