I just recently discovered this Catalan gem, after having lived in Catalonia for 9 years. I can’t believe it took me this long to come here, because to me the area around Sant Feliu de Guíxols is definitely one of the prettiest parts of the Costa Brava. Think beautiful turquoise-colored water, postcard perfect beaches and coves, cliffs, fishing boats in the marina, good food etc etc.
I spent a few days there in November, and it surprised me in the best possible way.
Sant Feliu is nothing like Costa Brava towns such as Lloret de Mar. It doesn’t have any flashy tourist attractions. Instead, it’s a quiet authentic place with medieval streets, old stone houses, and the impressive Monastery of Sant Feliu.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The old town
The old center of Sant Feliu de Guíxols is charming and gives you a relaxed feeling. It doesn’t feel like a touristy town at all. The old facades are typically Spanish, with beautiful colors and small balconies.
La Rambla, lined with trees, is the main street here and leads towards the beach. There are lots of shops around Carrer d’Anselm Clavé and Carrer Major and you can find some nice places to grab a coffee or enjoy a meal.
At Plaça del Mercat you’ll find the market hall, where you can buy fruit, cheeses, meat and fish, but it’s also fun to have a look around if you are not planning to buy something. The market hall is open every morning (from 8:00 to 13:30, closed on Monday). On Sunday there is a weekly market with stalls on the square as well.
Since Sant Feliu hasn’t fully adjusted to tourists, the shops still have Spanish opening hours. This means that in the afternoon (mostly between 13:30 and 17:00), lots of shops are closed for lunch and siesta.
To discover the town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols fully, it’s fun to join a guided walking tour.
The beaches and coves
Sant Feliu is all about the sea, beautiful beaches and coves and this is what drives most visitors here.
The main beach in town, Platja de Sant Feliu, is wide and calm and is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It’s right there in the center of town, so it’s easy to reach and there are lots of restaurants and bars nearby, where you can go for a drink or quick bite when you are at the beach.
Around the corner to the north, on the border of Sant Feliu and S’Agaró, you find Platja de Sant Pol, which is equally beautiful and has a couple of restaurants as well.
If you want something a bit more remote, you can head to Cala del Vigatà, where you find crystal-clear water, rocky vibes and the possibility to go snorkeling. It’s a bit harder to get here, but it is so pretty that you’ll forget all about that quickly.
Hiking
Our main reason for going to Sant Feliu de Guíxols was to walk part of the Camí de Ronda. This is a cliffside coastal path along a large part of the Costa Brava with views that take your breath away.
The best route from Sant Feliu is the stretch toward S’Agaró. It’s not difficult, and it takes you past pine trees, hidden beaches, and the dramatic Costa Brava coastline that you will take a million photos of.
We also headed towards Ermita de Sant Elm, from where the views are amazing. Check out the picture below.
If you prefer heading even more into nature, you could go hiking in the Massís de Cadiretes. There are some amazing routes around here with incredible views.
Where to eat
During our stay in Sant Feliu de Guíxols we found some very nice places to eat. Restaurants range from casual tapas bars to fancy spots with sea views, so there is something for everyone. I’ll share my favorite places here with you.
We went for breakfast each morning at Cafetaria La Muralla. This place is very centrally located on Plaça del Mercat. The staff here are very friendly and the sandwiches are great. If you want to get sandwiches to take away, that’s also an option.
For lunch or dinner, there are so many different options to choose from. From Italian to meat-lovers paradise to vegetarian, it’s all there. Since my dad is vegan, we tried Green&Burger and I can totally recommend it. They serve amazing burgers, so if you are into vegetarian food, definitely go there.
We also went to La Bodegueta d’en Ferrer, a tiny local restaurant, that has a very personal vibe. You pay a little more than I’m used to here in Catalonia, but the food was really good.
Platja de Sant Pol has some nice options too. My favourite was Godard. We had an incredible three-course seafood lunch here, shown in the picture below.
Where to stay
In Sant Feliu de Guíxols you’ll find lots of different types of accommodation, from seaside hotels to convenient apartments. If you want to be able to walk everywhere, stay near the old town or the promenade.
We stayed in a really comfortable apartment, that I can totally recommend. It was located very close to Plaça del Mercat and a two-minute walk from Platja de Sant Feliu. You can check it out here: Nuevo Apartamento Moderno Elisa. If you prefer staying in a hotel and want to be right by the sea, take a look at Eden Roc Hotel & Spa by Brava Hoteles. The location is amazing and the staff is super friendly and helpful.
Day trips from Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is a perfect base to explore the rest of the Costa Brava. There is lots to see and do nearby, so it’s easy to mix beach time with some more active days.
There are several beach towns nearby, such as Platja d’Aro, a lively beach town that’s great if you want to go shopping. Another option is Tossa de Mar. This pretty seaside town is known for its medieval walls and castle, sitting dramatically right above the sea. Begur is beautiful too with its historic town center and castle with incredible views. If you are heading there, don’t skip the medieval town of Pals.
If you feel like moving further away from the coast and head inland, you can easily visit Girona, one of my favorite cities in Catalonia. Girona is charming, historic, and great for foodies. The historic old town is full of narrow streets, ancient buildings, and hidden squares. Walk on top of the old city walls for panoramic views, visit the cathedral and take a look at the colorful houses along the river.
If you’re looking for more adventure, you could go diving or snorkeling. The sea around Sant Feliu de Guíxols is amazing, with plenty of marine life. Piscis Diving is the place to go for the best experience. They’re very professional and helpful and know all the best underwater spots here.
Rock climbing along the coast is another adventurous option near Sant Feliu. Via Ferrata Cala del Molí literally runs along the cliffs above the sea, offering ladders, cables, dramatic views, and waves crashing right below you. It’s a spectacular and slightly thrilling way to experience the Costa Brava from a completely different perspective and definitely not something you’ll forget anytime soon. If you’d like to experience it safely and without any hassle, you can easily book a guided Via Ferrata Cala del Molí tour in advance and secure your spot for this unforgettable coastal adventure.
Practical tips
Getting there
The closest airport is Girona Airport, which is just half an hour away from Sant Feliu. The downside of this airport is that it doesn’t have as many flights in winter as it does in summer. So if you are traveling outside of the high season, it’s often a better option (or sometimes even the only option) to fly to Barcelona Airport. From there the easiest way is by rental car. If this isn’t an option for you, there are buses in that direction from Barcelona. You can find all bus information here. Sant Feliu de Guíxols doesn’t have a train station.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Sant Feliu depends on your own preferences, If you are a true sunseeker, you could go during July and August. This is high season though, so if you can, I would recommend against it. Not only because of the crowds, but also because it’s really too hot to do anything else but swim in the ocean.
If you are looking for a time that is lively but not too busy, with comfortable temperatures and lots of sun, May, June and September are perfect. Wintertime can also be amazing, since the sun is still out there quite often and it’s a great time to go hiking in the area. Check out our month by month weather blog for the Costa Brava and Barcelona to get more information on the monthly weather in the area.
Getting around
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is small enough to get around on foot. It gives you a lot of flexibility too. But if you prefer to do some sightseeing out of town, you will need a car.
Final thoughts on visiting Sant Feliu de Guíxols
If you are looking for a beautiful authentic town on the Costa Brava, Sant Feliu de Guíxols is the place to be. It has enough facilities to spend your vacation here comfortably and it’s the kind of place where you can slow down, eat well, swim often, and forget what day it is. The perfect place to spend a relaxing vacation.
