Palamós Holidays: Beaches, Coves and Getting There
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 17,898 residents · on the coast
Palamós is a coastal town of around 17,900 people in the Província de Girona, Catalonia, sitting almost at sea level. What sets it apart is how much shoreline lies within walking distance. Cala dels Pots and the Museu de la Pesca are both less than half a mile from the centre, and the Far de Palamós lighthouse is barely further. La Fosca, the town's best-known beach, is under a mile away. Beyond the sand there is some real depth: the Iron Age settlement of Castell de la Fosca and the Castell de Sant Esteve de Mar. Girona airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 27 minutes away by car, which makes a long weekend as realistic as a fortnight.
Why go
- La Fosca beach lies under a mile from town, with a dozen more coves close by.
- Girona airport has direct UK flights and is about a 27-minute drive away.
- July and August bring highs of around 29°C, and July is the driest month of the year.
Top sights in Palamós
Beaches, Lighthouse and Iron Age Ruins
La Fosca is the headline beach, about 0.9 miles from the centre and well suited to families. Closer to town, the Museu de la Pesca, a fishery museum, is around 0.4 miles away. The Far de Palamós lighthouse sits about half a mile out and makes a good short walk for couples.
For history, the Castell de Sant Esteve de Mar, a listed cultural property, is roughly 1.2 miles away. Castell de la Fosca, an Iron Age settlement, lies about 1.7 miles out, and the smaller archaeological site of el Collet is around 0.9 miles away. The coastline is a string of coves: Cala dels Pots (0.4 miles), Cala Margarida (0.6 miles), Platja des Monestri (0.7 miles) and Platja de sa Tamardia (0.9 miles). Further along are Cala Pallerida (1.4 miles), Platja de s'Alguer (1.5 miles), and Platja de Castell and Cala Foradada (both about 1.7 miles).
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page, with 36 activities currently listed.
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Tours & tickets in Palamós
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Palamós can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Palamós
Choosing Your Base in Palamós
Staying near the centre puts the Museu de la Pesca, the lighthouse and Cala dels Pots within a few minutes' walk, and it suits travellers who want the town on their doorstep. The La Fosca side, about a mile out, is the obvious choice for beach-focused family holidays, with Castell de la Fosca and Platja de s'Alguer close by.
The quieter coves to the north, such as Platja de Castell and Cala Foradada, are around 1.7 miles from town and suit those who prefer a slower pace. Live hotel prices for Palamós are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Palamós and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 27 min away.
Best time to visit Palamós
When to Visit Palamós
- 13°CJan34 mm
- 15°CFeb50 mm
- 16°CMar61 mm
- 18°CApr64 mm
- 21°CMay79 mm
- 25°CJun66 mm
- 29°CJul11 mm
- 29°CAug52 mm
- 25°CSept60 mm
- 22°COct72 mm
- 18°CNov62 mm
- 14°CDec44 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the best months. Daytime highs reach about 29°C and nights stay around 22°C. July is the driest month of the year, with only 11 mm of rain over roughly five days. August is equally warm but noticeably wetter, at 52 mm.
June and September are pleasant shoulder months, with highs around 25°C. The wettest spells come in May, with 79 mm over ten rain days, and October, with 72 mm over ten days. Winters are mild rather than warm, with January highs near 13°C and lows around 7°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 7°C | 34 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 7°C | 50 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 10°C | 61 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 11°C | 64 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 14°C | 79 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 66 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 22°C | 11 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 22°C | 52 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 60 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 16°C | 72 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 62 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 44 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Girona (GRO) is the nearest airport, about 19 miles away. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, and the drive takes roughly 27 minutes. Barcelona (BCN) also has direct UK flights and is around 66 miles away, about an hour and 35 minutes by car. Reus (REU) has direct flights too, but it is some 112 miles away, a drive of around two hours and 40 minutes.
If you are driving from home, allow roughly 14 hours and 40 minutes from Calais. The ferry port at Barcelona is about 59 miles away and serves Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza. It also has routes to Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres in Italy, and to Tangier Med and Nador in Morocco.
By air
- Girona (GRO)19 miles, about 27 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)66 miles, about 1 h 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)112 miles, about 2 h 40 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 41 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (59 miles).
Palamós is good for
Around Palamós
Day Trips Along the Coast
Calonge is the closest neighbour, about 2.5 miles away. Calella de Palafrugell, a small village of around 750 people, is 4.3 miles up the coast. Sant Feliu de Guíxols, the largest town nearby at roughly 22,000 people, lies about 7 miles south.
Begur is around 8 miles away and Pals about 8.7 miles. A little further, Torroella de Montgrí and Tossa de Mar are both roughly 14 miles away, and Verges is about 15.5 miles inland.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Much of Palamós is walkable. The museum, the lighthouse and several coves are all within about half a mile of the centre, so a car is optional for a beach holiday. Car hire helps more for day trips and for reaching the more distant coves.
The weather follows a clear seasonal pattern. Peak conditions are concentrated in July and August, so book early for those months. Bring a light layer for evenings outside high summer, as May and October are the wettest months.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Palamós?
Girona (GRO) is the nearest airport, about 19 miles away, and the drive takes roughly 27 minutes. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona (BCN) is the main alternative, around 66 miles away, or about an hour and 35 minutes by car.
Is Palamós good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. La Fosca is under a mile from the centre, and Cala dels Pots, Cala Margarida and Platja des Monestri are all within about 0.7 miles. The Museu de la Pesca, a fishery museum around 0.4 miles away, adds a cultural option for children on a cooler day.
When is the best time to visit Palamós?
July and August are the best months, with highs around 29°C and lows near 22°C. July is especially dry, with just 11 mm of rain. June and September are milder at about 25°C. May and October are the wettest months.
Can I drive to Palamós from the UK?
Yes. From Calais, the drive takes roughly 14 hours and 40 minutes. Barcelona's ferry port is about 59 miles from Palamós if you want to combine the trip with a crossing to the Balearics, Italy or Morocco.
Are there historic sights in Palamós?
Yes. Castell de la Fosca is an Iron Age settlement about 1.7 miles from town. The Castell de Sant Esteve de Mar, a listed cultural property, is around 1.2 miles away, and the archaeological site of el Collet lies about 0.9 miles out.
What day trips can I take from Palamós?
Calella de Palafrugell is 4.3 miles away and Sant Feliu de Guíxols about 7 miles. Begur and Pals are both within 9 miles. Tossa de Mar and Torroella de Montgrí are each roughly 14 miles away.