Figueres descended from two Roman towns, Juncària and Figàries, but the actual establishment of the town really started to happen in the 10th century as stated in records from the Sant Pere Monastery that existed in the space where the Sant Pere church is today. As it was not an outpost border town in the Marca Hispanica (such as neighboring [wiki=574d4cfb42dbc53c9388feaff0965f17]Besalú[/wiki] or Peralada), it was of little significance until first made a Royal Town in 1267 and then much later, when the Sant Ferran castle was built from 1753 to 1766.
Once the castle came in to existence, fortunes changed a great deal for Figueres as it became the supply base for the castle. The population grew and it started its course towards being the major town of the region, despite occupation by Napoleon's forces from 1808-1814. Between 1831 and 1840, the Rambla was created by covering a dry riverbed, and thus became a center for the town. The shade trees that stand on the Rambla were originally planted in 1864. In 1877, the railway station was opened. In 1904, the town's most famous resident, one Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech was born.
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was quite hard on the town. The castle became the last outpost for Republican Spain and Franco's forces bombed the town with great ferocity. As was the case with a lot of the surrounding area, many structures were lost in the war, including the main theater, which stood in ruin for several decades.
Upon attaining critical and financial success around the world, Dalí bought the old theater in his home town and converted it in to the museum that we see today, and which is a major draw of tourism to the town.
The Renfe website [http://www.renfe.com] has been historically unusable, but as of the time of this writing, the English language version has been completely overhauled to now be a very solid reference, although other languages remain spotty at best. That said, due to the continued construction work, it is often advised to verify with the ticket agents at the station if your arrival time is crucial and make sure to double check for national holidays as few trains run.
One can fly to the Girona/Costa Brava Airport on any number of budget airlines (it is the Southern hub of [wiki=be87c40d7c98cf7f70187dfa46df8ce5]Ryanair[/wiki]) and take a bus directly up to Figueres from the airport on Barcelona Bus (operated by Sagales.) The schedule for this bus is not ideal outside of summer months and so it is more advisable to take the bus to the Girona train station and take the train up to Figueres. There is also a bus by the same company to and from the airport and Barcelona that is quite frequent, if one is trying to schedule in Figueres with a Barcelona trip.
The bus station in Figueres is directly across Plaça de l'Estació from the train station with regular connections to Barcelona (stopping at Estació del Nord) and other destinations in Catalonia as well as up to Southern France.
This large museum is mostly devoted to the work of Salvador Dalí, who spent many years in his later life designing and living in it; the museum itself is Dalí's single largest work. Depending on your level of interest, a visit to the museum can be anywhere from one hour to most of the day.
The central building was the old town theater, long vacant after being bombed during the Spanish Civil War. Even art fans who are otherwise lukewarm to Dalí's general artistry can find visiting here a rewarding experience, and may come out with new appreciation for the eccentric genius. The museum also contains displays of other Catalan artists, and Dalí's personal collection of work, ranging from old masters to Marcel Duchamp. Note that Dalí's most famous work, 'The Persistence of Memory ', is not in this museum, but in [wiki=d97e023dce2bb237a0d44f46d8ee9438]New York City[/wiki]'s Museum of Modern Art. Many other major works were removed by Spanish authorities shortly after his death and displayed in the Prado, in Madrid.
Usage tips: Reservation is not essential, but it will likely save you from spending half an hour in a queue. There's lot of coin-operated gadgets all around the museum--therefore, take as much change as you have when you leave your belongings to a cloakroom; ask personnel to change banknotes if you don't have enough. Most famous example is Rain Taxi in the center of the courtyard for 1€. Plus you can have audioguide for 1€ per room--although Dalí's original concept was to not allow any guides explaining anything to visitors: they should understand as much as they're able to without help.
Also note that visitors to the museum are extremely heavy during the summer months. Weekends are best avoided as the experience will not be pleasant. Also to be avoided are cloudy days in the summer as those on a beach holiday will inevitably make a trip to the museum to be their day event as the beach is less than ideal.
* A museum dedicated toys with more than 4,500 toys from many periods in history. It has toys from famous Spanish people, including Dalí. The entrance fee is 6€, but 4€ for students, those older than 65, and children. The robots section is specially interesting. While the Dalí Museum is the star of the city, you should not leave Figueres without visiting the toy museum.
* This is the regional museum for Empordà on the Rambla in the center of Figueres. The displays range from archaeological objects like ancient Greek vases found in the area to Baroque and 20th century paintings. The modern art collection naturally pales in comparison to the Dalí Theater Museum, but it contains a few works of interest among many more mediocre pieces for art fans making an unhurried visit to Figueres.
* A museum of various technology through the ages that has grown out of the personal collection of a couple started 30 years ago.
Billed as the largest castle in Europe, this is the primary reason why Figueres became the prominent town in the region as it acted as the commercial base for the castle which was built in the mid 18th century. It has a long history of being a prison (ironically from the North side, you can see the new provincial prison across the highway), as well as being occupied by Napoleon's forces. Visiting it is a pleasant 10 minute walk straight up from the Dalí Museum. Walking around the perimeter of the castle is a flat, 3km walk that gives a splendid view over the Empordà Plain out to the sea. Locals regularly come up to castle to walk or run around it as it is free to walk around and always 'open'. The interior is also viewable with hours that change depending on the season of the year and reasonably priced (€3 for an adult with free audio guide). Additionally there is a café inside the castle for those looking to relax.
* As an homage to their native son, the town of Figueres placed a surrealist tribute to him at the base of the Rambla. His face is stretched out and distorted when seen flat on the ground, but when viewed in the convex mirror next to it, it appears correct. Anyone who arrives from the train or bus station will pass this on the way to the museum and it makes for a free photo opportunity and introduction to the world of Dalí.
* Figueres was initially settled along a river aptly named the Riera de Figueres. The boundaries of this river formed the core of the town that grew a good deal once construction on the aforementioned castle took place. In the early 19th century, the river was covered and became what is today the Rambla, which explains why the Rambla is such a central part to the town and a haven for those wanting to sit in the shade of the massive trees that line it. The streets still retain their old charm and while not as historic as the pedestrian areas in Barcelona or Girona, Figueres is quite pleasant to walk around with any number of big brands shops mixed in with local businesses. Depending on the time of the year, there are often fairs or local vendors selling in the Rambla and main squares in the area, which provide additional entertainment.
* This historic square was named 'square of the potatoes' as it used to be where the Farmer's market for vegetables was held up until the 1950's. These days, this is a quiet square flanked by large shade trees and the façades of 17th century buildings. While tranquil during the day, it is rather lively at nights, especially during the summer due to the two bar/cafés that have opened on the square in recent years. While the main local "scene" is still up on Plaça del Sol due to the row of bars and parking lot up there, many come to this square as it is a more pleasant atmosphere in the pedestrian zone where one can meet with friends and sit outside for a drink during the hot summers months.
There is an informal but large vintage and classic car museum on the road from Figueres to Empuriabrava-beautiful cars some fully restored and some for sale going back a hundred years.
Every town in Spain, no matter what the size has a day of celebration for their patron saint known as the 'fiesta mayor' in Castellano or 'festa major' in Catalan. They are a celebration of the town with events that are free to the public such as concerts, art shows, and theater performances. While they make the centers very crowded, they are one of the most lively times to visit a town in Spain. Figueres happens to have two of these as well as 'parties of the street':
* Festa Major de la Santa Creu On the 3rd of May.
* Festa de Sant Baldiri On the 20th of May.
* Festa Major de Sant Pere On the 29th of June
Festival Acústica A mostly free acoustic music festival at the end of August each year. It takes place in various squares and streets around the center of town. [http://www.festivalacustica.cat/]
For anyone who is in the market for Dalí knickknacks, Figueres is the place to find them.
* Surrealist souvenirs galore and many other touristic items related to Dalí.
* A number of Dalí souvenirs as well as Surrealist-themed works of art.
It is quite common for the people living in the south of [wiki=0309a6c666a7a803fdb9db95de71cf01]France[/wiki] to visit Figueres for shopping purposes as the taxes are lower than in France. Because of this and the large tourism pull due to the museums and beaches, a great number of large brands have shops in Figueres including: Zara, Benetton, La Coste, Pull & Bear, and Women's Secret among others. While not the level of shopping one finds in Barcelona, the selection is quite decent overall and for those who require larger sizes in clothing and shoes, it is often the case that they can be found easier in Figueres than in Barcelona.
Figueres also has a number of older, locally owned stores that haven't been swept away by the tide of massive chain stores.
A proper café with a wide selection of sweet items and breads, as well as comfortable seating, in a relaxed environment to eat them in.
* Nice pastisseria; wide selection of bakery and confectionery. Good coffee; several sorts of branded tea, variety of fresh juices. Quite popular in the noon time. Personnel don't speak English.
* Extremely difficult to find as it is right off the N-11 north of town, next to a well-known "puti club" in the area called, Moonight. You need a car to get there. The interior is drab and uninspired. The exterior seating is on plastic chairs literally next to the highway. But the sliced jamón the serve is undeniably the best around and they have a selection of local and inexpensive wines. Diners will most likely be surrounded by a mix of Southern French and Figuerans devouring large plates of jamón that are quite reasonably priced.
* An excellent local restaurant with a daily prix fix menu with dishes from the area including good gaspatxo in the summer. A 2-3 minute walk from the Dalí Museum. Fills up fast after 14:00.
* Dali-inspired interiors: creative but simple; can be found by a painted old VW Beetle. Almost empty in the noon time as Catalans eat around 13:30-14:00. They have a sister restaurant in Girona which is admittedly a great deal cooler and definitely worth checking out if you like this one.
* A good place to generally grab a drink, but also with good dishes, typical of the area during lunch.
* A chain sandwich shop with a good selection of affordable items for lunch, ranging from traditional Catalan types to others.
* An excellent midday prix fix four course meal from a menu of local dishes. Usually live music in the evening.
* The more well-known of the two Chinese restaurants in Figueres
Restaurant Brindis, Carrer de la Muralla 12. Basic, no English spoken, TV on full, striplights, BUT - Menu del Dia 9 euros e.g Tuna Salad, Pig Cheek braised with fried potatoes, flan, wine bottle left on table, good hearty food.
Plaça del Sol is the main "scene" of Figueres at night. There are a number of bars along this square which is really just a parking lot with the town library on it as well. Some of the bars allow smoking and some not. Overall, the offer is much the same with one bar usually being the "hot bar" of that particular month. True to the name, it's a much more popular place in the summer.
The other option is, Plaça de les Patates, which is a great deal more laid back.
* Cool place on the Plaça de les Patates with a great terrace area as well as a cool interior and relatively cheap drinks. January 2013 - Closed. Whole square undergoing renovation, scaffolding up etc.
* A decent bar in the area, next to other, lesser bars.
* As the name implies, a primarily beer bar with over 100 different beers to choose from. As with many places, serves tapas as well. Opens till late in the night
* Not terribly inspiring, but a spot to grab a drink.
There has been an extensive history of wine cultivation in the area around Figueres dating back 2,600 years. Currently, the region is seeing a resurgence of viticulture and is creating some of the most noteworthy wines in all of Catalonia, especially for the price.
As Figueres is the seat of Alt Empordà, it also houses the offices for the local DO Empordà [url=http://www.doemporda.com/]]region which can be found at Avinguda Marignane, 2. The office can provide more information, although the website is extremely helpful in locating wineries.
For those wishing to make a tour of the wineries, you will definitely need a car as they are in far-flung villages around the area. Closest to Figueres are the wineries of La Vinyeta [url=http://www.lavineta.es]]and Perelada [url=http://www.castilloperelada.com/[/url].] The former is a very new, modern winery started by a young winemaker who is making some of the most exciting wines in the region neat the village of Mollets. The later is a much more established winery that sits next to the castle of Perelada, which is a small town about five minutes by car from Figueres. Their wines are rather pricey, but they have grown to carry a high pedigree whether deserved or not. Perelada also charges for tastings, which is rather uncommon.
Outside of these two regions, a drive up to the village Cantallops is recommended as in addition to being a delightful town, it houses the wineries of Vinyes dels Aspres [url=http://www.vinyesdelsaspres.cat/[/url]]and Masia Serra. Both of these wineries are making splendid wines, especially the sweet Garnatxas (Grenache) and Moscatells. You will need to call Masia Serra before visiting though as it is rarely open to the public.
Another village worth visiting for wine is Capmany which has Arché Pagès [url=http://www.cellerarchepages.com/[/url]]and about 10 other wineries.
Heading in the other direction, one can go to Vilajuïga which has Empordàlia [http://www.empordalia.com/[/url] that makes the Sinols brand. Additionally, they also have wine 'a granel' or in bulk that is of high quality and can be bought for less than 1.50€ a liter.
For those who can't make it to these wineries, thankfully the local wine shops in Figueres sell all these brands for those wishing to take back something from Figueres that isn't related to Dalí.
A basic but well-priced and clean hotel just off the main road, similar in comfort level to Los Ángeles
* Basic yet clean rooms and one of the more affordable options in Figueres with wifi available.
* Right on the Rambla in the center of town. Modern and fine overall. Generally considered to be a more basic hotel.
* A good distance from the center and better for those with cars, this is a very new hotel with very cheap rates on simple, but clean rooms. Part of the larger, Sidorme chain of hotels in Spain.
Not actually directly in Figueres and located a ways south of town, it requires visitors to have their own car.
* Convenient to the center and just off the Rambla, rooms start in the mid 50€ range if booked in advance.
* A very modern hotel a couple kilometers north of town. More targeted towards those with a car, but is a very calssy and upscale establishment.
* Just up the street from the Dalí Museum and quite central overall. Generally considered decent overall for the price with a lot of surrealist art decorating the place.
* A very modern remnant of 70's construction that gets mixed reviews, but it generally thought to be clean overall. Very central all the local attractions though.
* Very much in the center, but right on the main road through town, although it is rather quiet at night.
Definitely one of the nicest hotels in town, but also rather expensive. Convenient to those with cars as it is just off the main road through town, but is out of the immediate center. Excellent restaurant though.
* A three star affair just outside the center on the road to Olot. Better suited to those with cars, but definitely one of the higher-end hotels in the area.