The flooded rice fields and the Marxa dels Arrossars

What it is

Between the old quarter of Pals and the sea lies the plain of rice fields, where rice is grown. From November to February, once the harvest is in, the fields are flooded on purpose so that migratory birds, insects and wetland plants can settle there. The result is a landscape of sheets of water reflecting the sky and the outline of the village on the hill, with birds among the fields. You explore it freely, on foot or by bike, along the farm tracks, and it costs nothing.

Pals rice is famous for its texture: the area is cooler than other rice-growing areas, the grain spends longer in contact with the soil and comes out firmer.

Where to go

The country tracks that run down from the old quarter towards the Molí de Pals and the coast cross the fields. You can set off on foot from the foot of the village, where the car parks are, and walk flat between the plots for as long as you like. Keep to the paths and do not enter the fields or the edges of the irrigation channels: they are private land and in winter the mud is deep.

If you prefer to go with an explanation, the rice route by little train takes you from the old quarter to the Molí de Pals, where you see how the grain is whitened, and returns on foot through the rice fields.

When to go

• November to February: flooded fields and birds. This is the season for this landscape.
• Spring: sowing and freshly sprouted green fields.
• Late summer: golden ears before the harvest.

At dawn and at dusk the water reflects the light and there is more bird activity. With the tramontana, the clean air lets you see the Montgrí and the Medes islands, but the wind blows hard across the plain.

The Marxa dels Arrossars

Every autumn Pals holds a popular walk through the rice fields, the Marxa dels Arrossars. The 32nd edition is on Sunday 22 November 2026. It is organised by the Jovent del Bruel association; in previous editions the start was at 9:00 from the municipal sports hall and it finished with a butifarra sausage lunch and local products, with more than 500 participants. Registration and the 2026 rules are on the association's ticketing website and on Visit Pals.

Getting there and parking

Pals is in the Baix Empordà, about 40 minutes from Girona. Park at the foot of the old quarter and walk down to the plain. Without a car, the Sarfa bus comes from Barcelona and Girona. The tourist office, on carrer de la Creu, will point you to the paths.

With children and with a dog

With children it is a flat walk with no traffic; take binoculars for the birds. With a pushchair, the dirt tracks can be muddy in winter. With a dog, keep it on a lead: it must not disturb the birds or go into the fields.

What to bring

Footwear that can take mud, a warm layer in winter and binoculars. In summer, water and a hat: there is no shade on the plain.

After the walk

Go up to the Gothic old quarter and the Josep Pla viewpoint, from where you look down on the plain you have just walked. To eat Pals rice in a casserole there is El Pedró, in the old quarter, and La Vila, by the entrance to the village.