When people imagine a holiday on the Costa Brava, they usually picture crystal-clear coves, coastal paths, charming fishing villages and long days by the Mediterranean.
What they often don’t imagine are the traffic jams.
During the summer months, some of the most famous beaches and coves become difficult to access by car. Parking areas fill up early, roads become congested and many visitors find themselves spending more time driving than enjoying their holiday.
Fortunately, there is another way to experience the Costa Brava.
At Camping Palamós, many guests arrive expecting to use their car every day. By the end of the week, they often realise they hardly needed it at all.
In fact, one of the greatest advantages of staying at Camping Palamós is that some of the best experiences on the Costa Brava can be reached on foot, by bicycle or with a short walk through the town.
Start Your Holiday by Leaving the Car Parked
One of the first surprises for many visitors is how close everything is.
The centre of Palamós is only about 10 minutes away on foot.
The Fishing Museum can be reached in around 15 to 20 minutes.
The harbour, beaches, restaurants and the famous Costa Brava coastal path are all within easy reach.
Instead of planning every day around traffic, parking and navigation apps, you can simply step outside the campsite and start exploring.
And that changes the whole rhythm of a holiday.
Follow the Coastal Path to Some of the Most Beautiful Places on the Costa Brava
If we could recommend only one activity during your stay, this would be it.
Pack a bottle of water.
Put on comfortable shoes.
Bring a swimsuit.
Then follow the Camí de Ronda, the historic coastal path that runs along the Mediterranean shoreline.
One of the best things about this route is that there isn’t a single highlight.
The real question is not where to stop for a photo.
It’s where not to stop.
Cala S’Alguer
Around 35 to 40 minutes from Camping Palamós, you’ll find Cala S’Alguer.
This tiny fishing cove is one of the most photographed places on the Costa Brava, and for good reason.
Traditional fishermen’s houses sit just metres from the sea, colourful boats rest on the shore and the entire setting feels like a postcard brought to life.
Many visitors come for the photographs.
Most end up remembering the swim.
Castell Beach
Continue walking and after approximately one hour you’ll reach Platja de Castell.
Unlike many beaches that have changed significantly over the decades, Castell remains a natural landscape.
Years ago, the people of Palamós chose to preserve this area, protecting one of the last large undeveloped coastal spaces in the region.
Today it remains one of the great treasures of the Costa Brava.
Wide open space, beautiful scenery and a feeling of freedom that becomes increasingly rare along the Mediterranean coast.
Cala Estreta
For those willing to walk a little further, Cala Estreta is an unforgettable experience.
Expect around 90 minutes to two hours from the campsite.
The reward is one of the most spectacular coves on the Costa Brava.
The surroundings are completely natural, the water is crystal clear and the atmosphere feels wonderfully untouched.
Visitors should simply be aware that it is traditionally a naturist beach, something that forms part of the relaxed and respectful character of the area.
Hidden Coves Most Visitors Never Discover
One of the great secrets of Camping Palamós is that some of the most beautiful places are actually the closest.
Many visitors spend their holidays searching for hidden coves elsewhere and never realise that several are located directly below the campsite.
Cala dels Pots
Hidden between the campsite and Marina Port Palamós, Cala dels Pots is easy to miss if nobody tells you where to look.
And perhaps that’s part of its charm.
It remains one of those places that still feels like a local secret.
Just nearby lies Morro del Vedell, our favourite recommendation for families interested in snorkelling.
Morro del Vedell
The underwater world here often surprises first-time visitors.
Guests regularly report seeing colourful fish, sea urchins, starfish and even octopuses.
Some of the rocky formations and small sea caves create the feeling of swimming through a natural aquarium.
Local legends even suggest that pirates once hid treasures among these rocks.
If you happen to find one, please remember the reception team.
We’re willing to negotiate a reasonable commission.
Discover the Real Palamós
Many holiday destinations become very different during summer.
Palamós doesn’t.
And that’s one of its greatest strengths.
This is not a village created for tourists.
It is a living fishing town where people work, shop, eat and live throughout the entire year.
The result is a much more authentic experience.
Visit the Fishing Museum and Espai del Peix
A visit to the Fishing Museum is highly recommended.
However, many locals would tell you that the real highlight is checking the programme of activities organised by Espai del Peix.
Cooking workshops, tastings and cultural experiences offer visitors a deeper understanding of local maritime traditions.
If you have the opportunity to join one of the dinners hosted with former fishermen, don’t hesitate.
You’ll discover traditional recipes and stories that reveal a side of Mediterranean culture most tourists never experience.
It’s a reminder that local cuisine is much more than paella and fideuà.
Watch the Harbour Come to Life
In the afternoon, head to the harbour.
This is when the fishing boats return and fresh fish arrives ashore.
Few places on the Costa Brava allow visitors to witness such a direct connection between the sea and daily life.
Watching the harbour activity is simple, authentic and surprisingly fascinating.
Explore the Countryside by Bicycle
Not every adventure has to follow the coastline.
Renting a bicycle is another excellent way to discover the area around Camping Palamós.
The route to Castell is suitable for most families and can even be enjoyed by children.
Along the way, you’ll pass through agricultural landscapes that reveal a different side of the Empordà.
For many visitors, this rural scenery comes as a complete surprise.
It feels a world away from the busy beaches, despite being only a short distance from the sea.
The View That Explains Everything
Just 10 minutes uphill from Camping Palamós lies Cap Gros.
The walk is short but rewarding.
From the top you’ll enjoy panoramic views over Palamós, its harbours and the seemingly endless Mediterranean stretching towards the horizon.
It’s one of the best viewpoints in the area and a perfect place to understand the unique geography of the town.
Why Visitors Fall in Love with Palamós
When families leave after a week, we often hear the same sentence:
“I could live here.”
Not because of a single beach.
Not because of a single restaurant.
Not because of a single attraction.
But because Palamós feels real.
Unlike some destinations where tourism and local life are separated, here they exist together.
Fishermen still work in the harbour.
Local families still fill the restaurants.
The streets belong to residents and visitors alike.
You don’t feel like you’re visiting a theme park.
You feel like you’re temporarily becoming part of a real Mediterranean town.
And perhaps that’s the greatest luxury of all.
So if you’re planning a Costa Brava holiday and want to spend less time driving and more time living, Camping Palamós might just be the perfect place to start.
Leave the car parked.
Grab a towel.
Follow the coastal path.
And let the Costa Brava do the rest.
