Things to Do in Pals

Pals sits about 5 km inland, and the coast is dominated by Playa de Pals, a long, sandy beach that shelves gently into the sea. Families with young children like the shallow, calm water, and the beach is the main summer meeting point for the municipality. The beach road (Avinguda del Mar) has a line of restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars), most of which open from Easter to late September.

Because the beach is exposed, summer afternoons can get windy — the tramuntana wind is a local talking point. If you want quieter coves, the small beaches of Begur, about 8 km southeast, and the coves around Mont-ras are a short drive.

There is no official Blue Flag information verified for Playa de Pals in the current sources; check with the Pals town hall or the Catalan Tourist Board for the latest season's status before planning your beach summer.

Just inland from Pals, the Gavarres massif offers a network of hiking and cycling trails through cork oak and pine forest, with viewpoints over the Baix Empordà plain and the Mediterranean. The flat landscape around the village is the rice-growing area of the Empordà, where you can walk or cycle beside the flooded fields in spring and early summer.

To the north, the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Empordà is a protected wetland that is a stopover for migratory birds; it is about a 15-minute drive. Birdwatching hides and marked paths make it the best local spot for walking in the cooler months.

The medieval centre of Pals is where you'll find the most concentrated dining scene. Stone terraces line the narrow lanes off Plaça Major, and the restaurant offering spans traditional Catalan cooking (slow-cooked meats, seafood rice, escalivada) and simpler tapas. The village is notable for rice, a legacy of the surrounding paddy fields, so rice dishes are a local signature.

The Fira de Vins i Caves de Pals — the Catalan Wine and Cheese Fair — is the big gastronomic date, held at the end of August in the village. It brings together winemakers and cheese producers from across the Empordà region, with tasting stalls and food pairings in the old town. For everyday shopping, the nearest full supermarket is on the road towards Begur, and a weekly market serves the village centre (check the current day with the town hall).

Pals' old town is the cultural hub. The Església de Sant Pere, dating in part from the 9th century, mixes Gothic and Baroque elements, and the castle tower offers views over the plain. The village is unusually well-preserved — its restoration after the Civil War was led by a local doctor, which is why it retains such a cohesive medieval feel.

The Fira de Vins i Caves at the end of August is the main annual event, but there are smaller fiestas through the year: the Festa Major in honour of Sant Pere (late June) and the medieval market that occasionally fills the streets with crafts and stalls. For a fuller event calendar, ask at the tourist office in the Plaça Major or check the town hall's agenda.

Pals is not a big sports town, but the surrounding area draws walkers and cyclists. The Gavarres trails are used by local mountain bike groups, and the flat lanes around the rice fields make for an easy road cycling circuit.

Padel and tennis courts are available at some of the resort complexes near the beach, and the beach itself is used for running and swimming much of the year. For team sports, Palafrugell (about 10 km) has the main municipal facilities in the area.

With a car, Pals is well placed for day trips. Begur (~8 km southeast) has a clifftop castle and quieter coves. Palafrugell (~10 km inland) has a working market town feel, a larger medical centre and more shops. Torroella de Montgrí (~10 km inland) sits beneath the Montgrí massif and has a weekly market. Girona (~40 km north) is the regional capital, with its historic Jewish quarter and cathedral. For the beach, Playa de Pals is the local option.

Summer — from late June to the end of August — is the high season. The beach is busy, restaurants fill up, and the wine fair brings crowds. Most beach bars and some cliff-view restaurants close by early October. From autumn to spring, Pals is much quieter; the medieval lanes are walkable in peace, and the mild winters allow year-round cycling and walking. The trade-off: in winter, many services shrink, and you'll drive to Palafrugell or Begur for a wider choice of shops and restaurants.

Pals suits you if you want a handsome, compact medieval village as your base, with the beach and the Baix Empordà's outdoor life just a short drive away. It is not a self-contained town: for serious shopping, healthcare or a varied restaurant scene, you'll rely on Palafrugell or Girona. Summer brings crowds and traffic to the coast, but the shoulder seasons — May-June and September-October — are when Pals really comes into its own for food, walking and quiet beach days. If you want to step out of your door straight onto sand, look instead at Begur or the coastal resorts.

• Guide to Pals: the 5 Best Things to See and Do | Spain-Holiday.com (Spain-Holiday.com)
• Food & restaurants in Pals: insider tips, articles & more (Spain-Holiday.com)
• A guide to discovering Pals, a medieval gem in the Costa Brava (Unexpected Catalonia)
• Local events in Pals: discover articles & insider tips (Spain-Holiday.com)
• Pals Spain: A Complete Guide to the Costa Brava's Medieval Jewel (Creativelakes.co.uk)
• Pals Spain Things To Do & See (Travel Inspires)
• Where to eat: the 44 best restaurants in Pals (Wanderlog)
• THE 10 BEST Restaurants in Pals (Updated October 2026) (TripAdvisor)