Calella de Palafrugell Travel Guide-41 Things To Do

Did you know that one of the eight beaches of Calella de Palafrugell is considered by the British newspaper, the Telegraph, to be one of the Costa Brava’s best beaches? Not only that, but the town has some excellent fish restaurants. Calella de Palafrugell is also famous for it’s July Music Festival – the Cap Roig Garden Festival, which attracts some big names, and its sea shanty festival (havaneras). Part of its charm lies in the fact that it was traditionally a fishing village, and these days it hasn’t lost that feel. Just near the beach, there are traditional fishermen’s houses, which are well preserved.

The area is becoming more well known because of the Cap Roig Festival, which takes place in the middle of July each year. It was headlined in 2012 by the great Bob Dylan, and amongst other names that year were the likes of Alicia Keys, the Corrs and Shakira. In 2013 Mark Knopfler and Elton John took part in the festival.

It’s also a great spot for watersports and diving, as well as being located perfectly for some lovely walking and cycling routes. What if you don’t feel like moving a muscle? Then you’ve come to the perfect place to be a beach bum, where you can relax on one of the area’s beautiful beaches.

Calella de Palafrugell is part of the Palafrugell municipality, so on your doorstep you can go to any of these places, just click on their names to find out more – Palafrugell town – Llafranc

There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a beautiful, picturesque resort, in fact some consider it the most beautiful on Spain’s mainland. Laze on the beach where you can see the fishing boats pulled up onto the sand. Although it does get busy during July and August, you won’t be subjected to the effects of mass tourism. Before or after those months, the streets of the town are often still buzzing, in a nice way.

1. Get Some Travel Chi In Calella de Palafrugell

Travel chi is simply that special feeling that each destination has, that can help us feel good and sometimes happier and more creative ..(Chi is the word for universal energy.) If you like it’s really that – “Je ne sais quoi..” that special places have. I have tried to put it into a few words ..

There is something about fishing villages that connects me to the simplicity and essence of life, as it may have been lived in days gone by. A place like Calella de Palafrugell, while by no means too quiet, can definitely trigger something in the subconscious, that helps bring me back to basics. Eating a fresh catch of an evening makes me appreciate the finer, but more simple things of life.

The gorgeous, easy walk around the headland to Llafranc, is a wonderful way to connect with nature. The scenery here is also a perfect trigger for a peaceful, content heart and to re-birth your creative processes.

2. Don’t Miss The Ruins of Empuries

The Ruins of Empuries are 37km away from Calella de Palafrugell. They are located right by the sea and you can find out more about these magnificent ruins by clicking on Ruins of Empuries.

Beaches Calella de Palafrugell

3. El Canadell and Els Canyissos

This is the one featured in the Telegraph Newspaper. Right in Calella, Canadell Beach is one of the most popular beaches, attracting steady crowds throughout the summer months and beach-walkers year round. A promenade connects the beach from beachfront homes. Visitors can find all the amenities, from public toilets to canoe and other watercraft rentals. The beach stretches about 210 metres in length, and has coarse sand.

4. El Golfet

In the village of Calella, El Golfet offers golden sand and stretches about 75 metres in length. Moderately visited, it is easy to reach and has a semi-urban feel, lying just outside the town centre and within easy walking distance of the closest road.

5. El Port Pelegrí

You need to go down a few steps to access this beach, but you can also drive there – there’s parking about 100 metres away. It has thick sand, and is around 75 metres in length.

6. La Platgeta

A thick sandy beach, around 75 metres in length, which can be accessed down some steps on foot. There’s also parking around hundred and 25 metres away.

7. Platja d’En Calau

Typical fishing boats lie on this thick sandy beach, which is around 75 metres long.

8. Els Canyers or Sant Roc Beach

A much smaller beach of around 20 metres in length, you need to go down some steps to access it. You can also park in streets very close to the beach.

9. Visit the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens

..And if you wish to travel in July to the festival, take this in as well. This is the wonderful location where the Festival in July takes place, and if you’re in the area it would really be a shame to miss it. From these magical gardens, you can enjoy the most spectacular sea views. In the summertime there’s an orgy of scents wafting around the gardens. Just look up at the castle on the hilltop, marvel at how these terraced gardens just cascade gradually downwards towards the beach – and feel how good it is to be alive!

10. Visit Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park

The second biggest wetlands of Catalonia, is around 62km distance. Learn more at Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park Catalonia.

11. Check Out Cap de Creus Natural Park

If you like nature, you won’t want to miss out on the lovely Cap de Creus Natural Park. It’s around 84km away – click on Cap de Creus Natural Park

12.The Dali Triangle

You’re on the doorstep of Dalí Country! Choose some or all of the towns from the Dalí Triangle by following this link to the Salvador Dalí Triangle.

Day Trips From Calella de Palafrugell

Around 10km away is the gorgeous town of Begur, with spectacular scenery and a striking medieval castle – learn more about it in the Begur Travel Guide.

13. Let’s Go To Palamos!

Only 12km away is the once upon a time village that is now a thriving commercial and tourist town, but yet somehow blends all of this together. Actually the port itself is a good example of this. In the old port you can still feel the fishing village vibe, but this is functioning alongside the modern commercial port, and integrated into all of this is plenty of tourist establishments. Find out more in the Palamos Travel Guide.

14. If You Like Fine Cities, You Won’t Want To Miss Girona

A city that has yet is not on everybody’s radar, it is both historical and beautiful. The distance is approximately 55 km and if you’d like to know more about the city please click on to Girona Travel Guide.

15. Come To Cadaques

This place is worth a visit even if you’re not a Dalí fan – although be warned the road in and out is not plain sailing (but you wouldn’t want to sail on a road anyway!). Cadaques really owns the word picturesque, and is 79km away. Check out the Cadaques Travel Guide. If you are a Dalí fan the go to the Dali Triangle to see the rest of the tour.

16. Buzzing Barcelona

A fair bit further away is the buzzing city of Barcelona, around 125km.

17. Carnival Palafrugell Spring Festival

A superb carnival, with deep roots – which runs before Lent each year. There’s loads of different activities, lots of colour and fun ..and partying!

18. Flowers and Violas Spring

Spring is welcome with music, art and flowers around the private and public courtyards.

19. Fiesta Mayor de Calella – Calella Main Festival – 29th June

As one might expect of a fishing village, the main festival of Calella is in honour of St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen.

20. Cantada d’Havaneres de Calella de Palafrugell – Habanera Singing – 1st Weekend July Normally

Ever since 1966 the tradition of Habana singing has been going strong in Calella de Palafrugell. It all started off with a group of singers who met in the Can Batlle pub, and it was an immediate hit. These days its one of the events Calella is best known for!

2014 Entrance Fee Was €27.50 – Website: http://www.havanerescalella.cat/

21. Cap Roig Garden Festival – Mid July

This is a unique International music festival that is in the most amazing setting and attracts big names, each year.

22. Fiesta Mayor de Palafrugell – Main Festival Palafrugell – 20th July

This festival is the main summer festival and is held in honour of the patron saint of the town, St. Margaret. There’s Sardana dancing, activities for younger family members and lots more.

23. Fiesta Mayor de Tamariu – Tamariu Main Festival 15th August

On 15 August, Santa Maria.

24. Fiesta Mayor Llofriu – Llofriu Main Festival – 3rd Saturday of August

The Llofriu Main Festival happens on the third Saturday of August.

25. Fiesta Mayor de Llafranc – Llafranc Main Festival 30th August

The Llafranc Main Festival is held in honour of Santa Rosa de Lima.

26. Costa Brava Jazz Festival Palafrugell – September or October

These is a jazz festival with lots of concerts dotted around the town. It has a special emphasis on young, emerging Catalan jazz talent.

27. Fiesta de la Garoinada – Sea Urchin Festival

This runs from around the end of January until March, when the sea urchins are at their best. This is not a street festival, but one where many of the local restaurants take part offering special festival menus. These feature sea urchins, but also offer typical desserts of the area.

28. Es Niu – Late October to Early November

A very old and typical dish of Palafrugell, that was made for Lent, and takes 5 hours to cook. It started out vegetarian but has been adapted over the years.

 Calella de Palafrugell Markets

28. Shop Like A Local

The Calella de Palafrugell daily market is on from Tuesday to Saturday, which like most towns and villages in the area, offers a good selection of fresh local produce. Shop like a local there and create a special holiday meal or two, if you’re renting accommodation.

29. Sunday Morning Street Market

Sunday morning is for sauntering around after a café con leche (coffee) and browsing or buying in the street market.

30. In July Go To The Habaneras Market

On the first Saturday of July, when the Habaneras singing is happending, there’s a craft market on in Calella de Palafrugell.

31. 19th July to 30th August Go To the Evening Market

This is a craft market during the evenings in Palafrugell, in Carrer Pi i Margall.

32. Wine & Cheese Market Midsummer’s At Llofriu

On the Saturday before the 24th June (San Juan and Midsummer’s) there’s a wine and cheese market in Llofriu, which also coincides with the cork peeling festival.

33. Go For A Round Of Golf

There are a few golf clubs quite close to Calella de Palafrugell – so if you fancy a round of golf you can choose one of the closest golf clubs:

Golf Platja de Pals 8.5km – Pals is a lovely medieval town, so this is a great choice – Website: Golf Platja de Pals

Emporda Golf Club 11km – Also within easy reach – Website: Emporda Golf Club

34. Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc Coastal Path

The coastal path that leads from Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc. You start off from the Canadell beach, and the route has really beautiful views over the area.

35. Els Canyers / Sant Roc Beaches To El Golfet Beach – Approximately 30 Minutes

Although not a long hike in terms of time, the path is a pretty rough, coastal path where there are some steep sections with tunnels and steps.

36. Els Canyers Beach / Sant Roc To Els Tres Pins- Approximately 35 minutes

A coastal path which goes around the coast and passes some of the most magnificent parts of Calella.

37. Els Tres Pins In Calella To the Sant Sebastià Hill – Around 40 Minutes

Another coastal path which has some steep sections, with steps and there’s also a section of road. You’re on the GR-92 – you must need to follow the white and red markings, up until Sant Sebastià lighthouse.

38. Cala Pedrosa to Aigua Xelida – 2 Hour Hike

This path goes through the pine forest, along the road which follows the coast and over rocks. You follow the GR92.

39. Go Horse Riding

There are a couple of options relatively close by – in the lingo, you’re looking for a – Hipica. This one however has an English verion of their website.

Hipica Unicorn is in Calonge, which is 14km away – Website: http://www.hipicaunicorn.com/

40. Go Diving In Calella de Palafrugell

Poseidon Calella

Calle Port Pelegri, 2, Calella de Palafrugell 17210 – Phone: 972 615 345 Website: http://www.poseidoncalella.com/index_eng.html

The changing rooms of this dive centre are located only 25 metres from the water’s edge. This is both a professional and family orientated dive centre, and the team are environmentally aware and friendly.

41. Have Water Fun At One Of These Nearby Waterparks

Aquadiver in Platja d’Aro – 21km

Water World in Lloret de Mar – 60km