Things To Do
in Santa Coloma de Farnés

Santa Coloma de Farners is a small, historic market town in the comarca of La Selva in Girona province, Catalonia, with a compact medieval center and a relaxed, local feel. It serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby natural areas, rolling hills and the Costa Brava coastline within a short drive. The town combines traditional Catalan architecture, weekly markets and family-run cafés with a few modern amenities and a reputation for local produce.

Visitors come for gentle outdoor activities, regional cuisine and to enjoy an authentic small‑town Catalan atmosphere.

Day Trips

Spend a day exploring around

day 1
Exploration of Historic Santa Coloma
morning
:

Begin your journey in the heart of Santa Coloma de Farnés by visiting the ancient church of Sant Vicenç. Take a leisurely stroll through the quaint streets, absorbing the rich history and charming architecture that defines this Catalan town. Make sure to grab a traditional breakfast at a local café, savoring the flavors of fresh bread and pastries.

afternoon
:

After exploring, head to the nearby archaeological site of Santa Coloma, where you can delve into the fascinating history of the region. Spend some time at the picturesque Parc de la Font, allowing for a relaxing picnic amidst the lush greenery. Visit local artisan shops to find unique souvenirs and gifts that reflect the culture of the area.

evening
:

As evening approaches, dine at one of the town's excellent restaurants, enjoying Catalan specialities made from local ingredients. After dinner, wander through the illuminated streets, taking in the serene atmosphere of the town after sunset. Finish your day with a drink at a local bar, mingling with friendly locals and perhaps listening to live music.

day 2
Cultural Immersion and Art
morning
:

Start your day with a visit to the Museu de Santa Coloma de Farnés, where you can learn about the town's rich heritage and its significant role in Catalan culture. Engage with interactive exhibits that narrate local stories and showcase regional art. Attend a morning workshop if available, where locals might share their artistic skills, such as pottery or painting.

afternoon
:

Afterward, visit the charming artisan market that pops up in the town center, where you can find handcrafted goods and delicious local produce. Meet artisans and learn about their crafts as you browse through the stalls. Wrap up your afternoon with a coffee at a nearby café, people-watching and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the market.

evening
:

As night falls, immerse yourself in the local culinary scene by joining a cooking class that focuses on traditional Catalan dishes. Enjoy the meal you prepare, filled with laughter and conversation with fellow travelers and locals. After dinner, stroll to a nearby plaza to relax and soak in the lively ambiance, perhaps catching a local dance performance.

Cost Guide

Prices

ItemPrice
🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant$10-15
Coffee (café)$1.50-3
🍺Domestic beer (bar)$2-4
🚕Taxi start / short ride$3-8
🏨Mid-range hotel (per night)$70-120

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Authentic small‑town Catalan atmosphere with local markets and friendly residents
  • Close to natural areas and within reasonable driving distance of the Costa Brava and Girona
  • Good base for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling
  • Lower prices and less tourist crowding compared with coastal hotspots
  • Limited nightlife and fewer high-end dining or entertainment options in town
  • Public transport options are more limited—car is useful for full flexibility
  • Fewer accommodation choices than larger nearby cities
  • "Bon dia" - Good morning
  • "Gràcies" - Thank you (Catalan)
  • "Si us plau" - Please (Catalan)
  • "On és el mercat?" - Where is the market?
  • "Parla anglès?" - Do you speak English?

Places to Visit in Santa Coloma de Farnés

Visit one of these nice places.

Plaça Major and Old Town Streets

Picturesque cobbled lanes, traditional facades and a lively square that capture the town’s historic character—great for morning and golden-hour shots.

Town viewpoints and small parks

Elevated spots around the town provide panoramas of surrounding hills, farmland and distant ridgelines—ideal for landscape photography at sunrise or sunset.

Gavarres hills and nearby wooded trails

Close-by woodland and rolling hills offer diverse nature scenes—mossy rocks, oak groves and open vistas for wider landscape images.

Coastal day-trip locations (Costa Brava)

If you drive to nearby beaches and coves, dramatic Mediterranean coastlines and cliffs offer spectacular seascapes and golden-hour opportunities.

Culinary Guide

Food in Santa Coloma de Farnés

Cuisine in and around Santa Coloma de Farners is classic Catalan: seasonal, grounded in local produce, olive oil, cured meats and hearty dishes. Expect simple, fresh ingredients prepared in traditional ways—ideal for food lovers who appreciate regional specialties and farm-to-table offerings.

Santa Coloma de Farnés Famous Food

Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food

Botifarra amb mongetes

Grilled Catalan sausage served with white beans—a staple inland comfort dish found in many local restaurants and taverns.

Must-Try!

Escalivada

Smoky roasted peppers, eggplant and onions dressed with olive oil; often served as a starter or alongside grilled fish and meats.

Coca de recapte

A savory flatbread topped with roasted vegetables and sometimes anchovies or sausage, common at bakeries and market stalls.

Crema Catalana

The classic Catalan custard dessert with a caramelized sugar crust, widely available at restaurants and cafés.

Food Markets

Explore local food markets

Weekly Market (Mercat setmanal)

The town runs a regular market where producers sell fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses and cured meats—an excellent place to sample local products; check the local timetable for market days.

Local bakery stalls

Small bakeries and market stalls sell fresh bread, cocas and pastries—perfect for a quick breakfast or picnic supplies.

Climate Guide

Weather

Santa Coloma de Farners has a Mediterranean-influenced climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant and transitional, offering comfortable temperatures for outdoor activity. Occasional inland cold snaps can occur in winter, and coastal areas nearby may be milder.

How to Behave

Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior

Language and greetings

Catalan and Spanish are spoken; greeting with 'Bon dia' (good morning) or 'Hola' is polite. In casual social situations, two light kisses on the cheeks (dos besos) are common in Catalonia—follow the local lead.

Respect local identity

Catalan culture and language are important locally—show respect for local customs and political sensitivities when discussing regional identity.

Dress and behavior

Dress is generally casual; be respectful when visiting churches or religious events. Keep noise down late at night in residential areas.

Safety Guide

Safety

Santa Coloma de Farners is generally safe with low violent crime—common-sense precautions suffice: watch belongings in crowded markets, lock bikes and secure vehicles. In rural areas be prepared with water and navigation for hikes; bring a charged phone and inform someone of routes. Emergency number across Spain is 112.

Tipping in Santa Coloma de Farnés

Ensure a smooth experience

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Spain. In restaurants, leaving 5–10% for good service is normal; rounding up small bills in cafés or taxis is common. For tour guides or exceptional service, a small tip is welcomed.

Payment Methods

Euro is the local currency. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but small bars, markets and rural vendors may prefer cash—carry some euros for markets and remote purchases.

Best Time to Visit

And what to expect in different seasons...

Summer

Warm to hot and generally dry—perfect for outdoor activities and day trips to the Costa Brava; expect more visitors and busy roads on summer weekends. Pack sun protection, stay hydrated and book accommodations in advance during high season.

Autumn

Pleasant temperatures, good for hiking and cycling with changing foliage; harvest season for local produce and quieter towns after summer. Some rural services may scale back later in the season.

Winter

Cooler and wetter with occasional cold snaps; the town is much quieter and prices may be lower. Bring layers and a waterproof jacket—some higher-elevation trails may be muddy or inaccessible.

Spring

Mild weather and blooming countryside make it an ideal time for outdoor exploration and photography. Local markets brim with seasonal produce; expect variable weather—layers recommended.

Nightlife Guide

Santa Coloma de Farnés at Night

Nightlife in Santa Coloma de Farners is low-key: think relaxed bars, a few tapas places and occasional live music or village fiestas. For a more energetic club scene, head to Girona or the coast; evenings here are best enjoyed at terrace bars and small local venues.

Hiking in Santa Coloma de Farnés

Immerse in an unforgettable hike.

Gavarres Massif Trails

A network of forested trails through ancient oak and pine woodlands with quiet paths, stone farmhouses and panoramic viewpoints—suitable for day hikes and wildlife spotting.

Montseny Natural Park (foothills)

Within reasonable driving distance, Montseny offers varied routes from easy walks to more challenging ascents with diverse ecosystems and scenic ridge lines.

Les Guilleries and Sant Hilari area

Rugged terrain with river gorges, dense forests and quieter rural paths—good for hikers seeking more solitude and varied landscapes.

Coastal trails on the Costa Brava

If you drive to the coast, there are famous seaside paths and cliff-top walks with coves and beaches that reward photographers and hikers alike.

Airports

How to reach Santa Coloma de Farnés by plane.

Girona–Costa Brava Airport (GRO)

Closest major airport (approximately 30–45 minutes by car depending on route); seasonal flights and good low-cost carrier connections. Accessible by car, taxi or regional bus services that connect via Girona.

Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)

Major international hub about 1.5 hours by car or around 1.5–2 hours by combined train/bus; offers many international connections and car-rental options.

Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport (PGF)

Across the French border and useful for some international/regional flights; about 1.5–2 hours away by car depending on border crossing and route.

Getting Around

Walkability

The town center is compact and highly walkable with cobbled streets, a main square and short distances between shops, cafés and services. Some surrounding areas and attractions require a car or bicycle to reach comfortably.

Demographics

Explore demographics in this area.

Local Catalan families

Long-term residents who speak Catalan and Spanish, often involved in local commerce, agriculture and community life.

Commuters and regional workers

People who travel to larger nearby towns and cities for work; some younger residents move for education or jobs in Girona and Barcelona.

Retirees and rural inhabitants

A notable portion of the population includes older residents and retirees who appreciate the quieter pace of life.

Popular Sports

Explore popular sports in region.

Football (soccer)

Local clubs and community fields are popular and widely played and followed across the region.

Cycling

Road cycling and mountain biking are very popular due to quiet country roads and varied terrain—both recreational and more serious cyclists frequent the area.

Hiking and trail running

With nearby hills and protected natural areas, hiking and trail running are common pursuits among residents and visitors.

Transportation

Traffic

Traffic in town is light and streets are easy to navigate on foot or by car; however, regional roads and routes to the coast can become busier in summer and during holiday weekends. Public transport consists mainly of regional buses—rail options are limited, so renting a car provides greater flexibility for day trips.

Accomodations

Find the best place to stay when visiting Santa Coloma de Farnés.

Dietary Restrictions

Tips for restricted diets.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian options are widely available—ask for vegetable stews, escalivada, salads and egg- or cheese-based dishes. Smaller places may have limited choices, so mention preferences when ordering.

Vegan

Vegan choices are less common but possible: markets, bakeries and some restaurants can prepare salads, grilled vegetables and legume-based dishes—advise staff in Catalan or Spanish if needed.

Gluten-free

Awareness of gluten-free diets is growing; some bakeries and restaurants offer alternatives, but cross-contamination can occur—confirm ingredients in advance.

Health & Medical

Healthcare

There is local primary care and clinics in town for routine needs, and a regional hospital (Hospital Comarcal de la Selva) serving the comarca; more specialized care is available in Girona city hospitals. Emergency services are accessed via 112—carry your health insurance details and a European Health Insurance Card (if applicable).

Discover Spain

Read more in our Spain 2025 Travel Guide.

Spain Travel Guide