#237 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Calella de Palafrugell
Baix Empordà, Costa Brava, Spain•Mediterranean Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.60/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
23.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€65/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Sheltered Cove
Calm & Glassy
Calm & Sheltered (Offshore Wind)Cove aspect: Faces E (90°) · Wind: W (270°)
Cliffs and inland terrain shelter the bay from 12 km/h winds. Surface chop is suppressed; water remains clear and flat.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · OFFSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces E (90°)
Offshore Breeze • Cliffs block the wind; water is calm and flat
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
E (90°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 180°
Spatial Geometry: Cliffs behind Calella de Palafrugell shelter the shoreline from winds coming out of W. The airflow passes over top, suppressing surf breakers.
Morning Coastal Brief for Calella de Palafrugell: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Cliffs and inland terrain shelter the bay from 12 km/h winds. Surface chop is suppressed; water remains clear and flat. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Baix Empordà, Costa Brava, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
23.5°C
Air ~28°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 23.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.3°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.8°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 13.1°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 14.0°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 16.2°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 19.6°C | 26°C | Refreshing |
| July | 22.3°C | 28°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 23.5°C | 28°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 22.0°C | 26°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 19.1°C | 23°C | Refreshing |
| November | 16.5°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 14.5°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Spain Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 1 Jul – 25 Sep (>21°C) · 87 days
Planning around peak water warmth (23.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Calella de Palafrugell for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Calella de Palafrugell (Baix Empordà, Costa Brava, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 23.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €16–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces E (sheltered from W winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/calella-de-palafrugell-es/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.5 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness5.0 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.2 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Calella de Palafrugell
A postcard-perfect Catalan fishing cove famous for vaulted fishermen arches (Les Voltes), wooden dories on the sand, and crystalline coves.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Road access via Palafrugell; connected to neighboring coves by the historic Camí de Ronda coastal trail.
•Protected Status / Environment: Certified Catalan Tourism 'Poble amb Encant' and 'Viles Marineres' preserving traditional coastal heritage.
•Notable Feature: Historic whitewashed Costa Brava fishing village with seaside vaulted arcades (Les Voltes) and picturesque coves like Port Bo.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Balanced Concession Mix
Free Public Sand (75%)Private Concessions (25%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€16low season→€30August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Regulated municipal umbrellas alongside spacious free public sectors. Ample towel space available.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Spanish coastal law classifies all sand as public domain (dominio público). Concession zones are strictly demarcated.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€6/day
EasyPark AppBlue Line Meters (Strisce Blu / Zona Azul)
EasyPark mobile app is widely supported across blue-line municipal zones.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Direct Sun Cutoff: ~15:30 in August
Limestone walls cast shade over the sand 2 to 4 hours before sunset. Arrive early morning for warm swimming light.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Sea Taxi & Boat Tender
Departs: Local Municipal Port / Jetty
Round trip shuttles run regularly in summer (~€25/person return). Book morning slots in July and August.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
NoFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located in Palafrugell municipality, 1 hour 30 min northeast of Barcelona via AP-7 and C-31.
Boat or Water Taxi Access Recommended
Calella de Palafrugell is nestled in a secluded coastal cove best reached by sea. Check scheduled water taxis and boat excursions departing from nearby harbours.
•Stroll the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal path towards Llafranc for dramatic cliff vistas.
•Les Voltes restaurant terrace offers front-row views of the traditional fishing dories resting on Port Bo strand.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
GRO / BCN · 35m drive30-45 min transfer from Girona Airport or 75 min from Barcelona-El Prat.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Calella de Palafrugell?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Calella de Palafrugell
What is the water temperature at Calella de Palafrugell?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Calella de Palafrugell averages 23.5°C (74°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Calella de Palafrugell?
Calella de Palafrugell is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Baix Empordà, Costa Brava, Spain.
Is Calella de Palafrugell good for families with kids?
Yes, Calella de Palafrugell is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Calella de Palafrugell?
Parking arrangements vary locally. Restroom facilities are present.
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