The Romanesque town centre gives Esclanyà a distinct historical character: the small church of Sant Esteve and the castle define the settlement, and only the large rectangular tower of the castle remains today. The Via Verda, which connects Esclanyà with Begur, adds another focus. Wine is also part of the picture: vine growing was part of the local economy in the past, and Celler Esclanyà offers tours.

Church, castle and settlement layout

The settlement of Esclanyà is arranged around the church of Sant Esteve d’Esclanyà. Its peaceful Romanesque town centre includes the small church and Castell d’Esclanyà. The built fabric also includes a small, compact group of farmhouses. They were built between the 16th and 18th centuries around the church and castle, between the castle and the stream. The spatial relationship between the church, castle, farmhouses and stream is as much a part of the townscape as the individual buildings.

The church of Sant Esteve d’Esclanyà contains Romanesque elements from different periods dating back to the 10th century. They point to an earlier religious building. The church therefore cannot be reduced to a single construction date: its Romanesque elements point to a building history spanning several periods.

Castell d’Esclanyà is a Romanesque castle and a 14th-century building. The castle is designated a Cultural Asset of National Interest. Its first documented mention and its earlier origins are distinct historical reference points.

Via Verda between Esclanyà and Begur

The Via Verda connects Begur with Esclanyà. The route was officially opened on 7 February 2026 and designed as a safe and accessible link for everyday travel, leisure and sport. This means mobility and leisure are also topics alongside the town’s history.

This gives you two distinct focuses to consider when choosing your destination: the church and castle represent the historic town centre, while the Via Verda connects Esclanyà and Begur and is intended for a range of uses. If you would rather focus on culture or on exercise and leisure when planning your trip, you can weigh these themes separately.

Winegrowing and tours

Traditional vine growing was part of Esclanyà’s economy. Celler Esclanyà offers tours among the vineyards and in the winemaking area. Wine therefore has two aspects here: its historical role in agriculture and a specific tour offering. The tour focuses on the vineyards and winemaking area; the former cultivation of vines also places the subject in the context of the town’s history.

Festa Major d’Esclanyà

The Festa Major d’Esclanyà includes various leisure and cultural activities. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the dates for your travel period. This lets you plan around the actual event dates rather than assume a particular festival date for your travel year.

Discover more destinations: Sa Tuna, Aiguablava.

For the broader travel overview: Begur.