Palafrugell, source of Mediterranean inspiration

Palafrugell is a municipality in the Alt Empordà region of Girona located in the heart of the Costa Brava . Located 110 kilometers from the French city of Perpignan and 125 kilometers from Barcelona, it has four main districts around its center, such as Llofriu inland, and Llafranc , Tamariu and Calella de Palafrugell along the coast.  

The town of Palafrugell is the administrative center of the town and is located between the Gavarres massif , the Begur mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. At the foot of Llofriu , in the forest of the Gavarres massif , holm oaks and cork oaks have fed the cork industry worldwide from the 19th century to the present day. However, from the 50s and 60s of the last century, the emergence of mass tourism was gaining ground in the economy of the area and is currently its main source of income.

Illustrious people in Palafrugell

The extraordinary writer and journalist, Josep Pla , favorite son of Palafrugell, father of modern Catalan literature and intrepid traveler, grew up and lived much of his years between the family farmhouse of Mas Pla in the interior and the house of summer in Calella de Palafrugell . Pla published in 1941 the Guide to the Costa Brava , reflecting in his work and in other publications that followed it, all the beauty and magic of the landscapes of this emblematic region of the Catalan coast .

Precisely in Calella de Palafrugell , considered one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Spain and the entire Mediterranean Sea, was the stage where the Barcelona singer-songwriter, Joan Manuel Serrat , was inspired to compose his album 50 years ago more universal. In the now defunct Hotel Batlle , the first lyrics and chords of “ Mediterrani ” were born in 1970 , the anthem of Spanish song for many generations and a tribute to the freedom of the sea in its fullest expression.

The jewel of the Costa Brava

Calella de Palafrugell continues to preserve its wonderful maritime charm despite the fact that every year it is visited by thousands of tourists attracted by its climate and pleasant atmosphere in a privileged natural environment. In this old fishing village of about 800 inhabitants you can find some of the best beaches and coves on the Costa Brava , being one of the most sought after destinations on the Catalan coast. In recent years, buying a house in Palafrugell , both on the coast and in its rural area, has become the object of desire for many of its domestic and foreign visitors.

The beautiful old quarter of Calella , declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest , consists of a set of narrow streets surrounded by white two-story houses with white walls decorated with flowers. It is the quintessential seafaring district of the town and most of the houses still belong to the families of fishermen who have managed to maintain their essence and authenticity over the centuries. Notable for its architecture, "the times" , features vaulted arches located in first line sea where sailors once used to work.

Just in front of the arches of the seafront is the picturesque beach of Port Bo , also known by locals as the beach of boats . It is the most central beach in the town and here the traveler can enjoy a dip in its crystal clear waters, surrounded both in the sea and in the sand by the small and colorful fishing boats so typical of Palafrugell . The traditional international meeting of habaneras takes place here every summer , a musical genre born in Cuba in the first half of the 19th century, where many Catalans emigrated in search of prosperity. 

Josep Pla lived in a house a few steps from Port Bo , next to Canadell beach . About her, he wrote in one of his texts: " One of the greatest delights of the Canadell is to go, having eaten, to lie down for a couple of hours, in the shade of the belly of a boat ." It is the largest sandy beach in Palafrugell and from its beautiful promenade you can still admire the houses and porches with colorful doors where fishermen kept their boats and fishing gear. It is also an ideal place to savor the exquisite Empordà cuisine in the various restaurants specializing in fish and seafood in the region.  

Camí de Ronda

To discover all the charm of the rocky Costa Brava with its transparent turquoise waters surrounded by Mediterranean forest, there is no better way than to do it along its circular paths . From Calella there are two that are well worth it. The first and easiest is through a wide walk that ends in the beautiful fishing village of Llafranc . The route is 1.5 kilometers long and lasts approximately 20 minutes . The other, 3 kilometers or 45 minutes at a brisk pace, starts at Canadell beach and ends at the spectacular Cap Roig Gardens . The panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea along the entire route and from the top of the garden viewpoints are unforgettable.

Do you want to buy real estate in Palafrugell to spend a few months of vacation there during the year or to settle there permanently? Contact our real estate agency in Palafrugell who will find you the apartment, house or villa of your dreams.