# Albera Tortoise Breeding Centre, in Garriguella What to do en Peralada · Peralada Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/albera-tortoise-centre · Revisado: 2026-11-12 - Duración: 1 h - Temporada: 21 March – 31 October; closed in winter - Para quién: Small children A Mediterranean tortoise breeding centre in Garriguella, 15 minutes from Peralada. Open in the mornings from late March to October. What it is The Centre de Reproducció de Tortugues de l'Albera breeds in captivity the native tortoises of Catalonia, which are endangered, to return them to the wild. It is at the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu del Camp, in the municipality of Garriguella, about 15 minutes by car from Peralada. It is run by the Associació Amics de la Tortuga de l'Albera, under an agreement with the Generalitat and the Albera Natural Site, and has been open to the public since 1994. Its main species is the Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni). The Albera range holds the last natural population on the Iberian Peninsula. The centre has released more than 3,000 individuals in the Albera and almost 700 pond turtles in the Ter basin, the lake of Banyoles and the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà. Tortoises born in Garriguella have also been released in the Garraf and Montsant natural parks. What you see The Mediterranean tortoise in a recreation of its natural habitat, within the area where the species lives. The two native freshwater turtles of Catalonia. More than twenty species from the Mediterranean basin and other parts of the world. Many are exotic tortoises that have been abandoned, escaped or confiscated, which the centre takes in. Egg-laying, hatching and the care of the young, depending on the time of year. An audiovisual that explains how work is done to conserve threatened species. The panels and the audiovisual are in Catalan, Spanish, French, English and German. Allow about an hour for the visit. Opening hours The hours follow the tortoises' activity: 21 March to 30 June: 10:00 to 13:00. Closed Mondays. 1 July to 31 August: 10:00 to 15:00, every day. 1 September to 31 October: 10:00 to 13:00. Closed Mondays. 1 November to 20 March: closed to the public. The centre warns that on some days, or part of a day, it may close because of bad weather or because the tortoises are not active. Price The centre's website does not publish the entry price. Ask first by phone, 972 55 22 45, or at crt@tortugues.cat. The centre also offers the chance to adopt a tortoise to support the project. When to go Go in the morning: it is when the tortoises are most active, and the spring and autumn hours only cover the morning. In spring and autumn, cloudy, rainy or cold days they hardly move and you may see few. In summer avoid the hottest hours; arrive at 10:00. Getting there From Peralada, follow the road towards Garriguella and, once there, the signs for the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu del Camp. The practical way is by car. With children It is one of the visits that works best with small children in the area: short, outdoors and with animals you can see up close. Older ones can follow the explanation about conservation and the audiovisual. If you are interested in the Albera, the same day you can do the Requesens circular walk, in the same range. ## Cómo llegar y contacto - Coordenadas: 42.343, 3.067 ## Cerca de aquí - [Castell de Vallgornera](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/where-to-stay/castell-de-vallgornera), a 4.9 km - [Guided visit to medieval Peralada and the Sant Domènec cloister](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/medieval-peralada-tour), a 6.1 km - [Perelada winery and Castle Museum visit, with tasting](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/perelada-winery-visit), a 6.2 km - [Festival Castell de Peralada](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/peralada-castle-festival), a 6.2 km - [Historic park of Peralada castle, with a guide](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/castle-park), a 6.2 km - [Circular walk around Requesens castle, in the Albera](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/requesens-castle-walk), a 12.0 km - [Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/dali-theatre-museum), a 12.2 km - [Cap de Creus lighthouse, from Cadaqués](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada/things-to-do/cap-de-creus-lighthouse), a 20.6 km ## Consejos ### Arrive at opening time At 10:00 the tortoises are already active and the sun is not yet strong. ### Check the weather before setting out In cold or rain they barely come out; choose a day of mild sun. ### Call if in doubt In bad weather the centre may close: confirm on 972 55 22 45. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### When is the Albera tortoise centre open? From 21 March to 31 October, in the mornings, closed on Mondays except in July and August. It is closed from November to 20 March. ### How long does the visit last? About an hour, with the tour of the facilities and the audiovisual. ### Do you see tortoises in the wild? At the centre you see them in recreations of their habitat. In the range they live in the wild; the site rules forbid capturing or disturbing them. Destino: [Peralada](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peralada.md)