Airbnb Review Gironalet Apartment


This is what I call value for money, and…. with a very charming host Liza, who has loads of information as per request! We needed accommodation for 4 and this apartment offered us the privacy we were looking for: A separate bedroom for each of us, a kitchen to prepare a light meal, a dining room and a large balcony to have a drink and chill out. Gerona historic centre is only 5 minutes walk. Wi-Fi is available in the pub in the street, and groceries are available around the corner. For those whose Spanish is about the same as mine: Liza is fluent in English as well. Next time we visit Gerona we will be back!
(Holland) (November 2012)

Girona Jewish Quarter Route

 Here i wanted to mention a few things to look out for, to make your visit more rewarding. A visit to the Museum of Jewish life, established on the site of the 3rd medieval synagogue of the city, is an integral part of the route. I haven't finished yet but i'll post this for starters...i hope you like my picture, cos it took forever, even if it's a little grubby! It's a sort of mixture of the 'Call' now and in 1492, when the Jews of Spain were expelled and owe's rather a lot to Señor Alberch and Fugueras, as i am sure you will have noticed.
The amazing technicolour diagram



The route map
Just bear in mind that when you get to Torre Gironella (if you do that bit), you don't need to retrace your steps. There are steps down to the university car park and you can cut straight down the hill to Plaça Sant Domenec and a nice cafe...then all the way down the Pujada de Sant Domenec steps and you're home and dry. 

The route
Start at the intersection of c/ Claveria and c/ Cundaro (Pujada del Catedral), which can be reached from Plaça dels Apostols, outside the south side door of the cathedral. Plaça dels Apostols is where the first synagogue of Girona is supposed to have been sited, documented in 988. 
C/Claveria used to be called c/ de la Ruca  which meant 'oven of the church' (catholic) and was where the medieval cathedral bakery was located. From here go down to c/ Lluis Batlle and c/ Sant Llorenç. 

From c/ Sant Llorenç, turn right up to c/ de la Força, Escales de la Pera and Plaça del Catedral. In the 15th century, c/ de la Força was called c/ Sant Llorenç and was the main road of the 'Call'.  It was also the roman 'via augusta' and cardo maximus of the original roman settlement of Gerunda. The 2nd synagogue, in the 14th century, was situated at number 21, c/ de la Força. Confusingly, the present day c/ Sant Llorenç used to be called c/ de la Sinagoga and ended in a 2nd Jewish gate to the East when the Call was closed off. When you reach Pujada de la Pera, don't mis the Subirach sculpture showing the floor plan of the cathedral and the workers and tools involved. I love this and you can compare it to his work on the Sagrada Familia Façade, in stone rather than metal. 


Continuing north up c/ de la Força you reach a tiny square on the left called Plaçeta de l'institut Vell. There is the entrance to the History of Girona museum and if you search the other doors you will find a mezuzah or Jewish prayer scroll slit. At the top of c/ de la Força would have been the northern entrance gate to the Call. The square in front of the cathedral steps, apart from being the old roman forum, was the market place for jews and non jews alike. From here was the route for the Jews to take to bury their dead on the -Montjuic mountain, literally 'Jewish mountain'.
You eventually arrive at Torre Gironella following the Passeig Arqueologic. This was the site of Jewish traumas in 1391 when the tower and castle became a refuge from violence for 17 weeks.
From the tower back to the Call, go via the Pujada dels Alemanys, Sant Domenec, C/ de les Escola Pies and c/ Oliva i Prat. This comes out at the Plaçeta del Correu Vell where in the 14th century there had been a 3rd Jewish gate.
Finish your route in the Jewish Museum on c/ de la Força.




Girona Barcelona Trains

The train station is 2 minutes walk from the apartment. There are 3 different trains to Barcelona, which take 1 hour 20, 1 hour 33 or 1 hour 6 minutes. For the fastest train you pay 20€ or so for a single ticket, double the price of the next fastest. The cheapest and slowest train costs 7€ something for a single ticket. There is quite a regular service and it's very comfortable. Get off at Sants or Passeig de Gracia depending on your destination.

http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/index.html

Roman Barcino


You can find these elements of Roman Barcelona at these points in the city. The city was founded around 15 BC.


Via Sepulcral - Plaça de la Vila de Madrid

Aqueducts - Carrer de Duran i Bas and Plaça Nova
The arches of one of the aqueducts are integrated into the walls of a 19th century building. Water was transported from the river Besos and the Collserola Serra and from wells, cisterns and 2 aqueducts.

North West Gate - Plaça Nova
The towers form part of the Bishop's palace now and the Deacon's house.The current name is Portal del Bisbe, it was the Praetorian Gate. In the 4th century, all 4 gates had 3 openings, the large central one for vehicles and the side smaller arches for pedestrians. Only the 2 decumanus gates still exist. The cardus gates, pulled down, were in the 'call' or jewish quarter and in Plaça de l'Angel. 

Domus - Carrer de la Fruita and Sant Honorat
This is 4th centry

Temple and Forum - Carrer del Paradís
The temple was dedicated to Augustus, placed at the highest point of the city, in the forum,which was to be found somewhere under or near Plaça Sant Jaume (or possibly Plaça Sant Miquel nearby - they can't excavate so they don't know, as i understand it). The 4 columns and what's left of the temple can be found at the above address.

Workshops and factories - Plaça del Rei
In the musuem here,there are the remains of a laundry (fullonica), a dye-works (tinctoria), a garum factory (cetaria) and cellars.

North East wall - Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran
South East wall - Carrer del Sotstinent Navarro
The first century BC foundational wall had a few towers and a defensive moat. The second wall, built in the 4th century was placed in front of the old wall, greatly thickening it and 76 towers were added. The towers were cylindrical on either side of the gates but mostly square. There was a moat at least along the Avenguda de la catedral of 6 metres depth.

The Sea Gate - Carrer del Regomir
What can be seen is one of the smaller pedestrian entrances. It is thought there might have been a castellum here.

This is the route to follow the Roman walls:
Plaça Nova, Avinguda de la Catedral, Carrer de la Tapineria, Plaça de Ramon Berenguer el Gran and Plaça de l'Àngel, Carrer del Sotstinent Navarro, Plaça dels Traginers, Carrer del Correu Vell, Carrer del Regomir, Carrer d'en Gignàs, Carrer d'Avinyó, Carrer dels Banys Nous and Carrer de la Palla. A large part of the structure disappeared during the 19th century (such as Palau Reial Menor, Convent de l'Ensenyança, Plaça de l'Àngel, Plaça del Regomir) though in some cases, like Pla de la Seu, the destruction was prior to this.
Taken from this recommended website:

Barcelona Children's Day Out




In the Old Port area at the bottom of the Rambla, there is the Aquarium, complete with sharks and giant rodents (and i mean giant) and the Imax 3D cinema complex, surrounded by bars, fast food restaurants and shops. All by the sunny sea, so you can sit and rest your feet in between bouts. Even if it's not sunny, which let's face it, would be difficult. 'They' will be tired out just walking down the Rambla looking at all the street entertainers, so mission accomplished!
http://www.imaxportvell.com/ingles/imax.html

http://www.aquariumbcn.com/AQUARIUM/index.php?wlang=en

If you've got any money or time left, there is the zoo in the Ciutadella park. I've never been but my husband said he used to force his parents to go every single time they went to Barcelona on a day out.
http://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/home/

Moving inland you've got the amusement park of Tibidabo which can be reached by cable car and tram or bus. After that, you might not need to go on any more rides, and you'll have seen most of Barcelona from a bird's eye view.
http://www.tibidabo.cat/en/info/com-arribar-transport-public

Last but by no means least, and you'll probably need another day, is the CosmoCaixa Science Museum - a really wonderful touchy-feely, sticky hands-on museum, highly recommended. A very good rainy day destination. Unfortunately the website is absolute rubbish in English. Completely impossible to find the information you want, typical of a bank. Suffice to say it costs 3€, free on the first Sunday of the month, closed Mondays. Opens at 10am til 8pm. Open on holidays and holiday Mondays. Not Christmas day or New Year's Day. Address is C/ Isaac Newton, 26.
http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestroscentros/cosmocaixabarcelona/infoservicios_es.html

The Chocolate Museum. Well, we enjoyed it! 
http://www.museuxocolata.cat/?lang=enHere is a link for a Chocolate Tour of 2 hours run by the tourist office and it is a walk around the gothic quarter.
http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/ECV2TBCN/Front/BCNShop/Sales/Disponibilitat-Producte/_vf-SMlY1yItM-U_l9RgLJgsyU0uRJi84RqTVW4Qu8jlwlsbljT_nJMKtbrFTKhdgfLI1AsrLkWTMA-NoR99VR5sKtu1cV9yVaEIyon7WyN4cvKkgoJpmRJ9VUx9dzhkP
This is a Segway tour but i am not sure what the minimum age is for children.....i am obviously not responsible parent material....but could be fun?!
http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/Barcelona-Segway-Tour/_vf-SMlY1yIuKQTV1aq49kDeqxRqjploriWCdo8IR0jKVDOZqQnrzvcItaEElOLAI

(I think that's enough children's stuff - who's going to pay for all this? ed.)

Barcelona's Jewish Quarter ('El Call')

Here is historical information about the Jewish quarter, street by street
http://www.bcn.cat/museuhistoriaciutat/docs/BarcelonaJewishQuarter.pdf

This is the route through the Jewish Quarter, in English
http://www.bcn.cat/museuhistoriaciutat/docs/Triptic_Call_ENG.pdf
It doesn't take very long and it's nice to wander with an objective if those two things are compatible.

The 'Interpretation Centre' or very small museum of the Jewish Quarter, is in my experience either closed or without any illuminating information in English. This might have changed recently as i admit having given up going and there is certainly more information on the net than ever before. I got completely fed up with the archeologist's drawings of what they'd found, which were usually upside down when compared to the ground plan or in some way or other incomprehensible to the lay person. Especially the non-catalan lay person, who doesn't lunch for 3 hours.... It's here anyway - Placeta de Manuel Ribé. 08002 Barcelona
The History of the City Museum is fantastic however.

If the Jewish Quarters of the region are of interest to you, don't neglect to visit the Girona 'Call' and the 'Call' of Besalu, which has a very rare medieval Mikvé or Jewish bath, one of only 2 in Europe i believe. It was found by accident in the 60's and is in excellent condition.

Apartment Gironalet photos














Girona Medieval Walls Walk



These walls are mainly 14th century, dating from 1362 when King Pere III, the Ceremonious, ordered them to be built to include the new neighbourhoods or 'burgs', which had developed around the old nucleus. They cover the right side of the Onyar river. In the 17th century Vauban-designed fortifications were added to the wall. You might start in Plaça de Sant Feliu/Felix. Looking over from the bridge, on your left you can see some houses running parallel to the river. Find Carrer de la Barca, where the open arch is. This was the gate from where the boat to Sant Gregori left. It was built on the old wall between 1367 and 1380. The Sunset jazz club is just here, by the way, for future reference.... 
Anyway, i digress. Like detectives, you now have to find the so-called França Gate, of which nothing is left but i'll give you a clue - walk to Plaça de Sant Pere, then continue along the road going towards Pedret and away from Girona (you'll know you're right when you reach a railway bridge - at this point you've come too far. If you turn round, on the left you will see clearly the wall extending off to your left and some steps up. This is where you're headed and the França Gate used to span over the middle of what is now the road, more or less where the zebra crossing is. It was one of the main entrances to the city in the middle ages. 
Once up on the wall, the views are magnificent, extending to the distance mountains with the Devesa wood in front and the rest of the old town in the foreground. You look down first on the Jardins de l'Angel (you can go down and wander around them) and eventually on more gardens, the John Lennon Gardens (again you can wander around here and rejoin the wall to continue).  quite a while dawdling and taking photos, you'll come out at Sant Pere Galligants Romanesque church on the Sant Daniel Valley road, and from here you are in spitting distance of a couple of cafes for a breather...Because it continues.... 
Cross the river from the church and follow the 'Archeological Walk', where you will almost certainly be tempted down other paths. However, to complete the medieval wall circuit, things get complicated.This photo shows an unrecognisable fortified Sant Pere Galligants church, made into part of the defensive wall. 

After a break then, i suggest starting at Sobreportes Gate, on the outside looking in as it were, to the Cathedral square, and following the wall to your left (away from Sant Feliu/Felix Church). This is originally roman but has the reinforced medieval wall and towers on top. Follow then the Passeig Archeologic to its' end, hopefully arriving at Plaça Catalunya. You might have to start from Plaça Catalunya to do this part of the wall because it has been known for the gate at the highest point of the wall (near Torre Gironella), to be locked, so everyone has to traipse back down again in single file! It's a bit of true local experience however!

You're my favourites! Gironalet apartment

Dear Lisa, Many thanks for your welcome. Apartment was perfect and we spent a marvelous moment together during this stay. Apartment warm and beautiful. Comfort and facilities, all accesses near the city center have permitted to spend a very good and exciting moment in Girona where we'll surely come back.
We've prefered take off all clothes and put them at the same place to make your work easier after our departure. we maintined the state of apartment (without 'fiestas') as it was ours apartment!
So we hope you'll be enjoyed. Thankyou all students. See you soon 
(Tourism Students, France) (November 2012) 

Girona Cathedral

 This is the route you will follow with your audioguide if you want and is a very enjoyable visit. The diagram is from the leaflet you'll be given at the door. 5€ the last time i looked, well worth it. I'll add more information soon...!

Sushimore


sushi near home! Finally! And about time too. Don't bother with Plaça Independencia (not very authentic last time we went) - they'll deliver too. Not that a 5 minute walk would deter. The yakitori got a catalan thumbs up but wasn't very authentic in my book. They came with rice and bulked out the (expensive) maki, which were however great. 


http://www.sushimore.com/espacios-sushimore/girona

No! That's a joke, sorry, i couldn't resist....

October review Gironalet Apartment

Thankyou Liza. We had a great time! (Canada) (October 2012)

Medieval Villages near Figueres Vilabertran, Peralada, Castelló d'Empuries

This route is extremely pleasant by bicycle, see the google map reference below and can be combined with Figueres, lunch - there are lots of good restaurants in this area, or wine tasting in Garrigüella, Vilajüiga, or another Emporda bodega. Or a quick dip in the sea and a fish supper...For more spritely types, Empuria Brava is the place for 'night life' (i don't remember what that is exactly, but discos are involved).

Emporda Wine links:

information about the wines       http://www.doemporda.cat/en/wineries.html
booking guided visits to bodegas
http://www.rutasdevinosemporda.es/visitas-bodegas-emporda-1-0.html
one to start with                  http://www.espeltviticultors.com/

Vilabertran Monastery
Information about this site before arriving is a closely guarded secret, but once you are in situ, a useful leaflet will find its way into your hands - in English, if there are any left...
There is also a little walk around the village - the leaflet in catalan can be downloaded - here it is to give you an idea. Presumably it is available in English once you've paid up!
http://www.mhcat.net/content/download/9382/73194/file/Vilabertran%2C+itineraris.pdf
The point is that it is a very pleasant visit on your route.




This is Dalí's Vilabertran Lake (Llac de Vilabertran) and belltower.


for the history and architectural details of the complex go to this link http://www.vilabertran.com/vb.php?ss=328424156d2f1554de808bfcc6cb6270&ap=a03s01p01
Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.From 1 September to 30 Juny: from Thursday from Saturday: from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.Sundays and local holidays: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.July and August from Tuesday to Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.Closed on Mondays except public holidays, 25 and 26 December and 1 and 6 January.
Standard: €3,00 Concession: €2,00 Tuesdays and local public holidays, free of charge for all.


C/ Abadia, 4
17760 Vilabertran (Alt Empordà)
Tel.: 972508787
e-mail: vilabertran.cultura@gencat.cat 
This link has a nice introduction to the monastery, in English.

http://capcreus.com/vilabertran/vilabertran_uk.htm
Peralada
It is just 7 km from Figueres and 40 km from Girona. Here is a useful link for more information about the medieval village: 
http://capcreus.com/peralada/peralada_uk.htm
About 500 AC, a group from the Iberian tribe of indiketes built what would be the first walled village of Peralada.Transformed into the centre of a country from the Carolingian Empire in the 9th Century, Peralada became one of the main capitals of l'Empordà throughout the Medieval Age. From this bright period there are still many buildings and monuments left which make the delights of the visitor who discovers the secrets of a millennial village.
Still, most people only ever see Peralada on a warm summer's evening, dressed to the nine's en route to a concert in the castle grounds during the annual festival. And some don't go to the concert but stay in the casino or the al fresco dining terrace! The village is well worth seeing however, during the day, combined with other medieval villages.
   
Castle Museum of Peralada - here is what they say about themselves:
In Peralada the visitor has the opportunity to visit one of the most spectacular, private collections of Catalonia; the Castle's Museum, which is located inside the antique Carme's convent.The cloister and the Gothic church are two of the convent's original dependencies that can be visited. A library with around 80.000 volumes and more than 1000 editions of El Quijote is another appeal of this visit, which follows with the Glass Museum, with on of the best and biggest collections of the world. And, eventually, the Wine's Museum, which was created in the 60's in the wine cellar where until that date Peralada's wines were produced. All the elements and objects exposed are from the wine's culture in any of its phases.
Timetable:From 1st July until 15th September. Guided visits every hour o'clock. Opened every day. From 16th September until 30th June. Opened every day save on Sundays and holiday's afternoons. On Mondays it is closed the whole day.
for the casino
http://www.casino-peralada.com/ing/index.asp
for wine
http://www.castilloperelada.com/en/
for the music and dance festival in summer - a wonderful experience, at night, outdoors.
http://www.festivalperalada.es/festivalperalada/programacion-2012/?lang=en

Castelló d'Empuries














Nice introduction link here: http://capcreus.com/castello/castello_uk.htm
Cycle route Vilabertran and Figueres villages
This is a route we did by road bike in April last year and thoroughly enjoyed - we were lucky with the wind! Highly recommended and you can extend or cut short as you feel like - just be careful to take a good map, as you wouldn't think you could get lost but believe me, you can!


Wimdu.com review Gironalet Apartment



The appartement made us feel at home in Gerona from the very first moment. Liza received us warmly and recommended some nice spots in the old city. The 4 bedrooms are properly delivered with lining and offer plenty of room for 7 guests. Warm Regards (Holland) (October 2012)

Rosas Routes

These routes and the information is taken from this website http://visit.roses.cat/en
Roses beach is popular with people from the Garrotxa area (Olot) because it is one of the nearest for them and because it is artificial, it is easy to get in and out of the water for those with difficulty moving. It is shallow and many catalans have mentioned to me that they like the sand because it isn't 'dirty'. It's like the eskimo thing about snow - here the quality of the sand affects your beach experience and choice!

Historic Centre of Roses/Rosas
(12th – 20th century)
Stroll along the narrow, uneven, streets in the centre round the church. They all run parallel to the sea and are full of restaurants and small shops where you can enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere. If you decide to visit Santa Maria Church , you will discover the ancient temple built in 1796 whose apse, transept and dome are still preserved, The rest of the nave, the side chapels and the façade are neo-classical works from 1853 by the architect Martí Sureda I Deulovol. In the Plaça de Catalunya you will find examples of Modernist architecture, like the Casa Mallol, which is the present Town Hall.
Between Trinitat and Escorxadors streets you will find Plaça de la Pau, which is dedicated to the historical memory of the Spanish Civil War. The remodelling of the area, which consists of a sculpture by artist Ció Abellí, was inaugurated in 2006. The sculpture reflects on the irrationality of war and the value of life. In the square there is a bomb shelter built between 1937-1938. It follows the general rules and technical guidelines drafted by the Board of Passive Defence of Catalonia from the period of the republican government.
The Citadel
(4th century BC – 19th ce
ntury) The walk around the site of La Ciutadella is essential for anyone visiting Roses. Declared a historical and artistic centre in 1961, the citadel contains vestiges of various occupations of the last thirteen centuries. The military fortification, with its monumental Sea Gate, is a Renaissance-style enclosure of 131,480 m² built in 1543. The important archaeological site which lies within the fortification consists of :
- the remains of the Hellenistic district within the Greek settlement of Rhode, which enjoyed its period of greatest prosperity in the 4th and 3rd century BC
- the Roman villa, dating back to 2nd century BC and 6th century AD.
- the paleochristian necropolis.
- several Visigothic buildings.
- the Lombard Romanesque monastery of Santa Maria, dating back to the 11th century and the remains of the fortified medieval town.
- the remains of several military buildings dating back to 16th century.
- the Museum which provides an insight into the history and heritage of Roses, from prehistory to modern times.
- the Exhibition Hall.
A guided tour of the Citadel is a history master class concentrated in a unique area of seventeen hectares where you can enjoy a complete itinerary, totally signposted including a lot of information.
Trinity Castle
Trinity Castle crowns the Poncella point above the lighthouse of Roses. The military construction, which dates from 1544, was erected under the reign of Emperor Charles I, as an essential complement to the Citadel. It has the shape of a five-pointed star, with pronounced angular corners for defence against enemy projectiles. It is built on a grand scale with two-metre thick walls. It had three terraces for batteries of cannons, howitzers and mortars, set at different heights, to defend the port and the coast, It had a garrison of up to two hundred men. The building remains an extraordinary example of coastal artillery fortress.
Visigothic Fortress
(6th-8th Century) The remains of the mid-seventh-century Visigothic Fortress is one of the most special, hidden and unknown sites in Roses. Although the fortress is located atop a strategic hill overlooking the old town of Rhodes-Roses, the bay and the access to the port, it remains hidden from the sea by Puig Rom. It was inhabited between the seventh and the eighth centuries AD and some archaeological homes, silos and streets still remain today.
Bufalaranya Castle
(8th-14th centuries) If you like wild places and walking we suggest climbing to Bufalaranya Castle, which was built in the eighth century when the territory of Roses was integrated in the Carolingian Mark. Standing on a hill with difficult access its fortified perimeter has the characteristic of opus spicatum. An air of mystery shrouds the charming remains.

Seaside route between Almadrava and Cala Montjoi
5 hours (there & back)
The seaside path follows a narrow path at the water’s level between Almadrava beach and Cala Montjoi cove, bordering cliffs and sheer rock faces interspersed with pine groves and typical Mediterranean shrubs. It’s an ideal route for refreshing yourself in any of the coves and beaches along the way, taking a dip in the sea in the summertime. The seaside path begins at the last house on Carrer Gauguin in Almadrava, which is also where the Cap de Creus Natural Park begins.

About 1 km into the route you will reach Punta Falconera (“Falcon’s Point”), so named because of the presence of falcons some years ago. This point was occupied by the military until the 1990s because of its interest as a strategic enclave, as it offers a view that dominates the Bay of Roses. As a result of the military use of the area, there is a network of underground galleries and walkways that are connected to the surface through bunkers with artillery batteries and slits through which the mouths of the artillery pieces once projected.

Past Punta Falconera, the path rises and drops with the sharp coastline, crossing through pine groves and cliffs along the sea, along with a number of well-defined coves. The first of these is Cala Lladó. The quarry, still visible, was used to extract marble, which was then transported by sea to Roses. The ramp and the landing stage where the marble was taken down to the boats at sea level can still be seen today.
After Cap Trencat (literally, “Broken Cape”), which owes its name to the rocks that have broken off over time and fallen into the water, you reach Cala Murtra (a cove where nudism is allowed), named after the Mediterranean myrtle (“murtra” in Catalan), the area’s predominant vegetation. Beyond Cala Murtra lies Cala Rostella, the two coves separated by the Cap Blanc cape.

There are numerous shoals along this section of the coast, dangerous rock formations lurking just below the surface of the water that for centuries had caused shipwrecks. The area is now popular among scuba divers.
Finally, the seaside path reaches the beach at Cala Montjoi. Here, looking towards the end of the valley of the same name, you can distinguish two buildings: Mas de Montjoi de Baix and Mas de Montjoi de Dalt, two farmhouses that gave life to this area in the past.

For those who wish to enjoy the landscape even further, the seaside path continues to wind along the coast. The return route is along the same seaside path to Almadrava beach. Seaside route between Roses lighthouse and Almadrava Beach

Seaside route between Roses lighthouse and Almadrava beach
2 hours 30 minutes (there & back)
The “camins de ronda” (literally, “patrol roads”) owe their name to the traditional patrols bordering the coastline to watch out for smuggling and coastal maritime traffic.

The route follows a section of this seaside path from the Roses lighthouse, which was built during the reign of Isabel II in 1864, located 24 metres above sea level and facing southwards, to the Canyelles Grosses or Almadrava beach.
The lighthouse, which was electrified in 1921 with a 500-watt incandescent lamp, is located just below Trinitat castle, which was recently restored and will be open to visitors.
Throughout the entire route, all the way to Canyelles Petites beach, you can enjoy the unique outcroppings with veined white marble, which are very interesting from a geological perspective.
Right before Canyelles Petites beach there is an islet made up of various rocks, called Els Brancs, which is a resting spot for birds like the cormorant, which can be seen drying off with its wings stretched out and facing the sun.

Continuing along the route past the first beach, the seaside path continues winding along the coast. Between Canyelles and Almadrava beaches, there are two rocky outcroppings that are frequently used by fishermen: Punta de l’Omella and Punta de l’Ullastrell.

Finally, you reach Almadrava beach, whose name comes from the type of fishing with nets strategically placed to drive the fish landward from the end of the cove, until they were finally caught.
You return to the starting point via the same route, but you can take advantage of any of the beaches or rock formations to take a refreshing dip in the sea.

Route through Megalithic History

2 hours 30 minutes
The route starts at the highway from Roses to Montjoi, taking a path with sett paving that leads directly to one of Catalonia’s biggest dolmens, the Creu d’en Cobertella (3000-2700 BC). This dolmen, which features a large gallery grave covered by a stone slab weighing four tons, was declared a historic-artistic monument in 1964.
Continuing along the path, you pass by a string of dry stone walls that divide the different properties and criss-cross the terraced land in every direction. For hundreds of years, these walls made the task of tending the vines less tedious.
The livestock tracks, which are lined with dry stone walls, cut straight across the land. These tracks were used to move the herds to greener pastures.
At various points you will see – and, in fact, visit – a number of stone sheds that were used by the shepherds for shelter or to store farming tools.

Farther ahead, turn right to reach two more milestones along this megalithic route, the first being the remains of the burnt house, which is the name given to two of the most important menhirs in the area ? the Casa Cremada I and Casa Cremada II menhirs. There is also a kist bearing the same name; like the dolmens, its use was for funerary purposes.
Along the same route you will also visit two well-preserved dolmens: the Llit de la Generala (3200 BC) and the Cap de l’Home dolmens.

On the way back, which will take you to the dolmen where you started, you can enjoy the breathtaking vistas of the Bay of Roses and admire up close the network of walled terraces.

Route between Cap de Creus and the bay of Roses
2 hours 30 minutes
As you go down the highway joining Roses with Cadaqués, take the turn-off to the right that leads to the El Pení air base (E.V.A. 4). Two km from this turn-off, and after having left your vehicle behind in a small embankment used as a car park, take the dirt track that climbs gently up to the Roses wind farm.
A new path branches off to the left some 200 metres after taking the dirt track. Follow this path a few metres to enjoy a magnificent view of Cap Norfeu in all its majesty. The site is catalogued as a natural reserve of the Cap de Creus Natural Park, and it is characterised by a great richness of flora and fauna, both on land and underwater. You will also come across the remains of a cremation site built by Indo-European tribes in the 8th century BC.
Return to the initial track and take it up to Puig Alt, a peak whose surrounding landscape is dominated by the turbines of the Roses wind farm. From this location you can also enjoy one of the site’s most beautiful views: the Bay of Roses on one side, and the Cala Montjoi cove on the other.
The route continues bordering the Puig Alt and then makes a turn of almost 360 degrees to arrive at the Font de la Bich, with a water fountain and a drinking trough for animals. Beyond the fountain, you will discover a magnificent vista of the town of Roses before the path takes you to the crossing of Pla de Can Caussa, in honour of the farmhouse which gives its name to this plain. This is a good spot to stop and rest a bit and have a bite to eat.
From here on, the site you will see is the exact opposite view of the Bay of Roses, namely the northern edge of the Cap de Creus with the waters of the Mar d’Amunt in the background.
A little farther ahead you reach a little hollow with a grove of trees that gives its name to the nearby building: the Mas dels Arbres (literally, the “Trees Farmhouse”).
Finally, you return to the starting point, where you left your vehicle, after having taken a route that has shown you views to the north and south of Cap de Creus, with all its splendorous beauty laid out before your eyes.