DISCOVER CALELLA DE PALAFRUGELL

What is the history of Calella de Palafrugell?

Undoubtly, Calella de Palafrugell is one of the most beautiful places in the Costa Brava. Although it is currently   known as a village that holds the famous “Cantada de Havaneras” (popular songs from Catalan sailors immigrated to Cuba), Calella was born as a small sailors’ village.  So much so that, according with History, in the middle XVIII century, many inhabitants from Palafrugell moved to this coast area to fight against pirates’ attacks and, in this way, the urban center of Calella de Palafrugell was born. Many historical documents we currently have in the Municipal Archives tell us that Calella de Palafrugell already had people living there by 1746.

We cannot forget that this village has always been linked to the cork Industry for which, during some time, Calella de Palafrugell was also a small custom port helping Palafrugell to export its products.

For this reason, about the end of XIX century, Calella de Palafrugell already had its own church and school.

After some time, mainly by the middle XX century, Calella de Palafrugell became a summer place for many bourgeois families who had bought properties just in front of the sea, en areas such as Platja del Canadell among others. Obviously, this was an improvement for the local economy, as many   fishermen could rent and sell their small houses in front of the sea.

Nowadays, Calella de Palafrugell keeps its all its charm of a small fishing village and, rambling by their streets moves as back to the past.

What are its beaches?

Among its most crowded beaches, we can find: la Platja del Canadell, el Port Pelegrí, La platgeta, Platja de’n Calau, Platja del Golfet, Platja del Portbo o de les Barques, port de la Malaespina, Platja de Sant Roc o dels Canyers. Close to Calella de Palafrugell, we can find Llafranch.

What activities can we do?

Among the well-known activities of the village, apart from visiting the abovementioned beaches and walk by their “caminos de ronda” (narrow paths just bording the coast rocks), we can enjoy its fantastic dishes (with tipical ones such as “suquet de peix”(kind of fish soup with portions of fish apart) ,  “garoinada” (sea urchins), among others). We can also rent promenades by small ships, sailing and snorkel or cycling.

All of which, without forgetting big festivals and shows like the traditional “Cantada de Havaneras” (singing the fishermen’ songs from those who migrated to Cuba) and the recent “Festival de Caproig”.