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Spain: Catalonia

Catalan Classic Walk

Trip code: W06CN

Average customer rating 4.6 / 5(33 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Walking
6 nights hotel-to-hotel
Steady
COâ‚‚ rating 1/5
Headwater Navigation app

Trip highlights

Exceptionally varied walking, pretty coastal paths, lush green valleys, ancient cork and pine forest

Stunningly rugged turquoise coast, secluded coves, hidden bays and outstanding views

Excellent area for bird-spotting opportunities

Beautiful sandy beaches, traditional fishing ports and sun-drenched villages off the tourist trail

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Trip details

Catalonia (Catalunya) is steeped in culture with its traditions and festivals dating back over thousands of years. Rich in medieval villages, highlights of this region include prosperous Peratallada, peach coloured Pals and fashionable Begur. The rocky coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages, crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches, which are all perfect to explore.

What's included

Included

  • 6 nights in 3-star and 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Walking transfers

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Travel insurance

Travel options

Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell

Arrive in Calella de Palafrugell

Arrive at your hotel where all Headwater guests are accommodated in rooms with private balcony and sea view. It’s just a 5 minute walk to the centre of town where you have so many restaurants to choose from that we’ve left evening meals here up to you.

From 2026, Hotel Alga will be used for this holiday.

You stay at Hotel Alga

Hotel Alga
Image 1 of 6

Hotel Alga

Calella de Palafrugell

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

Hotel Alga is a tranquil four-star hotel located in the heart of Calella de Palafrugell, just 200 meters from the picturesque Port Bo Beach. Nestled amidst 7,000 m² of lush gardens, it offers a serene retreat on the Costa Brava. With 59 spacious rooms, two outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a tennis court, the hotel caters to both relaxation and recreation. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at the El Càntir Restaurant, unwind at the bar, or explore nearby attractions such as the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens and the town’s charming coves.

Day 2 · 20km/12.4miCalella de Palafrugell to Casavells

Calella de Palafrugell to Casavells

You start with a 20-minute ride to Mont-Ras from where you have a choice of routes. Both routes take you into the Gavarres hills to visit three dolmens with fantastic views as far as Begur and the Illes Medes, before descending to the peaceful medieval villages of Fonteta and Vulpellac. You will stay overnight in Casavells, near La Bisbal.

Elevation

Calella de Palafrugell to Casavells elevation profile

You stay at Encis D’emporda

Encis Demporda
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Encis D’emporda

Casavells

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Tucked away in the charming medieval village of Casavells, Encís d’Empordà is a beautifully restored 16th-century country house. Ideal for couples, friends, and solo travelers, it offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those seeking peace, nature, and authenticity.

Encís d’Empordà offers seven spacious and uniquely styled suites, each filled with natural light and sweeping views of the Empordà landscape. Warm, cozy, and thoughtfully decorated, every room invites you to unwind or soak in a classic-style bathtub.

Each suite is inspired by a different era of Empordà’s rich heritage, blending history with comfort.

Day 3 · —At Casavells

At Casavells

Laze by the pool or follow our suggested circular walk linking the pretty medieval villages of Corca, Monells with a pretty square and lovely choices for lunch, and La Bisbal, a lively market town famous for antiques and pottery. Take time to explore the old quarter including the Carrer de Call, formerly a Jewish ghetto; its intricate arches are still intact today. Alternatively, the local bus goes to Girona and Figueres if you fancy a longer day out.

Elevation

At Casavells elevation profile

You stay at Encis D’emporda

Encis Demporda
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Encis D’emporda

Casavells

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Tucked away in the charming medieval village of Casavells, Encís d’Empordà is a beautifully restored 16th-century country house. Ideal for couples, friends, and solo travelers, it offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those seeking peace, nature, and authenticity.

Encís d’Empordà offers seven spacious and uniquely styled suites, each filled with natural light and sweeping views of the Empordà landscape. Warm, cozy, and thoughtfully decorated, every room invites you to unwind or soak in a classic-style bathtub.

Each suite is inspired by a different era of Empordà’s rich heritage, blending history with comfort.

Day 4 · 21km/13.0miCasavells to Begur

Casavells to Begur

Gentle walking across the Emporda plain, stopping first at Peratallada, possibly the best preserved medieval village in Spain with its beautifully restored arches, arcaded passageways and lovely shaded squares. Continue through fields bright with sunflowers until you reach peach-coloured Pals, a lovely old village with Romanesque church affording stunning views. The final stretch takes you through pine forest to our family-run hotel in the old town of Begur. The food here is fantastic!

Elevation

Casavells to Begur elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Classic

Hotel Classic
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Hotel Classic

Begur

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

This beautifully restored 19th-century house is situated in Vila Marinera de Begur, on the Costa Brava, and boasts original decorative ceilings and frescoes. Hotel-Spa Classic Begur offers air-conditioned rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi and either a balcony or terrace.

Each room at the Classic Begur is elegantly designed and features a flat-screen TV, and a minibar. The private bathroom includes toiletries and a hairdryer.

The hotel’s wellness area includes a heated swimming pool, a hydromassage bath, water features, a therapeutic shower with hot and cold contrast, Turkish baths, and thermal massage tables and benches, the ideal mix to guarantee a relaxing time after a day of walking.

At the restaurant La Cuina, you can savour exquisite dishes in a relaxed and romantic setting. The hotel also has a bar with an outdoor terrace in Plaza de la Vila, Bar Cafeteria Es Castell.

Day 5 · —At Begur

At Begur

Begur is a fashionable hilltop town with 11th century castle, impressive villas and pretty, narrow streets made for exploring! it’s just 10 minutes by local bus (mid Jun to mid Sep only) or taxi to the coast, where four beautiful sandy coves await: Sa Riera, Aiguafreda, Sa Tuna and, just over the hill, Aiguablava. For people looking for something a touch more challenging, we provide details of a circular coastal walk which takes in all our favourite places.

Elevation

At Begur elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Classic

Hotel Classic
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Hotel Classic

Begur

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

This beautifully restored 19th-century house is situated in Vila Marinera de Begur, on the Costa Brava, and boasts original decorative ceilings and frescoes. Hotel-Spa Classic Begur offers air-conditioned rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi and either a balcony or terrace.

Each room at the Classic Begur is elegantly designed and features a flat-screen TV, and a minibar. The private bathroom includes toiletries and a hairdryer.

The hotel’s wellness area includes a heated swimming pool, a hydromassage bath, water features, a therapeutic shower with hot and cold contrast, Turkish baths, and thermal massage tables and benches, the ideal mix to guarantee a relaxing time after a day of walking.

At the restaurant La Cuina, you can savour exquisite dishes in a relaxed and romantic setting. The hotel also has a bar with an outdoor terrace in Plaza de la Vila, Bar Cafeteria Es Castell.

Day 6 · 14km/8.7mi or 18km/11.2miBegur to Calella de Palafrugell

Begur to Calella de Palafrugell

Shaded forest paths take you to the lively seaside town of Tamariu, with a fantastic beach, where you pick up the pretty coastal path, passing rocky headlands and chic Spanish resorts en route to Llafranc, with spectacular views from the San Sebastian lighthouse. Enjoy lunch in one of the beachfront bars here, where you can almost dip your toes in the water as you eat! Then it’s back to Calella, perhaps continuing along the coastal path as far as the botanical gardens at Cap Roig, in time for a swim in the pool or a couple of hours on the beach before dinner.

From 2026, Hotel Alga will be used for this holiday.

Elevation

Begur to Calella de Palafrugell elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Alga

Hotel Alga
Image 1 of 6

Hotel Alga

Calella de Palafrugell

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

Hotel Alga is a tranquil four-star hotel located in the heart of Calella de Palafrugell, just 200 meters from the picturesque Port Bo Beach. Nestled amidst 7,000 m² of lush gardens, it offers a serene retreat on the Costa Brava. With 59 spacious rooms, two outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a tennis court, the hotel caters to both relaxation and recreation. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at the El Càntir Restaurant, unwind at the bar, or explore nearby attractions such as the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens and the town’s charming coves.

Day 7 · —Leave Calella de Palafrugell

Leave Calella de Palafrugell

Extending your holiday

Gallery Hotel Barcelona - rooftop terrace & pool

Gallery Hotel

Barcelona

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Wifi access

Located in the centre of Barcelona, the Gallery Hotel has 25 years of experience to take care of you during your stay. The rooms are bright and have lots of home comforts included. The hotel also boasts a roof top pool and garden terrace.

Hotel Ciutat de Girona
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Hotel Ciutat de Girona

Girona

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Market
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe

The Hotel Ciutat de Girona is located in the historic centre and the beating heart of Girona and is just a 10 minute walk from the train station. The majestic Girona cathedral with the widest nave in the world is only 2 minutes walk from the hotel. The hotel has been decorated with iconic images of Girona’s past, the historic pictures sit well with the modern decor of the hotel. The restaurant of the hotel if you decide to eat there prides itself on serving food using local products all of which come from a 62.1 mile radius.

To access the bike storage, you will need to use a lift, and your bike must be placed in a vertical position. If you need any assistance, the hotel staff will be happy to help.

What our travellers say

For the money, the holiday could have been longer. 3 hotels of which only 2 provided evening meals. In previous years we have had 4 hotels and an additional days walking. Route notes very good and local information.

Mrs Strong

Another enjoyable holiday and we are keen to do more.

Mr Thompson Ashby

Great walking in a lovely area. Accommodation excellent; allowing us to relax in comfort after a long day’s walking. The Headwater team are excellent; everything (all booking arrangements, support from local guide) ran perfectly smoothly.

Mr Spruce

Having undertaken guided walking holidays we wanted to try a self-guided trip which would enable us to set off, stop and finish when we wanted (later start, more and longer stops) and this was perfect. We did three days walking with a day of rest between each walk (altho’ ample instructions for further walks were provided). Our luggage was transported seamlessly from one hotel to the next and the hotels were first class both in situation and service (the food was excellent). In addition we tacked several days onto our trip to make a short city break and all arrangements for travel and accommodation were dealt with seemingly effortlessly providing us with a superb holiday experience.

Mr West

A truly fantastic holiday. The distances walked were slightly longer than those documented but it was well worth the effort.
The food and wine for the whole week were excellent and the castle was the highlight from an accommodation perspective.
I would thoroughly recommend this trip. Greg, the local rep was very helpful and very helpful when one of our party was ill.

Miss Crocker

Great route, interesting sites and beautiful sceneryi

Mr Mcnaughton

We had a good week though in very hot weather. Overall we thought the week was underated at 1+ boot. 2 would have been more appropriate. Greg, the rep was very conscientious. The walking notes were good. The Hotel Garbi and The Castle were extremely comfortable and helpful. The Hotel Rosa in Begur was extremely friendly and welcoming. However the room was very small and the air conditioning not able to cope with the ambient temperature. Not comfortable. But overall a good holiday.. very interesting hilltop villages.

Mrs Oliver

Very enjoyable experience, pleasant walks, nice hotels with friendly staff and excellent food. My favorite walk!

Mrs Nekrassova

Good for people who like an energetic walk

Mr Greenslade

An excellent week’s walking with varied landscapes and beautiful scenery, flowers and birdsong. A good mixture of tough days and easy walking.

Mrs Brand
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

12.0

Kg COâ‚‚e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From the journal

FromÂŁ1,039per person