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Calonge on the Costa Brava has two main areas with the old town of Calonge set just inland and the resort of Sant Antoni de Calonge by the sea. The old Medieval town of Calonge, known as La Vila, has several interesting buildings including a Gothic Castle and fascinating Churches, and there are many walks you can do around the town. The harbour area of Sant Antoni de Calonge has become a tourist resort, with excellent beaches and is located on a long between the fishing port of Palamos to the North East and a rocky headland to the South West, which separates the resort from Playa de Aro. Both Girona and Barcelona are within easy reach, making the are very accessible.
Beaches
San Antoni de Calonge has a wide, exposed arc of fine sand, backed by a promenade, and stretches for almost two miles - it has 4 separate sections: the central section (known as Playa de San Antonio) has 2 distinct shallow areas protected by 3 large breakwaters making it ideal for families with young children. There are numerous bars and cafes along the promenade and on the beach it is possible to hire out sunbeds and parasols, as well as the usual pedaloes!Eating Out
The resort has a wide array of eating establishments, serving everything from local Catalan cuisine, to all types of International food, and some excellent fish restaurants. Head off into the countryside to sample more traditional, typical Catalan dishes, which include escudella, a soup containing chick peas, potatoes, vegetables and Catalan sausage (e.g. botifarra), calcots (similar to leeks and often eaten with a sauce), and escalivada, which is a dish consisting of several types of grilled vegetables.
Leisure
San Antoni de Calonge offers all the usual water sports facilities, including water skiing and sailing. The Costa Brava offers some of the best diving in Spain, and with an abundance of interesting sites along its rugged coastline, has something to offer divers with all levels of training and experience. Golf in the Costa Brava is second to none and it has received the distinction of being the world's best emerging golf destination, there being 9 courses in the vicinity.If you are looking for a fun packed day out, head off to Water World at Lloret de Mar, Europe’s biggest water park complex with a multitude of water amusements, its own restaurant, bars, cafeterias, a souvenir shop and mini-golf course.
Markets are held on Wednesdays in Sant Antoni and on Thursdays in Calonge.
Places to Visit
Palafrugell is a lively cork-manufacturing town near the coast, where a large market is held on Sundays. There are 19th Century and Modernist buildings, and the former Armstrong factory now houses a Cork museum. Just on the coast, pleasant tourist and residential areas lining the seafront have evolved from former fishing villages, including Aguia Xelida, Tamariu and Llafranc, which has a Marina, and are all worth a visit. Another such resort is Calella de Palafrugell, well known for the traditional architecture of its archways, and for its traditional sing-songs, at which havaneres (sea shanties) are accompanied by cremate (coffee flambéed with rum). A festival of havaneres is held in July. No visit to Catalonia would be complete without a visit to its Capital, Barcelona – boasting 50 museums and galleries, 2 amusement parks, 2 luxury marinas, a zoo, 53 parks and gardens and over 2,300 restaurants!! A Tourist Bus connects 18 of the most popular attractions in this unique city, considered to be one of Europe’s top destinations. |
