Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees, an exciting food and wine destination

Where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean there is a destination you cannot miss; steeped in history, with an extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage, the perfect climate all year round and stunning natural landscapes that yield products of the highest quality to provide all the ingredients for a rich gastronomy. These outstanding natural ingredients, prepared in the most traditional of kitchens and the most innovative, as well as in projects that offer unique gastronomic experiences, have made this region one of the world’s top food and wine destinations.

An inspiring region

It is clear that this region has been a source of inspiration for many important figures, such as the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, who based all his work on the extraordinary natural environment of the Costa Brava. This inspiration was also reflected in the art of cooking when Ferran Adrià and his restaurant El Bulli shifted the gastronomic paradigm on a global level by reinterpreting the region’s traditional cuisine with a creative and innovative vision. Currently, this project has been transformed into elBulli1846, a museum and visitable version of the former restaurant designed to continue fostering and reflecting on gastronomic innovation. This creative and innovative revolution continues thanks to the numerous Michelin stars present in the destination. Leading the field are the Roca brothers and their 3-Michelin-starred restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, twice named the best restaurant in the world, where through their sensitivity and continuous research they continue to combine traditional flavours with modern techniques.

Tradition and produce

The element that best defines the local gastronomy is tradition. This tradition is firmly rooted in the landscape, local produce, customs, the way the product is grown and prepared and the people who live here. It is a tradition based on the combination of products from the sea, the plains and the mountains. These include anchovies from L’Escala, prawns from Palamós, beef from the Pyrenees, apples from Girona, beans from Santa Pau, rice from Pals, honey from Cap de Creus, and a long list of different artisanal cheeses and cured meats, among many other excellent products, which have been produced and consumed for centuries, forming part of the local identity and culture.

Gastronomy and wine: a pairing for the senses

All these products and preparations can be paired with the fruits of a centuries-old winemaking tradition: Empordà wines. There are more than 30 wineries that make up the DO Empordà Wine Route, which offer unique and original wine tourism activities such as enokayak, winefullness or sensory tastings. In addition, the numerous experiences offered by local producers and fishers, chefs, sommeliers, museums, wine tourism activity companies, restaurants and gastronomic spaces and shops together make the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees the ideal place to enjoy a food and wine holiday that blends tradition, creativity, excitement and originality.