Located in the heart of the Alt Empordà region, Figueres is a city that is not to be missed during a summer stay in northern Catalonia. A city where it is good to stroll to discover its heritage and places related to its local figure, the painter Salvador Dalí. The genius of surrealism was born, lived and died in the town. Cultural, surprising, gourmet, Figueres, capital of the Empordà, can be visited during a trip to the nearby Costa Brava. But let's note it once and for all, the Catalan town has solid arguments to make you spend a whole vacation within its walls, both exotic and intoxicating. Here are 10 good reasons to plan a trip to Figueres in summer.
1- Visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum
Do you like Catalonia in summer for Barcelona, Girona or the sunny beaches of the Costa Brava? Wait until you discover Figueres, a city located a stone's throw from the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. One of the first things to do there is to visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum. How can you not be surprised by the incredible architecture of the building, an amazing mixture of surrealist elements, trompe l'oeil and extravagant details? The monument houses many of the artist's works from his different periods. Also not to be missed is the room dedicated to Dalí's surrealist jewelry and the sculptures in the gardens. The Dalí Theatre-Museum regularly invites visitors to take part in activities that help them to gain a deeper understanding of Dalí's art and his unique world.
2- Visit the house where Salvador Dalí was born
Among the 10 things to do in Figueres in summer, visit the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. The opening is scheduled for July 2023 and will allow to dive into the intimacy of the painter, as much as to discover or rediscover his facet as an internationally renowned artist. After a long period of work, the city of Figueres is pleased and proud to allow visitors to stroll through a space that has been the subject of museification. A walk that will be done with the help of audioguides, for an immersive experience where you will have the opportunity to hear the voice of Dalí and a multitude of anecdotes. The visit includes the room where the painter was born!
3- Go to Sant Ferran Castle
In Figueres, at the end of Pujada del Castell street, there is a military complex of impressive dimensions: Sant Ferran Castle. It is the largest monument in Catalonia and the largest modern fortress in Europe. During a guided or self-guided tour, the curious can discover the secrets of an extremely well-preserved building that could accommodate up to 4,000 soldiers mobilized to defend the territory. In order to complete the visit, do not hesitate for a single second to continue with the Water Cathedral! This activity, which appeals to both children and adults, includes a 4X4 route along the ditches towards the underground galleries. An inflatable boat ride will take you directly to the fort's cisterns.
4- Go to the Toy Museum of Catalonia
An activity in Figueres that puts stars in the eyes of the whole family! The Toy Museum of Catalonia houses no less than 10,000 pieces. 5,000 of them are on display to the public, with board games, dolls, tricycles, wooden toys, toy soldiers, robots, toy trains and puppet theaters. The place traces the history of toys through the ages, and it is always fascinating to follow the evolution of these objects that aim to entertain the youngest among us. There are also documents from the period, including very nice photos. Some of the toys belonged to great personalities such as Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. The Toy Museum of Catalonia regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, so keep an eye on the program.
5- Strolling through the stores and markets
It is always very pleasant to stroll through the city center of Figueres in summer. You can take advantage of it to discover the architecture and to stop for a while on the Rambla to have a coffee. All around, the streets abound with stores where you can indulge in a shopping session. From clothing stores to enhance your summer wardrobe, from shoes to jewelry to local products, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Catalonia is famous for its good gastronomic products! And in Figueres, the market held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 am to 2 pm is a landmark of good food. You can find fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and Iberian sausages. All you need to prepare a good meal, the local way.
6- Follow wine and food itineraries
Lovers of good food and wine find Figueres their favorite destination. By taking part in the wine and food tours organized by the tourist office and the professional sommelier Laura Masramon, they have the opportunity to visit places linked to the gastronomic history of the city and the Empordà. In particular, we stop at restaurants awarded with Michelin stars, discovering a cuisine with accents of the sea or the mountains, and which knows how to respect the traditions as well as being inventive. On another day, you can join the AO Empordà Wine Route, which is only 20 minutes away from the city and allows you to visit wineries, museums and taste wines, even after outdoor sports sessions like kayaking. Another option is to discover the oil mills and their traditional methods. Figueres and its region are full of fine products and excellence.
7- Participate in the Festival Acústica
Since 2001, the Festival Acústica has been welcoming the public in Plaça de Catalunya, but also in other places in the city, every summer. In 2023, the event will be held from August 31 to September 3. The best of the Catalan scene will be on display, in a variety of styles that will allow everyone to enjoy themselves and have a good time in a 100% festive atmosphere. Acústica also has food trucks and a real gourmet village to eat or drink between two concerts. A festival atmosphere as we like it in the heart of downtown and a good way to end the summer in style before going back to school.
8- Attend the Figueres Es Mou festival
From June 27 to July 2, 2023, the city of Figueres will be taken over by dance! Figueres es Mou, the culmination of the activities organized by the Agitart collective throughout the year, is an international festival of contemporary dance and movement arts. During this highlight of the cultural season in Figueres, different shows are offered to locals and visitors throughout the city. They are the result of the work of Catalan and Spanish companies, but also from other parts of the world. Hip-hop, break dance, flamenco, contemporary dance, the influences are diverse. The program also includes workshops and other participatory activities such as improvisation sessions.
9- Discover the Empordà Wine Fair
The wines are the other treasures of the territory ofAlt Empordà. The 2,000 hectares of cultivated vineyards and varieties such as black grenache, cabernet sauvignon, grey grenache, white carignan and picapoll produce wonderful beverages that are a must to discover. You can appreciate all the flavors and subtleties at Empordà Wine Fairwhich is held from June 29 to July 2 in the Rambla de Figueres. This time is specially dedicated to the promotion of wines from the wineries of the Denomination of Origin Empordà and includes tastings of wines and local food products. Without forgetting the multiple animations around the wine.
10- Sign up for guided tours
A guided tour is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and particularities of a city. In Figueres, opt for a sweet trip to the heart of a cultural city, following theDalí route. Accompanied by an expert guide, visitors will visit places related to the artist's life: his birthplace, his second home, the church where he was baptized and buried and, of course, the unmissable Theater-Museum. Travelers will spot it immediately upon arriving in the city, thechurch of Saint Peter is an architectural marvel and one of the oldest monuments in Figueres. A guided tour allows you to learn more about its long and tumultuous history, which hosted a royal wedding and was bombed during the Civil War. And then, from its bell tower, what a view of the city!
