Port Bo is a small beach of coarse and golden sand that has become over the years the center of Habanera singing music. Every first saturday of July, since 1966, this beautiful and picturesque cove hosts a song festival that reminds us of the relationship that exists between the Costa Brava and Cuba, from the XIXth century, when many catalans emigred to the caribbean island.

Port Bo cove, in Calella de Palafrugell, Girona, Costa Brava

This event brings together a diverse group of Havana music singers from different parts of Catalonia. This style of singing, with slow rhythm slow and very melodious, was created in the Ampurdán during the XIXth century, when many migrants returned to Costa Brava from Cuba after trying to make a fortune overseas. What began as a small meeting in the tavern, became from 1966 on an event that attracts about 40,000 people in the small cove of Port Bo, and that is broadcasted by television stations every year.

Habaneras Song Festival is celebrated in Calella de Palafrugell the first weekend in july

The scenario presented that night at Port Bo cove is awesome. Under the bright bay, thousands of people attend several shows and dozens of ships are event witness anchored in front of the stage, from the sea. In the background, the white villas of fishermen around the bay and the famous “Voltes” arches that form a small porch on the seafront. The show ends with the singing of one of the most emblematic songs of the repertoire of Havana music, El meu avi, as the crowd waves white handkerchiefs in the air. Typically you’ll also enjoy the show in the company of a “cremat”, the hot drink made with coffee, rum and sugar.

Voltes de Calella are the famous archs above Port Bo seafront boulevard

The Port Bo beach is quite small, about 55 meters long and 15 wide.
Access is easy, as it is located in the heart of Calella de Palafrugell, which is well connected with Palafrugell center. The beach has all the facilitiess you would expect from a swimming area quite crowded in summer, like restaurants, renting hammocks, showers, docking area, etc.. It also has car parking and is wheelchair accessible.

Port Bo scenic view, just next to another beautiful beach in Calella de Palafrugell: Canadell