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
About
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.
Travel Chi
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.
Things To Do
Archaeological Civilisations
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
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.
City Parks
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!
Natural Parks
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
Artist Routes
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
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.
Where to Sleep
Where to Eat
Events
Carnivals
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!
Festivals
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.
Enotourism
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.
Markets
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.
Outdoor Activities
Golf
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
Hiking Routes
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.
Horse Riding
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/
Water Activities
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
What a stunning region, I’ve been to Girona and would really love to explore more of the area. It is beautiful and you can easily spend the entire summer exploring the area!
It is absolutely gorgeous Noel, and Girona is a fab city. You’re right, it’s somewhere to spend a lot of time exploring, and enjoying great food and culture.
Such lovely photos – it all looks so inviting. The photos under El Golfet are particularly enticing! Looks like a great place for a holiday. Big enough to have a good choice of restaurants and places to explore that are full of character and charm.
Thanks Kathryn, it’s a really gorgeous spot.
What a guide. So in-depth and helpful, thank you so much. Won’t need a Lonely Planet when I decide to visit 🙂
Lol Erin 🙂 It may surprise you to know it’s not entirely finished yet either!!
Love that first picture, Jackie… beautifully lit and lovely reflections in the sea! I like the sound of Calella de Palafrugell – I imagine it’s a great location for families to relax.
Thanks Paul. It is beautiful and yes it is a very good spot for families.
Phew, Jackie, I’m exhausted just reading about all of the things to do in this beautiful area of Spain. I think I would enjoy spending the entire summer here, each place looks more lovely than the next.
You’re a gas woman Alison, as we say in Ireland. Please don’t feel tired, just come on over and enjoy 🙂
Phew…what a complete guide. I want do to them all (but then I need to buy me house there too, because Nina would refuse to go back to Belgium)! My favourite activity would be number 40 (sounds like a Chinese menu)…diving. I think it’s time to prepare a trip towards Spain and meet up in person finally, don’t you think so too Jackie? 🙂
OMG I am still LOL big time at your comment!! We would love to meet you and Nina ..tell you what, I’ll secretly get a few lovely villas organised for you to choose which one to buy 🙂 What do you think?? I ♥ the Chinese Menu comment ..hilarious. Definitely stay in touch and let me know, it would be fun …I suspect 🙂