Palamós
Palamós, Girona
The little town of Palamós is a popular Costa Brava vacation choice for independent travelers, and the small cruise port makes it a jump-off point for shore excursions to the Costa Brava and historic Girona. Palamós’ pretty fishing harbor is known for its prawns, but the town offers more than just good seafood. Relax on golden sand beaches, visit rocky coves, and stroll the historic town center.
The basics
From its wealth of restaurants to the fish market and the Fishing Museum (Museu de la Pesca), the Mediterranean is at the heart of the Palamós experience. Enjoy sun on the sand at Gran Playa or Platja de Castell, or try Cala S’Alguer or the clothing-optional Cala Estreta for a quieter experience. The town dates back to the 13th century, and historic buildings include the Church of Santa Maria del Mar (Parroquia de Santa María de Palamós) and the ruined Castle of St. Stephen (Castillo de San Esteban de Mar).
Boat trips and cycle tours are a great way to discover the Costa Brava, but you can also visit Palamós via car or bus from Barcelona or Girona. Some tours include a stop in Palamós and nearby Figueres, an hour or so north.
Things to know before you go
Palamós is a good choice for sunseekers, beach lovers, and seafood fans.
As in Barcelona, Catalans dine relatively late: Costa Brava restaurants typically don’t open until 7:30pm and are often quiet until around 9pm.
Palamós is quite hilly but reasonably wheelchair-friendly.
How to get there
Palamós sits on the Costa Brava, about a 30-mile (50-kilometer) drive up the coast from Lloret del Mar and slightly closer to the inland city of Girona. There are direct buses from Barcelona (2 hours) and Girona (75 minutes), but Palamós doesn’t have a train station: Many travelers find that driving independently to be the best way to explore the Costa Brava.
When to get there
The Costa Brava is an extremely popular summer vacation choice for Spanish and European travelers. If you’re not tied down by school calendars, visit in May, September, or even October, when the weather is still mellow but the beaches are less crowded.
Hiking the Camino de Ronda (Camí de Ronda)
Hiking is a great way to discover the Costa Brava, and the Camino de Ronda (Camí de Ronda) is a walking circuit that runs along the coast from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Begur via towns—including Palamós. You can do the hike as an 8-day round-trip from Girona, or walk 1-way along the coast for part of a day or as long as three days. Stunning sea views are guaranteed year-round.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!