Palafrugell

Pretty rural villages, such as Llofriu, Santa Margarida, Ermedàs and Vilaseca, belong to the municipality of Palafrugell, but it has been the attractive coastal fishing villages of Calella, Llafranc, Tamariu and Aigua Xelida, which have really brought tourists to this area of the .

Although the cork industry, an important source of income in the past, has been overtaken by the growth of tourism, it still retains a certain level of international recognition.

The Sant Sebastià lighthouse can be found at the top of the 165 metre tall rocky outcrop of the same name. The sea views from here are breathtaking at any time of day and the coastal villages of Llafranc and Tamariu can be seen in the distance.

Top attractions in Palafrugell:

- Cork Museum

- Sant Martí Church

- Cap Roig Botanical Garden

- Sant Sebastià lighthouse

Special dates to consider when visiting Palafrugell:

- "Festa Major"; from 20th to 22nd July

Local Market; every Sunday

The quaint whitewashed fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell still retains one of the most loved and well-known traditions on the Costa Brava, the Havaneres (sea shanties) which take place on the beach and were originally sung in honour of the sailors who departed for Cuba to defend what was still Spanish territory at the end of the 19th century. Try a "Cremat" (hot rum with coffee, sugar, lemon peel and spices, mainly cinnamon), whilst listening to the nostalgic shanties sung to evoke missing loved ones.

If you want to do more than just relax on the beach, a 45 minute walk from Calella de Palafrugell takes you up to the Jardins de Cap Roig, an attractive clifftop botanical garden which took fifty years to plant.

Considered as one of the top 10 summer festivals, every year an open air music festival held in the gardens of the Castell de Cap Roig brings the biggest and best international names in music and dance. Check on our events list for your favourite artists.

Special dates to consider when visiting Calella de Palafrugell:

- "Festa Major"; 29th to 30th June

- "Havaneres"; first Saturday in July

Calella de Palafrugell has three small sandy beach coves, whilst the neighbouring village of Llafranc to the North has one good beach spanning the whole of the village, lined by upmarket beachside hotels and restaurants and ending in an impressive marina.

The views from the camí de ronda between Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc are spectacular and it is well worth the walk under the shade of the pine trees.

Special dates to consider when visiting Llafranc:

- "Festa Major"; 27th and 28th August

On the other side of the Sant Sebastià lighthouse, towards the North, lies the lovely fishing village of Tamariu and bay of the same name. Tamariu offers many leisure activities, namely diving and watersports.

Special dates to consider when visiting Tamariu:

- "Festa Major"; 15th August

And more information in .... Palafrugell