Spanish holidays. Malgrat de Mar - a sunny town by the sea
We gathered for the first time on mainland Spain, before this we vacationed in Mallorca in Santa Ponsa for 2 years in a row. We are not picky tourists; we want a normal beach, somewhere to go out in the evening and rent a car for 3-4 days.
We booked a hotel in Malgrat de Mar, they promoted it to us as a small cozy town with narrow streets in the center and a wide beach.
As usual, a good idea comes after...we decided to look at the reviews after booking. True, the hotel has not yet been confirmed, there is time to change your mind.
There is not as much information as we would like, to summarize the reviews - a village with pensioners, all the pleasure from the beach is blocked by the railway, the beach is pebbly. Super(((
We don't need a party because... We are with a 2.5 year old child, but in the evening I want to sit in a cozy bar, wander around the shops during the day, rent a car not in the neighboring village 15 km away, but next to the hotel.
Tell me, who has been there, is everything so bad?
At the same time, maybe someone visited the Aqua Bella Playa 3* hotel...
I was on holiday in Malgrat de Mar last year. What can I tell you? A huge plus is the proximity to Barcelona. But Kalea would probably be even more convenient. I can’t say that the railway is very annoying, but I definitely won’t go to such a place again. The tourist area swarms at night with drunks, either English or Dutch, plus German youth. (They come there on their way to the camps). It’s dirty... We were from July 15 to August 1, and you won’t believe it, but it was cool, even cold in the evenings... Constant winds and waves. The beach is pebbles, no, it's more like coarse sand. Plus, it doesn't stick to the towel.
The town of Malgrat itself, where the locals (mostly pensioners) live, is pleasant, but nothing more. There are a couple of good restaurants. In the tourist area, you can only find FAST Food and... EVERYTHING!!!
It's up to you to decide, but I would choose another place!!!
From what I saw, I would choose Tossa de Mar and Playa de Aro. It's worthy there.
Good luck!!!
Zamorskaya, thanks for the link!
The reviews seem to be normal... but a village with pngioners, where a lot of fast food has been added, is still annoying :)
Becky, what are these couple of restaurants? I want gazpacho and paella and don’t want hamburgers at all...
I was in Malgrat, at the Maripins Hotel. I don’t know anything about your hotel, I haven’t heard of it. The town of Malgrat de Mar... A cozy town with narrow streets in the center - yes, really. But only in a very small historical part, even tiny, where there are actually several narrow streets with old houses and a square with a cathedral and a fountain. There are no hotels in this part. In addition to the Sol d'Or hotel, which is located right next to the railway station, where the entire center of the town is located. The station and the entire railway line are directly on the seashore. The railway does not interfere at all. Trains run every 15 minutes, by shuttles, because the line is of one track, trains pass in turns, in one direction and in the other. The trains are quiet. The train is coming right along the shore, one might say, right along the sand of the beach. Sea, beach, sand, then the railway, then the road. There is more noise from the road - from motorcyclists. Noisier than trains. To go to the beach you will have to cross a road, not wide, 2 lanes, and then a railway - either on horseback or through an underground passage. And you're on the beach. The beach has pleasant sand with very small pebbles. There are no large pebbles. The sea is pleasant, the calls are normal. Pine trees grow on the beach. The town itself, except for being tiny historical center- This is a modern block-concrete building, medium-rise, stretched along the sea. Hotels-apartments-hotels, residential buildings. In the direction of Barcelona, Malgrat smoothly passes into Santa Susanna, in the other direction (towards Blanes) - into deserted places, beach line towards Blanes it breaks off, and the railway above Malgrat already goes away from the coast, inland.
In general, nothing special. The landscapes are not the most picturesque - a flat sandy shore, pine trees, a promenade with benches, residential and hotel buildings along the shore. There were one or two discos there, crowds of local and non-local teenagers, 15-16 years old, came there on weekends. There are many shops, but this is an ordinary tourist bazaar-station with Chinese things. Everything closes at 10 p.m. This town is often chosen for inexpensive accommodation near Barcelona. To go there every day and come back in the evening. Budget. To Barça it’s 1.15 by train, it cost 1.25 euros 5 years ago, trains last until 11 pm, the last one leaves from Barcelona at about 10 pm.
So, after Mallorca, I would choose something more picturesque and interesting. Costa del Maresme is by no means the most interesting place near Barcelona. Then it’s higher - on the Costa Brava, in Tossa del Mar. Or lower - to the Costa Dorada, there are water parks, or even to the Costa Blanca.
Quiet coves with nature are to the north, beyond Blanes. Tossa de Mar, for example. Look at Google photos. From Malgrat to the south and to Barcelona - the same concrete buildings, small towns, they have small historical parts, with a square and a cathedral, as usual. If you're interested... I highly recommend going to Barcelona itself. For me, this is a must. But you Small child... So, see for yourself. It will be interesting for adults, but it will be difficult for kids, of course. If you go to Barcelona, I don’t know which is better - by car or by train. It’s better to travel around Barcelona without a car - on foot or as a tourist, that’s for sure. If you leave it in the parking lot and then continue walking around the city.
Restaurants - I don’t remember. But there is a simple principle - where there are many locals, it’s good. And the locals will be in Malgrat not in the hotel modern part of the city, but near the station, in the old town, on those very narrow streets. If there are no problems with the language, ask the hotel receptionist, or the locals, sellers, for example, where the normal local food is.
I highly recommend going to the provincial-style restaurant with delicious food cooked on the grill "El Cortijo". For two we ate with beer and juices for 30 euros.
Wine will be more expensive, but this restaurant is worth it.
You can view the interiors here: http://picasaweb.google.ru/slmanuscriptum/wruqhK#
It’s not entirely true that there is only fast food there. In the coastal zone - yes. Those who are not too lazy to go a little deeper into the town will find a wonderful pizzeria, a Mexican restaurant, and Asian cuisine. There is a small park in the city center. And in Blanes and Lloret there are wonderful botanical gardens and parks. So no need to whine that there is nothing to do there!
Malgrat de Mar on the Costa del Maresme
Malgrat de Mar – Small town on the Costa del Maresme, where about 20 thousand people live in an area of less than 10 square kilometers. But there are enough hotels!
The city is located on the Costa del Maresme, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. To Barcelona itself - about 65 kilometers, to neighboring Pineda de Mar (towards Barcelona) - about 7 km, to Blanes (in the other direction) - about 10.
People usually come to Malgrat de Mar with families, with children; older people also love this city; it is very quiet and peaceful here.
Hotels in Malgrat de Mar
If you need cheap hotel in Malgrat de Mar, look at the Aqua Hotel Bella Playa - about 40 euros per night for two, free Wi-Fi, 250 meters to the beach, the same to the embankment, its own pool, small garden, conditions for families with children. In the evenings there are shows and entertainment.
And now let’s list the hotels (in descending order of rating) that tourists usually like, about which they leave the most good feedback. Firstly, Aqua Hotel Bella Playa 3*, second line, beach, Luna Park 3*, first line, beach, Monteplaya 3*, first line, in the city center, beach, Luna Club 4*, second line, beach, Papi 3*, across the road from the beach, Tropic Park 4*, beach hotel, first line.
Hotels in Malgrat de Mar – High Quality. Even in 3-star hotels it’s not at all scary to stay. The food there can be compared with the buffet in inexpensive Egyptian fives.
Malgrat de Mar on the map and how to get there from the airport
The map of Malgrat de Mar is in front of you.
You can zoom in or out to see the city.
Inside, of course, there is no own transport, since it is too small. But there is a station from which you can go to Barcelona and other cities on the coast.
If you need to get from Barcelona Airport to Malgrat de Mar, you can use the train or bus. You can get there by train with a change in the center of Barcelona, but it’s easier to find. The bus from Barcelona Airport to Malgrat de Mar runs from Terminal 1. If you arrive on the second day, you can use the free shuttle. The bus runs several times a day, quite often. You can also travel from the airport to Sants train station by train, and then by train from Barcelona to Malgrat de Mar. The city is located in the fifth tariff zone from Barcelona, travel will cost a few euros. You can also buy a ticket for 10 trips for about 35 euros, which can be used by several people.
The road from Malgrat de Mar to Barcelona airport will cost about 10 euros, to Barcelona - a little cheaper. If you have any questions about how to get there, ask them in the comments.
If you need to go to Girona and Figueres, then you need to travel one stop by train in the other direction - to Blanes, and change trains there.
Reviews about Malgrat de Mar, attractions, excursions
Firstly, about food in Malgrat de Mar, about where you can have lunch. Firstly, inexpensive ice cream is available in Cremeria Toscana, the average bill is about 3–9 euros. At Pub Eureka Corner you can try English and Spanish cuisine, the average bill is about 3–15 euros. The more expensive restaurant is Bar Restaurante Antonio, and at El Cortijo dinner will generally cost 25–50 euros, but they offer classic Spanish cuisine.
And now – about the sights of Malgrat de Mar. Firstly, you can visit the Parc del Castell. There are incredible plants here and a wonderful view of the city. People come here for wonderful photos and outdoor recreation. Parc Francesc-Macia is also of interest. In the summer there are many families with children during the day, and in the evenings music lovers gather. There is an opportunity to have a picnic.
From Malgrat de Mar it is convenient to get to the Marineland water park and the WaterWorld water park ( detailed information- on our website). There are free buses to the water parks if you have a ticket. On average, a day ticket costs about 30 euros. Marineland has fewer slides, a lot of animals, and shows, while WaterWorld has more slides, they are more interesting.
Also among the attractions of Malgrat de Mar are the Church of Sant Nicolau de Bari, the Torre d'en Riera and other historical buildings.
Holidays in Malgrat de Mar, beaches and entertainment
Along the entire city there is a long gorgeous beach. There is wonderful golden sand here, coarse and pleasant to the touch. The length of the beach is more than 4 km, it is marked with the “blue flag”, an award given to environmentally friendly, clean beaches. The beach is free, but sun loungers and umbrellas are provided to tourists for money (optional). The beach of Malgrat de Mar is very clean, although it is public.
In the evenings, discos and bars open along the beach and throughout the city, and during the day you can sit in summer cafes and restaurants. Enjoy your holiday in Malgrat de Mar! Share your impressions!
I’ve written quite a lot here about my recent trip to Spain, and I’ll probably stop there for now. Although there are still hundreds and hundreds of photographs left. But life does not stand still, it moves forward. There are other thoughts, new stories ahead.
It is quite possible that I will return to the Spanish topic later, but let there be a break for now. And let this temporary final post be about that hospitable town where I spent my vacation.
Malgrat de Mar is a sunny town in the suburbs of Barcelona, near the blue-blue Mediterranean Sea.
This part of the sea is considered Balearic, and the coast belongs to the Costa del Maresme and lies south of the Costa Bravo.
The town itself is small, you can get around it in a day if you wish. On one side, the town of Santa Susanna adjoins Malgrat de Mar (we went there on foot, the cities practically merge with each other); on the other side, but further away, is Blanes.
It takes just over an hour to get to the center of Barcelona by train. The train leaves in 20-30 minutes, the ticket costs about 5 euros. Taxis there are expensive; to Barcelona airport they charge more than 100 euros.
All beaches in the town are municipal and free. But the pleasure of lying there on a rented sun lounger under a large beach umbrella is paid. Like everywhere else in Spain. Locals, for example, they carry all this stuff with them to the beach :)
Tourists are often content with towels on the sand and their own small umbrellas.
The city is conventionally divided into two parts - historical (or “ Old city"), and modern, built up with hotels.
What everyone immediately recommends to see in the town is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, built in the 16th century, where Catholic services are still held.
Of course, I couldn’t take photographs during the service, but I was able to capture the inside of the cathedral at another time.
Very close to the cathedral there is a hill, on top of which there is a picturesque park. You can climb the hill on a special free cable car that runs on rails.
It can even be seen from the cable car window beautiful view to the old town.
Below in the photographs is a view of the city from the observation deck from the top of the hill.
I always love photographing trees. And it's clearly worth it.
The top of the hill is crowned by a tower.
The decorations of the park are impressive with their gigantomania :)
Yes, no one lost their shoe?
How about a giant brownie?
And more about the town.
tall buildings in Malgrat de Mar there are no, if only a few hotels. Most buildings are no higher than five floors.
On the main street running along railway and the beach are always full of tourists. There you can meet street artists, performers, and numerous souvenir sellers.
What hotel guides always warn about is that this street is full of guest thieves from different countries that you need to take very good care of your bags and pockets. Yes, vigilance never hurts anywhere :)
What can tourists do without souvenirs? But no way. Moreover, souvenirs are sold from a variety of countries and peoples :)
One of the fashionable entertainments for tourists is aquariums with special fish that bite the old skin of the feet. This is such an intricate fish peeling.
And finally, of course, the sea. It is good always and in any weather.
I took this photo below early in the morning, just after dawn.
And these two photos are from one of the few cloudy days we had during our vacation. This sea has its own charm.
All twelve days in this town flew by unnoticed. I would gladly return to it again. And - who knows :)
My other stories and photos from my trip to Spain.
Where the Costa del Maresme ends and another begins famous resort amazing Catalonia - Costa Brava, on this very invisible border is located the small town of Malgrat de Mar, which residents prefer to visit Northern Europe. However, there are also many tourists from other countries here.
Malgrat de Mar is the most remote of all the cities on the Maresme coast, but at the same time, Barcelona is, in general, a stone's throw away - some 60 kilometers. The resort is connected by railway to the capital of Catalonia.
Beaches
The beaches of Malgrat are four and a half kilometers of pleasant sand, among which there are small pebbles. The most popular of them are Central and L’Astillero, the more remote, but at the same time the longest and most “natural”, untouched is La Conca, all of them are awarded the EEC Blue Flag.
Infrastructure
Along the embankment, which has been considered one of the favorite walking places for vacationers for many decades, stretch modern hotels, a succession of which alternates between small cafes or nightclubs, restaurants or discos. Here, on the embankment, you can buy whatever you want - from beach accessories and souvenirs to expensive jewelry and fashionable clothes - because this is where shops with souvenir shops are located. However, interesting restaurants (for example, with Mexican or Asian cuisine) can also be found if you go deeper into the town. And although there are few restaurants, hotels and cafes in Malgrate (compared to other cities), it is currently considered the most under construction resort on this coast.
What to see
Of course, there are not so many attractions in the town, but there will be plenty to see during your vacation. The current Malgrat de Mar is an “old town” consisting exclusively of streets with ancient houses and a square with a fountain and a cathedral, and new town: block residential buildings, hotels, cafes - it stretches mainly along the sea. In addition to the very ancient church of Sant Nicolau, which is called the cathedral here, you can also look at a very impressive structure built from the same period, the 16th century - this is the El Castell tower on the top of the hill. Modernist buildings are also interesting - Torre d'en Riera, Ca L'Arnau, the building of the town hall. The building of the library, which was formerly a hospital, then a casino and a cooperative, and only in the 21st century became a library, is also always popular among tourists. In the vicinity of the city there are several picturesque natural parks.
Summary
If you are looking for a place to family vacation, Malgrat de Mar is one of these “family” towns. Central Beach and L'Astillero offer a variety of exciting activities for children. There is also Francesc Masia Park in the city, where you will find educational and playgrounds, walking areas, and picnic areas. Sometimes festivals and holidays are held in the town, which is also quite interesting. The city is also convenient for those who want to visit Barcelona, but consider accommodation in the capital prohibitively expensive. After all, from here you can travel to Barcelona by train every day, and it will cost much less than living in Barcelona itself.
At first glance, it seems that Malgrat de Mar is an unremarkable town. However, Spain is Spain to surprise with unexpected discoveries that can be made in any, even the smallest, place.
About Spain and have a great holiday on the Mediterranean coast at resorts near Barcelona, I heard a lot from friends and acquaintances. All reviews were extremely positive. Having vacationed in Greece for three years in a row, I decided to change direction and decided to vacation in Spain. I chose from a travel agency one of the many tourist areas under the sonorous name of Costa del Maresme, which is an hour’s drive from Barcelona.
The plane landed safely at Barcelona airport after 3.5 hours of flight. Meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel.
The hotel that I chose with my companion - Papi 3* in the town of Malgrad de Mar, turned out to be second coastline surrounded by residential buildings. It’s about three minutes to the sea at a leisurely pace through an underground passage. True, I only reached the sea on the fourth day of my stay, since I spent the first three days traveling to Barcelona, Gerona, and Figueres. Much has been written and told about travel to the world-famous sights of these cities. I want to dedicate my story exclusively to the Costa del Maresme and the town of Malgrad de Mar.
The Costa del Maresme resort is located between the Costa Dorada, which is south of Barcelona, and the Costa Brava, which is north towards France. The beaches here are mostly small pebbles. To be honest, I didn’t like the sea. There was something to compare with. The water is dark, deep blue, often waves, the entrance was rocky. I’m such a fan of swimming, but once again I preferred the hotel pool to the sea.
There were days when the weather turned bad. Somewhat cool and cloudy. On such days there is nothing to do at sea, but I didn’t want to sit in the hotel either. The best way to spend time on such days is walking around the town. Such leisurely promenades somehow led me to Chinatown, where I could buy very cheap things, mostly clothes with the “Made in Italy” logo. But this, of course, is not what makes the city remarkable.
It turned out that the history of Malgrad de Mar goes back several hundred years. One of the largest churches of St. Nicholas on the coast is located here. It is located in the very center of the town, connected by a single architectural composition with the chapel. Near the temple there is a small art gallery with a very interesting exhibition of paintings.
There is also a funicular railway near the central square. On it you can climb to the very top, the elevated part of Malgrad de Mar. It's very beautiful park, which bears the name of the former President of Catalonia Francesc Macia. On observation deck park - lighthouse. From here you can see the entire city, which is very extensive. Local residents live closer to the mountainous part away from the coast. There are many cottages here that are purchased famous people Spain. The area of Malgrad de Mar and the nearby town of Santa Susanna is considered to be the most elite in the country. The cost of housing here is not cheap.
If you happen to visit this cozy town, be sure to take time to walk around it. He is conducive to have a good rest, and also well located. You can take a tour to France, the cost is about 40-50 euros, or you can take the train to Barcelona on your own. In an hour you will be in this amazingly beautiful city.
I liked Spain not in terms of relaxing on the beach. She is attractive to active rest across the country, Catalonia. There are many places that are interesting to visit, and once you visit, you will want to come back again.
