Anyone planning a stay in Sant Martí d'Empúries will encounter a long history of settlement and a clear focus on the coast and culture. The town centre contains traces of Greek and medieval history; the dune, beach and seafront promenade offer other points of interest. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these themes distinct and paying attention to the stated distance for each route.
Greek and Roman History
Sant Martí d'Empúries has been continuously inhabited since the first settlements in the 9th century BC. A later chapter in this long history is Palaiápolis: the archaeological settlement core in the present-day town centre was the first Greek settlement founded by Phocaean colonists. Its foundation is dated to the second half of the 6th century BC. The early settlement and the later Greek foundation therefore represent different historical periods. Empúries is also an exceptional archaeological site: an urbanised Greek colony was followed there by a Roman city. Sant Martí d'Empúries is designated a Cultural Asset of National Interest in the category “Historic Ensemble”; the corresponding decision dates from 14 February 1996.
Architectural Traces in the Town Centre
Plaça Major is a point of reference for several historic buildings. The parish church of Sant Martí d'Empúries stands in the middle of the square. It was built over the remains of the moat of the medieval castle. The castle remains are on the south side of Plaça Major; only the portal and the wall survive from the 13th- to 14th-century castle. Much of the 13th-century town wall of Sant Martí is still standing. A later landmark is Casa dels Forestals: it dates from 1910, and its main façade features Modernist elements. Together, these buildings represent different eras, showing that the town's history cannot be reduced to a single foundation or building phase.
Coastal Dune, Forest and Beach
The public Duna Litoral forest is also part of the town centre. It lies within the municipality of L'Escala and covers approximately 15 hectares. The coastal dune of Sant Martí d'Empúries is an emblematic, unique habitat with great floristic diversity. Alongside its archaeological and architectural heritage, the area therefore offers a distinct natural perspective. Wind-dependent water sports are suitable at Del Riuet beach. Visitors planning their stay around particular themes can thus choose between historical discoveries, coastal landscapes and an activity whose suitability explicitly depends on the wind.
Seafront Routes and Walking Times: Keep Them Separate
The Passeig d'Empúries connects Sant Martí d'Empúries with the town centre of L'Escala. The approximately two-kilometre seafront promenade opened in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympic Games and is intended for pedestrians and cyclists. Along the way, it passes the Greco-Roman archaeological site of Empúries, the ancient Moll Grec and the Mirador de les Coves viewpoint, among other places. This route therefore combines a coastal walk with several named historic and scenic landmarks.
For a longer hike, the linear Camí de ronda pel poble runs from Cala Montgó to Sant Martí d'Empúries. The route is 8 kilometres long, takes 4 hours and is rated easy. A different walking time is given by a signpost for Route 9 Alt Empordà in the wider region: it points from the tourist information office in Sant Pere Pescador to Sant Martí d'Empúries and gives a time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. These times refer to different routes and starting points; use them separately when planning your day.
Discover more destinations: Juià, Cervià De Ter, Das, Torroella De Montgri, La Vall D'en Bas, El Port De La Selva, Les Preses, Castelló D’empúries.
Return to the main travel overview: Girona.
