10 Best Things to Do in Castell-Platja d'Aro

Sant Pol is a pristine bay with dune landscapes in Castell-Platja d'Aro. Sheltered between headlands, the shoreline stretches for almost 1 km long and 25 meters wide, offering ample space to laze in the sun.

Parque de las Dunas provides an excellent play area for children. A children’s beach club operates near the park during the summer. There are plenty of water sports and snorkeling spots near Sant Pol Beach for those looking to do more than just a casual swim or reading a book on the beach.

Santa Maria de Platja d’Aro is a must-do in Castell-Platja d’Aro if beautiful old churches are your thing. Unlike many of the enormous and grandiose cathedrals found throughout Europe, these structures are made of stone and modest in size. They are very impressive, given how well they’ve survived throughout the years.

Not far from the town center of Platja d’Aro, you’ll find the parish church of Santa Maria de Platja d’Aro, built in the mid-20th century to replace its predecessor. As you head out of town, you’ll discover Santa Maria de Fenals d’Aro, a late 18th-century church with an incomplete tower. Continue further on to visit the town’s oldest church. Dating back to the 10th century, it was used until the mid-18th century before it was replaced by another church closer to town.

Castell d’Aro is a beautiful village that's around 3 km inland from the coast of Platja d’Aro. It still feels virtually untouched, preserving the medieval stone buildings of the village to an exceptional standard. While Platja d’Aro is one of Costa Brava’s liveliest resort towns, Castell d’Aro has managed to escape the influx of apartments and hotels.

Its narrow streets, lined with beautiful stone houses, lead to a quaint central square. Here, you’ll find the town’s Gothic church and a small castle to which the town owes its name. The Castle of Benedormiens was built to protect the town from pirates – some elements of the building date back to the 12th century.

Platja Gran stretches for 2 km along the shores of Platja d’Aro’s main resort area. This is the most popular of the town’s beaches thanks to its proximity to the town center and extensive range of facilities along the beachfront. The urban beach has a promenade that covers almost the whole length of the beach, with a variety of restaurants and bars to keep you fed and entertained.

There’s plenty of sand to find your own space on this beach, even at the height of summer. There are hammocks and water sport rentals available, as well as lifeguard services and toilet facilities. It’s awarded the Blue Flag status for its clean and well-maintained facilities.

Cala Rovira is so large it feels more like a beach with plenty of space for you to stretch out on the golden sands. The cove is a point of difference from nearby coves, which are dominated by rocky shores. Its waters are generally calm and well sheltered from strong winds.

The area has excellent facilities for a comfortable day at the beach, including bars, open-air refreshment stands and lifeguard services. The restored remains of Pla de Palol, a Roman villa, are excellent if you’re looking to add a little history to your day out. Reaching Cala Rovira is easy, with parking available in the streets surrounding the area.

Aquadiver is one of the largest theme parks in the coastal region of Costa Brava. From adrenaline-inducing rides to gentle slides, the waterpark is a fun way for families to cool off on a hot day. Thrill-seekers can test their nerves on exhilarating rides such as Splash Mountain and Aqua Racer or take the plunge on the 100-meter-long Waterfall slide.

Those looking for a more relaxing day at Aquadiver can enjoy the wave pool or head over to Lake Adventures. There’s a picnic area for you to rest and enjoy lunch, along with a variety of restaurants – even a pancake house – to refuel.

Cala sa Cova is only 50 meters long but offers a beautiful swimming hole with clear aquamarine waters. The small inlet is usually sheltered from the wind thanks to the rocky outcrops lining both ends of the beach.

Cala sa Cova rests at the bottom of a cliff and the vegetation around is reflective of many Mediterranean beaches such as varieties of pine and cacti. Local fishermen used to leave their boats in this small cove throughout their ventures in the 19th and 20th centuries, before the boom of tourism in the coastal region.

Platja d’Aro is more than golden beaches and sunshine – it's also rich in history. The region was once occupied by the Romans, which is evident by the ruins of the Roman villa of Pla de Palol. Not far from the beach of Cala Rovira are remnants of the former villa, part of which was discovered in the 1980s. Unfortunately, due to a tourism boom in the 1950s, part of the ruins are buried under the Caleta Palace and Xaloc Hotels.

The villa is surrounded by agricultural lands, which provided clay for ceramics during the Roman era. The remains of the villa are in a public square, and there are shaded areas with seating and grassy spaces for a relaxing visit.

Platja d’Aro’s weekly market is where you should make a point of shopping if scoping out local markets is a highlight of your travels. It typically takes place on Fridays throughout the year. You’ll find stallholders selling a range of items, from fresh produce like fruit, veggies and meat to a curated selection of clothes, trinkets and ceramics. There are also several stalls selling African carvings and soccer kits.

During the peak of summer, the market can get quite busy with tourists often outnumbering locals. Head there early if you want to avoid the crowds. You can find Platja d’Aro’s weekly market at a free carpark to the left, just before the high street from the C31.

Mas Molla is a traditional winery that has been around for over 300 years. This family-owned establishment is known for producing the ‘farmer’s wine’ without sulphites or preservatives. Their cellars have barrels of the good stuff that are more than 50 years old.

You can join a guided tour to learn about the history of the family and their wine-producing ways. Wander the lush countryside around the vineyard, take in various fruit tree plantations and olive groves, before finishing your visit with a wine tasting session.