Free walking tours in Torroella de Montgrí and what to see

Must-sees

Torroella de Montgrí is a town in the Baix Empordà beside the river Ter, at the foot of the Montgrí massif. Its old quarter keeps remains of the medieval wall, such as the Santa Caterina gate, and streets of grand houses. The centre is the arcaded Plaça de la Vila, and close by stands the Gothic church of Sant Genís. The Can Quintana building houses the Museu de la Mediterrània, which explains the landscape and culture of the Montgrí, the Baix Ter and the Medes Islands.

Above the town looms the Montgrí castle, a 13th-century fortress reached on foot by a path through rock and scrub, with views over the whole Empordà plain. The Palau Solterra holds a collection of contemporary photography. A few kilometres away is L'Estartit, the town's coastal resort, with its beach and the Medes Islands, a marine reserve that is part of the natural park.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Torroella de Montgrí. The practical option is the tourist office at Can Quintana, which has information on routes around the area. Boats to see the Medes Islands leave from L'Estartit, and there are diving centres and snorkelling trips. If you are in Girona or on the Costa Brava, some day trips combine the Baix Empordà with other medieval villages.

How long to spend

Allow a morning for the old town and the museum. The climb to the castle takes another half day, so a full day covers the main sights. If you add L'Estartit and a trip to the Medes Islands, you need a second day. In summer the music festival fills the town with concerts, worth bearing in mind when booking.

Where to stay

If you want peace and village atmosphere, stay in Torroella's old town or its surroundings, where there are small hotels and rural houses among farmland. If you prefer the sea, L'Estartit has most of the accommodation, with hotels, apartments and campsites near the beach. Pals and La Bisbal d'Empordà are nearby alternatives if you cannot find a room.