Cultural activities in La Selva, Girona
Museums, castles & medieval villages near Can Micos
Why La Selva is one of Catalonia's most culturally rich regions
La Selva is one of the most culturally rich corners of Catalonia — a region of medieval castles, Greco-Roman ruins, world-class museums and charming historic towns. From Can Micos in Riudarenes, your group can reach most of these cultural landmarks within 30 to 60 minutes by car, making it the ideal base for a stay that combines rest with discovery.
Museums and the Greco-Roman period
Many museums can be visited in the region, some very close by, such as the Salvador Claret Car Collection in Sils or the Trias Biscuit Museum in Santa Coloma de Farners. In the capital city, Girona, there are other very interesting museums dedicated to medieval art, cinema or toys. Along the coast, you can visit the famous Salvador Dalí Museum in Figueres and the ruins of Empúries.
Museums near Can Micos in La Selva, Girona
Salvador Claret Automobile Collection – Sils, 3 km
One of the largest private car collections in Europe, with over 200 unique vehicles from the 19th and 20th centuries. 5 minutes from Can Micos by car — ideal as a quick visit or warm-up to the day.
Trias Biscuit Museum – Santa Coloma de Farners, 8 km
A unique museum dedicated to the history of biscuits and the Catalan industrial confectionery tradition. The Trias family was a pioneer in Spain since the late 19th century. Quirky and accessible for all ages.
Over 25,000 items tracing the history of cinema from its origins: magic lanterns, cameras, posters and film memorabilia. A surprising visit even for non-cinephiles.
Romanesque and Gothic art from the entire diocese, housed in the former Bishop’s Palace of Girona. One of the most important medieval art collections in Catalonia, right in the heart of the old town.
Dalí Museum in Figueres – 72 km
The most visited museum in Catalonia, designed by Dalí himself as a “total work of art”. A unique surrealist experience — a must for any group visiting the Costa Brava.
Museum of Toys of Catalonia – Figueres, 72 km
Over 4,000 toys from the 19th and 20th centuries, including those from Dalí’s own childhood. A nostalgic and different visit, perfect as a complement to the Dalí Theatre-Museum.
Girona Historic Centre – 27 km
Girona’s Jewish Quarter (Call) is one of the best-preserved in Europe. Medieval walls, a Gothic cathedral with the widest nave in the Gothic world, and the picturesque Arab quarter. 30 minutes from Can Micos.
Greco-Roman City of Empúries – 65 km
One of the most important archaeological sites on the Iberian Peninsula: Greeks and Romans successively inhabited this coastal city. On the shores of the Mediterranean, overlooking the Gulf of Roses.
Castle route — key stops near Can Micos
La Selva is a land of castles. Many of them, dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, originated as fortified enclaves. From these points, after the conquest of the territory from Muslim rule, the area that is now the region was monitored. Others, built from the 11th century onwards, are typical feudal castles, from which the territory was not only guarded and controlled but also administered, taxes were collected and justice was delivered (according to the feudal concept of justice).
Most of the castles in La Selva belonged to the powerful Viscounts of Cabrera, one of the most important feudal lineages in medieval Catalonia. However, other lords such as the Vilademany, the Gurb-Sarriera, the Bishop of Girona, the Abbot of Ripoll, the Montcada or the Cruïlles also took part in feudal rule in the area.
What stands out most about the castles of La Selva is their typological variety: from one of the largest castles in Catalonia, Montsoriu, to a modest yet well-preserved fortress such as Farners. From a modern fortress like Hostalric, designed to withstand artillery sieges, to the robust residential castles of Brunyola or Vilobí.
Some castles are still inhabited today or serve as public facilities; others, such as Torcafelló, Sant Iscle or Sant Joan de Lloret, have been recovered through archaeology to highlight their historical value. All are located in privileged settings, offering outstanding viewpoints over the region and its surroundings. In addition, the preservation of two walled towns of exceptional quality, Tossa de Mar and Hostalric, adds even more value.
Places of interest on the castle route in the region:
Vilobí Castle – Carrer del Castell
Sant Iscle Castle – On the hill of Sant Iscle, southeast of the town centre
Vila Vella Walls – South of the town centre
Fornils Castle – In the village of Fornils, north of the municipality
Farners Castle – On top of Farners hill, south of the town centre
Torre Ponsa – In the village of Torreponsa, south of Riudellots
Argimon Castle – On Argimon hill, west of the municipality
Torcafelló Castle – On the summit of Sant Jordi hill, west of the town centre
Sant Joan Castle – Marià Fortuny Street, between Lloret de Mar and Fenals
Hostalric Walls – General Estrada Avenue and Major, Raval and del Forn streets
Hostalric Castle – On Castle Hill, south of and next to the town centre
Malavella Castle – On a hill south of the town centre, next to the hermitage of Sant Maurici
Caldes Castle – Sant Grau Street and Plaça de l’Aigua
Brunyola Castle – Plaça de Brunyola – Brunyola
Castle-palace of the Viscounts of Cabrera – Plaça de l’Església
Sant Joan Castle – On top of Sant Joan hill
Montseny Ethnological Museum – La Gabella – Carrer Major, 6 – Arbúcies
Can Micos — your base for cultural day trips in Girona
After a day of cultural visits, Can Micos is the perfect place to return to — with a professional kitchen ready for group cooking, a fireplace for cooler evenings and a private pool for warmer days. Ask us before arrival and we will put together a personalised cultural day trip plan for your group.