Platja de Castell
Best for. Travellers who want a rare undeveloped Costa Brava beach, a long sweep of clean sand under pine, and a short drive to Palamos for prawns and a proper seafood lunch.
Best spot. Walk to the quieter southern end below the old Iberian settlement, swim in the clear shallows, then head into Palamos to eat the famous gambes by the working harbour.
Know this. Castell stayed wild because locals voted against building on it, so there is little shade behind the front row of pines and only a seasonal beach bar, operator to be confirmed. Bring water and a hat.
Platja de Castell is the beach the Costa Brava nearly lost and somehow kept. A long natural arc of sand sits below low pine covered hills between Palamos and Palafrugell, with no apartment blocks behind it and no promenade, just the trees, the dunes and the headland where an old Iberian settlement looks out to sea. In 1994 local people voted in a referendum against building a resort here, and that single decision is why Castell still feels like the coast as it once was.
For anyone who treats a beach as part of a wider day, this is a gift. You can spread out on the sand, swim in clear shallow water, then walk the headland path to the tiny cove of Cala s'Alguer with its row of old fishermen's huts, one of the most photographed corners of this coast. The food sits a short drive away in Palamos, a real working fishing port famous for its prawns, the gambes de Palamos, landed and auctioned at the harbour and served the same evening in the town. Time a morning swim, an afternoon walk and a late lunch of grilled prawns and rice, and you have a complete Emporda day.
The honest read is that wild comes with trade offs. There is little shade once the front line of pines fills up, services are limited to a seasonal beach bar, and the access road and car park fill quickly on summer weekends. If you want sunbeds, a long promenade and a row of restaurants on the sand, Llafranc or Platja de Pals will suit you better. If you want space, nature and a beach that earns its lunch, Castell is one of the best on the whole Costa Brava.
Clubs on this beach
Castell is a protected natural beach with no club scene, which is exactly why people come. A seasonal beach bar is the extent of it, operator and opening to be confirmed. For organised daybeds and clubs, use the Costa Brava beach clubs guide and look to the larger resort beaches along the coast.
Seasonal beach bar
A seasonal beach bar serves drinks and simple food in summer. Specific operator, menu and opening status to be confirmed.
Palamos, Costa Brava
Platja de Castell sits between Palamos and Palafrugell in the Baix Emporda, around forty five minutes by car from Girona. A signed access road off the main coast road leads to a car park behind the pines, from where it is a short walk through the trees to the sand.
There is no beach right by a train, so a car is by far the easiest way in, with the car park filling early in peak season. Once you are down on the sand the headland walk to Cala s'Alguer and the wider Cami de Ronda are easy to pick up on foot for a slower day.
Photo: Albert Perarnau via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club near Platja de Castell. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Platja de Castell
Is Platja de Castell a sandy beach?
Yes, Castell is a long natural arc of golden sand, wider and far less built up than the resort beaches nearby. It shelves gently into clear shallow water, which makes it good for a relaxed swim, though shade behind the front row of pines is limited so bring a hat.
Why is Platja de Castell undeveloped?
Because local people voted against it. In 1994 a referendum rejected plans to build a resort here, so the beach stayed wild with pine and dunes behind it instead of apartments. That decision is the reason Castell still feels like the old Costa Brava.
Where should you eat near Platja de Castell?
Drive the short distance into Palamos, a working fishing port famous for its prawns, the gambes de Palamos, auctioned at the harbour and cooked the same day. The town has plenty of seafood restaurants and rice dishes, so plan a late lunch after your swim.
Is there parking at Platja de Castell?
Yes, there is a car park behind the pines reached by a signed access road, but it fills quickly on summer weekends. Arrive early in the morning or visit in June or September, when both the beach and the car park are far calmer.
Is Platja de Castell worth visiting?
Yes, if you value nature and space over facilities. It is one of the last undeveloped beaches on the Costa Brava, ideal for a long swim, the headland walk to Cala s'Alguer and a seafood lunch in Palamos. For sunbeds and a promenade, choose Llafranc or Platja de Pals instead.
