A 14th-century castle in the Empordà
Castell de Peralada, which the venue itself writes as Castell Perelada, was built in the 14th century by the Counts of Peralada. It stands in the Empordà, in the province of Girona, on an estate of more than 77,000 square metres. The gardens were designed in 1877 by the landscape architect François Duvillers. The castle still belongs to the Suqué-Mateu family and is part of Perelada Resort.
There are four places for the ceremony. The Iglesia del Carmen is a private Gothic church for religious ceremonies. The Jardín de la Visual is a lawn with a wide view of the castle, and the Jardín del Carmen sits in front of the ivy-covered facade of the old convent. Both gardens suit a civil ceremony or an outdoor cocktail. The library is a warm room for a small civil ceremony. For dinner you can use the Mirador del Castell, a large hall with views of the castle, the smaller Petit Mirador with its tall windows, or the terrace of each one.
The food is by chef Paco Pérez and is cooked in the castle kitchens. The menu includes two hours of open bar. You choose your own suppliers, and each couple has an event manager at the castle. You cannot hire the whole castle, because the restaurant, the casino and the museum also work there.
For your photos
The Jardín de la Visual is the best place for a ceremony and group photos, because the lawn is open and the castle stays in view behind your guests. Tall trees around it give some shade, but in July and August the middle of the day is hot, so ask for a ceremony after 18:00. The Carmen cloister, with its Gothic arches, is described on the venue’s website as a quiet corner. Ask if you can use it for portraits, as it would give you shade and a calm background.
Keep 45 to 60 minutes for your couple portraits, ideally in the hour before sunset. If it rains, the church, the library and the two Mirador halls are all indoors, so ask which one the team would use for your ceremony.
Good to know
- Location: Peralada, Girona. 7 km from Figueres, 40 km from Girona and 130 km from Barcelona.
- Airports: Girona-Costa Brava, Barcelona-El Prat and Perpignan. The Figueres-Vilafant high-speed train station is close.
- Ceremonies: religious in the private church, civil in the gardens or the library.
- Banquets: up to 600 guests inside the Mirador del Castell, up to 300 in the outdoor spaces.
- Food: chef Paco Pérez. Vegetarian, vegan, coeliac and allergy menus are available.
- Stay: Hotel Peralada 5*, 1 km away, with 64 rooms. Weddings of more than 100 guests receive the wedding night as a gift.
- Free guarded parking for your guests.
- Planning a longer stay? Our Costa Brava wedding guide covers the practical side.
- Website: castellperalada.com.
