Peralada

Peralada sits atop a small hill in the Alt Empordà region. It is located just 7 km from Figueres, the regional capital. The town can be divided into two parts, the most notable being the old town center, situated around Peralada Castle.

In addition, it also includes the old municipality of Vilanova de la Muga, which features the thousand-year-old church of Santa Eulàlia with its Romanesque and Gothic mural paintings, and the neighborhoods formed by various clusters of farmhouses scattered throughout the area.

The origins of Peralada date back to 500 BC when an Iberian settlement was located in this area. However, the town's golden age was during the Middle Ages, as it was one of the first important towns in the Empordà region, due to its role as the capital of a county.

From this period, the historic center stands out, with its charming streets and rich, diverse heritage. Right in its heart is the Town Museum, featuring the recently restored Romanesque cloister of Sant Domènec, which also houses the tourist office. This space also highlights the figure of the chronicler Ramon Muntaner, a distinguished son of Peralada. Strolling through the historic center, you can find the Church of Sant Martí, located at the highest point of this hill, which the Iberians considered ideal for settlement. The remains of the walls from the different periods in which they were built are also a must-see.

Nearby, in the Gothic-style Convent of Carmen, you'll find the Peralada Castle Museum, with its impressive collections belonging to the Peralada Castle family. This iconic castle-palace is located right next to the historic center and is also home to the Peralada International Music Festival.

Near the gardens surrounding the castle, you can find the new Celler Peralada building, which allows you to visit its impressive architecture and taste the wines and cavas they produce, along with many others, in the heart of the Empordà Designation of Origin.

As for its natural environment, Peralada is located to the right of the Orlina River, which flows into the Llobregat d'Empordà, as it crosses the municipality on the southern side and later also joins the Muga River.

Likewise, there are a large number of rural roads and hiking and cycling routes that connect Peralada with its surroundings and allow you to stroll while enjoying a beautiful environment.

Places of interest

Romanesque Cloister and Town Museum

One of Peralada's main heritage sites is the 12th-century Romanesque Cloister of Sant Domènec, the only remaining vestige of an ancient Augustinian monastery founded in the 11th century. Its capitals, adorned with plant motifs, geometric patterns, and historical figures, are particularly noteworthy. Today, it is the town's most important publicly accessible architectural feature and forms part of its cultural tourism center.

Castle Museum

Located in the former Carmelite Convent, this Gothic complex is notable for its cloister, church, and a valuable polychrome wooden coffered ceiling. It houses one of Catalonia's most important private collections, with a library of nearly 80,000 volumes, the Glass Museum, and the Wine Museum.

Vilanova de la Muga

A small village located next to the Muga River and within the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park. Highlights include the 11th-century Romanesque church, with valuable mural paintings, and the 17th-century Resclosa del Comte (Count's Weir).

New Perelada Winery

With over six centuries of winemaking tradition, Perelada produces internationally acclaimed wines deeply rooted in the Empordà landscape. The new winery, designed by RCR Arquitectes, is the first in Europe to achieve LEED Gold certification and offers wine tourism tours with tastings.

Castle Park

A historic park designed in 1877 by François Duvillers, which preserves the essence of the original landscape. The tour allows visitors to discover gardens, monumental trees, and a colony of white storks. Guided tours last approximately 55 minutes.

l'Orlina Natural Observation Area (Fonts de l'Almirall and Sant Isidre)

This natural area highlights the historical relationship with water through the Almirall (1921) and Sant Isidre (1949) springs. The Orlina and Llobregat rivers, included in the Natura 2000 network and the PEIN (Plan for Natural Interest), form part of an environment of great scenic beauty. It is notable for its biodiversity, with species such as the alder, the stork, the kingfisher, and the otter.