Tourism
Calella. Tourist capital of the Maresme coast.
The municipal area of Calella, 30 minutes of Barcelona, has three kilometers of beach and a rocky part from Capaspre with magnificent coves, one of which is for nudists. The town centre lies between the coast and the mountains which form part of the nature reserve of the Montnegre-Corredor. The extensive beach of golden sand, which has been rewarded for its quality with the blue flag during the last eight years, has favoured the creation of an important tourist haven and an infrastructure of top-quality services. An attractive shopping area is revealed in the streets of the center of the town, which has been converted into a pedestrian zone.
In the sea they practice every type of nautical sport, combined with the beach and the municipal facilities where visitors can enjoy a variety of sports for all ages; such as kayaks, beach volley ball, aerobics, childrens club, beach library etc., all contained in the Calella Activa tourist animation programme. This organisation offers cultural activities (craft markets, concerts, parties, etc) in other areas of the town. Calella has the ideal infrastructure for the celebration of congresses, contests and conventions. There are also a large number of terraces, restaurants, dance halls, discotheques and musical bars for the ideal night life, whatever your age.
The historical old town is concentrated around the church, with its narrow straight streets where in the summer there is great activity. The neoclassic church of Saint Maria, preserves the baroque door of the original building, with the heads of the twelve apostles sculpted by Jean de Tours. Nearby buildings are a living history, such as Salvadors house (14th century), with its arched doors, large gothic windows and the elaborate decoration of the front door, and the Sivilla house (16th century). In the Municipal Museum-Archive Josep M. Codina and Bagué, objects and documents related to the life in the town are preserved. Places which must be seen are: the cosy Saint Quirze and Saint Julita chapel, the symbolic Calella lighthouse (short walk from centre) which was constructed in 1859, and the twin Turrets, constructed in the years 1849 and 1850 close to the lighthouse. Also worth a visit is the lovely Dalmau park, the Manuel Puigvert promenade, with its hundred year old trees, and the new Garbí avenue where you can enjoy a stroll and the beautiful sea-views. There are forest trails in the Montnegre area, ideal for trekking and lovers of mountain biking.
On the promenade of Manuel Puigvert they celebrate the Calella and province of l’Alt Maresme fair, the traditional dancing of sardanas and every kind of cultural and popular meetings. Calella is also well known for its carnival, the Catalonia roses exhibition, the most ancient and important sardana group of Catalonia, the national celebrations of Saint Quirze and Saint Julita, the summer muic and dance concerts, the Minerva celebrations, international orchestra festivals and the beer celebration of the Oktoberfest.
These are just a few of the reasons why Calella, which was a pioneer of tourism in Catalonia and Spain, has maintained their touristic offer at such a high level and is recognised as the tourist capital of the Maresme coast.
