The pretty town of Calella is more than just a Spanish seaside resort. Every month throughout the year this place hosts a number of events, all aimed at attracting visitors to the town. Each one highlights the heritage and traditions of this fishing village that has now become a haven for sun-seeking tourists who appreciate a little culture on their holiday too.
Here is my guide to what you can look forward to in Calella, whatever month you might be visiting.
A Year in Celebrations!
17th February: The Carnival of Alt Maresme
I love travelling early in the year. Not only does it help shed the winter blues but it also means that you see a place without the backdrop of hundreds of other tourists, which can be really special. Every February in Calella the streets come alive with activity. The Carnival of Alt Maresme is a blaze of colour in the guise of performing troupes, parties, feathers and glitter. Music plays and parades dance through the evening. It is a truly wonderful – and totally free – spectacle.
18th March: Half Marathon
Bright days and warmer weather get people out and about and this half marathon has become a highlight of this season in town. Great views and fabulous crowds await anyone who takes on the challenge.
April: Carpe Birrem
Ending on 1st April this beer festival is always a popular event. It celebrates local producers and traditional ways of crafting artisan beers – if you love a beer, you really have to go. The event is held on Promenade Manuel Puigvert and entrance is free.
26th-27th May: Moments de Flors
Who doesn’t love an exhibition of flowers? And what better way to welcome the spring to summer transition? For two days during May, several places in the town are adorned with flowers and all are open to visitors who flock to enjoy the colourful spectacle.
June and July: Calella Film Festival
Starting on 22nd June and ending on 1st July this year, the annual film festival transforms the town into a stage of new talent and creative accolades. Honouring everything that makes cinema and screen so successful, this festival showcases originality and hosts several workshops and courses too.
14th August: Open Air Celebration
Celebrating life here in Calella, this festival focuses on fun, food, wine and everything Mediterranean. It is a hugely social occasion with young and old alike dancing the night away. Many memories are made here every year.
21st-23rd September: Fair of Calella and Alt Maresme
For the small contribution of €3 you can enjoy a celebration of culture and tradition at this fair that welcomes people from all over the world to exchange their products. A nod to the past while embracing the future is the focus of this huge, ever increasing platform for international exchange markets.
14th October: Mushroom Festival
October is the time for nuts, legumes, pomegranates and mushrooms. As summer trails away and the first rains descend, the Catalans welcome the mushroom picking tradition; this is an annual event enjoyed by families throughout the region. Celebrating some of the best mushroom dishes and, in true Spanish style, bringing people from all over to enjoy the gastronomic delights, it is a festival that is cherished.
December
Throughout December, Christmas is the focus of this town. With events occurring every week it is best to check with the tourist information board as to what is on when you are visiting. Decorated shop windows line the streets and fairs, nativity scenes, carol concerts and many other events bring this season alive. The Christmas Fair is the place to go if you fancy trying some local seasonal sweets, nuts and nougat!
How to Get to Calella
Only a short drive from Barcelona, Calella is an easy spot to get to when flying in from the UK. With so many budget airlines and charter flights flying into Girona Airport, you have plenty of choice. Consider flying to Barcelona Airport too, which is also within easy reach, and you have even more options.
On arrival, getting to Calella couldn’t be easier when you book with Shuttle Direct. This pre-bookable service means that you can look forward to a personal meeting at the airport and a comfortable drive to your final destination. When travelling on a budget you can opt for a shared transfer but the private options are competitively priced too.
Where to Stay
Aparthotel Miami Park – A hive of activity, Aparthotel Miami Park has everything you would expect from a beachside hotel. Pool, snack bar, restaurant, barbeque and pub are all on site and there are plenty of staff on hand to help you organise water sports and other excursions. Why not treat yourself to a wellness treatment for example? I always borrow one of the bikes available here when I am pottering around exploring but when I fancy getting out for a morning hike, the staff have all the info on the best places to head to.
Checkin Garbí – You can’t argue with the convenient location of this hotel, a minute’s walk from the beach. The simply decorated rooms are airy and comfortable, offering lots of space to spread out your guidebooks. After a dip in the hot tub or a swim in the outdoor salt pool, you can enjoy some local specialities in the buffet restaurant or wander round the old town that is right on the doorstep. Air conditioning is a real plus for me at Checkin Garbí and I love the fact that I don’t have to pack my hairdryer either; every room has one here!
Hotel Esplai – Close to the old town of Calella, Hotel Esplai is a well-equipped accommodation option close to the beach and to good transport links too. I enjoy the sprawling gardens, which offer lots of shade, and the two swimming pools are a plus. There is a buffet restaurant here and rooms are spacious and have all the mod cons you might need. This is a sound choice of accommodation when in the area.
About Shuttle Direct
The leading provider of transfers from airports across Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct takes great pride in offering an accessible, comfortable and professional service. Transfers are pre-bookable on a shared or private basis and drivers are on hand to take the stress out of any onward journey to your chosen resort or direct to your hotel.
