Whenever I visit Calella de Palafrugell I get amazed by the beauty of this Costa Brava town. It’s so incredibly picturesque with its whitewashed houses, turquoise coloured water and colourful fishing boats. If you ask me it’s one of my favourites on the Costa Brava. In this article I’ll tell you all there is to know about Calella de Palafrugell.
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Why visit Calella de Palafrugell
If you want to discover a picturesque, whitewashed village on the Costa Brava, Calella de Palafrugell is the perfect place for you. This former fishing town still feels very authentic with its charming narrow streets and traditional houses.
You can visit Calella, as it’s often called, on its own or while hiking the coastal route Camí de Ronda.
The number one highlight of Calella de Palafrugell is its stunning setting. The typical white houses lie immediately along the beach and because of this there are lots of amazing viewpoints around.
Calella de Palafrugell has several small beaches that are great for relaxing. With their clear turquoise water, they are perfect for a refreshing swim or a quiet afternoon in the sun. Compared to larger coastal resorts, the beaches here feel calm and unspoiled.
Best photo spots in Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is one of the most photogenic villages along the Costa Brava. The turquoise water and rocky coves combined with the whitewashed houses make it a perfect place to take tons of photos.
One of the best photo spots is the beach of Port Bo, with its row of traditional white arches right on the beach. This area is especially beautiful early in the morning, when the light is soft and the village is still quiet. Late in the afternoon is another perfect moment, as the warm light reflects on the buildings and the sea.
For panoramic views, follow the Camí de Ronda coastal path. Along the way, you’ll come across several amazing viewpoints.
Best beaches in Calella de Palafrugell
Although the town is quite small, Calella de Palafrugell has several beautiful beaches that you can enjoy. Most of them are small and surrounded by rocky cliffs and traditional white houses, which immediately give you the typical Mediterranean charm.
The water around Calella de Palafrugell is incredibly clear, which makes it ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and of course it looks amazing in photos.
Whether you’re looking for a lively beach close to cafés and restaurants or a quieter cove, Calella de Palafrugell has a beach for everyone. In the heart of the town you’ll find Platja de Port Bo and Platja del Canadell. These are the best-known beaches around and definitely a must-see when visiting Calella de Palafrugell.
A little further away from the town you find all sorts of coves and one of them is Cala El Golfet, which I think is one of the most scenic beaches around. You can reach it via a scenic coastal path that is part of the Camí de Ronda. In summer you should visit this beach early in the morning, because it fills up quickly.
Best things to do in Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is a small town but there is still plenty you can do around here. One of my favorite things was walking part of the Camí de Ronda, a scenic coastal path that you can follow as long as you want. It takes you to nearby villages and hidden coves and you will be taking tons of photos along the way because the views are incredible. You could for instance hike towards Llafranc where you can walk up to the lighthouse from which you can see a whole part of the coastline as well as the Spanish Pyrenees.
Another must is spending time at one of the beaches. Whether it’s summertime or a nice winter day, the beaches here are great for some relaxation time. When the weather is warm enough swimming and snorkelling is perfect here too.
Calella de Palafrugell is also a lovely place to enjoy a coffee or lunch at one of the terraces, while watching the ocean and the people around you.
A little out of town you can find the Cap Roig botanical gardens and castle, which are lovely if you have the time.
There is also the option to spend some time exploring more of the Costa Brava. I can recommend the town of Begur, with its castle and historic center. Other great day trips include Pals and Peratallada, both medieval towns that are worth a visit. If you want to go shopping or are looking for a more lively atmosphere, Platja d’Aro is just 20 minutes away. Palamós, with its charming harbour, local shops and great restaurants, is also nearby and makes for a nice change of scenery.
Where to eat in Calella de Palafrugell
I once visited Calella de Palafrugell in February and quickly noticed that many restaurants are closed on weekdays during the winter months. Luckily you can still find some wonderful places to eat.
One restaurant I can totally recommend is Calau, where I enjoyed an incredible lunch. This restaurant serves delicious pintxos and tapas, beautifully displayed along the bar. You can simply pick what catches your eye, and each pintxo has a small skewer inside indicating its price, which makes eating here easy and relaxed. They prepare several new tapas and pintxos all the time and come by with a plate to ask you if you want some of them. There’s also the option to choose tapas à la carte.
The food was really good and there was a lot of variety. I love places like this because I always want to try a bit of everything. On top of that, the views from the restaurant are amazing. Sitting there with a plate of pintxos, looking out over the sea, it truly felt like a perfect Mediterranean holiday.
Where to stay in Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell offers a good range of accommodation options, from small-scale hotels to comfortable seaside apartments. Most places are close to the beach. Some offer beautiful views over the sea and the whitewashed town. One of those places is Hotel Sant Roc, which I can recommend. It’s situated on a small hill just outside the center, and it has stunning panoramic views of both the Mediterranean Sea and Calella de Palafrugell itself. The staff at the hotel are super helpful and friendly and the breakfast buffet is amazing.
I think it’s an ideal choice if you’re looking for a peaceful stay while still being within walking distance of the beaches, restaurants and coastal paths. The well-known Platja de Port Bo is just a 7 minute walk from the hotel but there are smaller coves even closer by.
Practical tips for visiting Calella de Palafrugell
Getting there
Calella de Palafrugell is about 1.5 hours from Barcelona by car, making it a possible day trip from Barcelona, although I think staying overnight is a much better way to experience the area.
If you are not visiting Barcelona, you can fly to Girona Airport, which is the closest airport to Calella de Palafrugell and is situated just 45 minutes away. Girona airport is mainly operating in the summer months, which means that in winter you often have to opt for Barcelona Airport instead. From either airport, the easiest way to reach Calella de Palafrugell is by rental car.
If renting a car isn’t an option for you, there are buses from Barcelona Airport to the city of Palafrugell. In Palafrugell you can take another bus to Calella de Palafrugell. It is a long trip though (more than 4 hours). For bus information you can consult the Moventis website. A better option if you can’t travel by car might be to take a guided tour from Barcelona.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Calella de Palafrugell depends on your own preferences. July and August are perfect if you are a true sunseeker but it’s very hot and it’s also the busiest time of the year, which means the beaches are full of people. May, June and September are a little less busy and you can find more comfortable temperatures if you want to do some exploring as well. But also the winter months can be quite beautiful and perfect for hiking and enjoying the area in a more calm way.
For more detailed information about the weather on the Costa Brava you can consult our Costa Brava monthly weather blog.
Getting around
Calella de Palafrugell is best discovered on foot. It’s small enough to be able to see all interesting places on foot. It is quite hilly though, so if you are not very mobile, visiting Calella de Palafrugell might be a challenge for you.
If you prefer to do some sightseeing on the Costa Brava or inland Catalonia I would recommend taking the car. Public transport is not very convenient if you’re staying in this part of the Costa Brava.
Final thoughts on visiting Calella de Palafrugell
I think Calella de Palafrugell really is one of the most picture-perfect towns on the Costa Brava. It’s such a charming town with its whitewashed houses, scenic coastline and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.
It’s hard not to fall in love. Whether you visit in the summer, when the village feels lively and sun-soaked, or in the quieter winter months, Calella de Palafrugell has something special to offer. From coastal walks and beautiful beaches to great food and stunning viewpoints, it’s a place that feels authentic and it certainly took my breath away. I’m sure you will feel the same.
