Marine Districts and Villages of Catalonia

The municipality of Begur is located at 200 metres above sea level, on the massif of the same name, located between Gavarres and the coast. Here, on the coast, are some of the most admired coves and beaches of the Costa Brava. There are still some fishermen's huts, which are a reminder of the importance that fishing had in towns such as Sa Riera or Sa Tuna and which give them a charming atmosphere.

The town extends around the impressive Medieval castle, dating back to the 11th century, surrounded by narrow, winding streets that lead up to the fortresses ruins, through a rough and capricious orography. The town's defence towers are its referential historic elements.

True attractions of the municipality are the beaches (both the busy ones and the calm ones), the water sports, the cuisine (which is the star feature of the Costa Daurada) and the festive and traditional vitality.

Must-sees include Parque Samà, a real botanical gem, and the different parts of the Cambrils History museum.

This municipality has been awarded the specialised DTF (Destino de Turismo Familiar/Family Tourism Destination) seal, given by the Catalan Tourist Board. During the holidays, family-friendly accommodation and hospitality is available alongside appropriate entertainment and leisure.

The coast of L’Ametlla de Mar, sixteen kilometres in length, is a charming and virgin landscape. This niche of Baix Ebre was no more than a strategic location for defence towers against pirates, until in the 19th century it became the residence of a few families of fishermen from Valencia. It rapidly became an important hub for commercial exchanges with Cambrils, Tarragona and Reus.

Since the first agrarian and fishermen’s cooperatives were created (the harbour was built in 1920), its growth has been significant and the town still preserves, despite the emerging commerce and unavoidable modernisation, the appearance of fishing village it had when it was created. Today, fishing and tourism are the municipality’s two main sources of income.

L’Escala is located to the south of the gulf of Roses, bordering the Baix Empordà region, at just two kilometres of the famous ruins of Empúries. Like other coastal towns, since ancient times its main activity has been fishing: the local anchovy is one of the most appreciated products of Catalan seafood gastronomy.

The municipality still preserves all the charm of the old quarter, contoured by a singular seafront path and beaches with personality such as Montgó, where the famous defence tower of the same name is located.

Caterina Albert i Paradís (1869-1966), the author of Solitude and more well-known by the man’s pen name Víctor Català, is the town’s most distinguished daughter.

Les Cases d'Alcanar, también conocido como Les Cases, es una población que pertenece al municipio de Alcanar, aunque sus habitantes se sienten muy arraigados a sus propias tradiciones. Los orígenes de Les Cases d'Alcanar se remontan al pequeño núcleo de pescadores construido alrededor de una antigua torre de vigilancia contra las incursiones piratas en la costa del Ebro. Derribada por los británicos en la invasión napoleónica, en el mismo lugar se levantó la iglesia de San Pedro Pescador, corazón del barrio marinero.

Hoy, Les Cases d'Alcanar disfruta de un tranquilo espíritu marinero y destaca por sus playas vírgenes, poco masificadas, que, junto con el clima plácido todo el año y la deliciosa gastronomía tradicional marinera basada en pescado y mariscos frescos con arroz D. O. Delta de l'Ebre, son atractivos que no dejarán indiferente a ningún viajero.

Palamós, a fishing town par excellence, is one of the most appreciated tourist destinations of the Costa Brava.

To the renowned attraction of the beaches, we should add the leisure and sports possibilities that the municipality has to offer, a very wide range of night-time leisure, renowned local gastronomy with the Palamós prawn as the main ingredient and a firm commitment to preserving its historic heritage, much of its kept at the Fishing Museum.

Nor should we forget the old quarter and the possibilities of having contact with nature provided by the proximity of the massif of Gavarres.

A coastal profile with first-class beaches, a number of good routes that allow you to discover the variety of landscapes of the area, emblematic buildings (such as the Neoclassical Glorieta, which offers magnificent views) and a seafood cuisine that grants deserved prominence to king prawns and mantis shrimp, are some of the attractions of Sant Carles de la Ràpita.

In Sant Pol de Mar, you'll discover a fishermen's town, with white houses and narrow, quiets streets, rocky bays and heavy-grained sand beaches bathed with crystal-clear waters. Strolling along the stepped streets of the Old Town will allow you to marvel at the rich architectural heritage of Catalan Art Nouveau buildings, such as the old escoles, or schools, where you can appreciate the great beauty of the handcrafted ironwork. A walk along the seafront following the coastline to La Punta or a route to Calella along the coastal path allow visitors to discover the breath-taking beauty of its exceptional surroundings.

The main architectural attractions in the World Heritage Site city are Roman: the walls, the amphitheatre, the theatre, the hippodrome, the Pretorio tower, the pre-Christian necropolis and local and provincial forums, all in the historic town centre. What's more, on the outskirts, it is possible to see the Mèdol quarry, the aqueduct on the Devil's bridge and the Escipiones mausoleum.

On the other hand, don't miss the chance to visit the cathedral of Santa María and the Canals and Castellarnau houses.

The municipality's nineteen kilometres of coastline boast fabulous beaches such as la Llarga, la Rabassada or l'Arboçar, as well as natural spaces such as the mouth of the Gaià and Tamarit-Punta de la Mora, location of Tamarit castle and the Mora tower.

The beaches that surround the town to the north and south are excellent, some due to the quality of the services on offer and others due to the almost virgin environment. The municipality's heritage includes Roman remains, Modernista buildings and airs of avant-garde artistic bohemia.

Hollywood diva Ava Gardner walked on the granular sand of Gran beach in 1950 to film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman. That might be reason enough for film fans to come and explore the municipality.

Known as Havana xica (Little Havana) in the 19th century, Vilanova i la Geltrú is today one of the country's leading capitals of popular and traditional culture. Els Tres Tombs and the town's carnival, declared a Heritage Festival of National Interest, are just some of the events that have made the capital of El Garraf a point of reference. The splendid seafront promenade, where colonial style buildings live in harmony with fishermen's houses, its Rambla, the city's social and retail hub, its wide range of fish and seafood culinary offerings and the famous xató dish make Vilanova a place to visit and return to.