The Costa Brava and the Pirineu de Girona offer an infinite number of food and wine plans: from a rich gastronomic tasting, to flying over the Garrotxa in a hot-air balloon and enjoying a country breakfast.
The geographical location of the province of Girona, on the Costa Brava, is unique. It is a territory situated in the heart of nature, but where the Catalan mountains meet the Mediterranean Sea, a unique link that opens up the possibilities for a cuisine that uses the soul. Here, iconic gems such as wines and oils with designation of origin (DO), artisan sausages, shepherd’s cheeses, the famous rice from Pals or the unique anchovies from l’Escala stand out;
And it is no coincidence that this area has eighteen Michelin stars spread over thirteen of its most famous restaurants, which offer a whole series of culinary tourism experiences to delight the most demanding visitors..
So here are seven experiences to enjoy the summer, learn and disconnect in nature or at a restaurant table.
Activities to blend in with the environment
Ballooning in the Garrotxa
Live the experience of a travel in aerostatic balloon in the Pyrenees of Girona is an ideal adventure for nature lovers and for those seeking new sensations. Contemplate the more than 40 volcanoes that make up the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park from the heights.
Hot-air balloon trip over the Garrotxa Natural Park
The activity includes flight between 1h and 1h30, cava and crackling coca during the trip, private parking area at the Vol de Coloms facilities and coffee and pastries while watching the preparation of the balloons. The trip is complemented with a farmers’ breakfast with local products and wines on landing.
Wine at an altitude of 1200 metres
The first winery in Cerdanya, Llivins Mountain Wines, grows, produces and bottles wine at an altitude of over 1200 metres; this extreme climate gives the Sauvignon Blanc grape a unique mineral touch. This unique high mountain viticulture project has a Wine Corner open on weekends where you can taste its products while enjoying the marvellous views of the Pyrenean valley;
Wine Corner in Llivins Mountain Wines.
It is a unique and different experience, not only to taste the local product, but also to escape the summer heat with this vertigo-inducing wine!
Dalí’s city becomes a gastronomic route
The birthplace of Salvador Dalí offers three urban itineraries for tasting traditional tapas paired with local wines. The routes, organised by Turisme de Figueres and the sommelier Laura Masramon, allow visitors to discover products such as virgin olive oil DOP Empordà and wine or Empordà beers.
Dalí Museum in Figueres
The wines with character of Perelada
Perelada produces wines with a lot of character, and it was not going to be less, with a winemaking tradition of more than six centuries, presence and international recognition. Its new winery, designed by RCR Arquitectes, winners of the Pritzker in 2017, has one of the newest, widest and most complete wine tourism experiences in the country. In addition, it is the first in Europe to have the LEED® BD + C environmental and energy certification, a seal developed by the US Green Building Council that will accredit the sustainability and high efficiency of its design and construction.
Bodega Perelada, designed by RCR Arquitectos.
0 km craft beer
DosKiwis Brewing is a microbrewery located in the municipality of Rupià, in Baix Empordà. The brewery has a tasting area, known as the taproom. Here you can taste each of the beers they have on tap, normally around eight varieties. Although all the tastings are accompanied by snacks, the brewery also has a food truck, El Container, which offers dishes with zero-kilometre ingredients, always respecting the ingredients with which they work.
DosKiwis Brewing.
Emblematic festivals
The summer soundtrack has its own name: CBG! Festivals. This brand, promoted by the Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona, brings together thirty festivals of all types held in the most idyllic and representative spaces of the province.
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Perelada Festival (July 19 to August 11)
One of the summer festivals of international reference in the fields of poetry and dance, which also incorporates performances by music and theater stars. Both the castle space and its beautiful French gardens, the town of Peralada itself and the surrounding towns offer a first-class gastronomic and leisure offer.
Perelada Festival.
- Porta Ferrada Festival (July 5 to August 15)
Since it began until now, 60 editions have passed, and it has become one of the benchmark festivals. This year, it will feature the presence of Xoel López, Antònia Font, Amaral, the elegance of Fabio Biondi and the stellar collaboration of Camerata de Música Catalana with Carles Marigó, among many other performances.
- Cap Roig Festival in Calella de Palafrugell (from July 12 to August 16)
The area of Cap Roig, with its exquisite botanical garden, one of the most important in the Mediterranean arc, is filled with the stars of the musical firmament in summer. To an impeccable offer of sun and beach, gastronomy, water sports, golf and heritage located in the Baix Empordà, is added a festival that bets on big names in international music. This year it will feature performances by Sergio Dalma, Chris Isaak, Raphael, The Corrs and Diana Krall, among others.
