Palamós: Fishing Culture, Coast and History

History

The Poblat ibèric de Castell was a fortified Iberian settlement founded in the 6th century BC. Its economy developed through trade with Empúries.

Castell de Sant Esteve was built over a Roman villa. It was first mentioned in 1063. The castle is situated in a scenically privileged location facing the sea, on a cliff between La Fosca beach and Cala S’Alguer.

The old town centre of Sant Joan, the Nucli antic de Sant Joan, developed from farmhouses and craftsmen’s homes around the square and church.

Cala S’Alguer is a traditional fishing settlement. It is located in the municipality of Palamós in Baix Empordà. The settlement lies between La Fosca and Castell beach, near the former Castell de Sant Esteve de Mar.

Maritime Heritage

The Museu de la Pesca presents the past, present and future of fishing in a permanent exhibition. Its activities include offerings related to maritime and fishing life on the Costa Brava. The exhibition’s temporal perspective therefore encompasses both historical developments and the present and future of this area of life.

The Barques del Peix complement the Museu de la Pesca as a floating museum. The boats are museum vessels that can be visited.

The Espai del Peix offers sessions on identifying, preparing and cooking fish. Courses, show cookings and workshops are also available. Tastings of traditional fish dishes are likewise among the offerings listed there.

Visits are offered from the Museu de la Pesca. During these visits, you can see and learn about how the fish auction at the Palamós fish market hall operates.

The Museu de la Pesca regularly organises guided visits to Castell de Sant Esteve.

Coast

The Camí de Ronda begins at Platja Gran. It climbs towards Pedró. The path runs eastwards along the coast and continues towards Cap Roig.

In Palamós, sandy beaches, rocky coves and mixed coves are easily accessible on foot and by vehicle.

Landscape

The Espai Natural Castell-Cap Roig is a 1,100-hectare Mediterranean woodland on the coast. The area extends across Palamós, Calella de Palafrugell and Mont-ras.

Cap Gros is a 74-metre-high promontory. It drops steeply to the sea like a cliff and offers views of the Illes Formigues, Castell and La Fosca.

The coast therefore combines sandy beaches, rocky coves and mixed coves with Mediterranean woodland and a promontory that descends steeply like a cliff.

More destinations

Other places include Mollet de Peralada, Rabós, Tortellá, Blanes, Les Planes D'hostoles, Santa Cristina De Aro, Lladó and Gualta.

To the higher-level travel overview: Girona.