Sant Feliu de Guíxols is a historic coastal town on the central Costa Brava in Catalonia, located between S’Agaró and Tossa de Mar. The town combines beaches, a marina, historic architecture and a more traditional Catalan atmosphere than some of the region’s purpose-built resorts. It developed around a Benedictine monastery and later became an important centre for the cork industry during the nineteenth century.
The waterfront area includes a broad beach, marina and promenade lined with cafés and restaurants. Platja de Sant Feliu forms the main urban beach and is located directly beside the town centre. Fishing and boating activity still contribute to the character of the harbour, while the surrounding streets contain a mixture of shops, apartment buildings and older stone structures. Although tourism is important during summer, Sant Feliu remains an active working town throughout the year.
One of the main historic landmarks is the Benedictine monastery complex, parts of which date back to the medieval period. The Porta Ferrada, an arched stone structure beside the monastery, has become one of the town’s best-known architectural features. The local history museum contains exhibitions relating to maritime history, cork production and the wider Costa Brava region.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols also provides access to several scenic stretches of the Camí de Ronda coastal path. Walking routes follow the rocky coastline past coves, cliffs and viewpoints towards nearby beaches and towns including S’Agaró. Smaller coves around the town are popular for swimming and snorkelling during summer.
Compared with smaller villages such as Cadaqués or Begur, Sant Feliu is larger and more urban in character, but it offers a good combination of beaches, local history and access to the central Costa Brava coastline.
Top 10 Things to Do in Sant Feliu de Guíxols
1. Visit the Benedictine Monastery
The Benedictine monastery complex is one of the town’s main historic landmarks and dates back to the medieval period. Parts of the structure include Romanesque and later architectural elements, while the Porta Ferrada archway has become one of the best-known symbols of Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The complex also contains cultural exhibitions and museum spaces connected to the history of the town and surrounding Costa Brava region.
2. Relax at Platja de Sant Feliu
Platja de Sant Feliu forms the town’s main beach and lies directly beside the promenade and marina. The sandy beach is easily accessible from the town centre and is popular for swimming and family visits during summer. Restaurants, cafés and shops are located nearby, while the curved bay provides views across the harbour and surrounding coastline. The beach also acts as a starting point for coastal walking routes.
3. Walk the Camí de Ronda Coastal Path
Sant Feliu de Guíxols provides access to some of the finest sections of the Camí de Ronda coastal path. Walking routes follow the rocky shoreline past coves, cliffs and viewpoints towards S’Agaró and other nearby beaches. The paths vary from short walks close to town to longer hikes along more rugged stretches of coastline. Several smaller swimming coves can also be reached from the route.
4. Explore the Marina and Harbour
The marina and harbour area remain important parts of the town’s identity and combine leisure boating with smaller-scale fishing activity. Walking around the waterfront provides views of boats, nearby beaches and the surrounding coastline. Restaurants and cafés near the harbour specialise in seafood and Catalan cuisine, while the promenade becomes particularly active during summer evenings. The harbour area also hosts seasonal events and markets during the tourist season.
5. Visit Cala del Vigatà
Located south of the town centre, Cala del Vigatà is a small rocky cove known for clear water and coastal scenery. The cove is reached by walking paths and rocky steps descending from the coastline above. Compared with the main beach, the atmosphere is quieter and more natural. The area is particularly popular for swimming, snorkelling and short coastal walks along nearby sections of the shoreline.
6. Explore the Historic Town Centre
Behind the waterfront, Sant Feliu de Guíxols contains a network of streets, squares and older buildings reflecting its long history as a working coastal town. The centre includes local shops, cafés, markets and residential streets rather than purely tourist-focused development. Walking through the town provides a contrast to the larger resort areas elsewhere on the Costa Brava and gives a better sense of the town’s traditional Catalan character.
7. Visit S’Agaró
Located immediately south of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, S’Agaró can be reached easily by road or along the coastal walking path. The area is known for landscaped coastal scenery, villas and the sandy bay of Platja de Sant Pol. Many visitors combine both destinations within the same day due to the short distance between them. The coastal path between the two towns is particularly popular during good weather.
8. Swim and Snorkel in the Coastal Coves
The rocky coastline surrounding Sant Feliu contains several smaller coves suitable for swimming and snorkelling. Clear water and underwater rock formations attract visitors interested in marine life and quieter swimming areas away from the larger beaches. Some coves are accessed directly from the Camí de Ronda coastal path, while others are reached via roads descending from the hillsides above the coastline.
9. Take a Coastal Boat Excursion
Boat excursions operate from this section of the Costa Brava during the summer season, providing views of cliffs, beaches and coves along the coastline towards Tossa de Mar, S’Agaró and Platja d’Aro. Excursions vary from short sightseeing trips to swimming and snorkelling tours. Viewing the coastline from the sea provides a different perspective on the rocky headlands and pine-covered slopes surrounding Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
10. Visit Nearby Beaches Along the Coast
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is well positioned for exploring several beaches along the central Costa Brava. Nearby beaches around S’Agaró, Platja d’Aro and Palamós can be reached within short driving distances or by sections of the coastal walking path. The area contains a mixture of broad sandy beaches and smaller rocky coves. Many visitors use Sant Feliu as a base for exploring the wider coastline and nearby coastal towns.