Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Perched dramatically on a mountain ridge, the Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes is one of those places that makes you question whether medieval monks secretly had elite real-estate instincts. Just a 20–30 minute scenic drive from Port de la Selva, this Romanesque masterpiece rises above the Cap de Creus like it’s guarding the coastline… and maybe judging your calf strength. Dating back to the 10th century, the monastery was once a powerful Benedictine center and a major pilgrimage stop in medieval Catalonia. Back then, people climbed up here for spiritual salvation. Today, we do it for the views—and honestly, to feed the curiosity. The architecture is solid, austere, and beautifully dramatic: thick stone walls, towering arches, and a church that feels both grounding and humbling. Wander through the cloisters and you can almost hear monks whispering prayers… or complaining about the stairs. And the views—oh the views. Sweeping panoramas of the Mediterranean, rugged mountains, and tiny villages below that make you feel like you’ve unlocked a secret level of Costa Brava.

This monastery does not ease you in gently. Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes appears high above the landscape like it was placed there to judge the sea, the mountains, and your life choices. Reaching it already feels like a pilgrimage, which is fitting because monks once did this without complaining, probably. Founded between the 9th and 10th centuries, this Romanesque monastery was once one of the most powerful religious centers in the region. Today, its thick stone walls, towering church, and crumbling cloisters stand quietly, having outlived faith trends, political drama, and architectural fashions. The views are unfairly good. From up here, the Mediterranean and Cap de Creus stretch endlessly, making silence feel mandatory. The wind moves through the ruins like it has an appointment, and everything feels heavy with time and intention. Not cozy, not decorative, and not merciful in bad weather. But if you enjoy history, altitude, and places that feel spiritually intimidating without trying, Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes delivers powerfully. A place where devotion, stone, and isolation teamed up and never apologized for it.

An hour’s drive from Girona reveals fantastic views, plenty of hiking trails, and a monastery. The Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery is a wonderful place.The Mediterranean landscapes visible from here are simply breathtaking. One of the most remarkable sights in Catalonia. My family 's favourite place. Definitely recommend it.

€6pp to enter (€4 concession). Great monastery, free audio tour accessible on your phone (wifi provided), wonderful history and experience with lots of different parts accessible to visitors.

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a delight — both for the eyes and for history lovers. Perched on the Verdera mountain overlooking the Bay of Llançà and El Port de la Selva, the monastery offers sweeping Mediterranean views that are nothing short of spectacular. Overall, I’d say it’s more than worth the trip. The mix of dramatic landscapes, architectural beauty, and historic atmosphere makes Sant Pere de Rodes a highlight of Catalonia.

Fascinating to learn about the monks and villagers who lived here long ago. The monastery has one of the most impressive Romanesque churches ever built, I can only imagine what it would be like to have a beautiful Mass there. There is an old wine cellar where the monks made wine in later centuries in order to sustain their life in the monastery.

Beautiful building that was visible from our vacation home. After seeing this monastery for a week standing across the water we decided to visit it on one of our last days. We drove up the mountain and walked from the parking area which was about a 5-10 minute walk. At the entree we paid €6 p.p. to enter the building. Once inside we walked around and made some pictures of the building and our group members. The visit was definitely worth it, as it shows quite a beautiful piece of history.

The Monastery truly conveys its history and helps one imagine how life must of been in the medieval ages. A few tips to know before visiting for the first time like we did. There are three parking areas as you get close to the monastery, the last one is where the road ends. There is also a castle and a church to visit while there all short hikes from the monastery. Bring a jacket as it’s cooler and windy depending on the weather. We went on a cloudy rain and it was very dramatic with the fog and clouds but also chilly. Will try again when it’s warmer. The gift shop has unique local made gifts. The restaurant cafe has incredible views of the valley below and prices are reasonable. The staff are very friendly.