Discover La Selva de Mar

La Selva de Mar combines trails of different lengths with buildings and traces from several centuries. If you choose a destination for its walks or local history, both offer concrete points of interest here: from a short circuit through the village to historic churches, bridges and springs.

Walking routes and times

The Itinerari de La Selva de Mar is a village walk that takes 15 to 20 minutes. A longer option is the “Circular de La Selva de Mar,” a circular route in the Cap de Creus Natural Park: it is 3.5 kilometres long, has 120 metres of elevation gain and an estimated walking time of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is rated as easy. The different time estimates help you distinguish a short walk through the village from a longer hike.

A restored and signposted trail leads from La Selva de Mar along the Camí de les Suredes to the Dolmen de la Taula dels Lladres. La Taula dels Lladres in La Selva de Mar is a site of interest in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Another connecting route leads from the Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes to La Selva de Mar via the Camí dels Gatiens.

A route through the village also passes specific landmarks: it goes by the public washhouse and the Font de Mollor, then follows the Camí del Dijous through a cork oak grove. This lets you consider walking routes, local history and individual buildings as different themes for your stay.

Churches and historic traces

The Església Sant Esteve dates from the 16th century and is built in the Late Gothic style. The church was blown up during the Spanish Civil War, destroying the entire façade and the interior altarpiece. The Església Sant Sebastià has a different history: its original building dates from the 10th century. The two churches therefore represent distinctly different building periods.

Several defensive towers from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved in La Selva de Mar. The defensive wall protected the village from pirates. The Ponts de la Riera are also part of its historic architecture: these stone bridges date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The historic building Multiespai El Trull has been converted into a cultural multipurpose space with an olive oil museum and exhibitions. The former schools of the Centre Cultural Les Escoles were built during the Second Republic. This building history adds other public and cultural buildings to the picture alongside the churches and defensive structures.

Springs, stream and waterfall

The Riera de la Selva de Mar flows through the village of the same name. The stone Ponts de la Riera stand along it, while the springs add their own points of interest. The Font de Mollor consists of a broad round-arched structure made of slate slabs. It includes a vaulted cistern and a continuous stone bench.

The municipal washhouse, Safareig municipal, was built in 1926 and is listed in the Inventory of the Architectural Heritage of Catalonia. The Font dels Lledoners is part of Tomàs Garcés’s poetic landscape; one of his sayings can be found at the spring. The waterfall Salt del molí takes its name from an old mill that stood there until the 17th century.

Wine and local traditions

Wine tastings are offered at La Botigueta del Trull; Mas Estela offers tours and tastings. For specific planning, it is worth checking dates and availability in advance. La Castanyada is celebrated in La Selva de Mar as an annual tradition featuring chestnuts, panellets and Garnatxa. As well as trails and historic buildings, wine and a seasonal festival offer further interests during a stay.

Whether you are drawn more to a short walk, a longer hike in the natural park, historic architecture or tastings, La Selva de Mar offers several clearly distinct themes to help guide your choice of where to stay.

Discover more destinations

Sant Hilari Sacalm, Sant Miquel d'Aro, Sant Climent Sescebes, Sant Martí Vell, Torroella De Montgri, Torrent, Portbou, Joanetes

For the main travel overview: Girona.