Cala S'Alguer, in Palamós, Girona, Costa Brava, Spain

These features of purity make of Cala s’Alguer one of the most pristine beaches in the Costa Brava. It is very quiet, not too crowded usually, not even in summer. One explanation of this comes from the fact that you can not access it completely by vehicle. From the car parking to the creek itself you’ll walk through a short wood about 200 meters. In Cala s’Alguer, as in many other places on the Costa Brava, both the green pines as the granite rocks reach the same level of the sea, showing a picture of incomparable beauty.

Cala S'Alguer is just few hundreds meters from another famous cove: La Fosca

Cala s’Alguer surface is made of semi-thick sand. The beach side cottages reveal the past of this creek as a former fishermen nucleus. Today they are decorated and provide an even more picturesque image of the whole cove. This traditional neighborhood had its origin in 1521, and its architecture, respected throughout the centuries, integrates seamlessly with the natural environment in which is located.

Colourful fishermen cottages in Cala s'Alguer: they reveal the ancient maritime origin of the cove

El fondo marino de la cala es tan transparente y limpio que es incluso posible contemplar especies ya raras en la Costa Brava, como son los corales.

The scenic views and underwater of s'Alguer creek are actually beautiful and of great natural interest

The creek underwater is so clear and clean that it is even possible to see rare species on the Costa Brava, such as corals.

Cala Fosca, in Palamós, Girona, Costa Brava

They run along the coast from north to south in search of that place to settle. They passed through the Gulf of Roses, which was considered too large for the small shelter she sought, she intented to settle in the Aiguablava creek, in Begur, though the mountains surrounding it reminded her too much to her former home.

The Calella and Llafranc beaches tempted her at first, however, she was not completely decided until a breakdown in her ship forced her to stop next the Formigues Islands, in Cap Gros, where, off the boat, she fell in love with the fine sand of the beach and its softness.

The black rock in front of the Cala Fosca beach

And there, next to the waves caresses, she asked her entourage to erect her castle. And so they did, they built a small paradise on her image, with orchards and gardens. Local fishermen were captivated both by the princess beauty and joy, and they offered her the best fish of the sea. She, in return, exhibited them her sympathy and songs.

Cala Fosca, in Palamós, has clear waters

However, the feudal lord who had his castle in the nearby beach of Es Castell, was so in love with the girl that sent embassies to ask for her hand. However, Pyrene had offered her heart to the boy who had helped her to escape from the fire in the mountains, so she was obliged to refuse the gentleman proposition. He, slighted and angry at the rejection of the young princess, and after several threats, burned one night the girl castle and her entourage, reducing all them to ashes.

The castle of our princess was reduced to a set of ruins, which were covered by the Mediterranean waves over the centuries. Just a black rock, which rises in the middle of the beach, has been able to stay throughout the centuries.

Cala Fosca is one of the most popular beaches in Palamós through the summer

The evil lord castle is still preserved at the top of the hill, to the north of Platja Fosca, with its half-destroyed towers and walls.

Formigues Islands, in front of Palamós and Mont-ràs coast, Girona, Costa Brava, Spain

They are bare rocks, with no vegetation, and when the sea is usually rough they are almost invisible from the coast. But they have a maritime signaling beacon 6 miles far on the Formiga Gran island. These islands are a refuge for seabirds such as gulls and crows.

Birds and beacon on Formigues Islands, between Palamós and Mont-ràs, Girona, Costa Brava, Spain

Formigues Islands were the scene of an important chapter in the medieval Catalonia history . In front of them took place on 28th August 1285, during the reign of Pere II the Great, a naval battle against the army of Philip III of France.

The French army invaded Catalonia following the conflict with the Crown of Aragon in the Kingdom of Sicily. This invasion also had croada consideration by the Pope of Rome. The french invading army had at all times the naval support of the their own fleet, that supplied the food. So the King Pere III decided to directly attack that French fleet to stop the invasion. He brought his ships anchored in Palermo, Sicily (at that time catalonian kingdom) and, commanded by Admiral Roger de Llúria is attacked the French just in front of Formigues Islands.A plaque at one of those islands remembers us that event.

Commemorative plaque that remembers Formigues Islands Battle

The french naval defeat was complete and this, together with the following catalan victories in Roses the 3rd and 4th September, led to French withdrawal. Philip III died from illness that same year in Perpignan and was buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis.

One of the best ways to visit the Formigas Islands, less than 1 km from the nearest point of the coast, is by kayak from any of the beaches in front of them, like Platja Es Castell.

Impressive rocky forms on Formigues Islands

Es Castell beach, virgin scenary in Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain

On June 12, 1994 Palamós population was consulted in a referendum about the construction of a golf course next to the natural and virgin beach known as Es Castell. Over 70% of voters opposed the project and for that reason, the beach is still now a place of unique beauty.

Near to Es Castell, beach, after the archeological iberian settlement you can see Sa Foradada, a nice hole in the middle of the cliff

Es Castell has several features that make this beach a unique haven. It’s a considerable extension located on a continuum of fields and woods, without any development in the margins. But Es Castell has also a number of valuable historical points of interest. Thus we find the open-air Iberian settlement at one side of the creek, raised on s. VI BC. We know that this civilization inhabited this privileged place actively until s. I D.C.

Open-air Es Castell iberian settlement

Other important attractions of the beach are some ancient Catalan farmhouses, the “painting studio” of Salvador Dali or the home of the internationally known painter Josep Maria Sert, who lived in this place in the 20′s of the 20th century.

Therefore, and also by its easy accessibility by car, Es Castell beach deserves a place of honor in the whole Empordà landscapes, and any visitor in the area should see with his own eyes how was this part of our coast before the arrival of tourism and real estate speculation.