Sant Pol de Mar: Beaches, Culture and Festivals

Coast and Nature

There is a sailing club immediately next to Platja de les Barques in Sant Pol de Mar. Platja de la Murtra is located near a protected area for crested cormorants. La Platjola is protected by the promenade of La Punta and is located close to the town centre of Sant Pol de Mar. Playa de Sant Pol is an urban beach next to the town centre and the parking area.

Culture and Architecture

The Church of Sant Pau dates back to the 11th century and preserves structural elements from the 6th and 10th centuries. The Museu de Pintura de Sant Pol de Mar has around 200 works. Each year, the museum presents or produces four exhibitions. Its various multidisciplinary cultural activities include talks, guided tours with commentary, children's workshops and concerts.

The architectural heritage of Sant Pol de Mar includes maritime, Romanesque, neoclassical, Modernist, Noucentista and contemporary architecture. Can Planiol is an example of Modernist architecture in Sant Pol de Mar. Residents who returned from America during the Indiano period had houses built in Sant Pol de Mar as symbols of the prosperity they had acquired through their travels.

The buildings and periods mentioned combine religious, maritime and contemporary historical references. Alongside the Church of Sant Pau, the museum, Can Planiol and the houses from the Indiano period represent different ways in which the town's history is reflected in its present-day architectural and cultural heritage.

Festivals and Events

The Fira de Sant Pau takes place on 25 January. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages. The Marxa de Sant Pau takes place on the Sunday after Sant Pau. Sant Pol de Mar's spring programme includes the gastronomic Fira de la Maduixa. The same spring programme also includes a Mostra Gastronòmica.

The Festa Major de Sant Jaume is celebrated on 25 July. This festival includes fireworks, dances, as well as cultural and festive activities; the Fira d'Art de Sant Jaume also takes place.

The events calendar thus combines a fixed date in January, the following Sunday, gastronomic events in spring and the festival on 25 July. Art, gastronomy, dance, fireworks and the medieval origins of the Fira de Sant Pau mark different thematic highlights within the annual programme.

Maritime History and Routes

The Sant Pol de Mar tourist information office provides information about beaches, nature, culture, heritage, sport and other visitor services. It offers guided tours. The guided tour El Sant Pol dels Pescadors is offered in July, August and September. It leads to various places connected with maritime activity and former fishermen.

Firamar includes demonstrations of maritime crafts, stalls selling handcrafted products, talks and thematic conferences, as well as a guided route.

You can find more destinations at Viladellops, Gallifa, Muntanyola, Castellar del Vallès, Sentmenat, Sant Pere Sallavinera, Sant Marçal and Santa Perpetua De Moguda.

Stage 3 of the Via Marina route of the Way of Saint James passes through Sant Pol de Mar.

For the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.