Sant Feliu de Guíxols remains one of the most popular tourist resorts on the Costa Brava, in part thanks to a couple of spectacular beaches. Despite its popularity the town retains much of its charm making it a great destination for a beach holiday.
Platja de Sant Pol is one of Sant Feliu de Guíxols’ two long sand beaches (David Leigh)
The beaches
When it comes to beaches Sant Feliu is extremely well appointed. As well as the main beach near the harbour Platja Sant Pol is another long stretch of sand near S’Agaró. There are also a number of smaller beaches and coves.
Platja de Sant Feliu
The main beach at Sant Feliu de Guíxols is located near the town centre and protected by the harbour’s breakwater and the the Punta de Garbí promontory. Being close to the town itself, the beach has a wide variety of nearby facilities.
The harbour at Sant Feliu de Guíxols with the beach behind (IMBiblio)
Close to 500 metres in length, Sant Feliu’s main beach has coarse sand with a gently sloping shelf. It’s ideal for families with young children.
Being close to the centre of town there is always plenty to do. You’ll find numerous restaurants and bars on the promenade, including the 19th century Casino la Constància. There are variety of water sports and kids activities available too.
All in all it’s a great urban beach with lots to recommend it. However, if you’d like somewhere in a more natural setting then a number of other beaches an coves are nearby:
Cala Jonca is a coarse sand beach beyond the harbour area. It’s only 17 metres long but remains fairly quiet even in summer. You can reach it from the coastal path towards Sant Pol beach.
Port Salvi is a small rocky beach below Hotel Eden Roc on the tip of the Punta de Garbí promontory. The beach is popular for snorkelling but also good for swimming.
Cala del Vigatà lies in a protected zone below Sant Elm hermitage. It’s around 150 metres in length and consists of shingle and rocks in a completely natural setting.
Platja de Sant Pol
Sant Pol beach is one of the best semi-urban beaches on the Costa Brava. While most of the beach lies within Sant Feliu de Guíxols, it feels more like it’s part of S’Agaró, which is actually part of Castell-Platja d’Aro. This is also where you’ll find some of the most expensive real estate on the Costa Brava.
Sant Pol beach at S’Agaró (David Leigh)
The beach itself has 800 metres of sand and its gentle shelf makes it ideal for kids. There are plenty of facilities including windsurfing, kayaking, diving and some great beach bars (xiringuitos) and restaurants. Picturesque colourful beach huts line the S’Agaró end of the beach near the 5-star Hostal la Gavina and the Taverna del Mar restaurant. Just walking past it makes you mouth water and the views out to sea are a spectacular way to enjoy your lunch.
From Platja de Sant Pol you might also want to explore some nearby coves. Depending on how strong a swimmer you are it is possible to approach the first three from the sea. They are also great for snorkelling.
Sa Caleta is a small rocky cove is the first you reach from Platja Sant Pol. You can reach it from the coastal path towards Sant Feliu.
Cala Maset is slightly larger and with fine sand, Cala Maset is surrounded by pines, oaks and cork trees. You can reach it be descending stairs from the road.
Cala del Peix and other nearby covers are ideal for anyone who loves to snorkel. They’re reached from the coastal path.
Cala de l’Ametller has a 20 metre beach with rock and coarse sand. It’s on the point of the headland in a a protected zone between Sant Feliu and Platja Sant Pol. The cove is good for snorkelling and reached via stone steps through forest. The cove can also be approached from the sea and you can anchor your boat in up to three metres of water.
Out of town
To the southwest of Sant Feliu de Guíxols along the winding mountainous road to Tossa de Mar you’ll find a number of other beaches and coves.
Platja de Can Dell is the first of these, a 200 metre pebble beach accessed via the Punta Brava residential area. As you’d expect in the unspoilt surroundings, the beach has no facilities but is uncrowded.
Cala Urgell is a cove with a 150 metre pebble beach surrounded by forest covered hills. It takes around 15 minutes to reach from the road and is again uncrowded.
Platja de Canyerets is a 180 metre sandy beach in a protected zone and accessed through the Rosamar urbanisation. There is a fee to access to Rosamar during the summer, although residents of Sant Feliu and Santa Cristina d’Aro can park for free if they show appropriate ID.
