With its long sandy beaches and a myriad of activities and attractions, Sant Antoni de Calonge offers a perfect retreat for holidaymakers seeking a memorable Mediterranean getaway.
Sant Antoni de Calonge. Photo by Timo Tervo.
Originally a fishing village populated from the medieval town of Calonge following a decline in piracy on the Costa Brava, today the town is a busy tourist destination with a long beach in the Bay of Palamós. The beach is a couple of kilometres long with a number of T-shaped breakwaters along its length. They were built to prevent sand erosion, partially caused by the development of the port at Palamós.
However, although there are some buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, the majority of construction in Sant Antoni de Calonge is much more modern.
You can zoom in or click on the icons for more infoThe town’s main beaches, such as Platja de Sant Antoni and Platja de Torre Valentina, offer excellent facilities and a vibrant atmosphere, making them ideal for families, sun-seekers, and water sports enthusiasts. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a cultural experience, this Costa Brava gem has something to offer every holidaymaker. Get ready to create unforgettable memories and immerse yourself in the allure of Sant Antoni de Calonge.
Beaches
Sant Antoni de Calonge is blessed with stunning beaches that cater to a variety of preferences, ensuring a memorable seaside experience for every beach lover. Let’s dive into the details of the main beaches in Sant Antoni de Calonge:
The town’s namesake beach, Platja de Sant Antoni, is a picturesque stretch of golden sand that extends for approximately 1500 metres. With its tranquil waters and gentle slope, it is ideal for families and sun-seekers. This well-maintained beach offers excellent facilities, including sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, and toilets. During the summer months, lifeguards are on duty, ensuring a safe swimming environment.
Located just south of Platja de Sant Antoni, Platja de Torre Valentina is another popular choice for visitors, named after the 16th century watch tower built to warn of pirate attacks. It features a mix of sand and small pebbles, adding a unique texture to the shore. The beach is slightly narrower compared to Sant Antoni Beach but still offers ample space for relaxation and has all the services you’d expect to find on an urban beach. To the south of the beach there are a number of rocky coves worth exploring with a snorkel and facemask.
Both Sant Antoni Beach and Torre Valentina Beach boast excellent facilities, including beach bars and restaurants where you can savour refreshing drinks and delicious meals with a view of the sea. The beaches also offer beach equipment rentals, such as kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling gear, allowing you to make the most of your time on the water. The presence of lifeguards ensures safety, especially for families with children.
During the peak summer season, especially in July and August, the beaches can become quite lively and attract a moderate number of visitors. However, even during these months, the beaches maintain a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, never feeling overwhelmingly crowded. Outside of the high season, you can often enjoy the beaches in a more serene and peaceful setting.
Overall, the beaches of Sant Antoni de Calonge offer a blend of natural beauty, inviting waters, and convenient amenities. Whether you prefer basking in the sun, taking refreshing swims, or embarking on underwater adventures, these beaches provide the perfect setting for a memorable beach holiday.
Where to stay
When it comes to accommodation options in Sant Antoni de Calonge, visitors are spoilt for choice. From hotels to apartments and rental villas, there are options to suit various preferences and budgets. Additionally, if you prefer a more outdoorsy experience, there are campsites available as well.
Hotel Rosamar (Carrer de Sant Antoni, 44) is a charming beachfront hotel offers comfortable rooms with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. It features an outdoor pool, a restaurant serving delicious local cuisine, and a terrace where guests can relax and soak up the sun. Located near the promenade, Hotel Reimar (Av. Torre Valentina) offers cozy rooms with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy the rooftop terrace, which offers panoramic views of the sea, as well as the outdoor pool and bar.
And situated on the outskirts of Sant Antoni de Calonge, Hotel Cap Roig (Av. Andorra, 18) offers a tranquil setting amidst beautiful gardens. The hotel features spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa, and direct access to the beach. It is a great choice for those seeking a relaxing and luxurious stay. For more options check our page on Sant Antoni’s hotels.
If you prefer a self-catering option or more privacy, Sant Antoni de Calonge offers a range of apartments and rental villas. These properties are often privately owned and can be found throughout the town, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience the local lifestyle and enjoy the comforts of a fully equipped home. Many of these accommodations are conveniently located near the beach or in charming residential areas, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay. You get to enjoy your own space and flexibility during your stay. Search for rental properties here.
For those who enjoy camping and being closer to nature, Sant Antoni de Calonge has some excellent campsites to choose from. Camping Cala Gogo (Avinguda d’Andorra, 8-13) is a popular option, offering spacious pitches for tents and campers in a pine covered hills. The campsite has extensive facilities. You can find more camping options here.
Whether you prefer the convenience of a hotel, the flexibility of an apartment or villa, or the outdoor experience of a campsite, Sant Antoni de Calonge has accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. Take your pick and enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable stay in this beautiful Costa Brava town.
Eating in and eating out
In Sant Antoni de Calonge, you’ll find a range of dining options that cater to various tastes, offering superb culinary experiences within the town itself.
For creative modern cooking you might like to try Restaurant La Tastaolletes (Passeig de Josep Mundet, 71). It offers a tasting menu with spectacular looking dishes that taste every bit as good as they look. More traditional is Restaurant Refugi de Pescadors (Passeig de Josep Mundet, 55) a renowned eatery offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Specializing in seafood and traditional Catalan cuisine, this popular establishment showcases fresh catches and local ingredients. With its relaxed ambiance and a focus on culinary traditions, it attracts both locals and visitors seeking a memorable dining experience on the coast. More affordable is Restaurant Can Roc (Carrer de Conrad Vilar, 3), which specialises in freshly prepared local dishes and great service.
If you’re willing to venture slightly beyond Sant Antoni de Calonge, neighbouring towns like Palamós and Platja d’Aro offer additional dining options. In Palamós, you can enjoy fresh seafood at various waterfront restaurants, while Platja d’Aro boasts a vibrant dining scene with a diverse range of international cuisines.
For those opting for self-catering accommodations, Sant Antoni de Calonge has several options for grocery shopping. There are supermarkets such as Día, Bonpreu and Carrefour within the town where you can find a variety of food products, including fresh produce, meats, and pantry essentials. Additionally, there are smaller shops specializing in local products such as wine, cheese, and artisanal goods.
While Sant Antoni de Calonge provides adequate shopping options for day-to-day needs, for a wider variety of products and larger supermarkets, visiting nearby towns like Palamós or Platja d’Aro might be beneficial. These towns offer larger supermarkets and specialized stores, allowing you to find a broader range of food products and household items. And every Wednesday morning the town has a street market on the promenade from 8am.
In summary, Sant Antoni de Calonge offers a selection of enticing restaurants within the town itself, providing diverse culinary experiences from traditional Catalan cuisine to international flavours. Additionally, you’ll find supermarkets and specialty shops within the town, although for a broader shopping experience, exploring nearby towns like Palamós or Platja d’Aro may be advantageous.
What to see and do
In addition to the stunning beaches, Sant Antoni de Calonge offers a variety of activities and attractions to enhance your visit to the Costa Brava. Here are some essential experiences to consider during your stay.
Water Sports: For water sports enthusiasts, Sant Antoni de Calonge provides excellent opportunities. You can engage in activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkelling, exploring the clear waters and discovering the coastal beauty from a different perspective. Rental shops along the beach offer equipment and guided tours, ensuring a thrilling and memorable aquatic adventure.
Historic Sites: Witness the echoes of the past as you wander through the remnants of a Roman villa, dating back to the years between 2 AD and 5 AD when the Romans inhabited this land. Nearby, you’ll find the 12th-century hermitage of Santa Maria del Collet, the remains of a once-thriving monastery. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the iconic Torre Valentina, a 16th-century watchtower that proudly stands, bearing witness to the region’s bygone era. This formidable structure once served as a lookout point, diligently scanning the horizon for any signs of marauding pirate ships. Furthermore, a short distance away lies the medieval town of Calonge, an absolute haven for avid history enthusiasts.
Cycling and Hiking: Explore the scenic landscapes of the Costa Brava by embarking on cycling or hiking adventures. Sant Antoni de Calonge is surrounded by picturesque trails and paths that lead you through vineyards, coastal cliffs, and charming villages. Rent a bike or join a guided tour to experience the natural beauty of the area, or simply take a leisurely walk along the coastal promenade, enjoying breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Golfing: Golf enthusiasts can indulge in their passion at the nearby golf courses. The Costa Brava region is home to several world-class golf clubs, offering stunning views and challenging courses for players of all levels. Spend a day on the greens and enjoy the tranquil surroundings while practicing your swing.
Local Cuisine: Don’t miss the opportunity to savour the delicious local cuisine of Sant Antoni de Calonge. Visit the local restaurants and taverns to sample traditional Catalan dishes, fresh seafood, and regional specialties. Indulge in the local wines and experience the culinary delights that the Costa Brava has to offer.
Sant Antoni de Calonge provides a plethora of activities and attractions, catering to different interests and ensuring a memorable experience for every visitor. From water sports and outdoor adventures to cultural events and gastronomic delights, there is something for everyone in this charming Costa Brava town.
How to get to Sant Antoni de Calonge
Getting to Sant Antoni de Calonge is relatively straightforward whether you’re travelling by car or using public transport. Here are the main options for reaching Sant Antoni de Calonge from different starting points:
If you’re coming from the French border take the AP-7 motorway south, in the direction of Girona. Turn onto the C-65 at junction 7 and head past Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Platja d’Aro until you reach the turnoff for Sant Antoni de Calonge. The drive should take around 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
From Barcelona the most direct route is to take the AP-7 north towards Girona. At junction 9A follow the C-35 in the direction of Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Platja d’Aro and continue past these until you reach the exit for Sant Antoni de Calonge. The drive from Barcelona to Sant Antoni de Calonge takes approximately 90 minutes.
If you’re flying into Barcelona El Prat Airport, you can take a combination of public transport options to reach Sant Antoni de Calonge. From the airport, take the train to Barcelona Sants station. At Barcelona Sants, transfer to a train that goes to Girona. From Girona, you can take a local bus or taxi to Sant Antoni de Calonge. The total travel time can vary but generally takes around 2 to 3 hours.
For those arriving at Girona-Costa Brava Airport, you can easily reach Sant Antoni de Calonge using public transport. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Girona bus or train station. From there, you can catch a local bus or taxi to Sant Antoni de Calonge. The journey typically takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Regardless of the mode of transportation you choose, once you arrive in Sant Antoni de Calonge, you’ll find the town well-connected and easy to navigate on foot or by local transport. Whether you’re arriving from the French border, Barcelona, or the airports, you can look forward to an enjoyable visit to this beautiful Costa Brava town.
