"A charming town with medieval streets and a whitewashed harbour – Calella de Palafrugell has it all for the perfect escape."
A whitewashed fishing village with a shimmering sandy bay. An old town radiating market-day colour. And a pine-carpeted shoreline of steep cliffs hiding dinky rocky coves washed by petrol-blue seas. It's got to be said – Calella de Palafrugell is paradise, Costa Brava style. Divided into two centres you'll find two delightful faces to this Spanish gem. There's inland Palafrugell and also its beachside compatriot, Calella de Palafrugell. So there's something here to please everyone, whether you're one or a hundred. A good starting point is Palafrugell itself. Curled up amid vineyards, olive groves and cork-oak forests, this buzzing old cork-producing centre oozes laid back charm. Wander around its medieval streets, popping into its fine shops, cork museum and 16th century church. Then in the main square, take a rest and sip a 'cerveza' in a vibrant open-air cafe. If it's a Sunday, the nearby streets stage the town's weekly market – so don't leave before browsing the food and traditional handicrafts on offer. And if sightseeing sounds tempting, take off for old-time Pals or beautiful Gothic Girona. Or walk to the lighthouse at Cap de Sant Sebastia to gasp at the heart-lurching views over the coastline and multi-hued sea. When you're ready to hit the beach, take the bus to Calella de Palafrugell. Simple and unassuming, its clutch of steeply descending fisherman's cottages culminates in a cute, fishing boat-dotted sandy beach. Settle here to enjoy the sun and blue-and-green waters and with the bustling boardwalk cafes ready with freshly grilled sardines and sangria, you'll want for nothing. And remember, Calella offers numerous coves. Follow the pine-scented paths along the cliff tops and you'll find further enchanting bays secreted into the headlands, many with diving schools and rustic restaurants. If that's not paradise, what is?
Find the cheapest late deals to Calella De Palafrugell leaving in the next six weeks.
Calella De Palafrugell hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Calella De Palafrugell include Hotel Garbi.
More Costa Brava holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Costa Brava? Our Costa Brava holiday destinations include Calella De La Costa, Calella De Palafrugell, Estartit, Gerona, Llafranc, Lloret De Mar, Pineda, Platja D'aro, Playa De Pals, Sant Hilari, Santa Susana, Tamariu and Tossa De Mar.
Beaches
A string of sweeping sandy bays make up the glittering coastline of Calella de Palafrugel. Lie back on the gold-dust sands of Calella, Llafranc or Tamariu beaches which are licked by crystal clear seas - great for a refreshing swim or splash about. And if you're a scuba diving enthusiast, the Ills Formigues, or Isles of the Ants, has several ancient ship wrecks to explore.
Eating out
If you like your food with a view, Calella de Palafrugell has some excellent waterfront restaurants and cafes with wonderful views. Or stroll through the village's narrow streets, which also have a good choice of eateries. You'll find both local and international cuisine on the menus, and if you're here January to March, try the speciality garonines, sea urchin dishes, often seved on a slice of bread with botifarra negra, black portk sausage. At nightfall, do as the locals do and pull up a pew at one of the bars, which are crammed full of character.
Shopping
You can pick up all the essentials in Calella de Palafrugell as well as pop your head into some charming one-off shops selling local handmade gifts such as candles and jewellery. If you want to stock up on fresh ingredients, the daily makket is packed with fish, meat, fruit and vbegetable stalls, and on Sundays, the village comes to bustling life when the market spills onto most of the streets - crammed full of clothers, souvenirs and handicrafts.
Local information
If you like getting stuck into some sport while your're on holiday golf, fishinig, cycling, tennis, sailing and water-skiing are all on tap. Or get up close and personal with nature on the coast's network of footpaths known as camins de ronda with spectacular views of Costa Brava. Don't miss the botanical gardens on Cap Riog with enchanting gardens ablaze with Mediterranean flora, and if you're here during the summer months, catch one of the al fresco concerts held here.
Transfer time
Transfer time is approximately 1 hour by taxi, included in the price
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