Caldes de Malavella brings together Roman baths, thermal springs and an important Pliocene fossil site. Its routes also vary in length and course: the Ruta Termal is 13.8 kilometres long, while a mountain-biking (MTB) loop near Sant Maurici is 8.6 kilometres long. This gives you both cultural and geological themes, as well as specific routes within the municipality, to focus on when planning your visit.
Roman Baths and Thermal Springs
The Roman Baths of Puig de Sant Grau were built in the 1st century AD. They are the most significant architectural feature of Caldes de Malavella and the best-preserved remains of the Roman settlement of Aquae Calidae, now the town. They are designated as a Cultural Asset of National Interest. The town’s Roman history can thus be seen in a clearly identified structure.
The urban section of the Ruta Termal passes through Caldes de Malavella. Along this section are three mineral-medicinal thermal springs, whose water naturally emerges from underground at an average temperature of 56°C. Along the route, thermal water from the springs can be sampled at around 60°C. The average temperature and the temperature of the water available for tasting are two different figures relating to the thermal route.
The town’s later spa character is also reflected in its Modernist buildings, associated with the rise of spa tourism at the end of the 19th century. At Espai AQUAE, the town’s natural and cultural heritage is presented across nine exhibition areas. The museum centre is housed in the former castle of Caldes de Malavella, of which a section of wall and three medieval towers remain. The Roman baths, the later history of spa tourism and the surviving medieval structures thus offer different historical perspectives on the same place.
Camp dels Ninots: Geology and Fossils
Camp dels Ninots tells another chapter in the town’s history. The site is designated as a Cultural Asset of National Interest in the category of paleontological zone. Geologically, it is an irregularly shaped explosive volcanic maar-diatreme formation of hydromagmatic origin. The crater covers around 275,000 square metres. After volcanic activity ended, it filled with water and formed a lake.
Camp dels Ninots preserves an exceptional collection of Pliocene fauna and flora. The finds are dated to between 3 and 3.3 million years ago. The site’s paleontological importance and the formation of the crater are therefore connected: it is both a geological formation and a place containing an exceptionally ancient collection of fauna and flora. Visitors interested in natural history will find a different focus here than at the Roman baths or the later spa buildings.
Routes and Choosing a Trail
The 13.8-kilometre Ruta Termal and the 8.6-kilometre MTB route near Sant Maurici differ in both length and course. The MTB route is a loop that leads to the hill of Monte de Sant Maurici. The municipality also has signposted nature trails with a combined length of more than 140 kilometres. These figures offer different scales for planning: a specific thermal route, a shorter loop and a larger network of trails within the municipality.
The municipal heritage trail also has a defined number of stops: it visits 15 places. It complements the individual named buildings with a thematic look at several local heritage sites.
Sant Maurici and Malavella Castle
The Aplec de Sant Maurici was held for the 178th time in 2022. The programme for that edition included a group walk to the hermitage, a church service, sardanas, the traditional Hereu Riera dance and a communal meal. These details refer to the 2022 programme.
Malavella Castle lies along the EuroVelo 8 route. In a notice from January 2026, the municipality reported restoration and improvement works at the castle. A project finally approved in September 2025 is intended to improve access, signage and internal paths, making a future public visit easier and enabling a safer, clearer route around the site.
Travelling by Train
Caldes de Malavella station is served by the Barcelona Sants–Portbou and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat–Figueres/Portbou routes. Check the timetables before travelling. This lets you include your journey in your plans for the baths, heritage or routes without assuming the same order for these different interests.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Franciac, BescanĂł, Sils, Lloret De Mar, Joanetes, Salt, Pardines, CruĂŻlles, Monells i Sant SadurnĂ de l'Heura.
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