Exploring the Cap Roig Botanical Garden
On the Costa Brava, east of Girona in Catalonia, lies an enchanting place filled with colors and fragrances that gently descend towards the sea. A true masterpiece blending nature and humanity: the Cap Roig Botanical Garden.
The origins of the botanical garden
The Cap Roig Botanical Garden was created in 1927 by a couple with a dream of living by the sea. In the 1920s, Russian Colonel Nicolai Woevodsky and his English wife, Dorothy Webster, left their London life behind to settle on the Costa Brava in Spain. Combining Nicolai’s skills in drawing and architecture with Dorothy’s expertise in design and botany, they brought to life a magical space where nature resonates with the rhythm of Mediterranean waves. Today, the Cap Roig Botanical Garden in Calella de Palafrugell is managed by the Caixa Foundation, which works diligently to preserve the vision of this Russo-British couple. Since 2001, the gardens have hosted the annual Cap Roig Festival, featuring music and dance performances. Renowned artists such as Bob Dylan, Norah Jones, Damien Rice, and Joan Baez have graced its stage.
Visiting the Cap Roig Botanical Garden
Strolling through the 20 hectares of the Cap Roig Botanical Garden, you’ll encounter over a thousand plant species from around the globe: trees, flowers, and plants from all five continents thrive in harmony here. The garden is divided into various terraces leading down to the sea, with evocative names such as the Nuns’ Terrace, the Pond Terrace, the Spring Garden, the Cactus Garden, the Geranium Walk, and the Lovers’ Garden. These sections are connected by the Cypress Staircase. As you descend, several breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the sea await you. Among the lush vegetation, you’ll also find 21 sculptures by international artists and a neo-Gothic castle that seems plucked straight from a Game of Thrones scene. A picnic area in the palm grove offers a spot for lunch or a peaceful break. Finally, an open-to-the-public laboratory provides deeper insights into botany and geology.
Prices and Opening Hours
In 2020, the full admission fee for the Cap Roig Botanical Garden is €10. A reduced rate of €5 is offered for students and groups. Minors under the age of 16 and people with reduced mobility can enter for free. To join a guided tour, you only need to add €4. Tickets can be purchased either on-site or online. Upon arrival, each visitor receives a map of the garden with a suggested route. The Cap Roig Botanical Garden is open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM from April to September, and from 10 AM to 6 PM from October to March. In January and February, the park is only open on weekends.
How to Get to the Cap Roig Botanical Garden?
From the 4-star Cala Llevado campsite in Tossa de Mar, it takes about 1 hour by car to reach the Cap Roig Botanical Garden. The approximately 60-kilometer journey along the coast is particularly scenic. Take the GI-682 to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, then the C-65 and the C-31 to Mont-ras. Turn right, go through the town, and head down towards the coast via Calella de Palafrugell. The garden will be signposted. This unique green space represents the timeless connection between humans and nature, a feeling you will experience while visiting during your camping holiday on the Costa Brava.