The Coastal Town
Summer in Barcelona is just round the corner so, I decided to have a weekend getaway in one of my favorite places in the Costa Brava; Calella de Palafrugell. It’s actually the same place I used to go to every summer as a kid.
The best memories I have are the ones spent on the campsite with my family and friends. La Siesta has everything you need, from bungalows to swimming pools, playgrounds, activities, a bar and a restaurant. And let’s not forget about the stunning Mediterranean beaches, which are literally 5 minutes away from the campsite.
The small town of Calella de Palafrugell is located in the Costa Brava, Girona. It’s 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Barcelona by car and can be visited in one day if time is very limited. It’s also part of the popular “Camí de Ronda” , the 43 km trekking route along the Costa Brava, starting in Sant Feliu de Guíxols and finishing in Begur. The route takes you through different coastal mountain levels which might be a bit tiring. However, you can always stop for a drink or a tapa at the many beach bars, originally called Xiringuitos, that you’ll come across with. The views are definitely worth the struggle!
Drink, Eat and Enjoy
As I said, Calella de Palafrugell is a small town that is now becoming more popular among tourists from all over the world. However, it only has a few bars, restaurants, shops and ice-cream parlors. My top recommendations are:
- Tres Pins Restaurant: the name translates to “Three Pines Restaurant” as there’s 3 enormous pines located on the terrace (there was, as one of the pines died and had to be cut off). The bar offers a wide variety of tapas, cocktails and the authentic Spanish Sangria. I love this place because of its friendly staff and the exceptional view of the town and the Mediterranean Sea, as it’s located right at the end of the main beach.
- Vent del Mar Restaurant: This is my favorite restaurant in town and has been for years. The quality of the food has only improved and the staff is still as friendly and funny. Their crunchy pizzas are properly made in a traditional Italian oven and the pasta is 100% home-made. Apologies for the bitten slice of pizza, It was very tempting and couldn’t help myself😋
- L’enxeneta Parlor: This is probably the best ice-cream parlor that I’ve ever been to. There are 2 different enxeneta parlors in Calella de Palafrugell, both really close to each other (as I said, it’s a small town). Their ice-creams are the best creation in this world. My favorite flavors are the Crema Catalana (a traditional Catalan dessert), the Kinder and the Cookies one. They have different cone sizes and types like the dark or white chocolate cones and they also offer small to big containers.
Nearly all shops on the coast sell swimsuits, dresses, jewelry, postcards and general beach items and clothing. There’s also many restaurants that serve paella, fideuá and fresh fish, just what you would expect from a coastal town.
Calella de Palafrugell is definitely a good choice for a getaway if you want to experience the authentic Mediterranean Sea, away from the often polluted beaches in Barcelona. Here, you can actually see right through the clear water and breathe some fresh air. Now you know one of my secret treasures… What about yours?