When you first see our land, the first sight that will call your attention will be the physical locations of the villages. On our broad plain, the villages were built in protected positions on the tops or slopes of hills, for two main reasons: the fact that the plain was flood-prone, and the possibility of improving visibility and defence, at a time when enemies arrived at the gallop.

Another characteristic feature of the centres of population is their separation from the seashore. Many of the coastal villages were established a few kilometres inland to seek refuge from perils from the sea, such as pirates. A good example is Torroella de Montgrí, which has its port in L’Estartit; similarly, Castell d’Aro and Platja d’Aro, Calonge and Sant Antoni de Calonge, etc. In the past, these ports consisted of just a few fishermen’s shacks, with no buildings of importance, due to the constant dangers of attack. Now that the threats of the sea have vanished, these groups of shacks have evolved both physically and economically to form large villages offering apartments, hotels, restaurants and nightlife for anyone wanting to come and enjoy our coasts and beaches.

However, there are two important towns which have stood next to the sea since their very beginnings: Palamós (which was built by royal decree) and Sant Feliu de Guíxols (which was founded under the aegis of its monastery in the 10th C., protected by powerful fortifications that were demolished in the 17th C.) Don’t fail to visit both the old centres and the modern parts of these towns, where the air of a fishing village, with the bustle of people going up and down, the small shops like bakeries and pastry shops, fishmongers’ and restaurants offering their excellent food, are sure to make you taste this special character of these towns.

In the hilly areas, however, the nuclei of population seem to have been frozen in time: small villages dedicated to agriculture, where life goes by quietly and calmly. You will also see a large number of dispersed farmhouses, some of them very large and beautiful, well-fortified even: most of them were built from the 17th century onwards and belonged to wealthy farmers.

Inland, the largest towns form the backbone of the territory in terms of both services and cultural facilities. Many of these towns are the ones which have enjoyed the greatest economic and industrial development, like the cork trade in Palafrugell, Palamós and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Similarly, the traditional methods and excellent skills of the large number of pottery-making workshops in La Bisbal have given this product great renown and prestige.

The weekly markets, which formerly had such importance for the agricultural activity of these towns, have gradually lost this character and now offer a wide variety of products where you are sure to find what you need.