Sant Feliu de Guíxols is an old port town that traditionally relied upon the cork industry that since the 1950s has relied heavily on tourism. Today it is one of the major centres of tourism on the Costa Brava, benefitting from stretches of sandy beach between rocky outcrops.
The harbour at Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Photo by IMBiblio.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is a charming Costa Brava resort offering a quieter and more relaxed holiday experience compared to some of the more bustling resorts in the area. With its beautiful sandy beaches and rocky coves, it’s a popular choice for families and couples who enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the local coastline.
The town itself is relatively active throughout the year, with a busy Sunday market, but the summer is when tourism takes over. The town consists of a jumble of narrow streets with many old buildings giving some real character with a beach protected by the harbour wall.
To the north is the beach of Sant Pol and then the gated community of s’Agaró, dominated on the Sant Pol side by 5-star Hostal de la Gavina, which has been a firm favourite of the Hollywood set since the 1950s. The seafront at Sant Pol beach is rather picturesque with rows of brightly coloured beach huts near La Taverna Del Mar restaurant, which is expensive but offers excellent seafood dishes right next to the sea with service to match.
Accommodation options in Sant Feliu de Guíxols include a range of hotels, apartments, and villas, many of which are located within easy walking distance of the town centre and the beach. Restaurants in the area offer a mix of traditional Catalan cuisine, seafood, and international dishes, and there are plenty of bars and cafes for a leisurely drink or snack.
For those looking for activities, there are plenty of options available in Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The town’s historic streets and buildings offer an insight into the area’s rich history, and there are regular cultural events and festivals throughout the year. The town is also a great base for water sports enthusiasts, with scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing all on offer.
If you’re interested in the town’s history, there are several historic sites to explore, including the 10th-century Benedictine Monastery of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, which is now a museum, the 17th century municipal hospital and the old railway station.
Overall, Sant Feliu de Guíxols is an ideal choice for those looking for a quieter, more relaxed holiday experience on the Costa Brava, with plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, activities, and cultural events to enjoy.
Beaches
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is home to several beautiful beaches, each with its own unique charm. The main beach in Sant Feliu de Guíxols is Platja de Sant Feliu, a long and wide sandy beach that is ideal for families. The beach has good facilities, including showers, sun loungers, and parasols for rent, and there are a number of bars and restaurants on the promenade. It can get quite busy during the peak season, but there is plenty of space to relax and enjoy the sun and the harbour wall offers some protection against the wind.
Another popular beach in the area is Platja de Sant Pol, a smaller, quieter cove located just to the south of Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The beach is known for its clear turquoise waters and is a great spot for snorkelling and other water sports. The beach has good facilities, including beach huts, showers, a play area for kids and there are a number of restaurants and bars on the promenade. The beach is surrounded by protected dunes, making it a picturesque spot to spend the day.
Cala Vigatà is another small, secluded cove located just to the south-west of Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The beach is rocky rather than sandy, but its crystal-clear waters make it a popular spot for swimming and snorkelling. The cove is surrounded by cliffs and pine trees, giving it a wild and natural feel, and there are no facilities on the beach, so visitors will need to bring their own food and drink. It is reached by rather steep brick and stone steps, so not suitable for everyone.
Overall, the beaches in Sant Feliu de Guíxols offer a mix of sandy and rocky coves, with good facilities and a range of water sports available. While some beaches can get quite busy during the peak season, there are plenty of quieter spots to explore, and the area is particularly good for snorkelling and swimming.
Where to stay
Sant Feliu de Guíxols offers a range of accommodation options for visitors, including hotels, apartments, rental villas, and campsites.
If you’re looking for an unpretentious family run hotel near the beach then Can Segura Hotel fits the bill perfectly. The hotel’s restaurant specialises in fish and seafood and it’s just 100 metres from the sand. If you prefer the beach at Sant Pol then Hotel Sant Pol on the promenade is perfectly situated. It also has a popular restaurant serving local dishes. And the 4-star Hotel Eden Roc is surrounded by gardens on a rocky peninsula with pool and restaurant. Also see our page on Sant Feliu’s hotels.
For those looking for self-catering options, there are plenty of apartments and rental villas available in and around Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Some popular choices include the Apartaments Els Tinars, which are located just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, and the Villas Costa Brava, a collection of luxury villas with private pools.
Camping options in the town itself are limited to Camping Sant Pol, a large campsite mainly offering rental chalets. Facilities include a swimming pool and restaurant. There are a number of campsites inland though if doesn’t suit your needs. Check out the campsites in the vicinity of Sant Feliu here.
Overall, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes, from budget-friendly guesthouses and campsites to luxury hotels and villas with private pools.
Eating in and eating out
Sant Feliu de Guíxols offers a range of dining options for visitors, with plenty of restaurants serving both traditional Catalan dishes and international cuisine.
Some popular options in the town itself include La Taverna del Mar, a highly regarded seafood restaurant located overlooking Sant Pol beach, and Candlelight by Romain Fornell, a fine-dining restaurant located in the five-star Hostal de la Gavina. But really you are spoilt for choice with a large choice of restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. Platja d’Aro and Palamós also offer a range of dining options if you are looking to dine further afield, with plenty of restaurants serving fresh seafood and other local specialties.
For those looking to self-cater, there are several supermarkets and grocery stores in Sant Feliu de Guíxols. In reatail park on the edge of town you’ll find a large Mercadona and Lidl and there are numerous other supermarkets, butchers, fish mongers and grocers.
The town also has several bakeries and patisseries, as well as a covered local market where visitors can purchase fresh produce and a Sunday street market for food and other local products.
What to see and do
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is a great destination for those looking to enjoy a mix of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, natural beauty and it is easy to immerse yourself in the town’s history. An Iberian settlement was founded here in the 5th century BC. The Romans later colonised the area, while the middle ages saw the founding of a Benedictine monastery.
The town expanded thanks to the cork industry and shipbuilding. But it also suffered from plagues, famine, pirate attacks and wars, including the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War.
The Monastery of Sant Feliu de Guíxols dates from the 10th century and is open to the public. You can explore the cloister, church, and the monastery’s other historic spaces on a guided tour. The monastery has been modified substantially over the centuries including fortifications and towns to warn locals of pirate attacks by the use of horns and smoke. A short distance from the monastery is the town’s former municipal hospital dating from the 17th century.
Another interesting building is the Casino de Constància on the promenade. It was designed by Catalan modernist architect General Guitart i Lostaló and completed in 1890. It was originally a social club, not a gambling house, and is now a bar. Go there for a quiet drink rather than betting everything on the roulette wheel.
Sant Feliu has a daily covered market in Plaça del Mercat, a lively town square with cafes and bars. You an go there to sit on a terrace and pass the time people watching and soaking up the local atmosphere. On Sundays the town’s street market takes place in this square and on the promenade. There you can purchase fresh produce, handmade crafts, and clothing.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the town’s rocky coastline is perfect for hiking, rock climbing, and discovering hidden coves and bays. Take a walk or bike ride on the coastal path that connects several beaches and coves with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Those who love water sports can participate in kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkelling. You might also want to take a boat tour to explore the stunning coastline the Costa Brava.
If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to attend the Porta Ferrada Festival, which features local and international bands in a venue in the port. While it doesn’t feature the current big names in music, it does feature well known acts who have the draw to sell out.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, or simply a chance to relax and unwind, Sant Feliu de Guíxols offers something for everyone.
How to get to Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Like other towns in this area of the Baix Empordà region of the Costa Brava, Sant Feliu de Guíxols is easily accessible from Girona airport and only 80 minutes from Barcelona by road. This ease of access makes it popular with both foreign tourists and Catalans holidaymakers alike.
If you’re driving from the French border, take the AP-7 motorway towards Girona and then follow the C-65 road at junction 7 towards Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The journey takes just over an hour. When driving from Barcelona take the AP-7 motorway towards Girona and then follow the C-35/C-65/C-31 at junction 9A towards Sant Feliu and Platja d’Aro, exiting at C-31 junction 310.
For those arriving by air, the closest airports are Girona-Costa Brava and Barcelona. Depending on the time of your you are travelling you may be able to take a bus direct to Sant Feliu. Otherwise take a bus to Girona bus station where you’ll be able to continue to Sant Feliu.
From Barcelona, take the train to Girona and then transfer to the bus to Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.
