Costa Brava – Cruise Ports

TRUMAN CAPOTE’S PALAMÓS

Truman Capote arrived in Palamos in 1960 and stayed until 1962 to write his new book, In Cold Blood (eventually published in 1966). Capote brought with him an eclectic assortment of items— 4,000 pages of notes, 25 suitcases, an old bulldog, a blind poodle, a Siamese cat and his partner, Jack Dunphy. He had lived immersed in the intense social life and parties of New York in the 1950s and needed to withdraw completely from that to concentrate on his new book. Palamos offered Capote the tranquility he needed to write his masterpiece. You are invited to take a literary walking tour based on his day-to-day life in Palamos. Enjoy a dry Martini, his favorite drink at the Hotel Trias, where he stayed several days while looking for a house, and some fish tapas—a Palamos tradition—at Maria de Cadaques Restaurant. This fishermen’s tavern is known to be the spot where Capote frequently had lunch.

ESPAI DEL PEIX and Fishing Museum

At Palamós, Man’s work at sea has become an unrivalled spectacle of colour for visitors, when, in the middle of the afternoon, the fishing boats dock at the port and unload their catch.At Palamós, however, the world of fishing does not end at the quay – it continues at the Fishing Museum. With its focus on fishing, the museum is unique in the Mediterranean. The museum presents the past, present and future of fishing by means of a permanent exhibition and programme of activities associated with fishing and the sea along the Costa Brava. www.museudelapesca.org

L’Espai del Peix (Fish Space) a culinary encounter with the sea. Guided tours with tasting: The harbour, the fishing, the fish auction, classes on fish. Fish cooking workshops: Discover the flavour s of fish cuisine made with spices shipped to the port of Palamós. Fish Dish demostration and Tasting. Consult the Fish Space’s monthly programme of activities at www.espaidelpeix.org

Heritage

To learn about the town’s history, we recommend a visit to the ancient Iberian Settlement Of Castell, where human settlements can be traced back to the 6th century BC. A visit to this archaeological site near the beach Platja de Castell will give you the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful unspoiled parts of the Costa Brava.

The land where the town of Palamos is located today was bought in 1277 by King Pere II in order to extend the boundary of the castle of Sant Esteve Del Mar, whose remains can still be seen on the eastern side of the beach Plaltja de la Fosca.

The town in its current form still retains the fishermen’s quarter with its traditional buildings, and walking through the narrow streets we find other of the town’s heritage assets: the Park of the Augustinian Convent, the Church of Santa Maria del Mar or the Town Hall, among others.

Soft trekking

Venturing along the coastal path Camí de Ronda, which leads along the coast of Palamos joining all the beaches and coves, you will be able to enjoy a unique landscape, among pine trees and next to the sea, with magnificent views over the wild and rocky seafront. At the coves Calas’Alguer and CalaPallerida, you can still see the well preserved picturesque fishermen’s huts and houses, characteristic elements of popular architecture of Palamos.

Gastronomy

Palamós’ more than 70 restaurants offer visitors an extensive and varied cuisine with something to suit all tastes and budgets – establishments of every kind, serving dishes of the day, daily menus, tapas, the best à la carte menus offering innovative cuisine, traditional home dishes or authentic fisherman’s fare.A good way to find out about the region’s cuisine is to try the variety of dishes on offer at the gastronomic fairs that are held throughout the year: Menú de la Gamba (Prawn Menu), Menú del Escamarlà (Dublin Bay Prawn Menu), and Menú de l’Olla de Peix (Fish Casserole)

Tapas and Canapés

We’d like to invite you to take a stroll through the old part of Palamós and enjoy a good street atmosphere whilst sampling some of the tapas and canapés on offer at the town’s tapas bars. There is a wide variety of tapas, which are set out on the bar: brochettes, canapés, Iberian ham specialities, home-made specialities, and also traditional Basque-country dishes, washed down with a choice of drinks.

Shopping

Shopping in Palamós is to step into a sea of excitement. Hundreds of shops with a marked Mediterranean accent – both in terms of the products on sale and the friendliness and welcome extended by shopkeepers – give Palamós a character of its own. This modern centre has a wide range of products and services of the highest quality.

A visit to Palamós is not complete without a stroll around the Mercat Municipal (Town Market) – full of fresh fish and seafood brought in by the fishing boats every afternoon, and fresh produce picked by expert hands from the fields and market gardens in the area. Another must is to wander around the old part of the town (casc antic), dotted with shops, pavement cafés and pubs, and enjoy the genuineness and welcome of natives of the town.

Association for the Promotion of the commerce and Tourism Palamos: www.fecotur.cat

Water Sports

Throughout the year, Palamós offers a range of nautical activities to suit all ages and levels, including scuba diving, kayaking, boat hire, sailing, light-catamaran sailing, banana boating, snorkelling, trimaran sailing, windsurfing, and boat trips.

Sailing – a highly prized asset at Palamós

Palamós – a sailing paradise. This apt slogan has been used over many years to publicise the town of Palamós. Anyone connected with the world of sailing, be they amateur or professional, knows the name Palamós.

Scuba diving: a voyage to the bottom of the Palamós sea

Palamós, strategically located in Empordà, in the very centre of the Costa Brava, has put a lot of effort into turning itself into a sub-aqua activity centre. If you’re fascinated by the seabed or whether, quite simply, you like the idea of seeing the hidden-away secrets found beneath the waves of the Mediterranean in its purest state, then you’ll find everything you need at Palamós to experience the thrill that comes with donning a diving suit or the relaxation of snorkelling

Another perspective of Palamós: Boat hire and traditional sailing: boat trips aboard the lateen-rigged Rafael

To discover the rich Palamós coast of the Baix Empordà area, and the rest of the Costa Brava, with its beaches, coves and characteristic rocky landscape, you have the option of renting a motorboat or a sailing boat (with or without a skipper), or hiring full boating facilities. Enjoy the Costa Brava of Empordà from a different perspective, from the most distinctive element of Palamós – the sea!