L'Estartit
is a very popular seaside resort in Costa Brava so famous for its captivating rocky islets,the beautiful Islas Medas,famed for its special seabed,a small archipelago situated at less than 2,0 kilometres from the mainland in one of the most beautiful corner of that wild coast of Catalonia.
Located in the County of Girona and part of the borough of Torroella de Montgrí, in that splendid scenery of a local "comarca"a sort of sub county called Baix Empordà is a little Eden embraced by the Mediterranean and highlighted by a picturesque hilly territory immediately behind.
That small coastal centre is situated in a privileged bay and it is pretty different than other famous and lively seaside resorts such as Tossa de Mar,Lloret de Mar,Platja de Aro and Blanes generally very busy in summer season and which had an impressive development in terms of tourism flows and constructions of several Hotels and hospitality establishments in the last decades.
L´Estartit reached excellent incoming results,it has a good number of Hotels and other kind of comfortable accommodations but over the years despite the high increasing demand it has kept much of its identity without a massive construction of huge tourist complexes which could disrupt its natural landscapes and totally changed its appearance and image.
With its approximately 3,600 inhabitants L´Estarit was developed between the foothills of the Montgrí Massif on the shores of the Mediterranean,a little jewel of the Comunitat of Catalonia,simply splendid at the first sight.
The first historical documents referring L´ Estartit are dated the 17th century.Previously that period the current municipal area was inhabited by small groups of fishermen and farmers living in the immediate heights of the interior always in alert for the continuous attacks and invasions by Moorish,Berber pirates and Saracens.
In that period L´Estartit started to develop a small agglomeration,it was a modest and humble small fishing village with a very limited population and the main source continued as previously to be fishing,selling the proceeds in the markets of high Catalonia.
In the 18th century the former village increased with a few families of other fishermen who built other houses creating a tiny centre in proximity of the current harbour and only in the mid 20th century L´Estartit had a development linked to an official maritime activity when its port started to trade apart fish other products such as wheat,rice,wine and spirits for larger markets.
One of the highlight and favourite activities all year (not only in summer) is enjoying a relaxing walk along the splendid local beach with that spectacular maritime horizon and the Medes Islands facing the coast offering amazing views inviting to a walk,repeating it every day simply for the stunning panoramic view facing that resort.
The local sandy beach is a very wide beach and in the area you can find bars,restaurants and shops.From the beach walking south towards Pals you can reach the mouth of the River Ter.That area is very peaceful and no constructions of buildings for many years
L'Estartit, has been a protected area of speculation, preserving its green and natural areas in its interior in proximity of the coastline and for all that it is very loved by many people.
Located in the County of Girona and part of the borough of Torroella de Montgrí, in that splendid scenery of a local "comarca"a sort of sub county called Baix Empordà is a little Eden embraced by the Mediterranean and highlighted by a picturesque hilly territory immediately behind.
That small coastal centre is situated in a privileged bay and it is pretty different than other famous and lively seaside resorts such as Tossa de Mar,Lloret de Mar,Platja de Aro and Blanes generally very busy in summer season and which had an impressive development in terms of tourism flows and constructions of several Hotels and hospitality establishments in the last decades.
L´Estartit reached excellent incoming results,it has a good number of Hotels and other kind of comfortable accommodations but over the years despite the high increasing demand it has kept much of its identity without a massive construction of huge tourist complexes which could disrupt its natural landscapes and totally changed its appearance and image.
With its approximately 3,600 inhabitants L´Estarit was developed between the foothills of the Montgrí Massif on the shores of the Mediterranean,a little jewel of the Comunitat of Catalonia,simply splendid at the first sight.
The first historical documents referring L´ Estartit are dated the 17th century.Previously that period the current municipal area was inhabited by small groups of fishermen and farmers living in the immediate heights of the interior always in alert for the continuous attacks and invasions by Moorish,Berber pirates and Saracens.
In that period L´Estartit started to develop a small agglomeration,it was a modest and humble small fishing village with a very limited population and the main source continued as previously to be fishing,selling the proceeds in the markets of high Catalonia.
In the 18th century the former village increased with a few families of other fishermen who built other houses creating a tiny centre in proximity of the current harbour and only in the mid 20th century L´Estartit had a development linked to an official maritime activity when its port started to trade apart fish other products such as wheat,rice,wine and spirits for larger markets.
Today the main
resources is definitely tourism with its beautiful coastline running from a promontory called Punta Molinet to the municipality of Pals,(I wrote a post about that resort) which corresponds to about 6,0 kilometres of beach.
The resort is particularly ideal for family thanks to its very peaceful and calm atmosphere and not so busy as other seaside resorts of the lively Costa Brava.The quality of its sands is excellent and its beach is considered one of the best in the Northeastern Coast of Spain.
The centre is pretty small but very interesting,mainly concentrated around Carrer Santa Ana (St.Ann street) the oldest street of L´Estartit, which is a pedestrian and commercial promenade,ideal place to buy different items,souvenirs,and even products specialised.You can also find there a library,a good variety of restaurants and some Hostels.
Close to that main artery lies the Iglesia de Santa Ana,a Church dedicated to St.Ann which is practically the core and the centre of the resort.That Religious building was built in the 20th century on the ruins of a previous Sacred construction.It is light building with an ample curved doorway under a bell tower surmounted by a square crenellated perimeter and its architectonic lines are in perfect harmony with the local environment.
Avenida Grecia,is the main street flanked in its southern side by different small streets and it is also the most important and direct access from the centre to Passeig Maritim,the Maritime Promenade which continues until the banks of the harbour enclosed among quays and where is also situated the local the Club Nautic. situated.
The resort is particularly ideal for family thanks to its very peaceful and calm atmosphere and not so busy as other seaside resorts of the lively Costa Brava.The quality of its sands is excellent and its beach is considered one of the best in the Northeastern Coast of Spain.
The centre is pretty small but very interesting,mainly concentrated around Carrer Santa Ana (St.Ann street) the oldest street of L´Estartit, which is a pedestrian and commercial promenade,ideal place to buy different items,souvenirs,and even products specialised.You can also find there a library,a good variety of restaurants and some Hostels.
Close to that main artery lies the Iglesia de Santa Ana,a Church dedicated to St.Ann which is practically the core and the centre of the resort.That Religious building was built in the 20th century on the ruins of a previous Sacred construction.It is light building with an ample curved doorway under a bell tower surmounted by a square crenellated perimeter and its architectonic lines are in perfect harmony with the local environment.
Avenida Grecia,is the main street flanked in its southern side by different small streets and it is also the most important and direct access from the centre to Passeig Maritim,the Maritime Promenade which continues until the banks of the harbour enclosed among quays and where is also situated the local the Club Nautic. situated.
The Port de l´Estartit is originally the place in which started to develop the former settlement with the first houses and not far walking along Carrer des Illes in five minutes you can reach Passeig de Molinet which is a prolongation of that street and it is also the access to the beach Platja de
Molinet a beautiful sandy line highlighted by splendid crystalline waters.
In the harbour there is the service-boat offering the excursion to the Islas Medes,rental boats and sailboats.The Club Nàutic de l´Estartit provides a very well organised marina and yachting club and it also provides facilities for tourists who want to enjoy several water sports.
That complex was founded in the year 1961 and it covers a surface of approximately 16,000 square metres ,with a good capacity including the chance to host boats up to 25,0 metres.
In the harbour there is the service-boat offering the excursion to the Islas Medes,rental boats and sailboats.The Club Nàutic de l´Estartit provides a very well organised marina and yachting club and it also provides facilities for tourists who want to enjoy several water sports.
That complex was founded in the year 1961 and it covers a surface of approximately 16,000 square metres ,with a good capacity including the chance to host boats up to 25,0 metres.
One of the highlight and favourite activities all year (not only in summer) is enjoying a relaxing walk along the splendid local beach with that spectacular maritime horizon and the Medes Islands facing the coast offering amazing views inviting to a walk,repeating it every day simply for the stunning panoramic view facing that resort.
The local sandy beach is a very wide beach and in the area you can find bars,restaurants and shops.From the beach walking south towards Pals you can reach the mouth of the River Ter.That area is very peaceful and no constructions of buildings for many years
L'Estartit, has been a protected area of speculation, preserving its green and natural areas in its interior in proximity of the coastline and for all that it is very loved by many people.
Behind the agglomeration there is Roca Maura.It is a rocky section of the Montgrí Massif the mountainous group which is practically the border between the region of Upper and Lower Empordà.That majestic and huge rock apart its scenic presence is also a natural barrier against cold winds,protecting the resort.
Tourism Industry in L´Estartit started to have an intense development some decades ago with excellent flows in the late 80s and early 90s.
Obviously summer reaches its high peaks of occupation in July and August,it is high season in Costa Brava and apart to offer that great opportunity to spend sunny holidays on the shores of the Mediterranean L´Estartit grown up for another kind of tourism which is today one of its highlights, diving.
The Islas Medas are an absolute paradise for people who loves that activity related to the underwater world.Those inhabited islets consist in a a small rocky archipelago just 1,7 kilometres from the the coastline and that captivating activity started to be famous in the 80s.
It is from that period when the resort started to have a very relevant success receiving every year much more tourists and also professionals dedicated to that.
Many divers from all around Europe found in that resort an ideal destination also for its location,close to France and many major centres of Catalonia,with a very easy access by motorways.
The options to choose that place are also related to its favourable climatic conditions all year,excellent accommodations and gastronomy and much more a very peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
Thanks to all that very appreciated by numerous divers L´Estartit entered in the Top European Ranking about diving and scuba diving.
Obviously summer reaches its high peaks of occupation in July and August,it is high season in Costa Brava and apart to offer that great opportunity to spend sunny holidays on the shores of the Mediterranean L´Estartit grown up for another kind of tourism which is today one of its highlights, diving.
The Islas Medas are an absolute paradise for people who loves that activity related to the underwater world.Those inhabited islets consist in a a small rocky archipelago just 1,7 kilometres from the the coastline and that captivating activity started to be famous in the 80s.
It is from that period when the resort started to have a very relevant success receiving every year much more tourists and also professionals dedicated to that.
Many divers from all around Europe found in that resort an ideal destination also for its location,close to France and many major centres of Catalonia,with a very easy access by motorways.
The options to choose that place are also related to its favourable climatic conditions all year,excellent accommodations and gastronomy and much more a very peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
Thanks to all that very appreciated by numerous divers L´Estartit entered in the Top European Ranking about diving and scuba diving.
The Islas Medas are seven rocky islets which are geologically a prolongation of the Massif de Montgrí the local mountains dominating that seaside resort and formed in the Mediterranean Sea thousands of centuries ago.The islets are a great natural jewel with a wide variety of marine plants and its special seabed is highlighted by a rich marine fauna consisting in different kind of fishes and mollusks.
Thanks to that natural patrimony,Medes islands have been several times awarded in Europe and its echo system has been ranked in the Best Book of the Western Mediterranean Coast.Another title came when those islets were declared Protect Patrimony of the Mediterranean.
Once you are in the middle of those scenic rocky diamonds you can admire over 1,000 classified species of marine plants and that one is of the main highlight of this small but very interesting archipelago.
Those magnificent little rocks emerging from the sea also have a name and they are called: Meda Gran,Meda Petita,Medellot,Carall Bernat,Ferrenelles,Tascons Grossos and Tascons Petits.From there during a maritime excursion you can enjoy spectacular viewes of the Gulf of Roses with the splendid coastal towns of Roses,La Escalá and Ampuria Brava.
The nearest magnificent Gulf of Roses with a spectacular wide range of little bays and coves is also an ideal place for family with children and also an authentic mecca for photographers.Considered one of the most spectacular and scenic of the entire Catalonia and northern Spain.
A very recommended place if you love to take stunning panoramic pictures is before to come in the centre of L´Escala in that point you can admire a small gulf absolutely spectacular.
Another suggested view point is continuing until the nearest promontory of El Montgri from there you can have a magnificent and ample view of all the gulf facing the seaside resort of Roses at north.That point is considered one of the most captivating and ideal to have a complete vision of the formation of the bay and its coastline.
Once you are in the middle of those scenic rocky diamonds you can admire over 1,000 classified species of marine plants and that one is of the main highlight of this small but very interesting archipelago.
Those magnificent little rocks emerging from the sea also have a name and they are called: Meda Gran,Meda Petita,Medellot,Carall Bernat,Ferrenelles,Tascons Grossos and Tascons Petits.From there during a maritime excursion you can enjoy spectacular viewes of the Gulf of Roses with the splendid coastal towns of Roses,La Escalá and Ampuria Brava.
The nearest magnificent Gulf of Roses with a spectacular wide range of little bays and coves is also an ideal place for family with children and also an authentic mecca for photographers.Considered one of the most spectacular and scenic of the entire Catalonia and northern Spain.
A very recommended place if you love to take stunning panoramic pictures is before to come in the centre of L´Escala in that point you can admire a small gulf absolutely spectacular.
Another suggested view point is continuing until the nearest promontory of El Montgri from there you can have a magnificent and ample view of all the gulf facing the seaside resort of Roses at north.That point is considered one of the most captivating and ideal to have a complete vision of the formation of the bay and its coastline.
L´Estartit is a place strongly suggested for all people who wants to enjoy very
relaxing holidays and at the same time appreciating the natural beauty
of the local territory which is definitely a fantastic incentive offering several
outdoor activities,a splendid picturesque coast and peaceful beaches but not only.
That resort is also a a great destination to to enjoy beautiful cycling routes,a mecca for cycling on road but there are also several interesting tracks for mountain bikers thanks to the the spectacular,hilly and wooded territory.The area of the Empordá has very challenging paths and continuous up and down across the local territory.
Apart these sports on two wheels at just 10 minutes from the resort there are also many opportunities to enjoy trekking,there are
fantastic walks leading to beautiful historical places and monuments
such as the Ermita de Santa
Caterina,the Castell del Montgrí (an old castle),and other places such as Cau del Duc,Sobrestany and
Montgó discovering the beautiful natural and rural environment of Northern
Catalonia.
L´Estartit also offers in the nearest area of Pals the excellent Golf Club Empordà located next to a district called Mas Pinell and the Platja Mas Pinell,the beach of Mas Pinell.
A brilliant chance for all people who loves to have very active holidays and tourism enjoying different other activities are also linked to a cultural tourism due the proximity of the Catalan Pyrenees which offers an infinite number of excursions discovering stunning places
The nearest Girona and Figueres,are places rich of history and art,the latter mentioned site offers the brilliant opportunity to visit the famous Salvador Dali Museum, admiring the great works by that talented genius and the lively and marvellous city Barcelona is just 150,0 kilometres away.
That resort is also a a great destination to to enjoy beautiful cycling routes,a mecca for cycling on road but there are also several interesting tracks for mountain bikers thanks to the the spectacular,hilly and wooded territory.The area of the Empordá has very challenging paths and continuous up and down across the local territory.
Apart these sports on two wheels at just 10 minutes from the resort there are also many opportunities to enjoy trekking,there are
fantastic walks leading to beautiful historical places and monuments
such as the Ermita de Santa
Caterina,the Castell del Montgrí (an old castle),and other places such as Cau del Duc,Sobrestany and
Montgó discovering the beautiful natural and rural environment of Northern
Catalonia.L´Estartit also offers in the nearest area of Pals the excellent Golf Club Empordà located next to a district called Mas Pinell and the Platja Mas Pinell,the beach of Mas Pinell.
A brilliant chance for all people who loves to have very active holidays and tourism enjoying different other activities are also linked to a cultural tourism due the proximity of the Catalan Pyrenees which offers an infinite number of excursions discovering stunning places
The nearest Girona and Figueres,are places rich of history and art,the latter mentioned site offers the brilliant opportunity to visit the famous Salvador Dali Museum, admiring the great works by that talented genius and the lively and marvellous city Barcelona is just 150,0 kilometres away.
The local Gastronomic specialities are mainly linked to fish and seafood,excellent cod and anchovies but also delicious sea-bass,prawns and mussels.
The rice is also another important highlight and the traditional Arròs de Marisc (Seafood rice) is very appreciated,just like the Patarrellada de Mero which consists in rice wth grouper.
The area also produces excellent cheeses such as Tupi ,Forest and Garrotxa and about desserts do not miss the famous Crema Catalana the Catalan cream dessert.You can also try a glass of Ratafia a kind of nuts liquor typical of the province of Girona.The local fine wines are considered of high quality,notable are the Garnatxa and a relevant local Moscatell among others.
The town is very well connected with the rest of the coastal resorts and the French border.The Estacion Flaç train station is situated at 17,0 kilometres from L´Estartit.
All the trains covering the line from Barcelona to Portbou and France stop there with the exception of some express trains like the Talgo,which stops only at the stations of Girona and Figueres,at 45,0 and 39,0 kilometres respectively from L´Estartit.
The nearest international airports are the
Girona-Costa Brava Airport (the closer) and Barcelona El Prat de Llobregat.
Girona Airport is located approximately 51,0 kilometres away while El Prat Barcelona Airport is located about 150,0 kilometres away.Buses networks AMPSA and SARFA have regular services from Barcelona, from Girona and from all major towns of the Costa Brava.
Girona Airport is located approximately 51,0 kilometres away while El Prat Barcelona Airport is located about 150,0 kilometres away.Buses networks AMPSA and SARFA have regular services from Barcelona, from Girona and from all major towns of the Costa Brava.
L´Estartit could be an excellent choice,a
brilliant destination for everyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful and
relaxing holiday along the coasts of Catalonia.
Those captivating rocky islets called Islas Medes with a stunning and special seabed are a further incentive if you are a diving lover and it is an authentic paradise to enjoy during all your stay.
There are several shining places in Costa Brava,sometimes difficult to forget and L´Estartit is undoubtedly one of them.
Those captivating rocky islets called Islas Medes with a stunning and special seabed are a further incentive if you are a diving lover and it is an authentic paradise to enjoy during all your stay.
There are several shining places in Costa Brava,sometimes difficult to forget and L´Estartit is undoubtedly one of them.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Accommodation in L´Estartit
Hotel Bell Aire
Apartamenros Centremar
Hotel Panorama
Hotel Santa Ana
Hotel Flamingo
Hotel Medes II
Hotel Vall Petita
