Perpignan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Perpignan featuring street scenes and a square or plaza as well as a small group of people
Perpignan showing a river or creek and a park
Perpignan featuring street scenes
Perpignan featuring café scenes, outdoor eating and a square or plaza
Perpignan showing street scenes as well as a large group of people

Perpignan is France's last major city before reaching Spain. The spirit of Catalonia will give your holidays an extraordinary feeling!

As the former capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, Perpignan was Spanish until the 17th century. The Catalans are proud of an ancestral culture that they like to share with visitors. The sea is 10 minutes away, the mountains an hour away, and Perpignan is their vibrant, lively and colourful "centre of the universe", as Dali proclaimed it.

Bathed in sunshine 300 days a year, with weather like that you can't go wrong choosing Perpignan as a holiday destination. The region's vineyards are testament to this exceptional climate the terroir of the region has also been awarded the "Vignobles & Découvertes" label. Walk among the vines or the shady streets, then, once the evening rolls around, pull up a chair on rue Paratilla, nicknamed "the street of spices", around a cargolade, a platter of grilled snails, or a portion of Collioure anchovies. Enjoy the laughter and the sunshine on your plate, before dancing the sardana to the sound of a cobla, a traditional Catalan orchestra.

Most of the must-see sites are free-entry: the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, the Loge de Mer, the Museum of Natural History, the Fort du Serrat d’En Vaquer and its stunning panorama over the Roussillon plain, and the Casa Xanxo, a Gothic town house that will give you a taste of city life in days gone by.

For lovers of religious architecture, Perpignan boasts many exceptionally well preserved chapels, cathedrals and cloisters. The Ancien Evêché, the Eglise des Dominicains and the great Carmelite convent are all sites that bear witness to a history of religious fervour and the spirit of conquering the oceans. The nearby Mediterranean is a reminder of just how much the sea still influences this Catalan spirit, which is so recognisable and unique: there's a palpable energy in the many festivals and cultural events, a lifestyle revolving around the fine details of crafts and food, and a rarely equalled sense of hospitality.

Where to stay in Perpignan

Perpignan which includes shopping, street scenes and flowers

Saint-Jean

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Saint-Jean, Perpignan Cathedral and Republic Square are top sights worth seeing.

Saint-Jean
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Les Platanes

5/5(4 area reviews)

When in Les Platanes, you can plan a visit to Palais des Congres and St. Jacques Church, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Les Platanes
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La Gare

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

Though La Gare may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Le Castillet and Republic Square.

La Gare
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Saint-Martin

3/5(2 area reviews)

While Saint-Martin isn't home to many top sights, Republic Square and Le Castillet are some notable places to visit nearby.

Saint-Martin

Clémenceau

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

When in Clémenceau, you can plan a visit to Le Castillet and Republic Square, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Clémenceau
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Les Remparts

Les Remparts might not have many top sights, but Republic Square and St. Jacques Church are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Les Remparts
Dali Hôtel - Restaurant
Dali Hôtel - Restaurant
4 out of 5
18 Boulevard Jean Bourrat, Perpignan, Pyrenees-Orientales
The price is £79 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
£79
5 Jul - 6 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Perpignan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (703 reviews)
"Stayed 2 nights at Dali hotel its a 10min walk from main area in centre for restaurants etc very nice breakfast in terrace area. Room was v spacious v helpfull staff. Rooftop area with nice niews of city. Would highly recommend"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Dali Hôtel - Restaurant
Kyriad Prestige Perpignan Centre Del Mon
Kyriad Prestige Perpignan Centre Del Mon
4 out of 5
35 Boulevard Saint Assiscle, Perpignan, Pyrenees-Orientales
The price is £85 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£85
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Perpignan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (612 reviews)
"Really good Hotel, close to Train station and other forms of transport. Staff really helpful, everything else was first rate, except breakfast. wasn't a great choice. no staff topping up hot food"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Kyriad Prestige Perpignan Centre Del Mon
La Villa Duflot Hôtel & Spa Perpignan
La Villa Duflot Hôtel & Spa Perpignan
4 out of 5
Rond Point Albert Donnezan, Perpignan, Pyrenees-Orientales
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Perpignan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (266 reviews)
"Relaxing"

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2025

La Villa Duflot Hôtel & Spa Perpignan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Appart'City Confort Perpignan Centre Gare
Appart'City Confort Perpignan Centre Gare
3 out of 5
12 boulevard Saint-Assiscle, Perpignan, Pyrenees-Orientales
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Perpignan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Theatre de l'Archipel ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,230 reviews)
"Convenient clean and vomgortable"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Appart'City Confort Perpignan Centre Gare
Appart Hotel Spa Perpignan
Appart Hotel Spa Perpignan
4 out of 5
287 Av. Maréchal Joffre, Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Perpignan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Stade Gilbert Brutus and Aime Giral ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
"Property was very clean, well equipped, lovely spa bath and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend a stay."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

Appart Hotel Spa Perpignan
Aparthotel Mer & Golf City Perpignan Centre
Aparthotel Mer & Golf City Perpignan Centre
3 out of 5
2 Espace Mediterranee, Avenue du Général Leclerc, Perpignan, Pyrenees-Orientales
Stay at this 3-star residence in Perpignan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (254 reviews)
"We had the top floor room with a balcony and a beautiful view of the mountains and landscape. The room itself was large and the bed was comfortable."

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Aparthotel Mer & Golf City Perpignan Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Perpignan

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Didn’t get a chance to explore as overnight stop en route back to U.K., really handy location for motorway

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Worth going on tourist train to get a feel of it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Really enjoyed our day here and would come for a longer explore and to use it as a base for visiting the region.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Wonderful food and wine and shops in the old part Good bus service VERY VERY expensive taxi from the airport but not a lot of choice if its dark and you dont know your way around the city Brush up on your French as limited understanding of English

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A hidden gem

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We arrived early in the season and hence not all up and running. As we had a car we could explore the area and there are very interesting places to visit within a 30/40min drive.

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