Begur

The picturesque town of Begur nestles in the hillside under its 16 th Century fortified castle, many of the narrow cobbled streets at its base are now pedestrianized and the hub of the town itself. With wonderful views of the sea it is set 700ft above sea level and close to many different sandy coves and bays. The old center of the town is the main entertainment area with numerous bars and restaurants and a couple of nightclubs. During the high season there is a wealth of entertainment aimed at all ages from puppet shows, face painting etc., for the children to traditional Catalan 'sardanas' dancing in the square during the evenings.

In fact the church square plays a major role in all activities during the summer and is the location of artisan markets, art fairs, classical concerts, the weekly market each Wednesday, the open air disco (for all ages from 8 to 80 !!) In fact the place to meet friends have fun or simply watch the world go by.         

The fact that the local beaches are all relatively small and the hilly land has helped keep the area relatively unspoilt. There are no high rise developments in this area, all development is low key and mostly privately owned. Because the area is unsuitable for large tour operators, there is none of the commercial mass development that is prevalent in other locations along the Costa Brava. The Local Authority has an active 'Green' environmentally friendly policy, with strict planning regulations maintaining the overall charm of the area. The pine forests, which give the beaches their unique backdrop, are protected and together with the naturally rugged coastline make these some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Unlike other parts of Spain these distinctive beaches along this part of the Costa Brava are stunning withoutthe crowds; within the immediate area of ​​Begur town there are some wonderful coastal villages all of which were at one time fishing villages. Each is distinct now with a unique charm, some larger than others but all with a genuine Spanish ambience with small restaurants, bars and shops just a stone's throw from the unspoilt beaches. The beaches of each little bay are all distinct and have their own individual charms, some larger than others, some more lively than others, all with crystal clear water and wonderful scenery. Aigua Blava and Fornells lie to the South of Begur, the beach at Aigua Blava is a gently sloping and sheltered, sandy beach with crystal clear waters. There are moorings in the bay and a small jetty allowing yachts men to pull up for a lazy lunch in one of the small restaurants on the tiny beach. Around the head lies Fornells with its sheltered harbor and rugged sandy beach, one of the most picturesque areas of the entire Costa Brava.

The next bay to the south is Tamariu, originally a fishing village, though larger than Aigua Blava, it has a number of converted fisher man's houses at the beachside, with bars and restaurants yet still retains its charm and distinctive identity. There are no high rise developments or English fish and chip shops. There are some small hotels and guest-houses catering for tourists. It is a great place to come in the evening to watch the sunset and try the local tapas.  

Agua Gelida is close to Tamariu, yet far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet of the wonderful scenery yet close enough to enjoy the delights of the nearby bars and restaurants. Coastal walks and forest tracks are amongst the most beautiful in Spain, the scenery is spectacular and totally unspoilt making it one of the most desirable holiday locations.

Casa de Campo is a quiet inland area with a small number of privately owned villas set amongst the pine forest. With walks through forest paths and country drives to the beaches it is a nature lover's dream location.

Pallafrugell is the nearest large town. About 4 km from the coast, Pallafrugell is a typically Spanish town, with all the facilities of a market town. On Sunday morning it is home to a huge market, which takes place all year round. During the week there is a covered market with a fabulous selection of fruit, vegetables, fish and shellfish, meat and poultry. The medieval center of the town is pedestrianized and is the main shopping area. There are numerous bars and restaurants serving typical Catalan dishes and tapas. There are a number of supermarkets and specialist shops where you should be able to find anything you may need. The central town square offers a venue for street entertainment check it out during the Sunday morning market.

Calella is the largest of Pallafrugells beach resorts. Today's village was built on the hills behind the original fishing village. The beachside walk under the ancient arches now houses many of the busy local bars and seafood restaurants. A number of working fishing boats still pull up on the beach at the end of a day at sea. Whilst bigger and busier than many of the other villages along this coast, Calella de Pallafrugell is still low rise, low key with no mass development. Just along the coast is the next little village of Llafranc, a small crescent shaped bay with a tree-lined promenade. The population of Llafranc is mainly made up of second home owners from Barcelona and tourists seeking a more tranquil environment. Llafranc is an easy walk by a coastal path to Calella.

To the North of Begur only 2.5 km away is the tiny bay of Sa Tuna with deep sides this dramatic sand and shingle beach is a sheltered oasis set in a deep ravine over looked by La Borna. Just along the coast, the next bay is also only a few minutes' drive from Begur to the north, more open than Sa Tuna, Sa Reira with a large sandy beach, with crystal clear water, ideal for swimming and water sports. To one side, there are fishing boats pulled up onto the sand giving it a distinctly traditional fishing village atmosphere. Up behind the beach is a small village, with shops, bars and restaurants. Whilst Sa Reira is one of the busier of the beaches in the area it still retains its charm. It is low rise, low density, with no mass development, still green and gorgeous.

About fifteen minutes to the North of Begur lies Medieval Pals. Inland, overlooking the plains to the south of the Pyrenees this historical village is a jewel in medieval architecture. Well worth a visit if you need to take a break from the beach and need a taste of history. On the Coast you will find the fairly large resort of Platja de Pals with a very long sandy beach that stretches for miles this resort town is popular all year round particularly with anglers and golfers who have three excellent courses within easy reach. Livelier than the smaller villages to the South, Pals beach still retains a Spanish atmosphere.