24 hours in La Bisbal d'Empordà

If you are interested in pottery, la Bisbal is the destination for you! Our suggestion for 24 hours in la Bisbal d’Empordà is designed to unlock the hidden secrets of this characterful city.

La Bisbal d’Empordà is located in a wonderful setting in the middle of the Empordà plain. It is surrounded by the Gavarres mountains and a landscape dotted with charming little villages. It is also close to the tourist centres of the Costa Brava and the city of Girona.

Photo: Niel. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

Pottery

As pottery is la Bisbal’s distinguishing feature, we suggest an itinerary that starts on Carrer de l’Aigüeta, one of the shopping streets, where you will find a high concentration of shops selling pottery from la Bisbal with pottery and artisanal products from here as well as from other parts of the world. If you are looking for something, you are sure to find it here.

Visiting a pottery workshop is also an option. If you want to do this, contact the local tourist information office (tel. 972 645 500), which can organise a visit with the relevant workshops according to their availability, making sure in advance that they are available on the day of your visit.
Photo: Lluís de Miguel. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

The old town

To continue with the visit, we suggest discovering the old town of la Bisbal, popularly known as la Vila, which forms a small labyrinth of narrow streets and little squares, centred around the Plaça Major and overlooked by the parish church of Santa Maria. The Castle–Palace (11th–13th centuries) of the Bishops of Girona stands out above all here, an example of Catalan civil Romanesque architecture that is well worth visiting.

To help you enjoy this visit, the tourist information office has a map with a suggested route.
Photo: Jordi Rafel. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

The taste of la Bisbal

Enjoying Bisbal’s delights also means enjoying its gastronomy. We suggesting stopping off to enjoy a good meal or some excellent tapas in one of our local establishments, most of which are dedicated to home cooking and market cuisine from the Empordà made with local products, but there are also establishments with innovative and creative cuisine.

You can also take the chance to do some shopping or simply stroll through the historical centre or les Voltes (the shopping area where the local businesses are concentrated), discovering the products each shop offers.
Photo: Ricard Vaqué. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

City of antiques

After a good lunch, the plan for the day can also include the antiques shops, a sector that brings much prestige to the city, as the charm of restoring and renovating furniture has meant that in la Bisbal and its surrounding areas, numerous establishments specialising in the sale and restoration of antiques and second-hand objects have opened. This has turned la Bisbal d’Empordà into a city of antiques and it is well worth having a look around it.
Photo: Peces Fons_fotogràfic Terracotta Museu. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

Terracotta Museum

We suggest continuing with a visit to the Terracotta Museum, one of the most important pottery museums in the country. Located in a former pottery factory, its purpose is to inform about the importance of the pottery industry in la Bisbal. If you are interested in the art of pottery, you should not miss out on visiting this museum.
Photo: Ricard Corví. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

Hamlet of Castell d’Empordà

Castell d’Empordà is located in the municipality of la Bisbal, a hamlet with a castle which has now been converted into a hotel and restaurant. We recommend discovering this hamlet from outside and enjoying panoramic views from its viewpoint.

If you still feel like walking some more, the village of Sant Pol, with its Romanesque church, is also part of the municipality.
Photo: Lluïsa Petit. Ajuntament de la Bisbal

Try something sweet

To complete your visit, we suggest trying the artisanal patisserie products, traditionally recognised throughout the region that have become a mark of identity for the city: the Bisbalenc, Rus, càntir and galetes.

If you are planning a visit to la Bisbal, why not make it coincide with the weekly market on Fridays, which has been held in the old town since 1322.