Massanes brings together wooded terrain, architecture and events with different historical contexts. When looking for a hotel in Massanes, it helps to first decide what you want from your trip: should a hike along the Tourdera section, a look at historic buildings or a festival date shape your stay?
Woodland Landscape and Tourdera Section
The area around Massanes is rugged and wooded, particularly in the northern part. One notable natural feature is the SurolĂ de Cal MĂşsic, which the Generalitat de Catalunya designated a Monumental Tree in 1995. The landscape and the tree offer different points of interest: the terrain of a wider area on the one hand, and the recognition of a single tree on the other.
The Tourdera section between Massanes and the railway station is 4.1 kilometres long, with a cumulative elevation gain of 31 metres. It runs mainly through forests and along quiet forest tracks. On this section, follow the small urban signposts and yellow trail markers. The distance and cumulative elevation gain describe the scale of the route; the forest and tracks describe its character, while the markers help with navigation. Together, these details give you a concrete idea of what to plan for.
If you want to include a route in your stay, you can consider the figures alongside the character of the trail: as well as distance and elevation gain, the fact that the route is mostly through woodland also matters. Massanes’s landscape and the description of the Tourdera section complement each other, though not every statement about the area necessarily applies to the entire route.
Church, Chapel and Castell-Palau
The church of Sant Esteve de Massanes is in the centre of the village. Its Romanesque apse features blind arcading and pilaster strips. Blind arcading consists of arch-shaped forms on a wall with no opening; pilaster strips divide the wall with narrow vertical projections. These two terms draw attention to the design of the apse and highlight a specific architectural feature for a cultural trip.
Another local landmark is the Castell-Palau del BarĂł de Quadres, near the road leading to the centre of Massanes. The building was commissioned from the Modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.
The Ermita de Sant Roc stands on a hill outside Massanes and has a single-nave layout. “Single-nave” refers to a main space without side aisles. Unlike the centrally located church, the Ermita has a different geographical setting; its distinctive architectural feature is the form of its nave. The church, Castell-Palau and Ermita can therefore be distinguished by their architectural forms and locations, rather than treated as similar attractions.
Festa Major and September Event
The Festa Major de Massanes takes place on the first weekend of August. The programme includes concerts, Havaneres singing, a tasting of rom cremat and activities for children. If you want to plan your stay around this weekend, you’ll find a range of programme highlights, from music to a tasting.
An event featuring a rice dish at the Ermita de Sant Roc dates back to 1977 and is associated with 11 September. Check whether it is taking place in your chosen year before you travel. The two events fall at different times of year: the Festa Major is held on the first weekend of August, while the rice dish event is associated with a fixed date in September. This may help you choose when to travel if a festival is the reason for your visit.
Massanes therefore offers a range of options for planning your trip: wooded landscapes and walking routes, buildings with distinctive architectural features, or a stay timed around an event. Choose accommodation according to which of these aspects matters most to you.
Discover more destinations: Sant Pau De Seguries, Fornells De La Selva, La Cellera De Ter, Sant Feliu de Buixalleu, Santa Llogaia del Terri, Palau De Santa EulĂ lia, Ripoll, VilobĂ D'onyar.
View the wider travel overview: Girona.
