Uncover the Catalan coast with a perfect blend of walks and excursions showcasing medieval towns, captivating culture, breathtaking views and hidden coves

Your walk and tour holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras ready for a Eurostar journey to Paris.

Travelling in spacious Plus class, we enjoy a light meal at our seats enroute to the French capital. After a transfer between Parisian stations, we continue in First Class through France to Figueres in Catalonia.

From here, we transfer by coach to our hotel in Roses, where we arrive late evening. This beautiful coastal town lies at the head of the Costa Brava in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, nestled between glistening sea and sun-baked hills. Our hotel isn't far from the centre of Roses, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds - the peace and quiet of our secluded location and the town's attractions when you choose. On arrival, we sit down to a three-course dinner.

After breakfast this morning, we embark on our first walk of the holiday. On all our tours, there is a choice of two walks, each are led by expert guides.

By coach, we transfer into the hills above Roses to Sant Pere de Rodes monastery. Located on a ridge with great coastal views, the Romanesque monastery was founded in the 10th century and was once one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. From here, you can select from either of the below options, which guide you down the hills to the picture-perfect town of El Port de la Selva.

Early this evening, we return by coach to our Roses hotel for a three-course dinner.

View this tour's walking maps and elevation profiles here.

Today, we explore the region's culture and history on a guided excursion. After breakfast, we travel to nearby Figueres to discover the work of the town's most famous son.

Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres in 1904 and by the late 1920s was one of the best-known figures of the Surrealism movement. Containing the largest collection of his works in the world, the flamboyant pink-and-gold Dalí Theatre-Museum is considered to be the largest surrealistic object in the world. We enjoy a guided tour of the museum, viewing famed artworks by Dalí, along with pieces by El Greco and Marcel Duchamp.

This afternoon, we visit the medieval town of Besalú, at the foot of the volcanic Garrotxa Natural Park. Once the capital of an independent state, its cobbled streets and sand-coloured buildings still burst with history. Accessed by a stunning 12th-century bridge, we enter a labyrinth of ancient buildings, pretty squares and cobblestone alleys. There's time at leisure to explore before we return to Roses for dinner at our hotel.

From our hotel on a crescent-shaped bay, we take a short transfer after breakfast to the jetty for a boat trip around the coast.

Cruising past a beautiful stretch of the Cap de Creus, we can admire the views of this protected peninsula of towering cliffs and secluded coves. Our destination is the popular village of Cadaqués, where gleaming whitewashed homes contrast with the stunning cobalt-blue bay. From here, we set out on our chosen walk - either an extended tour of the town and bay or a hike across the peninsula to the famous lighthouse at Spain's most easterly point.

At the end of the walk, we return to Roses by coach ahead of dinner this evening.

View this tour's walking maps and elevation profiles here.

Leaving Roses after breakfast, we travel by coach to Girona, a well-preserved medieval city with a rich history.

A guided tour reveals an Old Town of winding alleys lined by colourful buildings. The labyrinthine Jewish Quarter is close to the impressive Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona, which stands at the top of a grand Baroque staircase. The nave inside is the second widest in the world - only St Peter's Basilica in Rome is wider. One of the defining images of Girona is the colourful buildings that cling to the riverbank, which can be viewed from several bridges, including the metallic Pont de les Peixateries Velles, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

There's free time for lunch, before we continue to our next hotel. Known for its picturesque coves and sandy beaches, Calella retains the charm of a traditional fishing village with whitewashed buildings and a relaxed pace of life. Our hotel offers views across to the sea, and we stay in superior rooms with terraces. After checking in, we dine at the hotel this evening.

From our new base in Calella de Palafrugell, we are transferred by coach to La Fosca after breakfast.

In this small town huddled around a curved stretch of golden sand, we begin our final walk of the holiday as we enjoy two options featuring sections of the popular Cami de Ronda. This long-distance path was initially used to combat smuggling on the rugged Costa Brava, but now connects rocky coves, sweeping beaches and idyllic fishing villages.

Both walks conclude back in Calella, where the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at our hotel or uncover the charm of this small town, savouring authentic cuisine in one of its appetising restaurants.

View this tour's walking maps and elevation profiles here.

A guided tour of Cap Roig Botanical Gardens after breakfast reveals colourful displays of vibrant blooms and succulents. The extensive gardens of more than 8,000 different varieties of plant surround a medieval-style castle that was built in 1931 and boasts an interesting history.

Heading inland by coach, we reach one of Catalonia's hidden gems, the little village of Pals. Medieval buildings with thick stone walls, line timeworn alleys and there's free time here to explore at leisure. Wandering the ancient streets feels like stepping back in time, and you can uncover its 9th-century church and the Hours Tower - formerly part of the medieval castle that is now one of the village's most scenic buildings.

For lunch today, we visit a traditional Catalan vineyard. Brimming with rustic charm, the renovated 17th-century farmhouse and surrounding estate has been family-run since the 1970s as the owners sought to revive its wine-making heritage. After a tour, we savour a wine-tasting with a light lunch. Later, we return to Calella for dinner in our hotel, rounding off the ideal way to honour our time in Catalonia.

Blending cultural excursions with beautiful walks, this incredible holiday has immersed us in the charm of Catalonia. From our hotels in coastal towns, we have uncovered medieval history in Besalú, Girona and Pals, entered into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí in Figueres and enjoyed a tasting of authentic Catalan wines. Setting out on walks has revealed a new side to this popular region of Spain as we walked from an off-the-beaten-track monastery to the coast, explored the wild Cap de Creus after a boat trip to Cadaqués, and experienced sections of the Cami de Ronda past picture-perfect ports.

After breakfast this morning, we return by coach to Figueres and board a train to Paris in First Class. Switching stations, we hop on the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at our seats enroute back to London St Pancras, where your walking tour concludes.

Walking with Great Rail Journeys is about blending scenic walks and enjoyable excursions into one memorable holiday.

Choosing the right holiday and grade for your ability is essential for your enjoyment and safety. All our walking holidays are designed for our Level 4 Active Adventurers. You will be an active person more than capable of walking the distances and ascents, descents and types of terrain described for the walk options.

The walks will cover distances of between 3mi/5km and 8mi/13km, and each walking day has a choice of two walks that cater for different levels of ability and fitness.

You should consider your fitness levels and be confident that you'll be able to manage the distances, ascents, descents and types of terrain described for the walk options that you're likely to choose. Remember - each walking holiday will include walks of varying grades.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

If your tour is marked as Small Group, enjoy a more immersive holiday experience, exploring with a like-minded group of 16-25 travellers, with an average of 22.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Just over the road from Canyelles Petites Beach on the Bay of Roses, this laid-back, 4-Star hotel is well-known locally for making its own olive oil and for the restaurant's delicious cuisine. On site you'll also find a seasonal al fresco eatery, an outdoor pool, a gym and an outdoor terrace - perfect for long summer nights. Each modern guest room has a private balcony and is equipped with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen television with satellite channels, a safe and mini bar.

Offering great views across the whitewashed town and sea, this attractive 4-Star hotel is a short distance from the charming centre of Calella. Surrounded by gardens, there is also a seasonal outdoor pool, solarium with sun loungers and a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. We stay in superior rooms, each with a terrace with sea view. The rooms are air-conditioned and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, minibar, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.