Free walking tours in L'Escala and what to see

Must-sees

L'Escala is a fishing town on the Costa Brava, in the Alt Empordà, south of the Gulf of Roses. Its old core keeps the feel of a fishing village, with narrow streets running down to the Les Barques beach and the church of Sant Pere. The tradition of salted anchovies is its hallmark, and the Anchovy and Salt Museum explains how this fish was caught and preserved for centuries.

The must-see is Empúries, the archaeological site where a Greek city and a Roman city stood facing the sea. You get there along a seafront path among pines that skirts coves and beaches. Very close by is Sant Martí d'Empúries, a small walled village with a square and a church. The coast also opens onto Riells beach and Cala Montgó, good for swimming.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in L'Escala. On Civitatis you will find tickets for the anchovy museum, a good way to understand the town's fishing history. Empúries offers its own guided visits that help make sense of the ruins. There are also day trips from Barcelona or Girona that combine the ruins with other villages in the Empordà.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the old town and the anchovy museum. Empúries needs at least two or three hours, and if you add the seafront path and Sant Martí d'Empúries you have a full day. With two or three days you can add beach time, a coastal walk towards Montgó and a trip to Girona or the medieval villages inland.

Where to stay

The centre, near Les Barques beach, is the most convenient area for walking to restaurants and the promenade. If you prefer peace and beaches, Riells and Montgó have apartments and hotels by the sea, though you will rely a bit more on the car. Sant Martí d'Empúries is the smallest and most charming option. Occupancy is high in summer, so book ahead.