Platja de Pals
Best for. Travellers who want a long, open sweep of sand and dunes for a proper walk and a swim, paired with the medieval village of Pals and its rice fields a short drive inland.
Best spot. Walk away from the central access point along the dunes for space and quiet, then drive up to the walled village of Pals for the views and dinner.
Know this. The beach and the famous medieval village are not the same place. The sand sits around six kilometres from the hilltop town, so plan to see both as a pair rather than expecting one at the other.
Platja de Pals is the antidote to the small coves further up the coast. Instead of a sheltered turquoise pocket you get a long, open beach, close to two and a half kilometres of golden sand backed by dunes and pine, with wide skies and room to walk until the crowds thin to nothing. It is exposed and can pick up a breeze and a little surf, which the small coves never do, and that openness is the draw for anyone who finds a tiny cove too tight.
The beach is only half the story, and the better half waits inland. About six kilometres back from the sand the medieval village of Pals rises on its hill, a tight knot of cobbled lanes, stone houses, walls and a Gothic core that is one of the loveliest old villages on the Costa Brava. Around it spread the rice fields where arroz de Pals is grown, flat and green and threaded with cycle paths. The local cooking makes the most of that rice, so the natural shape of a day here is a long beach walk and swim, then the village for the views and a rice dish at dinner.
The honest read is access and exposure. Platja de Pals is long and the parking and services cluster around a few access points, so the trick is to walk away from them for space. The sea is more open than the coves, so check conditions on a windy day. And do not arrive expecting the medieval village to sit behind the sand. The two are a short drive apart and best seen together, which is the real reward of coming here.
Clubs on this beach
Platja de Pals is a long open beach with seasonal beach bars and sunbed hire at its access points rather than a daybed club scene. The chiringuitos along the sand are the place for a drink and a casual lunch. Operators and opening change each season, so confirm before you travel and see the Costa Brava beach clubs guide for the wider coast.
Beach bars and sunbed hire
Seasonal chiringuitos and sunbed hire sit at the main access points along the sand. Specific operators and prices to be confirmed.
Baix Emporda, Costa Brava
Platja de Pals lies on the open coast of the Baix Emporda, around forty minutes by car from Girona and its airport, with the medieval village of Pals a short drive inland. Car parks sit at the main beach access points and fill in high summer, so come early.
Public transport is limited and a car is effectively required to reach both the beach and the village comfortably. Once you are at the sand, walking away from the busy access points quickly gives you space, and the village and rice fields are an easy drive afterwards.
Photo: Vicenç Formiga 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 Pals. 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 Pals
Is the beach in the medieval village of Pals?
No, and this surprises many visitors. The walled hilltop village of Pals sits around six kilometres inland from Platja de Pals, the long sandy beach. They are a short drive apart and best visited as a pair, the beach for a swim and walk and the village for its lanes, walls and views.
What is Platja de Pals like?
Long and open, close to two and a half kilometres of golden sand backed by dunes and pine. It offers space and a proper beach walk rather than the sheltered turquoise of the small coves, and it can pick up a breeze and light surf, so it suits anyone who finds a tiny cove too cramped.
What is there to do around Pals?
Swim and walk the long beach, then explore the medieval village and cycle the rice fields where arroz de Pals is grown. The local kitchens make the most of that rice, so a beach day and a rice dish in or near the village is the classic way to round off a visit.
Is Platja de Pals good for families?
Yes, in calm conditions, thanks to the wide sand and the room to spread out. Because the sea is more open than the coves it can be choppier on a windy day, so check conditions and treat the water as unsupervised. Walk away from the access points for quieter space.
When is the best time to visit Platja de Pals?
June or September for warm water and lighter crowds, and a calmer sea than a blustery day can bring. The long beach absorbs people well even in summer, so early arrivals find space, and the inland village is far more pleasant outside the midday heat.
