24 hours in Santa Cristina d'Aro

Santa Cristina d’Aro offers lovers of nature and heritage a wide range of options for exploring a region that stretches from the maritime Ardenya right to the heart of the Gavarres. An outstanding land of megaliths that hides archaeological remains of great value.

A source of inspiration for the writer Mercè Rodoreda who decided to spend the last years of her life in Romanyà de la Selva, where she is buried. Recognised for having magic, with an important, internationally recognised magic museums featuring automata, posters, magical devices from different eras, paintings, packs of cards, tarot packs, books, curios and photographs. This major collection of magic was compiled by the illusionist Xevi throughout his artistic career all around the world.

In the middle of the Vall de Solius, the Monastery of Santa Maria de Solius houses a treasure comprising 39 dioramas, made by the hands of the late Brother Gilbert Galceran, a monk from Solius.

67,77 km2 of land with a large and varied wealth to enjoy at any time of year.

Photo: Ajuntament de Santa Cristina d'Aro

El Carrilet – Font Picant – Vall de Solius Route

Start the day at the former Carrilet station, where the tourist information office of Santa Cristina d’Aro is now based, and follow this stretch of greenway, known as the Ruta del Carrilet, which will take you to Font Picant. Here you can cool off and have a good drink from the spring with water containing iron that is characteristic of the place.
Photo: Ajuntament de Santa Cristina d'Aro

The Monastery of Solius

Follow the route back in the other direction towards Vall de Solius to the monastery where the monks open their doors so you can visit the great treasure that is the collection of 39 dioramas made by Brother Gilbert Galceran that represent the same number of biblical scenes.
Photo: Ajuntament de Santa Cristina d'Aro

Balcar route

When you finish your visit, take a slight diversion to do part of the Balcar route, a route with great biodiversity of flora and fauna, and return to your starting point. This suggestion can be done on foot or by bike. Next to the former station of el Carrilet there is parking where you can leave your car.
Photo: Arxiu d'imatges PTCBG

A good vermouth

Time for a good vermouth while you decide which of the municipality’s restaurants to eat in. There is a wide variety for all palates and pockets.
Photo: Ajuntament de Santa Cristina d'Aro

La Cova d'en Daina

After lunch, we recommend spending the afternoon in Romanyà de la Selva. Drive along the GIV-6613 towards Romanyà de la Selva and carry on to the Cova d’enDaina car park. You can consult the calendar of guided visits offered by Tourism and Heritage and do one of the prehistory workshops to discover Neolithic life in more detail, or you can visit the site by yourself.
Photo: Ajuntament de Santa Cristina d'Aro

Romanyà de la Selva and Mercè Rodoreda

Next, take the same road to explore Romanyà de la Selva, visiting the Church of Sant Martí (you will have to ask for the key at the Tourist Information Office). The Rodoreda–Romanyà itinerary starts at the bust of Mercè Rodoreda. You can do a self-guided tour by getting the booklet from the tourist information office or you can book a guided visit in advance to do the Rodoreda literary route, passing in front of the house of el SenyalVell where she used to live to the Mirandes viewpoint where you can watch an exceptional sunset, like the ones the author herself described:

“The Gavarres, cloaked in holm oaks, at dusk when the sun kisses them from below, look like they are made of velvet. I found myself in front of one of the sweetest scenes in Catalonia. The time I used to spend in Barcelona, I now spend in Romanyà de la Selva, looking out over those solid, evergreen, mountains that give me a great sense of peace after I was, or had to be, a rolling stone for years.”
Photo: Ajuntament de Santa Cristina d'Aro

Dinner and relax

Eat and sleep in one of the establishments in the municipality.