Empordà DO Wine Route: Guide to Wine Tourism in Empordà
The DO Empordà Wine Route is one of the best wine tourism experiences in Catalonia and on the Costa Brava. Located between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, this route is an opportunity to discover wineries in the Empordà, some with vineyards overlooking the sea, as well as cuisine that is closely connected to the local area.
Promoted by the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, the Wine Route brings together around thirty wineries, numerous food-related businesses and wine tourism activities through which visitors can explore the wine culture of the Empordà.
You can also round off the experience by visiting some of the most beautiful medieval villages in the Empordà, making this wine tourism route the perfect getaway for discovering the Costa Brava through its food, culture and landscapes.
Where does the Wine Route begin and end?
The DO Empordà Wine Route is a wine route on the Costa Brava that has no single starting or finishing point. Instead, it extends across different municipalities in the Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà regions. This means that you can begin at whichever winery or town you prefer and organise the journey around your own itinerary. The route connects around thirty DO Empordà wineries throughout the area, where you can visit vineyards, take part in wine tastings and discover the local cuisine.
Rather than a linear route, it works as an itinerary through north-eastern Catalonia, connecting wine-growing landscapes with towns and villages that have a long winemaking tradition, such as Peralada, Capmany, Sant Climent Sescebes, Colera and Cadaqués. In these landscapes between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, vineyards coexist with iconic natural areas such as Cap de Creus Natural Park and the Albera Massif.
The Empordà’s winemaking tradition spans more than two thousand years. The Greeks who settled in Empúries introduced vine cultivation and, over the centuries, the Romans and medieval monasteries consolidated a wine culture that is deeply rooted in the landscape. Today, this historic heritage remains alive on the Catalonia Wine Route, which connects wineries with centuries of tradition and contemporary winemaking projects to introduce visitors to the local wine culture.
Wine tourism experiences on the Wine Route
The Empordà wine route offers many ways to discover the area’s wine culture and landscapes. Beyond winery visits, wine tourism in the Empordà combines culinary experiences, outdoor activities and sensory experiences connected to wine. Some of the most popular wine tourism experiences include:
- Guided tours of Empordà wineries, where you can learn about the winemaking process and explore the vineyards alongside the producers themselves.
- Wine tastings on the Costa Brava, an opportunity to discover the grape varieties and distinctive aromas of DO Empordà wines.
- Cycling routes through the vineyards, allowing you to explore the Empordà’s wine-growing landscapes in a peaceful and sustainable way.
- Food experiences and wine pairings, combining Empordà wines with local produce and Mediterranean dishes.
- Picnics among the vines and sensory experiences, such as winefulness or wine kayaking, offering a different way to enjoy the wine and natural surroundings.
All this makes it one of the most comprehensive wine tourism experiences in Catalonia.
Wineries to visit on the Wine Route
The route brings together historic wineries and innovative winemaking projects that reflect the diversity of the region, from small family-run wineries to contemporary projects focused on organic winegrowing.
5 wineries on the Alt Empordà Wine Route
The Alt Empordà is home to some of the most iconic wineries on the Empordà Wine Route. The proximity to the sea and the influence of the Tramuntana wind produce intense, fresh wines with a distinctive Mediterranean identity. Of the many wineries along this route, these are five of the most interesting to visit in the Alt Empordà.
La Vinyeta winery
La Vinyeta, located in Mollet de Peralada, is a small family-run winery on the Empordà wine tourism route, known for its sustainable philosophy and culinary experiences among the vineyards.
Vinyes d’Olivardots
Vinyes d’Olivardots winery, located in the Alt Empordà, is a winemaking project specialising in single-vineyard wines that express the area’s mineral character.
Celler Martí Fabra
Celler Martí Fabra, located in Sant Climent Sescebes, is one of the historic wineries of the DO Empordà and stands out for the elegance of its wines and its long winemaking tradition.
Celler Hugas de Batlle
Located in Colera, Celler Hugas de Batlle boasts spectacular vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean and produces wines shaped by the influence of the sea.
Martín Faixó – Sa Perafita
Martín Faixó – Sa Perafita winery, located in Cap de Creus Natural Park near Cadaqués, is one of the most distinctive wineries on the Costa Brava.
Top 5 hotels near the Alt Empordà wineries
Staying close to the vineyards allows you to make the most of the Empordà wine route. Many hotels in the Alt Empordà are located a short distance from the wineries mentioned above, making it easy to combine winery visits, food and landscapes.
Hotels such as Hotel TorreMirona Golf & Spa in Navata, Hotel Can Xiquet in Cantallops, Boutique Hotel Comtal d'Empúries in Castelló d’Empúries, Hotel Playasol in Cadaqués and Hotel Els Caçadors de Maçanet in Maçanet de Cabrenys are between 10 and 40 minutes by car from some of the best DO Empordà wineries.
The Hotel TorreMirona Golf & Spa, in Navata, is a hotel with a golf course on the Costa Brava located in the inland area of the Alt Empordà. It is surrounded by open landscapes with views of the Pyrenees and is just a few kilometres from the area’s beaches and coves.
This hotel surrounded by nature stands out for its 18-hole golf course, along with a large outdoor area with a swimming pool, gardens and sports spaces. It offers 48 rooms, a junior suite and apartments with private gardens, many with open views over the Empordà landscape.
As a hotel with spa on the Costa Brava it has the Spa Dubhé, with a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and contrast showers, as well as treatments and massages. The spa can also be booked for "private spa", an option for a couples’ getaway.
El Canigó restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The hotel also offers bicycle hire and an electric vehicle charging point, and is a pet-friendly hotel.
With its setting and facilities, it is one of the best hotels on the Costa Brava for those looking to combine nature, relaxation and sport in peaceful surroundings.”
Set in the heart of nature, in Cantallops, the Hotel Can Xiquet offers a different experience on the Costa Brava, in a peaceful environment surrounded by nature, yet just a few kilometers from some of the best beaches and coves in the area. Located in the Albera mountain range, its open views over the Alt Empordà and the Mediterranean turn every stay into a true natural viewpoint.
The hotel features spacious and very bright rooms, designed for relaxation, many with large windows and some with a hydromassage bathtub, and even mountain views. Its style combines elegance and comfort in a शांत setting, ideal for romantic getaways or for disconnecting in the inland Costa Brava.
Surrounded by natural landscapes, it is a perfect base for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling routes or excursions around Empordà. The hotel also offers yoga classes, massages and treatments.
Among its facilities are a saltwater outdoor pool, a paddle court, gym and spacious gardens. It also provides spaces for events and celebrations, as well as services such as parking and bike rental. The hotel is also pet-friendly.
The experience is completed by its gastronomic restaurant, where Mediterranean cuisine and Empordà D.O. wines play a leading role. Thanks to its location, views and tranquility, it is one of the best hotels on the Costa Brava for those seeking an exclusive stay in contact with nature without giving up proximity to the sea.
The Boutique Hotel Comtal d’Empúries, located in Castelló d’Empúries, is an elegant hotel on the Costa Brava set in the heart of the natural surroundings of the Alt Empordà. Housed in a restored traditional farmhouse, this hotel combines the charm of traditional architecture with a modern and welcoming design, surrounded by natural spaces such as the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà and the Cap de Creus, making it an ideal destination to unwind.
This boutique hotel features 29 rooms and suites in a contemporary style, decorated with noble materials such as marble and wood, and equipped with king-size beds. Some rooms include a private jacuzzi in the room, adding an extra touch of exclusivity, making it a perfect choice for romantic getaways on the Costa Brava.
The hotel offers a complete wellness area with spa, including a heated pool, sauna, hammam and revitalizing showers, as well as a carefully selected range of treatments and massages in a unique space located in the former wine cellar, with stone arches and soft lighting that invites relaxation. It also features an outdoor pool with solarium area, ideal for enjoying the Mediterranean climate.
One of its main highlights is its gastronomic restaurant, offering innovative Catalan cuisine based on local products, accompanied by a carefully curated wine list with designation of origin. It is also very close to destinations such as Roses and Empuriabrava, as well as some of the most beautiful beaches and coves on the Costa Brava, making it an ideal base for exploring the area.
The Hotel Playasol, located in Cadaqués, one of the most beautiful villages on the Costa Brava, is a seafront hotel on the Costa Brava, set in the quiet bay of the town and just a few minutes’ walk from the center. Surrounded by the unique landscape of the Cap de Creus Natural Park, it stands out as the only hotel in the area combining a small beach right in front with a large garden of olive trees and pines, creating a truly special place to unwind.
This beach hotel offers modern in a Mediterranean style, with double, triple and family options. Most feature a balcony or terrace with sea views and views over Cadaqués, while others face the garden, pool or private patios. Its thoughtful design and peaceful atmosphere make it ideal for both romantic getaways and family stays.
Among its facilities are a heated outdoor pool, an outdoor jacuzzi under the olive trees and a wellness area with steam sauna and sensory shower. The hotel also features a restaurant, a breakfast room with sea views, a bar with terrace facing the beach —one of the most iconic views in Cadaqués— and spacious gardens to relax.
In addition, its location allows guests to discover some of the most beautiful hidden coves of Cap de Creus, enjoy activities such as kayaking or cycling, and practice sports like tennis, table tennis or pétanque. It also has a private garage, a highly valued feature in Cadaqués. It is a very complete option for those looking for a hotel in Cadaqués with sea views, direct beach access and an authentic Costa Brava experience.
The Hotel Els Caçadors de Maçanet, located in Maçanet de Cabrenys, is a welcoming hotel surrounded by nature on the Costa Brava, set in the inland area of Alt Empordà, just a few kilometres from the French border. Surrounded by forests, streams and mountain landscapes, it is an ideal place to disconnect and enjoy a peaceful environment while still being close to the beaches of the Costa Brava.
This rural hotel, built in traditional farmhouse style, offers a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for getaways as a couple, with friends or with family. It features bright rooms with private terraces, designed for comfort and relaxation while enjoying the surrounding scenery. The setting is ideal for activities such as hiking, cycling routes or mushroom picking.
Among its facilities, the garden with outdoor swimming pool stands out, a perfect place to cool off and enjoy the slow pace of mountain villages. Everything invites you to relax and reconnect with nature.
At the hotel restaurant, the gastronomic offer is based on traditional Empordà cuisine, using local products with a creative touch, making each meal an essential part of the experience. It is a great choice among hotels on the Costa Brava for those seeking nature, tranquillity and a different kind of inland escape.
4 wineries on the Baix Empordà Wine Route
The Baix Empordà also forms part of the wine-growing landscape of the DO Empordà Wine Route. Here, the vineyards blend into a landscape of rolling hills, historic farmhouses and some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Catalonia.
Some of the most interesting wineries in the Baix Empordà include:
Mas Llunes winery
Mas Llunes winery, located in Garriguella, is a long-established family project that combines tradition and modernity in the production of DO Empordà wines.
Espelt Viticultors
Espelt Viticultors, based in the Alt Empordà but with vineyards in the Baix Empordà as well, is known for its commitment to organic winegrowing and for expressing the Empordà landscape in every bottle.
Sota els Àngels winery
Sota els Àngels winery, near Cruïlles and La Bisbal d’Empordà, follows biodynamic farming principles and offers a wine tourism experience closely connected to the Mediterranean landscape.
Mas Oller winery
Mas Oller, located near Torrent and Pals, is a modern winery in a privileged setting that produces elegant and balanced wines.
Top 5 hotels near the Baix Empordà wineries
The Baix Empordà is an excellent area for discovering the Catalan Wine Route if you are travelling from Barcelona, as it is just over an hour from the city. In addition to visiting local wineries, staying at one of the hotels in the Baix Empordà allows you to combine wine tourism on the Costa Brava with medieval villages such as Pals, Peratallada, Monells and Begur.
Hotels such as Hotel La Costa Golf & Beach Resort in Pals, Hotel S'Agaró Wellness & Spa in S’Agaró, Hostal Spa Olga in Calonge, Hotel Aigua Blava in Begur and Hotel-Spa Classic Begur, also in Begur, are less than 40 minutes by car from some of the best wineries in the Baix Empordà.
Right by Grau de Pals Beach, in Pals, the Hotel La Costa Golf & Beach Resort combines sea, nature and sport in one place. From here, you can step directly from the hotel onto one of the longest and most natural beaches on the Costa Brava or access the Golf de Pals, located right next door, in a peaceful setting surrounded by dunes and pine forests.
More than just a hotel, it functions as a true resort designed for multi-day stays without the need to travel. It offers 120 rooms overlooking the pool or the golf course, and a wide range of facilities: a tropical pool with beach-style area, tennis and paddle courts, football fields, table tennis, pétanque and children’s play areas. Additional services include bike rental, nearby water sports and babysitting on request, making it one of the most complete hotels on the Costa Brava for families.
The experience is enhanced by its gastronomic offer, spread across several spaces, including the La Habana Beach Club, located by the sea, where guests can enjoy rice dishes from Pals and Mediterranean cuisine almost with their feet in the sand. A very convenient concept to combine beach days with great food without leaving the hotel.
From here, it is also easy to explore the area: nearby are coves such as Illa Roja and Sa Riera, as well as sections of the Camí de Ronda with spectacular views. It is a very practical option if you are looking for a beach hotel with plenty of activities, direct sea access and a well-preserved natural setting on the Costa Brava.
Located in front of Sant Pol Beach, in S’Agaró, the Hotel S’Agaró Wellness & Spa stands out for its privileged seafront location in one of the most beautiful bays on the Costa Brava. Its direct access to the beach and peaceful surroundings make it an ideal option to relax, enjoy the Mediterranean or explore the nearby coastal path.
This beach hotel features 93 spacious and bright rooms with elegant and welcoming décor, many with sea views, as well as others overlooking the gardens or pool. Its refined atmosphere makes it perfect for both romantic getaways and family holidays, combining comfort, wellness and an exceptional location.
Designed for relaxation, it offers a complete Spa & Wellness area of over 500 m², including a water circuit, sauna, hydrotherapy, gym and a wide range of treatments and massages. It also features an outdoor pool surrounded by gardens and a pleasant sun terrace, ideal for those looking for a hotel with spa on the Costa Brava by the sea.
At the Sa Conca restaurant, guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with an innovative touch, based on local products such as fresh fish and seafood. Overall, it is a hotel on the Costa Brava perfect for those seeking sea views, wellness, beach and great gastronomy, close to destinations such as Platja d’Aro and Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
Hostal Spa Olga is located in the heart of the Costa Brava and it combines warm and personalized hospitality with a cuisine that fuses the Mediterranean essence with northern techniques, and a gastronomic offer based on honesty, made with care, using fresh, local, and seasonal products.
The rooms, spacious and bright, are designed to offer comfort and tranquility, with spectacular sea views and details that invite relaxation.
With the opening of a new spa area and wellness services planned for 2025, it offers a unique experience that blends relaxation, quality, and authenticity.
HO is an exclusive retreat for guests seeking calm, sophistication, and a deep connection with the Mediterranean environment.
Located in the Aiguablava Bay, just a few minutes from the centre of the medieval village of Begur, Hotel Aigua Blava is one of the most exclusive hotels on the Costa Brava. This hotel boasts privileged views over the Mediterranean and an exceptional location, just a short walk from Aiguablava Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava. Surrounded by crystal-clear coves and picturesque villages such as Pals and Peratallada, it is the perfect base for discovering some of the most spectacular corners of the Catalan coastline.
Many of its rooms feature spacious panoramic terraces and stunning sea views. Guests can also enjoy a heated swimming pool with Pool Bar, a wellness area with treatments and massages, tennis, volleyball and badminton courts, as well as an excellent breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean.
Its outstanding dining experience includes the panoramic restaurant, La Terrassa and La Rocalla, renowned as one of the finest culinary destinations in Begur thanks to its Mediterranean cuisine, breathtaking sea views and carefully selected wine list. With direct access to the Camí de Ronda coastal path, guests can walk to Aiguablava Beach or discover hidden coves such as Platja Fonda and Cala del Maralet, making every stay a unique experience for couples and families looking to enjoy a true luxury hotel on the Costa Brava.
The Hotel-Spa Classic Begur is a romantic hotel for couples in Begur, set in the heart of this charming Costa Brava village, Girona, just over an hour from Barcelona. A boutique retreat designed for those seeking an intimate escape surrounded by Mediterranean coves, history and outstanding gastronomy.
Housed in a distinguished Indian mansion, the hotel features 12 exclusive rooms, some with a private jacuzzi in the room and others with surprising details such as a tantra chair or motion bed, perfect for couples.
The former wine cellar has been transformed into a spa with water area, ideal for relaxing at any time of year. Facilities include a hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna and contrast showers, creating a private atmosphere.
The private spa for couples can be reserved for exclusive use, turning your stay into a truly romantic getaway on the Costa Brava. Relaxing massages are also available, either in the spa area or in the privacy of your room.
DO Empordà wines: grape varieties and characteristics
Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the influence of the Tramuntana wind and the proximity of the sea, DO Empordà wines have become one of the most interesting winemaking propositions.
The most representative traditional varieties include black Grenache (garnatxa negra), Carignan (carinyena), white Grenache and red Grenache, a variety that is particularly characteristic of the Empordà. Many wineries also work with international varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which add complexity to the region’s wines.
In terms of styles, the DO Empordà produces structured red wines with notes of black fruit and spices, fresh and aromatic whites with Mediterranean nuances, and rosés that are increasingly appreciated for their food-friendly character.
The traditional sweet Grenache wines, a historic speciality of the area, also stand out. The Tramuntana wind helps to keep the vines healthy and encourages the grapes to ripen evenly, contributing to the freshness and personality of Empordà wines.
How to enjoy the DO Empordà Wine Route
The Empordà Wine Route is designed for exploring the area at a relaxed pace. One of the best ways to experience it is to stay at a good hotel near the wineries and dedicate each day to discovering one of them without rushing.
Many visits include a tour of the vineyards or winery, an explanation of the production process and a guided tasting that offers a deeper understanding of Empordà wines and their connection to the landscape.
The rest of the day can be spent exploring the area at a slower pace: strolling through charming villages in the Empordà such as Pals, Peratallada and Monells, discovering landscapes such as Cap de Creus or enjoying the local cuisine.
It is also the perfect opportunity to relax at the hotels’ spas, swimming pools and excellent restaurants, rounding off a wine tourism getaway that can last from a weekend to as many days as you would like to spend discovering the route.
Vívid Festival: the major wine tourism event
Every spring, the Vívid Festival takes place. It is one of the most important wine tourism events in Catalonia and a unique opportunity to experience the Costa Brava Wine Route in a different way. Throughout April, wineries, restaurants and cultural venues across the Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà regions organise a wide programme of activities open to the public.
The festival offers a wide range of experiences that combine wine, landscapes and culture, from Empordà wine tastings and food pairings to concerts among the vineyards, sensory workshops and cultural activities at wineries.
There are also Vívid Menus, tasting menus paired with DO Empordà wines, as well as special packages at selected accommodation. All this makes the festival the perfect time for a wine tourism getaway on the Costa Brava and an opportunity to discover the Empordà through its wines.
Exploring the DO Empordà Wine Route is one of the best ways to discover the Costa Brava through its wineries, its cuisine and the Mediterranean landscape that shapes its wines.
If you would like to continue discovering the area, you can find more hotels on the Costa Brava from which to explore the Empordà at your own pace.
