Castelldefels Holidays: Beaches, Castle and Day Trips
Província de Barcelona · Catalonia · Spain · 66,375 residents · on the coast
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Castelldefels is a coastal town of around 66,000 people on the Catalan shore, sitting barely 14 metres above sea level in the Província de Barcelona. For British travellers its great advantage is access: Barcelona airport is roughly 6 miles away, a drive of about eight minutes. Within a mile of the centre you will find Castelldefels Castle and the Cova del Rinoceront, an archaeological cave site, while Platja de Castelldefels is about a mile off. Further along the coast towards Sitges, a string of beaches and coves, Platja de Garraf, Cala Ginesta and Cala Bou among them, sits within 4 miles. July is the standout month, warm and notably dry, and Barcelona itself is only 12 miles away for a day in the city.
Why go
- Barcelona airport is about 6 miles away, roughly an eight-minute drive, with direct flights from the UK.
- Castelldefels Castle and the Cova del Rinoceront cave site both lie little more than half a mile from the centre.
- July brings highs around 29°C with only about five rainy days, ideal for Platja de Castelldefels.
Top sights in Castelldefels
Castle, caves and the coast
The most notable sight is Castelldefels Castle, a listed cultural property about 0.6 miles from the centre. At much the same distance is the Cova del Rinoceront, an archaeological site in a cave, a good pairing for a morning of history close to town.
For the sea, Platja de Castelldefels is around a mile away and suits families. Heading north-east, Platja de les Marines and Platja de Gavà lie roughly 2 and 3 miles off, while Platja de les Botigues is about 2 miles away towards Sitges. Further south-west the coast turns into coves: Cala Ginesta at about 3 miles, then Platja de Garraf and the Castell de Garraf, another cultural property, both near 4 miles, with Cala Bou just beyond. Nature lovers will find a cluster of pit caves in the Sitges area between 3 and 3.5 miles away, including Avenc d'Emili Sabaté, Avenc de l'Asensio, Avenc del Llamp and Avenc de la Flauta.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
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Platja de les Marines (Gavà)
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Castelldefels
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Castelldefels can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Castelldefels
Choosing a base in town
Castelldefels divides naturally between the town centre, where the castle and the Cova del Rinoceront sit within about half a mile, and the shoreline around Platja de Castelldefels, roughly a mile away. Families who want the sand on their doorstep will lean towards the beach side; those who prefer to be near the historic core and everyday town life will be happier inland.
With some 66,000 residents this is a working town rather than a small resort village, so expect shops and services all year. If you want something quieter, the cove beaches towards Garraf lie a few miles south-west. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across both areas.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Castelldefels and the villages around it is a hire car from Barcelona (BCN), about 8 min away.
Best time to visit Castelldefels
When to go to Castelldefels
- 15°CJan23 mm
- 16°CFeb42 mm
- 18°CMar40 mm
- 19°CApr62 mm
- 21°CMay61 mm
- 26°CJun80 mm
- 29°CJul26 mm
- 30°CAug49 mm
- 26°CSept63 mm
- 23°COct101 mm
- 19°CNov60 mm
- 16°CDec24 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July is the pick of the year: highs around 29°C, nights near 22°C, just 26mm of rain and about five rainy days. August is the hottest month at around 30°C, though it is a little wetter, with roughly eight days of rain.
Be aware that June is wetter than many expect, with about 80mm over ten days, and October is the wettest month of all at around 101mm across eleven days. Winter is mild for a short break, with December and January highs of 15 to 16°C and only three or four rainy days, though too cool for the beach.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 6°C | 23 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 7°C | 42 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 18°C | 10°C | 40 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 11°C | 62 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 14°C | 61 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 80 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 22°C | 26 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 49 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 18°C | 63 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 101 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 19°C | 11°C | 60 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 16°C | 6°C | 24 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, ferries and the drive
Barcelona airport (BCN) is the obvious choice, with direct flights from the UK and a drive of only about eight minutes over roughly 6 miles. Reus (REU), about 43 miles away, and Girona (GRO), around 60 miles away, also have direct UK flights; allow roughly an hour from Reus and about an hour and a half from Girona.
If you are driving from home, the run from Calais takes around 15 and a half hours. Barcelona's ferry port, about 12 miles away, also links the area with Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as Civitavecchia, Genoa, Porto Torres, Tangier Med and Nador, useful if you are combining Castelldefels with an island stay.
By air
- Barcelona (BCN)6 miles, about 8 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)43 miles, about 1 h 1 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Girona (GRO)60 miles, about 1 h 25 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 15 h 32 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (12 miles).
Castelldefels is good for
Around Castelldefels
Day trips along the coast
Neighbouring Gavà is only 2.5 miles away, and El Prat de Llobregat is about 7.5 miles off. Sitges, around 9 miles south-west, makes an easy coastal outing, and Vilanova i la Geltrú is about 13 miles in the same direction.
The big draw is Barcelona, roughly 12 miles away and a city of nearly 1.7 million people. Inland, Torrelles de Llobregat at 5 miles, Santa Coloma de Cervelló at 7 miles and Martorell at about 14 miles offer a change from the coast.
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Tips from Robin
Practical points before you book
Pack a light waterproof if you are travelling in June or autumn: June sees about ten rainy days, and October is the wettest month of the year. July is the driest summer month and the safest bet for a beach fortnight.
The pit caves near Sitges are vertical shafts rather than walk-in caverns, so treat them as sights to approach with care and proper guidance. And because the airport is so close, Castelldefels works well for a short break, with very little of the holiday lost to transfers.
Questions people ask
How far is Castelldefels from Barcelona airport?
Barcelona airport (BCN) is about 6 miles from Castelldefels, roughly an eight-minute drive. It has direct flights from the UK, which makes Castelldefels one of the quickest coastal bases to reach on the Catalan coast.
Can I fly direct from the UK to somewhere near Castelldefels?
Yes. Barcelona, Reus and Girona airports all have direct flights from the UK. Barcelona is about 6 miles away, Reus around 43 miles and roughly an hour's drive, and Girona about 60 miles and around an hour and a half by road.
What is the best month to visit Castelldefels?
July is the best month, with highs around 29°C, warm nights near 22°C and only about five rainy days. August is slightly hotter at around 30°C but wetter, while October is the wettest month of the year.
Is Castelldefels good for a family beach holiday?
Platja de Castelldefels, about a mile from the centre, is suited to families, and further family beaches such as Platja de Gavà, Platja de les Marines and Cala Ginesta are within about 3 miles. The castle and Cova del Rinoceront add easy cultural outings.
How far is Castelldefels from Barcelona and Sitges?
Barcelona is about 12 miles from Castelldefels and Sitges about 9 miles, so both work comfortably as day trips. Gavà is even closer at around 2.5 miles, and Vilanova i la Geltrú is about 13 miles away.
Can I drive to Castelldefels from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes around 15 and a half hours, so most travellers break the journey with an overnight stop. Once there, Barcelona's ferry port about 12 miles away connects onward to the Balearic Islands, Italy and Morocco.