General Description of Platja D'Aro

A lively, spread-out resort with dated 1950s high-rises stretching the length of the wide, exposed beach, which is backed by a promenade lined with bars and restaurants and has a smart marina at its southern end. The attractive centre – which lies between the main through road and the beach – boasts more traditional-style, low-rise, red-roofed buildings, narrow, red-brick streets with white-tiled pavements and lots of low, thick pine trees. The town has a bustling, industrious atmosphere, particularly at weekends when the locals descend to shop, eat ice cream and throng the beach; things also crank up a notch in July and August when Spanish holidaymakers come to stay in their private apartments. For a reasonably small town, it has a broad range of amenities, from small, slightly tacky amusement parks, tourist shops and fast-food joints to expensive leather-clothing shops, department stores and sophisticated cafes.

Market/Suitability

A favourite with mainly middlemarket French, Dutch and Polish holidaymakers of all ages. Children are well catered for, with small amusement parks and a water park. A range of amenities offers something for most tastes.

Location/Contact

Location: In northeast Spain, on the Mediterranean coast, almost midway along the Costa Brava. 4½ mls southwest of Palamos. 72 mls northeast of Barcelona; 80 mls northeast of Barcelona's international airport. 25 mls southeast of Gerona and its international airport.
Position: Built on mainly flat terrain on a long, exposed, sandy bay, with a pine-clad promontory to the south and a rocky headland to the north. Inland lie the low Gavarres Mountains.
Postcode: 17250
Website: www.platjadaro.com

Accommodation

A fair selection of mainly mid-range accommodation, with 2- and 3-star hotels in the centre of town and along the beach. Lots of privately owned apartments rented out through agencies. A few well-equipped campsites.

Beach

The main beach, Platja Gran, is a wide, rather exposed 1-ml stretch of coarse sand, sloping quite steeply in places, with a large rock known as Cavall Bernat at one end and a marina at the other. Sunbeds and parasols available for hire. Water sports; sailing club. 3 small, sheltered, sandy coves to the north (Cala Rovira, Cala Sa Cova and Cala del Pi) are popular with young families; only one has amenities and all are accessed via steep steps.

Shopping

Good selection of shops – some surprisingly sophisticated – including expensive leather clothing, the usual souvenirs, beachwear, shoes, handbags and clothes; a wide range of prices and styles. A smart pedestrianised shopping area on the inland side of the main road has designer fashion boutiques, expensive gift shops and a couple of small mid-market department stores. Banks and cashpoints.

Entertainment

Daytime: beach and water sports; Aquadiver water park (with an irregular free bus service); boat hire; coastal walk to San Antonio de Calonge; golf; minigolf.
Nightlife: array of bars and nightclubs; medieval evening; small amusement parks for children.

Eating Out

A large range of informal choices, ranging from pizza and seafood to Mexican. A few stylish cafes. Self-service options and fast-food eateries. Ice-cream stands. Fairly average prices.

Public Transport

Good local bus service to neighbouring resorts and beaches. Frequent service to Gerona, less so to Barcelona. Taxi rank. Car, bike and scooter hire.

Local Excursions

Half day: boat trip to Palamos and San Feliu de Guixols. Full day: boat to Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar; Gerona or Barcelona (by bus, car or excursion); nearby small resorts of Calella de Palafrugell (with Cap Roig Botanical Gardens), Llafranc and Tamariu (by car); Montserrat.

Serving Airports

Gerona Costa Brava (GRO)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs

Barcelona (BCN)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs