Pals, Girona: Castles, Golf and Easy Flights from the UK
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 2,366 residents · on the coast
Pals is a small coastal town in the Província de Girona, home to around 2,366 people and sitting just 20 metres above sea level. Its own Castell de Pals stands a few hundred yards from the centre. Within three miles you will find two more castles at Torrent and Palau-sator, the Jam Museum, Zoo Empordà and the Golf Platja de Pals course. Girona airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly half an hour's drive away. Summers here are hot and fairly dry, with July and August highs of around 30°C. Pals works well as a quiet base for exploring this corner of Catalonia, including Begur and Calella de Palafrugell, both under six miles away.
Why go
- Castell de Pals stands just 0.2 miles from the town, with two more castles within 2.4 miles.
- Girona airport has direct UK flights and is only around 29 minutes' drive away.
- July and August bring reliable heat, with highs of 30°C and only five rainy days each month.
Top sights in Pals
Castles, Jam and Golf Nearby
The best-known sight in the area is the Jam Museum, a Catalan museum about 1.7 miles from Pals that suits families as much as the culturally curious. Castles are the real theme of the surrounding countryside: Castell de Palau-sator lies around 2.4 miles away, Castell de Pals is right on the doorstep at 0.2 miles, and Castell de Torrent sits about 1.7 miles out.
For children, Zoo Empordà is roughly 1.3 miles from town, while golfers have Golf Platja de Pals around 2.9 miles away. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, so you can plan visits before you travel.
1museum
2castle
3castle
4castle
Zoo Empordà
zoo · 1 mile from the centre
Golf Platja de Pals
golf course · 3 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Pals
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Pals can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Pals
Choosing Your Base Around Pals
Pals is a small place of around 2,366 residents, so staying in or near the town means a quiet holiday, with Castell de Pals within easy walking distance. Golfers may prefer to be closer to Golf Platja de Pals, about 2.9 miles out, while families can stay within reach of both the Jam Museum and Zoo Empordà.
If you want a livelier evening scene, larger towns such as Palamós and Torroella de Montgrí are both within nine miles. This page shows live hotel prices for Pals and the surrounding area, so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Pals and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 29 min away.
Best time to visit Pals
When to Visit Pals
- 13°CJan33 mm
- 15°CFeb51 mm
- 17°CMar51 mm
- 19°CApr52 mm
- 22°CMay83 mm
- 27°CJun53 mm
- 30°CJul21 mm
- 30°CAug45 mm
- 26°CSept61 mm
- 23°COct61 mm
- 18°CNov46 mm
- 15°CDec42 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the most pleasant months for a holiday in Pals, with daytime highs of around 30°C, warm nights of about 22°C and just five rainy days each. July is also the driest month of the year, with only 21mm of rain on average.
The wettest spell comes in May, which sees 83mm across around 12 rainy days, and October is also changeable with 11 rainy days. June and September remain warm at 27°C and 26°C. Winters are mild rather than hot, with January highs of about 13°C and lows of 6°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 33 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 51 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 9°C | 51 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 11°C | 52 mm | 11 h |
| May | 22°C | 14°C | 83 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 53 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 22°C | 21 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 22°C | 45 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 17°C | 61 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 61 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 46 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 6°C | 42 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Driving from the UK
Girona airport is the closest, around 21 miles away and roughly 29 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona airport also has direct UK flights and lies about 72 miles away, a drive of roughly an hour and three quarters. Reus, also served directly from the UK, is around 117 miles away and takes about two hours and 45 minutes by road.
If you prefer to drive, the journey from Calais takes around 14 and a half hours. The port of Barcelona, about 65 miles from Pals, offers ferries onward to Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as routes to Italy and Morocco, should you wish to extend your trip.
By air
- Girona (GRO)21 miles, about 29 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)72 miles, about 1 h 43 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)117 miles, about 2 h 46 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 30 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (65 miles).
Pals is good for
Around Pals
Day Trips from Pals
Begur is the closest neighbour at around 3.7 miles, with Torroella de Montgrí about 5 miles away and the small coastal village of Calella de Palafrugell roughly 5.6 miles off. Verges lies around 8 miles inland.
Further along, Palamós and Calonge are both about 8.7 miles away, and Sant Feliu de Guíxols is around 14 miles. For a proper city day, Girona, with a population of over 100,000, is roughly 17 miles from Pals.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
With only around 2,366 residents, Pals is a small town, so car hire makes sense: the castles, zoo, golf course and neighbouring towns are spread over several miles, and Girona airport is an easy half-hour drive.
If you are travelling outside high summer, pack for rain in May and October, the two months with the most wet days. Summer days reach 30°C, so plan castle visits and walks for mornings or early evenings.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Pals?
Girona airport is the nearest, about 21 miles from Pals and roughly 29 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona, around 72 miles away, also has direct UK flights.
Is Pals good for a family holiday?
Yes, it suits families well. The Jam Museum is about 1.7 miles from town and Zoo Empordà roughly 1.3 miles away, while three castles within 2.4 miles make for easy outings. The small size of the town keeps things quiet.
What is the weather like in Pals in summer?
July and August are the warmest months, with highs of around 30°C and lows of about 22°C. Both average just five rainy days, and July is the driest month of the year, with only around 21mm of rain.
Can you play golf near Pals?
Yes. Golf Platja de Pals is around 2.9 miles from the town, close enough to combine a round with sightseeing at the nearby castles or a trip to Begur, which is about 3.7 miles away.
How long does it take to drive to Pals from Calais?
The drive from Calais to Pals takes around 14 and a half hours, so most travellers break the journey with an overnight stop. Flying into Girona, around half an hour away, is considerably quicker.