Things to do in Palamós

Palamós is a working harbour on the central Costa Brava, 8.5 km south of Palafrugell. Founded in 1279 by Peter III of Aragon, it saw a Catalan fleet win a naval battle just offshore in 1285. Its own fleet still catches the Palamós prawns.

The harbour

The harbour carries commercial traffic as well as fishing, and the old port is ringed by bars and restaurants. The Fishing Museum, opened in 2002, fills an old Tinglado warehouse in the fishing port. Moored boats extend the museum onto the water.

Coves on foot

From La Fosca beach you can follow the Camí de Ronda, a walkers-only coastal path. It runs north along the shore.

• La Fosca. A beach, and the start of the path.
• Cala s'Alguer. Fishermen's huts at the water's edge, in use since the 16th century and protected as a cultural asset of national interest.
• Platja del Castell. A protected natural beach just northeast of town. An Iberian settlement on its headland was inhabited from about the 6th century BC into Roman times.

Day trips

Most tours from Palamós are full days built on Dalí's museum in Figueres, paired with Cadaqués or Sant Pere de Rodes. Others go inland to Besalú or Peralada. Days run eight to eleven hours, in small groups or privately, and some collect guests at Palamós hotels.

Practical

• Weather. Highs reach about 13C in January and 29C in July. The sea is near 22C in July and 24C in August.
• Getting there. There is no train station. Sarfa buses run from Barcelona in about two hours and from Girona in 50 minutes to 1 hour 15. Girona-Costa Brava airport is about 45 km away.
• Walking. The GR 92 footpath covers about 17 km south to Sant Feliu de Guíxols and 22 km north to Begur.
• Eating. The Palamós prawn is a deep-water red prawn. Look for it on harbour-front menus.