Calella, with about 21,000 inhabitants, is a town in the Maresme district, on the coast north-east of Barcelona, in Catalonia. Not to be confused with Calella de Palafrugell on the Costa Brava, it has been one of the busiest resorts on the Catalan coast since the 1960s, especially with families and German and northern European visitors.
History
A former village of fishermen and farmers, Calella became a textile centre in the 19th century, especially for knitwear, with many factories. After the Second World War tourism turned it into a resort with hotels and campsites.
What to see
- The beach, about three kilometres of golden sand, with facilities and a Blue Flag, and small rocky coves towards Sant Pol de Mar.
- The Passeig de Manuel Puigvert, the seafront avenue with tall plane trees.
- Calella lighthouse, from 1859, on the hill, with an interpretation centre and coastal views.
- The Torretes, two 19th-century optical telegraph towers.
- The pedestrian old town, with the church of Santa Maria i Sant Nicolau and shopping streets.
- The Museu-Arxiu Municipal, on the town's history and textiles.
Festivals and food
The Festa Major of Santa Maria and Sant Nicolau is in July, with giants, correfoc and castells. In October a famous Oktoberfest is held for German visitors. Food centres on fish and seafood: suquet, rice dishes, pèsols (peas) and Maresme strawberries.
Day trips
From Calella you can easily reach Barcelona by train in about an hour, and the towns of Sant Pol de Mar, Canet de Mar and Arenys de Mar, with their modernista heritage. To the north are Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Girona.
Getting there
Calella has a station on the Rodalies R1 line along the coast from Barcelona. Barcelona airport is about 70 km away, Girona's about 40 km.