Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Well connected to key locations in north Catalonia (Barcelona, Girona or Figueres), Sant Feliu de Guíxols is situated in a privileged place on the Costa Brava.

The village offers a wide variety of contrasting landscapes, combining the characteristic cliffs typical of the Costa Brava with numerous sandy beaches.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols is one of the largest towns on the Costa Brava that flourished with the cork industry and seafaring tradition (the shipyards are still conserved today). It has retained a wealth of Modernista (Catalan Art Nouveau) and Noucentista architectural heritage (La Constància casino, Moorish in style and painted an apricot colour, and the houses on Sant Pol beach).

Formerly small fishing village, Sant Feliu de Guíxols preserves a rich heritage. First you have the Benedictine monastery, with its Romanesque style (the Porta Ferrada is the oldest). It also highlights, with this set, the chapel of Mare de Déu dels Àngels (Mother of God of Angels), and the towers of the Corn (Horn) and Fum (Smoke). Currently this buildings houses the History Museum of the City, and has been proposed as the future site of a part of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, given the close link between the owner, Tita Cervera, with Sant Feliu, where she owns a fantastic villa.

The main activity of Sant Feliu has traditionally been the cork industry, as in many other towns of the Ampurdán. And indeed even today in its architectural heritage are preserved remains of this past, not so far. Modernist houses in the beach of Sant Pol are witnesses of that time when the bourgeoisie wanted to show off their power by building magnificent houses. These were located mainly near the beach in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Be sure to visit the hermitage of Sant Elm, which offers one of the most spectacular panoramic of the Costa Brava. It was from here that, in 1908, the Catalan journalist Ferran Agulló baptized with the name "Costa Brava" (for the ruggedness of its rocky coastline) this wonderful part of the Mediterranean.

The area around Sant Feliu de Guxols also contains an interesting natural area: the mountains of the Massif Gavarras or Ardenya (towards Tossa de Mar, in the south) are very close examples. These territories, especially the first, contain a good network of well marked trails that invite to attractive routes. There is also a greenway, which can be easily traveled by bicycle, linking the village with Girona, reaching beyond to Olot, inside Catalonia. This is the old drive train that ran through the famous narrow gauge, "Feliuet", until it was closed in the 60's. Today is a great green way of great vitality that allows a comfortable and safe journey through the Ampurdán.

In the former shipwreck rescue station, visitors can explore the Museum of Maritime Rescue. In the southern end of the town lies the Chapel of Sant Elm, standing on the hill of the same name, which commands magnificent views of the cliffs of the Cadiretes massif. It was here the name “Costa Brava” (meaning brave or fierce coast) was coined. Inland from Sant Feliu is the spectacular rocking boulder of La Pedralta, much loved by the region’s inhabitants. Visitors to Sant Feliu can savour its oily fish (known as ganxó fish) and bunyols de quaresma (deep fried doughnuts traditionally eaten during Lent) different to all those on the Costa Brava because they are triangular-shaped.

In the coast Sant Feliu de Guíxols has beautiful beaches and coves, as the beach Sant Pol, Ametller Creek, Punta de Garbí and also Cala Vigatà. The marine wealth of the village coast is objective for the divers, that often seek its interesting underwater landscapes.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols Map

Sant Feliu de Guíxols Photos

Cala Jonca, Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Platja Port Salvi, Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Cala Maset, Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Playa de Sant Feliu

Cala Ametller, Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Cala del Peix, Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Villages near Sant Feliu de Guíxols

• 
  2.3 miles away
  S'Agaró
  >>

  In S’Agaró, Girona-born architect Rafael Masó (1880-1935) was commissioned to design a town-garden near the sea in a classical Noucentista (early 20th century) style in 1920. It features Greek temples, viewing points, balustrades and a legendary hotel, Hostal de la Gavina.

• 
  3.8 miles away
  Castell d'Aro
  >>
• 
  4.6 miles away
  Santa Cristina d'Aro
  >>

  Santa Cristina d'Aro is a village of just over 5,000 inhabitants located in the Valle de Aro valley, that territory more or less flat located between the Gavarres Mountains, to the north, and the Ardenya Mountains, towards south, Tossa de Mar direction.

• 
  5.1 miles away
  Platja d'Aro
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  Platja d’Aro’s main drag, formed by Avinguda S’Agaró and Avinguda Cavall Bernat, offers some of the region’s best shopping, with big-name designer clothes stores and some classy local establishments. Most are open all year and have extended summer hours (daily 10am–2pm & 5–10pm).

• 
  8.4 miles away
  Sant Antoni de Calonge
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  Sant Antoni de Calonge is part of the village of Calonge, just 2 kms inwards, and is next to the sea. Originally a fishers area, it is now a coastline zone with sand beaches with many services by a beautiful promenade that leads to Palamós, because it is part of the bay. A spectacular coastal path, through rocky coves, leads to the south to Platja d'Aro village.

• 
  8.6 miles away
  Romanyà de la Selva
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  The village of Romanyà de la Selva has a watchtower which affords a vantage point over the valley, the scene of a number of novels by the writer Mercè Rodoreda (1908-1983), who lived out the final years of her life here. In addition, it has a beautiful pre-Romanesque church (10th century) and an impressive megalithic tomb (the dolmen of La Cova d’en Daina).

• 
  9.7 miles away
  Calonge
  >>

  To the south of Palamós, Sant Antoni de Calonge is now a large tourist resort and, moving inland, the town of Calonge has an interesting medieval castle.