Sant Feliu de Guíxols – Catalonia (Spain)
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Considered the capital of the Costa Brava, as it is the location from where this coast got its name (1), Sant Feliu de Guíxols is an important centre of tourism and for summer holidays (2) situated in the Baix Empordà. With moderate temperatures throughout the year and communicated with Girona (34 km away) and Barcelona (105 km away), the town’s economy is principally based on tourism, although a few decades ago it was an important centre for the cork industry (3).
(1) Wikipedia entry for Sant Feliu de Guíxols
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Feliu_de_Gu%C3%ADxols
(2) Demographic and economic data (IDESCAT)
http://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=171609&lang=en
(3) Tourism Information Office for the Costa Brava
http://en.costabrava.org/come/overview/tourist-information-points-offices-and-centres/sant-feliu-de-guixols-tourist-information-office-34129
WHAT TO DO
As much inside the town as in the rest of the rest of the urban centres of the municipality the proposals for rest, entertainment, culture and the natural spaces on offer allow for a stay which will never leave one indifferent.
HISTORICAL HERITAGE
The obligatory visits which allow one to get close to the personality of Sant Feliu are the medieval monastery (Porta Ferrada), symbol of the locality, as is the Shipwreck Rescue Shelter, the Hermitage of Sant Elm or the modernist casino La Constància, (as well as a curious Toy Museum or the Thyssen Museum).
BEACHES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE OPEN AIR
For lovers of adventure, the 500 m ascent and descent of the Via Ferrata will lead to a sea of sensations. Multiple nautical and aquatic activities: scuba diving, kayaking, sailing… as well as beaches and coves of all classes and dimensions are on offer.
http://www.visitguixols.com/english/index.html
CUISINE
The cuisine of Sant Feliu is essentilly maritime, with room as much for the most traditional as the most innovative dishes. Even so the Cocina del Pescado Azul Ganxó (the cooking of a type of oily fish), typical of the town and other dishes like the suquet de peix, cod, a type of codfish or the suquet of anchovies stand out.
http://www.visitguixols.com/english/index.html
http://www.guixols.cat/files/turisme/20100209pd_tur_cuines.pdf
http://www.festacatalunya.cat/articles-mostra-6982-cat-campanya_gastronymica_del_peix_blau_ganxy_a_sant_feliu_de_guyxols.htm
TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND LINKS OF INTEREST
Emergencies: 112
Local Police: 088
Citizen’s Advice: 972 32 70 00
Sant Feliu de Guíxols Town Hall