🏞️ At The Sun Places, luxury is measured in silences.
That's why we have chosen the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals rice fields, one of the most beautiful and serene places in the Empordà.
Stay in our Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava and discover a place where nature, history and tranquillity will give you a unique experience.
There is a place on the Costa Brava where time stands still. There are no queues, no noise, no rush. Only the wind in the pines, the flight of an eagle and the infinite horizon of the rice fields.
That place is the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals rice fields.
Here luxury is not a marble suite. It is the peace of being alone on the top of a medieval castle. It is the emotion of seeing a flamingo land on a lagoon. It is the calm of a sunset with no sound other than nature.
If you like destinations that invite total disconnection, you will also love our guide to Secret Beaches of the Costa Brava, another corner of peace by the sea.
Today we invite you to discover this corner of the Empordà, to feel it, to desire it. And to stay with us to live it as you deserve.
🌄 The Montgrí Massif: a viewpoint over the silence of the Empordà
The Montgrí massif rises 315 metres above the plain of the Baix Ter. It is not a very high mountain, but its presence dominates the entire landscape.
Climbing to its summit is an almost spiritual experience. The path winds between holm oaks and rosemary, and the only sound is the crunch of leaves under your feet.
At the top, the Montgrí Castle awaits you, an unfinished 13th-century fortress. From its walls, the view is lost on the horizon: the Pyrenees to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and to the west, the green and golden immensity of the Pals Rice Fields.
On clear days, you can make out the silhouettes of the Medes Islands. And almost always, you will see the flight of a Bonelli's eagle or a peregrine falcon.
It is one of those places where you feel small and, at the same time, completely at peace. A luxury that only nature can give.
🤫 The history of the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals Rice Fields in silence: Iberians, Romans and pirates in the Montgrí
But this silence has centuries of history. On the slopes of the Montgrí, remains of Iberian settlements from the 5th century BC have been found. The Romans exploited its stone quarries, and even today you can see the marks of their tools.
During the Middle Ages, the massif was a refuge for hermits and a place of confrontations between nobles. The castle we see today was ordered to be built by King Jaume II in 1294 to control sea routes and protect against Saracen pirates.
It was never finished, but its walls have resisted seven centuries of winds and storms. And every stone holds a piece of the history of the Empordà.
Walking here is walking in the footsteps of Iberians, Roman legionaries, medieval knights and smugglers. But in complete silence. Only for you.
🥾 A luxury experience in the Montgrí with The Sun Places
From our Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, we organise an exclusive day in the Montgrí for you:
- Departure at dawn to be the first at the top of the castle
- Private guide who will tell you the stories and legends of the massif (without rushing, just for you)
- Breakfast at the top: freshly made coffee, artisan pastries, natural juice, with the sun rising over the sea
- Optional route through the Roman quarries or the smugglers' caves
- Luxury picnic at a solitary viewpoint with products from the DO Empordà and a glass of cava
- Private round-trip transfer
🦩 The Baix Ter marshes: the paradise of birds and infinite peace
Coming down from the Montgrí, the landscape changes. The rice fields are flooded with water and become a sea of mirrors. And among them, the Baix Ter marshes: a 700-hectare wetland where nature is the only owner.
This is one of the best places in Europe for birdwatching. More than 300 species have been spotted here: flamingos, grey herons, black-winged stilts, marsh harriers, night herons…
But the best thing is not the birds. It is the feeling of being in a wooden hide, in complete silence, watching life go by. With no one else. Just you and nature.
The park's visitor centre, in Torroella de Montgrí, can give you information, but the most authentic experience is to get lost on the dirt paths that border the lagoons.
The best time is sunset, when the light turns the water gold and the flamingos take flight. That moment is worth any price.
🔭 Luxury birdwatching in complete silence with The Sun Places
- Private ornithologist guide for an exclusive day of observation
- High-end binoculars and telescopes (Swarovski or Leica) so you don't miss any detail
- Private off-road route through the park's tracks, accessing the least crowded hides
- Luxury picnic at a hide with views of the lagoon, while birds pass just metres away
- Personalised field notebook with the species observed
- Possibility of combining with a nature photography class
🌾 The Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals Rice Fields: tradition, landscape and gastronomy in their purest state
The Pals Rice Fields are the most characteristic landscape of the Baix Ter. In spring, the flooded fields reflect the sky like infinite mirrors. In summer, the intense green of the plants contrasts with the blue of the sea. In autumn, the golden colour of the ripe rice dyes the entire plain.
Cycling along the paths that border the rice fields is an experience of absolute peace. The only noise is the wind moving the ears of grain and the distant song of some bird.
But history is also present. Rice cultivation was introduced in the mid-19th century, when the marshes were drained to turn them into farmland. It was a colossal work that forever changed the landscape and economy of the Empordà.
Today, Pals Rice is a high-quality product, highly appreciated by the region's chefs. And tasting it in its place of origin, cooked by a local, is another of the luxuries this corner offers. To learn more about the culinary richness of the area, we recommend reading Gastronomy of the Costa Brava, where you will discover the Palamós prawn, the suquet de peix and the temples of haute cuisine such as Celler de Can Roca or Restaurant Compartir.
🚲 Luxury rice experience with The Sun Places
- Private visit to the rice fields with a fourth-generation farmer (he will explain the water cycle, sowing and harvesting)
- Tasting of freshly cooked Pals Rice: soupy rice with prawns, duck rice or black rice with cuttlefish
- High-end bicycle ride (electric or conventional) along the paths of the rice fields, with stops at viewpoints and hides
- Rice lunch at a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant (Les Moles or Bo.Tic) with views of the rice fields
- Private cooking workshop at your accommodation to learn how to cook Pals rice like a chef
🏰 The village of Pals: a journey to the Middle Ages with views of paradise
From the rice fields, the view rises towards the hill where the village of Pals sits. Its walled old town is one of the best-preserved medieval ensembles in Catalonia.
Walking through its cobbled streets is like going back in time. The stone houses, the semicircular arches, the circular towers… and at the end, the Tower of the Hours, the symbol of the village.
From the main square, the views of the rice fields and the Montgrí massif are simply impressive. It is the perfect place for a drink at sunset, on one of the charming terraces in the village.
Pals was declared a National Historic-Artistic Site in 1966. It is not overcrowded, and in autumn and winter, you can have the streets almost to yourself.
If you like medieval history, don't miss our guide on walk through its medieval villages and The Medieval Villages of the Empordà. And if you feel like discovering other charming places, Cadaqués and its magic or a walk through Girona are excellent complements to your getaway.
🏌️♂️ Luxury can also be active: golf and spa near the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals rice fields
If after so much peace you feel like moving your body, the surroundings of the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals Rice Fields offer top-level active experiences:
Golf in the Empordà:
- Golf Platja de Pals: a 9-hole course located between the rice fields and the sea. The views of the Montgrí and the marshes are spectacular. Green fee from €60. Buggy rental and classes with a professional available.
- Empordà Golf Club (Gualta): two 18-hole courses (Forest and Links) designed by Robert von Hagge. 10 minutes away. Green fee from €100.
Check our guide to golf courses in the Empordà for more options.
Luxury spas to complete wellbeing:
- Thalasso Centre Palamós: marine treatments with views of the port. Perfect for a hydrotherapy session after the hike.
- Spa at Hotel Peralada: thalassotherapy centre with seawater pools, sauna, Turkish bath and seaweed treatments.
🗓️ Perfect plan with The Sun Places to feel the peace of the Montgrí and the Pals rice fields
Would you like to truly disconnect? We propose a 3-day itinerary to experience the peace and history of this corner of the Empordà:
Day 1 (Arrival and sunset in the rice fields):
- Dinner at a restaurant in Pals with a terrace and views of the rice fields.
Day 2 (The Montgrí in solitude and marshes):
- Early morning: Ascent to Montgrí Castle with a private guide (departure at dawn). Breakfast at the top.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Torroella de Montgrí or picnic in the park.
- Afternoon: Birdwatching day in the Baix Ter marshes with an ornithologist.
- Dinner at a luxury beach bar on Pals beach (relaxed, with your feet in the sand).
Day 3 (Medieval history and farewell):
- Morning: Walk through the old town of Pals. Visit to the Tower of the Hours and the church of Sant Pere.
- Round of golf at Golf Platja de Pals (optional) or visit to another Medieval Village (Peratallada, Monells).
- Farewell lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the area (Les Moles or Bo.Tic).
- Luggage collection and transfer to the airport.
If you have more days, we suggest completing your trip with a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres or the Dalí and the sea route or a Boat and Diving Route through the Medes Islands.
📌 Practical tips for enjoying the peace of the Montgrí and the Pals rice fields
- The best time to experience tranquillity is spring (the rice fields are flooded and the birds are at their best) and autumn (the harvest and golden colours). Summer is hotter and busier, but dawn and sunset are still magical.
- Get up early to be the first at the top of the castle or in the hides. The experience of being alone in these places is priceless.
- For birdwatching, wear neutral-coloured clothing and avoid making noise. The hides are designed not to disturb, but silence is the key.
- Don't forget binoculars and a camera. Sunsets over the rice fields are one of the most photographed spectacles in the Empordà.
- Take advantage of The Sun Places concierge services to organise all the experiences: private guides, restaurant bookings, bicycle hire and transfers.
📞 Contact The Sun Places and let us organise your luxury getaway to the peace of the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals rice fields.
We advise you on the best accommodation, experiences and routes so you can experience the most authentic and serene Empordà. Because true luxury is disconnecting.
If you liked this article, we invite you to discover other incredible destinations with The Sun Places: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.
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