Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Malgrat de Mar, Spain

At the northern edge of the Costa del Marseme, Malgrat de Mar presents a straightforward retreat, embodying simplicity in the best manner.

If you’re seeking expansive sandy beaches, welcoming seafood eateries, a charming resort, and appealing rural landscapes, this destination will fulfill your expectations.

Here, organized activities and disruptive nightlife are absent; instead, the area serves as an ideal base to explore the notable attractions of the Costa Brava and the resorts within the Barcelona province.

Here are the top activities to engage in while visiting Malgrat de Mar:

1. Malgrat’s Beach

Located across the railway tracks are four and a half kilometers of coastline. Essentially, it forms a vast stretch of white sandy beach, occasionally interrupted by breakwaters and bordered by palm trees along a narrow pathway.

The beach’s substantial width occasionally makes it challenging to determine where the sand concludes and the sea commences. The currents are gentle, allowing for swimming out to a floating play area during summer months, where one can climb aboard and gaze back at the shore.

2. Marineland Catalunya

One of the region’s leading attractions for animal enthusiasts is conveniently located in Malgrat. Marineland features animal performances, an expansive aviary, and a water park, ensuring a delightful experience for families.

The dolphinarium hosts performances twice daily, and visitors can witness playful sea lions interacting under the guidance of skilled trainers.

In addition to the marine zoo featuring penguins and harbor seals, there is a substantial birdlife sanctuary showcasing a feeding demonstration in the early afternoon.

Guests may also relax on loungers by the pools or experience exhilaration on one of the park’s six water slides.

3. Torre del Castell

A ride on the funicular lift is a quintessential activity while vacationing in Malgrat de Mar. This lift, inaugurated in 2010, transports visitors free of charge from the base at Carrer de Passada to the Parc del Castell.

Within the park stands a 14th-century tower, designated as a national cultural asset and a cherished symbol of Malgrat de Mar. Originally erected by the Lord of Palafolls, it served as a watchtower to guard against coastal threats to Villanova de Palafolls, located a few kilometers inland.

This region historically faced threats from pirates beginning in the late medieval period.

4. Església de Sant Nicolau

Malgrat features a large church, especially notable given its prior status as a small village before the advent of tourism. For many years, this neoclassical church has been affectionately referred to as La Catedral de la Costa (the cathedral of the coast) due to its impressive dimensions.

Upon first glance, visitors will notice the distinctive bell tower, which has an octagonal layout; this is a result of its incomplete construction, concluding abruptly with a flat stone roof.

Additionally, an interesting feature can be observed in the apse, where gun loops are installed, indicative of a time when France had intentions on this region of Spain.

5. Can Cua Aqueduct

Head into the countryside behind Santa Susanna to discover this Roman structure, which has recently been recognized as a cultural property of national significance.

Originally constructed to transport water from a local stream to one of the luxurious Roman villas situated along this coastal area, it remains impressively preserved.

You can view a 39-meter section boasting five pillars, two pilasters, and six arches, four of which remain intact.

6. Castell de Sant Joan de Blanes

This fortress was constructed by the Viscounts of Cabrera, who governed this region of Catalonia since the 11th century. Positioned in the neighboring resort of Blanes, it rises prominently above the town.

Erected shortly after Catalonia’s reconquest from the Moors, the impressive structure features walls that are one meter thick, with the best-preserved aspect being the tower. This tower stands 173 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views on clear days that extend all the way to Montjuïc in Barcelona.

7. Marimurtra Botanic Garden

Common yet consistently appreciated features along the northern Catalonian coast are gardens situated by the sea, perched upon rocky promontories that offer breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.

Designed by German botanist Karl Faust, Marimurtra began development in 1920. Faust dedicated himself to collecting a variety of Mediterranean and subtropical plant species from locations as distant as Central America and Southern Africa.

Visitors can marvel at the gardens as they ascend the steep pathways leading to the prominent temple dedicated to the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus.

8. Water World

This ideal summer destination caters to children feeling restless at the beach; Water World is a vibrant collection of slides and pools within a picturesque hillside adorned with pine trees, offering views of the surrounding mountains.

Free buses connect the park with Malgrat, with the journey taking no more than 20 minutes.

While parents enjoy the park’s scenic location, younger visitors can immerse themselves in a world of excitement on the various water attractions.

Older children may opt for Speed Furious, an almost vertical slide, or even a real bungee jump from a height of 80 meters.

9. Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor

The hinterland of Maresme boasts a continuous series of mountain peaks, all preserved within a natural park. By car, visitors can access this breathtaking landscape merely moments after departing the resort, winding through the countryside while enjoying stunning vistas of the coast and the deep blue Mediterranean.

The park features a mixture of pine, holm oak, and cork trees, with walking paths often decorated with wild thyme, rosemary, and even wild asparagus during spring, while autumn showcases the mushrooms.

Furthermore, numerous neolithic artifacts can be discovered around Montnegre, inviting visitors to remain vigilant for dolmens and menhirs.

10. Calella Lighthouse

Perched atop a rocky outcrop, 50 meters above the water, the operational Calella lighthouse has provided guidance for nearly 150 years.

The light can be spotted 18 miles out to sea, and the tower has become a significant symbol of Calella.

Visitors can enter to explore a small exhibition detailing the lighthouse’s construction and the history of maritime navigation along this bustling stretch of Catalonia’s coastline.

11. Food and Drink

Although paella is not exclusively a Catalan dish, the essential ingredients are locally produced and sourced, leading excellent nearby restaurants to prepare remarkable variations.

This traditional dish pairs wonderfully with a glass of chilled white wine. Other options include arròs negre, another rice dish featuring squid or cuttlefish, or Fideuà, which consists of simmered seafood served with short noodles and aioli.

For dessert, Spain’s equivalent to crème brûlée is Crema Catalana, a custard infused with cinnamon and citrus zest.

12. Neighbouring Resorts

If you’re curious about additional attractions in the vicinity, you’ll find yourself in an advantageous position. The route to Barcelona is flanked by an uninterrupted succession of small resorts offering expansive white sandy beaches, many of which have earned the prestigious Blue Flag designation.

The excitement increases as you venture north, where the coastline becomes dramatic and steep, characterized by broad bays interspersed with rocky headlands and hidden coves.

Explore the medieval coastal defenses of Tossa de Mar, or enjoy the pine-fringed Fenals beach in Lloret de Mar.

13. Iberian Settlements

In Lloret de Mar, visitors can explore three ancient Iberian archaeological sites that predate Roman occupation in the 3rd century BC.

Among Turó Rodó, Montbarbat, and Puig de Castellet, the latter is the most accessible to visitors. It offers a brief round-trip from the resort, strategically positioned to provide clear views of the surrounding sea and landscape.

A raised boardwalk traverses the site, allowing for close inspection of the stone foundations below, supplemented by informative signage illustrating how the settlement might have appeared 1500 years ago.

14. Castle of Palafolls

This mountaintop fortress may lie in ruins, but the remaining structure is undeniably striking. Those with even a mild interest in medieval architecture will find the site worth visiting.

The castle was constructed in the 900s and is part of a fortified settlement complete with its own ironworks, courts, notaries, and a mayor.

Upon reaching the peak, one can observe the irregular layout of the compound cleverly adapted to fit the narrow rectangular shape of the summit.

Visitors are welcome to walk among the parapets and pass beneath ancient stone arches. The Romanesque chapel preserves splendid early-medieval frescoes.

15. Barcelona

Whether driving or taking the train, reaching this renowned city takes merely an hour. Consider a day trip, although this timeframe scarcely suffices to appreciate the full splendor of Barcelona!

Your chosen activities will depend on personal preferences: if shopping is your passion, this is the place to indulge.

The upscale Passeig de Gràcia boasts exclusive fashion houses, while trendy independent boutiques and larger high-street locations like Mango are also prevalent.

Culturally, visitors can look forward to a wealth of UNESCO-listed Catalan Modernist architecture, including magnificent residential buildings, parks, concert halls, and churches created by Antoni Gaudí and other prominent designers of this genre.