Calella de Palafrugell

The oldest remains in the municipality of Palafrugell are the dolmen of Llafranc, which dates from a quarter of a millennium B.C., and the Iberian settlement of the Sant Sebastià de la Guarda Lighthouse from the 6th century B.C.

Calella originated as a fishing village and had to face the attacks of pirates and privateers. In order to avoid them, they built several watchtowers, some of which, although extremely restored, still form part of the area’s houses and mansions.

Tourist colonisation began in the decade of the 60s in the 20th century and, although in a reasonably tame manner compared with other towns on the Costa Brava, has continued up to the present.

The most characteristic and most photographed place in the region is the historic settlement of Port Bo and Les Voltes, a street with porches and large arches facing the sea, which joins together several old fishermen’s houses. In the present day, the street-level premises of the houses are home to restaurants which specialise in seafood cuisine.

From there, several narrow streets unfold which lead towards the Sant Pere church, a place of worship from the end of the 19th century painted white which boasts a large clock on its belfry.

Among the original houses in the town, the Casa Rocamora stands out, nestled into the rocks and separating the En Calau beach from La Platjeta; Casa Verdaguer also stands out, which was built at the end of the 19th century as an extension of some old baths and which is also on the rocks, between the beaches of Port Pelegrí and Sant Roc, and Casa Sagrera, of a Neoclassical style.

The Passeig del Canadell, located next to the beach which bears the same name and to the north of the one at Port Bo, is a curious combination of houses which, despite being of very different styles, create a harmonious ensemble.

Another of the characteristics of Calella are the guardabots, some buildings, like cellars, that can be found on several beaches. In the old days, they were used to keep watch over the boats and the fishing equipment, but nowadays most of them have been converted into bars, restaurants or small dwellings.

At the southernmost point of the area, and inside the Espai Natural Protegit de Castell-Cap Roig (Protected Natural Area of Castell-Cap Roig), the Gardens of Cap Roig roll out, a spectacular botanical garden located on a small cape. As well as the collection of plants, it has several vantage points which provide magnificent views over the coastline, the sea and the small archipelago of Formigues.

Calella has several beaches and coves with medium-grain sand and with a seabed which is extremely interesting for those who love snorkelling.

Among the main ones, the beaches that stand out are Port Pelegrí where there's also an excellent restaurant on the sand and a diving centre; Canadell, with its characteristic guardabots, and Golfet, which is reached via one of the most beautiful sections of the coastal path.

The coastal path, which traces the Costa Brava, is especially beautiful as it passes through this region and allows you to reach Llafranc and Cap Roig proving to be a pleasant walk.

Lovers of diving will find very good dives in the area, which are characterised by their great rocky walls full of gorgonians.

One of the best way to discover the coastline of Calella and to reach its small paradisiacal coves is to rent a kayak at the beaches of Port Pelegrí or Canadell.

Palafrugell has three locations which are classed as Cultural Heritage of National Interest: the Tower of Sant Sebastià and the Tower of Can Mario, under the category of Historic Monuments, and Port Bo in Calella, under the category of Historic Site.

On the headland of Sant Sebastià stands the oldest watchtower in the municipality. Started in 1441, on the ground floor there was a chapel dedicated to the town's martyr saint. In the 18th century, the sanctuary was built and a new church was incorporated along with guest quarters to receive pilgrims from all over the country.

The Sant Martí parish church has a main body and some lateral chapels which date from the 15th century, the late Gothic era. The main façade, the unfinished bell tower and one part of the work which was added in the midday area date from the 17th and 18th centuries in a Baroque style.

The museum offering in Palafrugell is varied. As well as the Museu del Suro (Cork Museum), you can visit the Espai d'Art Contemporani Can Mario (Vila Casas Foundation) in the building which was previously the headquarters of the cork company: Manufacturas de Corcho S. A. The municipality is also home to the Josep Pla Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of this writer who absolutely loved the Empordà.

As for archaeology, in a pine forest some twenty minutes from Llafranc is the Can Mina dels Torrents dolmen, which dates from between 3400 and 3000 B.C. In 1960, in the mountain of Sant Sebastià, they found the remains of an Iberian settlement which is still being excavated.