The towns in the Empordà are just a stone's throw from Figueres, a city that's full of life, commerce, culture, cuisine, and tradition. Figueres is the capital of comings and goings, the gateway to France, and an inexhaustible source of discoveries. Here's an activity for each month of the year to enjoy Figueres.
[1] Dalí's shadow grows and dips beyond the Theater-Museum in the summer. Through a two-meter portrait on the street, we see the child who was once a young dreamer before becoming a genius. There are a dozen of them. When the sun goes down, his works are projected on some of the city's most iconic façades, and cinema sessions with films in which Dalí participated are projected in the cool night air.
[2] Just like Dalí transformed art, Figueres revolutionized Catalan cuisine thanks to its proximity to France and continues to offer modern, diverse, and creative culinary treats. See for yourself by joining the food and wine routes available to taste local products and wines from the Empordà DO.
[3] Although it’s not an industrial city, Figueres has excelled in manufacturing bicycles and motorcycles. The Rieju brand is just one example. The renovated Museum of the Empordà showcases this success story with a delightful exhibition called Made in Figueres. The city of locomotion.
[4] Figueres is also synonymous with literature and its literary tours take us into the life and work of prominent authors recounting their relationship with the city.
[5] The Toy Museum of Catalonia is considered the third most important museum of this type worldwide. It has preserved and shared our local culture for over 40 years. Its iconic spinning top brings a smile to young and old alike.
[6] When we venture out we see spinning tops everywhere, but these are meant to be eaten. They're made of chocolate and displayed in the storefront windows of the city's bakeries.
[7] As we give in to this delicious treat, we can take in the breadth of Figueres's old town. Figueres was the first city in Catalonia to create an outdoor pedestrian area, and it's an excellent showcase of local commerce.
[8] One of the most popular spots in the old town is the Plaça de les Patates, or Potato Square, referring to its marketplace past. Modest in size, it's surrounded by arches and full of bars, restaurants, and terraces today. Tapas, conversations, and a good time are guaranteed.
[9] The Rambla, one of the most iconic spots in Figueres, is an elegant, wide, tree-lined promenade always full of people taking a stroll that is surrounded by doorways, modernist balconies and rooftops, terraces, and cafés.
[10] Listen to the bells of St. Peter's Church, a thousand-year-old edifice that was the heart of the medieval city. You’ll discover a beautiful, photogenic temple where space and time stop when you step inside. Perhaps this is the persistence of memory that Dalí referred to in his most famous painting.
[11] The Sant Ferran Castle is the largest monument in Catalonia and the largest modern fortress in Europe. This immense structure designed by 18th century military engineers is worth a leisurely visit. Kids will be delighted as well: there are jeep routes to tour the moat and inflatable boats to discover the underground water tanks.
[12] There's one final stop on our journey: the Municipal Cemetery. Scan a QR code on the old door to begin a guided tour that sheds light on funerary architecture and sculptures, with works by some of the leading names in Catalan art and stories about famous and infamous characters from Figueres and the Empordà.
