Calella de Palafrugell is one of the most touristic villages of the Costa Brava for its charming white sandy beaches surrounded by picturesque white houses and crystal clear waters that create a unique atmosphere. In every corner of the town you will find the fishing tradition, reflected especially in the gastronomy, with fish and seafood as the main ingredient. Some of the points of interest in Calella de Palafrugell are the Cap Roig botanical gardens, the Sant Sebastià lighthouse, the old town and the promenade. And amazing cliffs and hidden coves await you in the surrounding area.
We are sure you’ll love Calella de Palafrugell. However, keep in mind that since it is a very touristy destination it is recommended to go in low season to appreciate its true essence. The best months are May and October, when the weather is still good and there are far fewer tourists. Here we will share what to see and do in this charming fishing village and give you many other travel tips for you to enjoy it to the fullest. Let’s get started!
What are the best places to visit in Calella de Palafrugell?
1. Cap Roig Gardens
The Cap Roig Gardens, located on the Golfet cove, are one of the main tourist attractions of the town because of the postcard image they offer. This beautiful creation, founded in 1927 by Russian Colonel Nicolai Woevodsky and English aristocrat Dorothy Webster, has a variety of more than 1000 plant species from different corners of the world. In addition, there you can find several sculptures and even a castle.
The entrance fee is 10€. During the winter it is open from 10:00h to 18:00h and during the summer from 10:00h to 20:00h.
2. Old town of Calella de Palafrugell
In the town you will find the old town, a maze of streets of white facades that hide numerouscrafts, clothing and souvenir stores. There are only 8 streets, so it will not take you much time to visit them. The area is pedestrianized, which means you won’t be able to get too close by car. We recommend you to have a walk and let yourself go to discover the most beautiful corners of this village.
3. The beaches and coves in Calella de Palafrugell
Along the coast of Calella de Palafrugell you will find several coves and beaches where you can sunbathe and relax. The beaches are not as large as the ones in the neighboring towns, however, there lies part of its charm. Following the Camí de Ronda you will reach small coves and see others that can only be accessed by boat. These are the best beaches in Calella de Palafrugell:
- El Golfet: is located in a unique natural environment and its waters are transparent.
- Port Bo: it is the main beach of Palafrugell, and a picturesque place to take photos with the white houses in the background.
- Canadell: It is another of the beaches most frequented by tourists for its easy access.
- Other coves: Els canyers, cala Foradada and cala d’en David are other beautiful coves that you can visit in the town.
4. Manel Juanola i Reixach viewpoint
One of the best memories you can take away from Calella de Palafrugell are the views from the viewpoint of Manel Juanola i Reixach. From there you’ll see a panoramic view of the old town and the beaches of Canadell and Port Bo, as well as a small, quiet cove just below the viewpoint.
The area has benches for relaxing while you wait to watch the sunset, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze or simply reading a book overlooking the Mediterranean.
5. Camino de Ronda, the perfect place for hiking
The Camino de Ronda is a path that goes along the Costa Brava communicating the main coastal towns. In Calella de Palafrugell you can walk along the path that goes from Port Bo to Cala el Golfe. It will only take you 30 minutes. Along the way you can take pictures of the beautiful scenery surrounding the beaches.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Calella de Palafrugell
1. Pals, the medieval village on the coast
Pals is a medieval village that dates back to the 9th century. Although it was destroyed during the Civil War, it still retains its charm thanks to the restoration work that took place during the 20th century. In two hours you can walk around the village and see the main points of interest such as the Plaza Mayor, the church of Sant Pere, the wall and the castle among others. Pals also has a beach 6 km away from the old town where you can relax, sunbathe or practice water sports.
From Calella de Palafrugell you can get there by car in 20 minutes. By public transport it can take you up to 1 hour and 30 minutes
2. Girona, the medieval provincial capital
Just 50 minutes away by car lies Girona, the provincial capital and a city of rich history and beautiful architecture that captivates visitors. Its old town of cobbled streets and colorful houses will transport you back to medieval times. In the city you can not miss the Cathedral of Girona and the walls that surround the city and on where you can walk. We also recommend you to walk along the Onyar river and cross its beautiful bridges that give a unique charm to the city. If you want to know more about Girona visit this post: What to see and do in Girona?
What to see in 1 day in Calella de Palafrugell
Despite the fact that many tourists prefer to spend several days enjoying a sun and beach vacation, the truth is that Calella de Palafrugell can be visited in one day. There is no logical order to visit the town, but here are the must-sees:
- The Gardens of Cap Roig
- The Old Town
- The promenade
- El Golfet
- Mirador de Manel Juanola i Reixach
During your visit we recommend you to make a reservation at one of the restaurants in the area and treat yourself to a luxurious meal. And to end the day the best thing to do is to go up to the viewpoint to watch the sunset.
Where and what to eat in Calella de Palafrugell?
In Calella de Palafrugell you can not miss its delicious dishes based on fish and seafood of first quality, or its exquisite rice. There you can also taste typical dishes of Catalan gastronomy. In the village there are many restaurants, but here we leave you a list of some of our favorites:
- Calau: Besides being one of the most famous restaurants in town, it’s perfect for good food at a reasonable price. The dishes are served as pinchos, tapas and small portions priced between 1,5€ and 3,8€. You can’t miss it.
- Fiego: is a traditional Catalan cuisine restaurant where you can taste the fish and seafood of the area. It overlooks the beach and the prices are appropriate to the quality.
- Bark: is a bar of pinchos and tapas of author located in the center. The price of the dishes, which are delicious, is between 6€ and 10€.
Where to stay in Calella de Palafrugell
In Calella de Palafrugell there is a wide range of accommodation among which you can find small charming hotels and hostels, although what abounds most are the apartments. The town is really touristy during the summer months, and although many families have their own summer residence, there are also many who stay in the hotels available. That’s why we recommend looking well in advance. Here’s a list of some accommodation recommendations:
- Hostal l’Estrella: this hostel located in a beautiful building surrounded by gardens is an economical and comfortable option to stay. Some rooms have their own bathroom and there are common areas such as the bar or terrace. The price per night starts at 55€.
- Kampaoh Palamós International: Very close to Calella de Palafrugell you will find this exclusive campsite with swimming pool, ideal for couples or families. The tents are already set up and have beds and furniture. The price per night starts at 63€.
- Hotel hcp: This is a 4-star hotel located next to the beach that offers fitness room, shared lounge and bar. The property also arranges airport shuttle and serves a buffet breakfast. The price per night starts at €86.
How to get to Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is well connected with Girona and Barcelona, from where you can arrive in the different ways that we expose below. Once there, forget about transport because you can walk everywhere.
- Airplane: the closest airport is Girona-Costa Brava. From there, you can take a cab or bus to Calella de Palafrugell. Another option is to fly to Barcelona-El Prat Airport and then take a train or bus.
- Train: the closest train stations are Flaçà and Girona. From there, you can take a bus or a cab to the town.
- Bus: There are regular buses that connect Calella de Palafrugell with several towns in the region. From Barcelona it takes 1 hour and a half and from Girona 50 minutes.
- Car: is a good option if you are going to move around the area, but the truth is that you will not need it, and taking into account that it is not easy to park in summer, you may prefer to go by train or bus.
What should I consider before traveling to Calella de Palafrugell
- The best time to travel to Calella de Palafrugell is in May and October
- You can get around on foot in this village.
- Catalonia is a very touristy region, so booking in advance is recommended.
- Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be perfectly understood in Spanish.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured
- It is recommended to go in low season or get up early if you go during the summer to be able to park and see the town without overcrowding.
- The tap water is drinkable, but does not taste good
- It’s a bit of an expensive destination, so it’s recommended to book in advance to have a choice.
- Remember to bring sunscreen.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Calella de Palafrugell
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the things to do and see in Calella de Palafrugell.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Calella de Palafrugell
It is well connected with Girona and Barcelona, from where you can take the train or a bus.
In Palafrugell you can’t miss its rice dishes and dishes based on top quality fish and seafood.
The best time to travel to Calella de Palafrugell is in May and October.
In Calella de Palafrugell the most common type of accommodation are apartments. However, there are also several charming hotels and guesthouses.
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