Perpignan vacation packages

How to get to Perpignan

• Transfer time: The airport, located 6 km north of Perpignan, offers shuttle buses every 30 minutes that take around 20 minutes to reach the town, stopping at bd St-Assiscle to connect with the bus and train stations.

• Price: A one-way bus ticket from the airport to the city center costs approximately €1.30. Taxis charge between €15 and €20 for trips to the city center.

Best time to visit Perpignan

Choosing when to visit Perpignan depends on your preference for hot weather and activities like beach outings or hiking in nearby peaks.

• March to May: Spring offers mild weather with temperatures from 59°F to 72°F, moderate rainfall of about 1.6 to 2.4 inches per month, and 7-9 hours of sunshine daily.

• June to August: Summer is the peak tourist season, so book any accommodations and activities early. Temperatures range from 77°F to 86°F, ideal for beach days, with rainfall under 1.2 inches per month and around 10-12 hours of sunshine daily.

• September to November: Early autumn is great for exploring forests and mountains, with coastal waters still warm for swimming. Temperatures range from 59°F to 77°F, with 7-9 hours of sunshine daily, but expect a slight increase in rainfall.

• December to February: Winter in Perpignan is mild compared to many places, with plenty of sunny days. Temperatures average from 41°F to 59°F, with rainfall around 1.2 to 2 inches per month.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: French is the main language, followed closely by Catalan. English is commonly understood.

• Local habits and customs: Perpignan residents enjoy a leisurely Mediterranean lifestyle; lunch can be a long affair, lasting a couple of hours.

• Health and safety: While Perpignan is generally safe, staying alert and keeping an eye on your belongings is wise. Emergency services can be reached by dialing 112.

• Currency: The currency used is the Euro (€). ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most places.

• Getting around: Perpignan is navigable without public transport due to its size, but it has an efficient system, including buses and trams. Single tickets cost about €1.50 and can be purchased at stations or through a mobile app.

• Electricity and plug types: Voltage is 230V, with plugs using two round pins.

• Time zone: Perpignan is in the Central European Time zone (CET), 1 hour ahead of GMT. Daylight saving time is observed.

• Required travel documentation: Travelers need a valid passport to enter France. No visa is required for stays under 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in Perpignan

Embodying a full Catalan spirit, this vibrant city offers a captivating blend of Old Town alleys, atmospheric quarters, superb architecture, and museums.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Castillet: Once serving as a city gate and prison, this red-brick tower now houses a museum and offers fantastic views of the city.

• Palace of the Kings of Majorca: Climb to the top of this impressive fortress for amazing views of the city rooftops, the Canigou mountain, and on clear days, the Mediterranean Sea.

The best districts

• Place de la Loge: At the heart of the pedestrianized Old Town, this charming square features a voluptuous Venus statue by Aristide Maillol, surrounded by lively cafés and brasseries.

• Maghrebian and Romany Quarter: An atmospheric area where you'll find North African shops and cafés, especially on Rue Llucia, along with a daily market at Place Cassanyes.

Museums

• Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum: Mainly devoted to Catalan painters, including Pierre Daura, a Menorcan-born artist and Republican who was a godson of Pablo Casals and long exiled in the US.

Parks and gardens

• Parc Sant-Vicens: This beautiful park, built around two ponds-one permanent, one temporary-is a green haven filled with tall grasses, reeds, and groves of maple, alder, and ash trees.

Historical monuments

• Palace of the Kings of Majorca: This two-story palace with its arcaded courtyard dates back to the late 13th century and sits atop a hill that dominates the southern part of the Old Town.

• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral: Known for its beautiful Gothic architecture, this cathedral features elaborate Catalan altarpieces and the 14th-century Rhenish polychrome crucifixion known as the Dévôt Christ.

• Loge de Mer: Initially designed to hold the city's stock exchange and maritime court, it features gargoyles, lancet windows, and lacy balustrades.

Day trips in the area

• Céret: A charming small town famous for its modern art museum, which holds an astonishing collection of works from early 20th-century avant-garde artists.

• Collioure: A beautiful resort where palm trees line the curving main beach of Port d’Avall, with surrounding slopes covered in vines and olives leading up to ruined forts and watchtowers.

• Pyrenees: This range is a paradise for hikers, especially the central region around the Parc National des Pyrénées, with its 3000m high peaks, streams, forests, mountain cirques, and wildlife.

Family activities in Perpignan

For a relatively small city, Perpignan offers families a variety of attractions, including historical sites. While there are theme parks and aquariums, one of the most exciting experiences might be one of the world's most thrilling train rides.

• Historical monuments and sites: The imposing castles of the upper Aude and Corbières region reflect southwestern Languedoc’s era of independence; children of all ages will love exploring them.

• Train rides: Enjoy a ride on the marvelous Petit Train Jaune-one of the world's most spectacular train rides-as it travels up the dramatic Têt valley of Roussillon in an open-car, narrow-gauge train.

• Aquariums and zoos: Discover marine life at the Aquarium of Canet-en-Roussillon, with Shark Kingdom as a standout attraction.

• Theme parks and adventure: Although Perpignan lacks its own theme park, check out Luna Park in Argelès-sur-Mer, an action-packed amusement park with rides and attractions for all ages.

Free things to do in Perpignan

With numerous festivals and opportunities for browsing local markets, vacations in Perpignan don't have to be expensive.

• Festivals: The most famous spectacle in Perpignan is the La Procession de la Sanch, a Good Friday procession involving red-hooded penitents moving from the Church of St Jacques to the cathedral. The Trobades festival celebrates the region's medieval heritage in late September.

• Visit the markets: Perpignan hosts impressive markets; whether you want to shop or simply browse, head to Les Halles Vauban for food or Place Cassanyes for clothing and other items.

• Beaches: Not far from Perpignan are exceptional beaches where you can enjoy a no-cost day, except perhaps for an occasional ice cream. Port d’Avall in Collioure is a prime spot to visit.

Nature and outdoor activities

Perpignan's proximity to the Pyrenees offers a range of excellent outdoor activities, including hiking and skiing, with numerous water-based activities available as well.

• Hiking: The areas surrounding Perpignan offer superb hiking opportunities, including trails in the Albères and Canigou mountains, the latter of which is regarded as a sacred mountain by the Catalans, offering spectacular views from its summit.

• Cycling: Rent bicycles from Bouticycle and ride along designated bike lanes along the River Têt for approximately 10km to reach the golden sands and dunes of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer.

• Water sports: The Mediterranean coastline, particularly the beaches of Canet-en-Roussillon and Saint-Cyprien, offers enticing activities for water enthusiasts, such as windsurfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

• Rock climbing: The cliffs and crags around Perpignan, particularly those in the Pyrenees, present excellent rock climbing opportunities for both beginners and experienced climbers.

Local dishes in Perpignan

Perpignan's cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of ingredients that thrive in the diverse climates between the mountains and the sea, with a distinct Catalan influence.

Some typical dishes

• Cassoulet: This traditional dish is a highlight of Perpignan's cuisine. It features white lingot beans combined with duck, goose, bacon, or pork loin, all slow-cooked to perfection.

• Boles de Picolat: These hearty beef and pork meatballs are cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mushrooms and olives, and typically served over white potatoes.

Meat dishes

• Civet de Sanglier: A wild boar stew enriched with red wine, garlic, and herbs, creating a meal fit for royalty.

• Poulet à la Catalane: Chicken prepared in the Catalan style, cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and a variety of spices.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Suquet-Bouillabaisse: A Catalan twist on the famous Marseillaise fish broth, this dish includes various fish and shellfish, flavored with saffron, garlic, and herbs, served alongside rouille, a garlic mayonnaise.

• Encornets Farcis: Simply prepared squid stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, milk, butter, garlic, and herbs.

Street food

• Pan con Tomate: A simple yet delicious Catalan snack of toasted bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes and garlic, then drizzled with olive oil.

• Tapenade: A thick spread made from olives, capers, and anchovies, usually served with a chunk of bread on the side.

Sweets and desserts

Similar to crème brûlée, Crème Catalane has a rich custard base flavored with lemon or orange zest and cinnamon, topped with a caramelized sugar crust. Rousquilles are ring-shaped cookies flavored with lemon and aniseed, covered in a sweet, sugary glaze-perfect with a cup of coffee.

Local drinks

• Banyuls: This dark, full-bodied Banyuls dessert wine is exclusive to the vineyards of the Côte Vermeille and is a must-try.

• Pastis: Popular throughout southern France, this anise-flavored spirit is best enjoyed mixed with water as an aperitif.