🌾 At The Sun Places we know that luxury is also found in landscapes that change with each season and in products that are born from the earth with centuries of tradition.
That is why we invite you to discover the Pals Rice Fields, a unique landscape that stretches between the Montgrí massif and the Mediterranean Sea. A place where nature, history and gastronomy merge into an experience of peace and authenticity.
Stay in our Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava and let yourself be enveloped by the magic of the Pals Rice Fields, where silence and the beauty of the landscape will accompany you every step of the way.
There are landscapes that change with the seasons, that transform and surprise in every cycle. The Pals Rice Fields are one of them. Stretching over more than 700 hectares across the Baix Ter plain, these rice fields are the agricultural soul of the Empordà and the setting for a tradition that dates back to the 15th century.
Here, water, land and the work of generations of farmers combine to produce one of the most prized rices in Catalan gastronomy.
A product that, like that of the Guadalquivir marshes in Seville, is the result of a unique ecosystem and a know-how that has been passed down from parents to children.
To better understand this connection, we invite you to discover the Rice Route of Seville, a journey through the Guadalquivir marshes. And do not forget that rice is much more than a food: it is culture, tradition and sustainability, as we celebrate on International Rice Day.
🌾 What do the Pals Rice Fields represent for the region and for The Sun Places?
The Pals Rice Fields represent the deepest connection between man and the land.
For the Empordà, they are the most characteristic landscape of the region, a symbol of identity that has marked the lives of its inhabitants for centuries.
For Catalonia, they are an example of sustainable agriculture and of how tradition can coexist with environmental protection.
And for The Sun Places, the Pals Rice Fields embody the luxury of tranquillity and authenticity: the luxury of walking through a landscape that changes with the seasons, of meeting the producers who cultivate rice using agri-environmental methods, of tasting a dish of casserole rice made with the freshest and highest quality product.
Our Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava are located near this privileged setting, and we can arrange visits to the rice fields, rice tastings and unique gastronomic experiences for you.
We are committed to a peaceful, sustainable and exclusive tourism.
📜 History of the Pals Rice Fields: five centuries of tradition
The history of the Pals Rice Fields is long and fascinating. Rice cultivation in this area began in the 15th century. It is believed that the Arabs introduced it from Valencia, and since then, rice has been a fundamental part of life in Pals.
As early as 1452, there was a rice mill in the area, which still stands today and is owned by one of the families that market Pals rice.
But the history was not always easy. In the 18th century, rice cultivation suffered a serious decline due to epidemics caused by stagnant water. Popular uprisings and diseases led to the prohibition of rice cultivation in the region in 1838.
It was not until the early 20th century that a resident of Torroella de Montgrí, Pere Coll Rigau, who had made his fortune in Cuba, introduced new cultivation techniques based on the constant circulation of water to prevent its putrefaction. Thanks to these improvements, rice flourished again and reached its peak during the post-war period.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the tourism industry led many farmers to abandon the land, but rice cultivation was never completely lost. Thanks to mechanisation and the dedication of some families, today we still find around twenty families linked to rice cultivation in the municipality.
🌾 The quality of Pals rice: a unique product
What makes Pals rice so special? The answer lies in the climate, the water and the care with which it is cultivated.
The climate of the area, less warm than in other rice-growing regions such as the Ebro Delta, lengthens the ripening of the grain. This allows the rice to develop a more intense flavour and a firmer, more consistent texture.
Furthermore, Pals rice is grown following environmentally friendly principles, protecting the flora and fauna of the area. It is grown with water from the Susqueda reservoir, brought by an underground pipe, and dried naturally in the sun.
The result is a top-quality rice that is difficult to overcook and always turns out perfectly. Its grain, more consistent than that of other rices, makes it the ideal accompaniment for all types of dishes and is the favourite of local chefs.
🍚 Varieties of Pals rice: a world of possibilities
Under the brand Arroz de Pals, several varieties of limited-production rice are marketed. Each has its own characteristics and culinary uses:
- Bahía: Pearled round grain. Traditional variety whose cultivation has decreased. Ideal for brothy rice dishes.
- Tebre: Pearled round grain. For years it was the most widely cultivated. Ideal for boiled rice and casserole rice.
- Jsendra: Pearled round grain. Modern variety that has displaced the previous ones and is now the most widely cultivated. Ideal for boiled rice and casserole rice.
- Loto/Nembo: Semi-long and crystalline grain. Short-cycle variety. Ideal for dry rice, salads, paellas and side dishes.
- Bomba: Small pearled round grain. Old variety, low-yielding but highly prized. Ideal for paellas and stews.
- Carnaroli: Semi-long pearled grain. Italian origin, low productivity and highly prized grain. Ideal for risottos.
- Akita Komachi: Crystalline round grain. Japanese variety, organically grown. Ideal for sushi.
Most of these varieties can be consumed as brown rice, which retains all their nutritional properties. Year after year, producers try to achieve fewer varieties and more stable production. Each season, you will find in Pals shops the varieties that have been grown during the last cycle.
🌅 The landscape of the Pals Rice Fields: a spectacle for the senses
The Pals Rice Fields are also a landscape of changing and fascinating beauty. In spring, the fields are flooded and become immense mirrors reflecting the sky.
In summer, the intense green of the plants contrasts with the blue of the sea and the Montgrí massif. In autumn, the fields turn golden, heralding the harvest. And in winter, the land rests, covered by the soft light of the Mediterranean sun.
Walking along the paths that border the rice fields, whether on foot or by bicycle, is an experience of absolute peace. The only sound is the wind among the ears of corn, the song of the birds and the murmur of the water.
The Pals Rice Fields are part of the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park, a protected area that is home to marshes, dunes and a wide variety of native flora and fauna. It is a perfect place for lovers of photography and contemplation, where time seems to stand still. We invite you to read our guide on the Montgrí Natural Park and the Pals rice fields to discover all its secrets.
🏌️♂️ Luxury can also be active: golf, nature and gastronomy near the Pals Rice Fields
The Pals Rice Fields are not only a landscape to contemplate, but also the setting for luxury experiences that combine sport, nature and gastronomy.
Empordà Golf Club is surrounded by the Pals rice fields. From its golf courses, you can enjoy spectacular views of the rice fields and the sea, in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
You can also explore the rice fields by bicycle, go hiking in the Montgrí Natural Park, or go snorkelling and diving in the nearby Medes Islands, a submarine paradise just a few kilometres away.
And, of course, gastronomy is a fundamental part of the experience. In the restaurants of Pals and its surroundings, you can taste authentic Pals rice in all its variants: casserole rice, paellas, brothy rice dishes, risottos... Every bite is a tribute to tradition and local produce.
If you are interested in golf, check out our guide to golf courses in the Empordà. And for sea lovers, don't miss our guide on diving in the Medes Islands.
🗓️ Perfect plan with The Sun Places to discover the Pals Rice Fields
Fancy immersing yourself in the tranquillity and beauty of the Pals Rice Fields? We propose a 2-day itinerary to experience it in all its splendour:
Day 1 (Arrival and rice fields):
- Afternoon: Bicycle ride through the Pals rice fields, stopping at viewpoints and the Basses d'en Coll bird observatory.
- Dinner at a restaurant in Pals specialising in rice (El Pedró or La Roca).
Day 2 (Golf, nature and farewell):
- Morning: Round of golf at Empordà Golf Club or a hiking route through the Montgrí Natural Park.
- Lunch at the golf club or at a restaurant with views of the rice fields.
- Afternoon: Visit to the medieval village of Pals and its fortified old town.
- Luggage collection and transfer to the airport.
📌 Practical tips for enjoying the Pals Rice Fields in style
- Book your accommodation with The Sun Places at least 2 months in advance for high season.
- The best time to visit the rice fields is spring (when they are flooded) and autumn (during the harvest). Summer is hotter, but the fields are green and full of life.
- Wear comfortable footwear, sun protection and bring water if you plan to go on foot or bicycle routes.
- Take advantage of The Sun Places concierge services to arrange guided tours of the rice fields, bicycle hire and restaurant reservations.
📞 Contact The Sun Places and let us organise your luxury getaway to the Pals Rice Fields.
We will advise you on the best accommodation, gastronomic experiences and activities so you can experience the tranquillity and authenticity of the Empordà.
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.
© 2026 The Sun Places. All rights reserved.