Slate rock, a rugged coastline and numerous coves define El Port De La Selva. The Parc Natural del Cap de Creus extends across the municipality, among other areas. The diversity of the coast is also evident on its beaches: they range from fine sand to rounded stones shaped by the sea and wind. If you are looking for a hotel in El Port De La Selva, you can tailor your stay to whether you want to experience cultural heritage, coastal paths or activities on the water above all.
Coast and landscape as points of reference
The El mirador dels Tres Canons viewpoint offers views of the town, the bay and the surrounding mountains. The Far de s'Arenella lies on the coastal path between El Port De La Selva and Llançà . A watchtower stood at Punta s’Arenella before the lighthouse was built. The coast therefore brings together different impressions: views of the town, bay and mountains, as well as the history of a lighthouse and its predecessor.
Monastery, castle and historic sites
The historic complex of Sant Pere de Rodes brings together the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, the settlement of Santa Creu and the Castell de Sant Salvador de Verdera castle. The monastery church is considered an exceptional work of Catalan Romanesque architecture due to its distinctive character and age. The castle stands on the Serra de Rodes’ highest peak, at 670 metres. A footpath to it starts beside the monastery entrance; trail conditions may vary, so it is worth checking them before setting out.
The Camà de Sant Jaume begins at kilometre 0 in the town centre, on Avinguda JV Foix right by the sea. A Catalan branch leads from the municipality to Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery. The Església de Santa Helena de Rodes is also part of the area’s historic landscape: it has pre-Romanesque origins and was the church of the medieval settlement of Santa Creu. The Església de Santa Maria de les Neus is a Latin-cross-shaped building from the first half of the 20th century. It was reconstructed in 1944 after the war and expanded and modernised in 1962. It houses a 15th-century polychrome Gothic stone image of Sant Pere, saved from the looting of the monastery.
Traces from different centuries
The Ermita de Sant Baldiri de Taballera comprises a church, a rectory and other outbuildings in a partly fortified area with a round watchtower. The complex is classified as a BCIL; the tower dates from 1558 and has been protected as a BCIN since 1985. Archaeological excavations show that Sant Baldiri was continuously inhabited from the 6th century until the end of the 19th century. The Paradolmen de la Pallera offers a glimpse of a much earlier period: it is dated to the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. Its partly man-made, round chamber has a narrow corridor; remains of an earlier burial mound have survived.
Choose routes to suit your time
The Itinerari geològic is 5 km long and takes about two hours. The first point on the route, a lighthouse, can be reached by bus via the Cap de Vol stop. If you are planning to travel this way, check the timetable for your date. A route of a similar length leads on foot from the start of the Camà dels Masos to the Ermita de Sant Baldiri de Taballera: the approximately 5 km walk is listed as taking around 50 minutes. The two routes therefore offer different time frames despite their similar distances.
The Itinerari natural de la Mar d'Amunt fins a Cala Taballera takes more time. It starts in El Port De La Selva, partly follows the GR11 long-distance trail and covers about 15 km there and back, with a total duration of five hours. These details help you plan the route as a larger block of time rather than treating it as equivalent to the shorter walks.
Water activities and springtime
Cap de Creus Dive offers access to 20 dive sites in the Parc Natural del Cap de Creus, as well as introductory dives, courses and dives. Club NĂ utic del Port de la Selva offers group sailing trips open to everyone, with no prior experience required. They take place year-round, weather permitting. The Fira de l'EspĂ rrec adds a seasonal culinary highlight: this spring gastronomy and crafts fair is dedicated to wild asparagus; the exact dates vary from one edition to the next.
Discover more destinations: Sant Miquel De Campmajor, Alp, Vilanova de la Muga, Palau Saverdera, Cantallops, Navata, Torrent, Darnius.
For the broader travel overview: Girona.
