A weekend in Calella, Barcelona

What to see and do on a weekend in Calella

If you’re planning a weekend break in Calella, two days will be enough to discover some of the town’s best-known sights, enjoy the sea, stroll through its historic centre and visit some of the Maresme’s most special spots.

Calella is a town where you can enjoy the beach, nature, and discover its culture, cuisine and leisure activities. One of its advantages for a short break is that you can make the most of your time and return home feeling completely recharged.

A stroll along the Mediterranean coast

After arriving in Calella and dropping off your luggage at our hotel in Calella, there’s nothing better than kicking off your break with a stroll down to the beach to enjoy the sea.

Calella has several beach areas where you can take your first stroll along the Mediterranean, have a swim if the weather’s on your side, or simply sit on a terrace and start to unwind.

One of the best ways to get to know the town is to take a leisurely stroll along the seafront promenade, which connects different points along the coast and offers a superb view of the shoreline.

If you’re visiting Calella outside the summer months, this walk is also a perfect way to spend your time. The climate in the Maresme region means you can enjoy the outdoors for much of the year

Paseo en Calella

Explore Calella’s historic centre

Among the most notable buildings in Calella’s historic centre is the Archpriest’s Church of Santa María and San Nicolás, built in 1747. Just a few metres away stands the Old Town Hall. The squares surrounding these buildings host a variety of cultural events and leisure activities throughout the year.

You can make the most of your stroll by wandering through the streets, discovering local shops and looking for a restaurant where you can sample specialities from the Maresme region. It’s a great way to get to know Calella beyond its beaches and discover the town’s local character.

iglesia sta maria i nicolau calella

Visit the Calella Lighthouse

Perched on high ground by the sea, the Calella Lighthouse is one of the town’s landmarks. On the site where it now stands, there used to be an old watchtower and defence structure, which was responsible for monitoring and protecting the coast against the threat of attacks by Algerian pirates. The current lighthouse, classified as a third-order lighthouse, was inaugurated in December 1859.
As well as its historical significance, its location offers magnificent views of the coast and the Montnegre Natural Park. You’ll also find a lighthouse interpretation centre which you can visit to learn more about its history and how it works.

It’s a place particularly worth visiting in the late afternoon, when the light begins to change and the views of the coast take on a different atmosphere.

faro de calella

Photo: @annashoots

Discover the history of Les Torretes

From the lighthouse, you can continue your walk to Les Torretes. These towers were built in 1857 as part of the optical telegraph line linking Montjuïc with La Jonquera, and ceased to operate in 1862 with the advent of the electric telegraph.

These old optical telegraph towers are situated on high ground and offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Calella, overlooking the sea and the surrounding countryside.

The combination of sea, nature and heritage makes this walk one of the best ways to spend a weekend afternoon in Calella. It’s also a particularly attractive spot for taking photographs at sunset.

les torretes calella

Photo: @Enrica

A stroll through Dalmau Park

Dalmau Park is one of Calella’s most important green spaces and a lovely place for a peaceful stroll, to rest and enjoy a relaxing morning. If you’re travelling with children, it’s also a great option to include in your itinerary, as you’ll find various areas where they can play and enjoy the surroundings.

Inside the park, in the area known as the Pati de l’Ós (Bear’s Courtyard), the Aplec de la Sardana de Calella is held on the first Sunday in June. During the town’s annual festival, it’s also common to find activities and the occasional concert.

You can also visit the air-raid shelter in Dalmau Park, a historic site that has been restored and offers an insight into a part of Calella’s history during the Civil War.

parc Dalmau

Discovering Calella’s heritage

Calella boasts a range of museums and cultural venues that offer a deeper insight into the town’s history and its connection to the sea and the local area. Including some of these venues in your itinerary is particularly worthwhile if you’re visiting Calella outside the beach season or if the weather isn’t on your side.

It’s a great opportunity to discover a different side to Calella, beyond its traditional image of sun and sea. Among the main places of interest you’ll find:

  • Exhibition Hall at the Old Town Hall (Pl. del Ayuntamiento, 1–3)

  • Tourism Museum (C. Sant Pere, 122–140)

  • Josep M. Codina i Bagué Municipal Archive and Museum of Calella (C. Escoles Pies, 36)

  • Calella Lighthouse Interpretation Centre (Carretera Nacional II, km 666)

  • Dalmau Park Air-Raid Shelter (playground area)

  • Chapel of Sant Quirze and Santa Julita (C. de Francesc Bartrina, 18)

  • Guided tours for groups in Catalan, Spanish, English and French; for further information and bookings, please email museumunicipal@calella.cat.

You can check opening times, exhibitions and available activities in Calella’s monthly calendar.

museu del turisme

Eating out in Calella: an essential part of your getaway

Whether you’re staying in Calella for two days or a weekend, it’s well worth taking the time to discover its cuisine. Calella forms part of the Maresme, a region with a rich culinary tradition linked to the sea, agriculture and locally sourced produce.

During your stay, you can seek out restaurants serving Mediterranean cuisine, fish and seafood, as well as local and seasonal produce. Among the region’s most iconic produce you’ll find Maresme strawberries, peas, ‘pometa’ tomatoes, Arenys squid and Arenys prawns, amongst others.

comer en calella

Photo: @canva

And if you’re a sports enthusiast, you can also discover Calella in a different way through its cycling, walking and running routes. These are perfect options for a more active break and for enjoying the town’s natural surroundings.

Whether by bike, running or walking, these routes allow you to explore the landscape and the surroundings of Calella whilst enjoying some exercise.

Of course, you can also do something we often forget when we travel: do nothing. A weekend can also involve spending time by the pool, relaxing at the spa, reading a book or simply resting.

A getaway doesn’t have to be packed with plans. Sometimes, switching off simply means slowing down, enjoying the moment and letting time pass without rushing.

Where to stay for a weekend in Calella?

For a short break, the ideal is to stay somewhere you can get around on foot, be close to the sea and have the main attractions relatively nearby.

Our hotel in Calella, the Hotel Bernat II & Spa, is a great choice for a two-day break in Calella, whether you’re travelling as a couple or with your family. Its location makes it easy to combine the beach, the seafront promenade and the town centre, without having to travel far.

And after a day of walking, visiting places of interest and enjoying the coast, rounding off the day with a relaxing spell at the spa can be the perfect way to end your weekend.

Make the Hotel Bernat II & Spa your base for exploring Calella and enjoy a getaway by the Mediterranean.

Are you coming to Calella this weekend?

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