Garrigàs: Views, Churches and Castles in Alt Empordà

The Balcó de l’Empordà viewpoint in Garrigàs offers impressive views across the Empordà plain and the Gulf of Roses. Garrigàs lies on the ridge and slopes of a low hill overlooking the Alt Empordà plain. The municipality is characterised by a predominantly agricultural mosaic landscape with holm oak and pine forests, an extensive network of waterways and large cultivated areas.

Landscape and Water

Within the municipality of Garrigàs, the Fluvià flows through the villages of Vilajoan and Arenys d’Empordà. A 19th-century hydroelectric power station can be seen on the Fluvià near Arenys d’Empordà. Arenys d’Empordà forms a settlement on a hilltop ridge, with a church, a castle, a rectory and several farmhouses. This settlement is less than 500 metres from the left bank of the Fluvià.

Culture and History

Arenys d’Empordà Castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and later remodelled. The Romanesque church of Sant Sadurní d’Arenys d’Empordà is integrated into the castle’s defensive structures. Vilajoan Castle dates from the 14th and 15th centuries.

More about Vilajoan.

The church of Santa Maria de Vilajoan contains a tomb slab for Garsenda, the lady of Vilajoan, who died on 23 May 1270, and for her husband Bernat de Pontós. The church of Sant Miquel de Garrigàs is a simple single-nave building with a pointed barrel vault and a semicircular apse. It stands in the Veïnat de l’Església on level ground approximately 500 metres north of the village.

At the Ermedàs archaeological site, 14 silos and the remains of two hut floors were discovered. Campaniana A pottery dates the site to the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC. The historical evidence is spread across Garrigàs, Arenys d’Empordà, Vilajoan and Ermedàs, ranging from churches and castles to archaeological remains from pre-Christian times.

Routes and Activities

The short healthy route Itinerari saludable Garrigàs follows the yellow markings of Itinerànnia through local streets and paths, including Carrer de l’Església and the path from Garrigàs to Santa Eulàlia. The Via Verda between Garrigàs and Arenys d’Empordà is intended to connect the two villages and provide safe, sustainable access to their natural surroundings.

Cuisine

Traditional dishes from Garrigàs include “platillo” d’ànec, farcit de pomes and, above all, botifarra dolça.

Events

The 2025 edition of Mirador Photo Garrigàs was the 13th edition of the festival and brought together photography, audiovisual media, nature and literature. In 2025, the FASTT festival offered a free magic workshop and two stage performances in Garrigàs; the event was aimed at all age groups. “Els Pastorets del Narcís Monturiol” is a humorous performance marking the beginning of the Christmas celebrations.

For the main travel overview: Girona.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Santa Llogaia del Terri, Torroella De Montgri, La Selva de Mar, Vilaür, Cervià De Ter, Gerona, Forallac.