Rocky hills with the characteristic woodland of the Terraprim, an agricultural floodplain and the River Ter shape the landscape of Foixà. The area also has religious buildings and an archaeological site with a long history. If you are looking for accommodation in Foixà, its architectural history, landscape and cycling routes offer several ways to plan your trip.

A castle and churches from different periods

Castell de La Vila de Foixà is documented as far back as 1019; its chapel is dated to 1194. These dates mark different historical milestones: the chapel has its own date, while most of the castle’s present-day structure dates from the 13th century. The Gothic wayside cross Creu del Rei Joan I commemorates King Joan I, who died at Castell de Foixà in 1396.

The town’s churches also reflect different building phases. Sant Joan de Foixà is a 16th-century Gothic single-nave church with a semicircular apse. The parish church of Santa Maria dates from the 18th century; an earlier church building has been documented since the end of the 13th century. Can Ferrer-Pagès, also known as Can Ribot, is a 16th-century farmhouse with Gothic and Renaissance windows. These examples provide several distinct chronological and architectural reference points for Foixà’s building history.

Sidillà: archaeological history and architecture

The archaeological site of Sidillà is an open-air site surrounded by nature. It includes a Roman villa, a funerary building, a church, a necropolis and a settlement whose chronology spans from the Roman period to the beginning of the 12th century. In 2016, the Catalan Ministry of Culture reported that excavations had uncovered evidence of the site’s Roman origins.

Sant Romà de Sidillà is a distinct architectural landmark: this pre-Romanesque church has a single nave, a barrel vault and a trapezoidal apse. Taken together, Sidillà’s different structures and long history tell a different story of the area from that of the individual churches and the castle.

Cycling routes with different destinations

Two cycling tours described here are each 3 km long but visit different places. One loop starts at Sant Joan de Foixà and goes to Creu del Rei Joan I, then on to Castell de La Vila and La Sala. The second tour starts in Sant Llorenç de les Arenes, passes the church of Sant Llorenç and the farmhouse trail, continues to the remains of Sansromans and ends in Sidillà. Their equal length makes them easy to compare; the destinations listed for each are the main consideration when choosing between them.

Another signposted route is 5.6 km long and runs from La Sala d'Abaix to Sidillà and Sansromans. Foixà’s historic network of paths also makes for peaceful sightseeing on foot or by bicycle. Trail markings and ground conditions can change, so check both before setting out. Organised kayaking trips offer another way to experience the Ter at Foixà; providers and availability may change, so it is advisable to check current information before making plans.

A festival date in August

The Festa Major of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes includes an evening dance, a mass and a final dance. Traditionally, the festival is celebrated on 10 August; events take place on the weekend closest to that date. As the programme can vary from year to year, check the dates for the relevant year when planning your trip.

Foixà is a destination to consider if you want to combine heritage and landscapes with a specific choice of cycling routes. The different route lengths, building periods and historical themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay, without trying to fit every sight into a single outing.

Discover more destinations: Sant Gregori, Campdorà, Rupià, L'armentera, Santa Pau, Sant Pere Pescador, Gualta, Torrent

See the broader travel guide: Girona.