Platja d'Aro

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).

As evening suffuses into night, the pavement cafés become a popular spot for an aperitif and some prime people-watching. Later into the night a hedonistic crowd moves in, as the stylish, laid-back bars and thumping discos get going.

Every February, the same streets play host to one of the Costa Brava’s best Carnival processions, with floats and extravagant fancy-dress parades accompanied by revelry all weekend long.

On the northern edge of town is Ciutat de Palol, a small square that was the site of a wine- and oil-producing Roman villa, in use between the first century BC and the seventh century AD. Badly neglected during the tourism boom, it has now been properly excavated and saved, and what little remains has been laid out as a public area with seating.

Almost the entire length of Platja d’Aro’s beach is backed by an uneven toothy grin of high-rise blocks, interspersed with some older low-rise buildings, fronted by a pedestrianized promenade with terraces and restaurants.The sweep of coarse golden sand, shelving moderately steeply into clear water, sees families and firm-bodied clubbers working on their tans.The southern tip of Platja Gran, marked by the chic Port Nàutic and capped by the Punta de Pinell headland, gets slightly less crowded.
At the northern end of the Platja Gran, three incongruous-looking nineteenth-century villas are a reminder of how the town has changed, while 100m further on is the huge standing stone known as El Cavall Bernat, the backdrop to free summer jazz concerts. Its name came into use in the sixteenth century as a euphemism for the original Carall Bernat, thought to mean “revered phallus” (“carall” is Catalan for “phallus”).

North of Platja d’Aro, the Camí de Ronda footpath dips and climbs for 4km, from the north- ern end of the Platja Gran along the water’s edge as far as Sant Antoni de Calonge, offering paths down to some beautiful beaches.A number can also be reached by footpaths off the C253 road towards Palamós, which has roadside parking.
The first you come to is the attractive, busy Cala Rovira, originally the Roman port for the area. It’s also known as Cala dels Escalencs after the fishing families from L’Escala, who – until the advent of tourism in the 1950s – used to spend their summers here camped on the beach, fishing the waters and selling their catch in Sant Feliu de Guíxols.A terrifically colourful and emotive fiesta to mark this history takes place on the first weekend after the Diada holiday (Sept 11), when dozens of traditional Vela Llatina boats make the journey from L’Escala and families camp on the beach in makeshift shelters for two days of traditional crafts, havaneres and cremat.

Neighbouring Cala Sa Cova offers a gently shelving beach and safe bathing up to a clearly defined line of underwater rocks, and its pretty setting amid pines helps you to overlook the number of people. Smaller and more inviting is Cala del Pi, 200m further north along the Camí de Ronda; its underwater rocks and craggy point make it perfect for snorkelling.A long tunnel separates this from Ses Rodones de Terra, where stone steps lead down through clumps of bamboo to a rugged mosaic of boulders and beach, a favourite with nude bathers.

Further along the footpath, Cala Belladona is less busy than its neighbours, and you’ll find good snorkelling and swimming a long way out into the steeply shelving sea. Finally, Platja de Can Cristus, most easily reached from the road, has a good sandy beach, but can get crowded owing to the presence of two large campsites nearby.



Platja d'Aro Map

How to arrive to Platja d'Aro?

How to arrive from:

Platja d'Aro Photos

Cala Sa Cova, Platja d'Aro

Plage Grande de Platja d'Aro

Cala Sa Cova, Platja d'Aro

Cala del Pi, Platja d'Aro

Cala Rovira, Platja d'Aro

Cala Rovira, Platja d'Aro

Villages near Platja d'Aro

  • S'Agaró
    3 miles away
    >>

    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.

  • Castell d'Aro
    3 miles away
    >>
  • Sant Antoni de Calonge
    3.3 miles away
    >>

    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.

  • Calonge
    4.9 miles away
    >>

    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.

  • Sant Feliu de Guíxols
    5.1 miles away
    >>

    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.

  • Santa Cristina d'Aro
    5.4 miles away
    >>

    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.

  • Palamós
    6.6 miles away
    >>

    Palamos is located in the northern part of the bay which takes its name. This bay is frequently place for sailing, swimming and windsurfing, among other water activities.

  • Romanyà de la Selva
    7.6 miles away
    >>

    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).

  • Vall-llobrega
    8.7 miles away
    >>

Holidays villas and apartements location in Lloret de Mar (178)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Roses (164)

Holidays villas and apartements location in L'Escala (156)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Empuriabrava (143)

Holidays villas and apartements location in L'Estartit (100)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Llançà (95)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Tossa de Mar (69)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Calonge (63)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Begur (49)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Blanes (43)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Pals (42)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Platja d'Aro (34)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Girona (29)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Antoni de Calonge (21)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Palamós (20)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Colera (18)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Feliu de Guíxols (18)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Calella de Palafrugell (13)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vidreres (12)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Llafranc (12)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Navata (11)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Santa Cristina d'Aro (11)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Cadaqués (10)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Maçanet de la Selva (10)

Holidays villas and apartements location in S'Agaró (10)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Figueres (9)

Holidays villas and apartements location in El Port de la Selva (8)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Torroella de Montgrí (8)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Pere Pescador (7)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Queralbs (6)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Capmany (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Castelló d'Empúries (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Maçanet de Cabrenys (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in La Vajol (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Viladamat (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vilajuïga (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vilademuls (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Joan de les Abadesses (5)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sils (4)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Tamariu (4)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Besalú (4)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Santa Pau (4)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Palau-saverdera (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Peralada (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Ventalló (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Albons (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Palafrugell (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Regencós (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vall-llobrega (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vilopriu (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Andreu Salou (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Caldes de Malavella (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vilobí d'Onyar (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Olot (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Beuda (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Camprodon (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Molló (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Pardines (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Peratallada (3)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Bàscara (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Julià de Ramis (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Banyoles (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Cornellà de Terri (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Arbúcies (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Hostalric (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Les Planes d'Hostoles (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Les Preses (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sales de Llierca (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Feliu de Pallerols (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Ferriol (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Jaume de Llierca (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in la Vall d'en Bas (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Campelles (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Les Llosses (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Ribes de Freser (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Ripoll (2)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Borrassà (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Cistella (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Llers (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Ordis (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Palau de Santa Eulàlia (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Pontós (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Climent Sescebes (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Mori (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Camallera (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Torroella de Fluvià (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vilamaniscle (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Vilanant (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in La Bisbal d'Empordà (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Foixà (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Fontanilles (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Mont-ras (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Parlavà (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Rupià (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Ullastret (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Verges (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Aiguaviva (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Bordils (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Cassà de la Selva (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Fornells de la Selva (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Juià (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Quart (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Crespià (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Esponellà (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Porqueres (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Amer (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Anglès (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Breda (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Riudarenes (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Riudellots de la Selva (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Montagut i Oix (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Joan les Fonts (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in la Vall de Bianya (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Ogassa (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Pau de Segúries (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Toses (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Sant Feliu de Boada (1)

Holidays villas and apartements location in Cruïlles (1)