Welcome to the Charming Villas Blog, where we share with you some of our favorite places to visit in Catalonia, suggestions of activities, great Catalan traditions, culinary ideas and much more!
Category Archives: Local Food
Charming Villas Catalonia blog. Local food category
Costa Brava farmers markets is a tradition which has been going on for centuries. Almost every town and village on the Costa Brava has a weekly farmers market selling fresh local produce. In the smaller villages this may be just a few stalls selling fruit and vegetables and perhaps some cheeses and charcuterie. Bigger towns will also have stalls selling clothing, kitchen and household items and much more.
We like to buy our fruit and vegetables from markets as often as possible. Not only do we find the freshest produce at the best prices but we also think it is important to support our local commerce and businesses.
Costa Brava farmers markets photo credit: llham.net
Where to find farmers markets on the Costa Brava?
I have listed the days of the weeks and where to find markets on each day.
Monday: Olot, Cadaques, Blanes, Colera, Torroella de Montgrí
Tuesday: Besalu, Castelló d’Empúries, Girona, Lloret de Mar, Verges, Palamos,
Wednesday: Banyoles, Sant Pere Pescador, Begur, Cassa de La Selva, Llanca,
Thursday: Calonge, Figueres, L’Estartit, Tossa de Mar
Friday: Platja d’Aro, Portbou, La Bisbal d’Empordà, El Port de la Selva
Saturday: Figueres
Sunday: Bàscara, L’Escala, Palafrugell, Roses
Other markets in the region
As well as the weekly farmers markets there’s also other speciality markets in the region such as:
Girona flower market. Saturday mornings at Rambla de la Llibertat
Girona collectables market. Sunday mornings at Plaça de Catalunya
Girona collectables and curiosities market. Saturday mornings at Plaça de Sant Feliu i carrer de Jaume Pons Martí
Cadaques is a small compact town with a handful of small supermarkets and grocery stores. Access for cars within the town is restricted which means grocery shopping in the town can be quite tricky. This is especially an issue if you are staying in a vacation villa away from the center of town.
We normally recommend to our clients to stop off at Roses, on the way to Cadaques, to buy your “big first shop”. Here in these supermarkets you have a bigger selection, easy parking and slightly better prices.
Biosana Cadaques
Cadaques groceries
Biosana Cadaques
Supermarkets in Roses
Probably the two best options are “Carrefour Market” 75C2+F6 La Garriga and Esclat supermarket before Roses at; Carrer La Closa dels Frares. These two stores are recommended for two reasons: They have a wide selection of good, fresh products and the stores are located on the road to Cadaques meaning no long detours in to the center of Roses.
Supermarkets in Cadaques
Once in Cadaques you have a selection of smaller supermarkets to choose from including;
Spar offer free home delivery if you spend 60€ or more.
Vacation villas Cadaques
Charming Villas Catalonia offers a varied selection of vacation rental villas in Cadaques. Please browse our portfolio and let us know if you have any questions about our Cadaques vacation villas.
One of the most frequent requests from our clients is for a private chef to come and cook a special meal at their Costa Brava vacation villa on at least one occasion during their stay. We work with a number of different chefs from Michelin star rated chefs right down to cooks who offer more homely local dishes.
I give our clients a list of our trusted chefs on the Costa Brava and What i suggest is to take a look at each of their websites. Then depending on which chefs appeal we can reach out and contact each one to ask more information about menus, rates and availability.
Having a private chef and their staff cook, serve and clear away afterwards at your villa is a fun experience. Some clients choose different chefs for different days. For example we know chefs who specializes in paellas. Another may specialize in a different aspect such as fine dining and pastries. The choice is yours!
Costa Brava private chefs
Private chef or catering company?
Usually a private chef is the better option for smaller, more intimate family groups at a villa vacation rental. However some of our private chefs have cooked at some of our Corporate getaway venues and also smaller, more intimate weddings on the Costa Brava. A professional caterer is generally your better option for larger events such as weddings.
We also know a number of cooks who do not have websites and we would be delighted to put you in contact with them. If you have any questions please contact us at catalonia@charmingvillas.net or take a look at our extra services/activities page.
Port Lligat is a small bay right next to Cadaques famous for being where Salvador Dali lived for many years of his life. His wonderful sprawling amalgamation of fisherman’s houses is now a museum and open to the public. Read on how to book a Port Lligat fisherman lunch.
Portlligat fisherman lunch
Not quite so well known is that the last remaining fishermen of Portlligat offer an informal lunch and dinner service. Right on the pier meters away from the water, it is not a restaurant and you will not find it on Tripadvisor. Think of it as a “pop-up” table run by two fishermen who like to cook. Several journalists and even food critics have over the years tried to publish but the fishermen always refuse. It is a combination of this “anti-marketing”, the unique location on the water and the freshness and quality of the food which make this a sought after and favorite of our clients.
Tables for this Port Lligat fisherman lunch are limited. Only one group for lunch and one group for dinner is catered for. Bookings are for a minimum of 10 people and maximum 16 people. Less than 10 people and you pay the price for 10. Places should be reserved as far in advance as possible, especially for summer where they are often fully booked six months in advance.
The aim of this blog post is to list a selection of Costa Brava and Girona vineyards that offer to the public activities such as wine tasting, tours, meals and picnics.
The history of wine in Catalonia
In around the 6th century BC the Greeks founded their first trading post on the Costa Brava coastline, Empòrion (market place, and origin of the modern day name Emporda). A few centuries later the Romans would take over and call it Emporiae. Now it is known as Empuries. Since the Greeks first introduced and cultivated vines here 2500 years ago Catalonia now has no less than 10 distinct wine growing regions of which DO Emporda is one.
Costa Brava vineyards (photo credit Perelada.com)
Costa Brava vineyards map
Below is a map showing the locations of DO Emporda vineyards who offer wine tourism packages. More information can be found at the official DO Emporda website.
DO Emporda wine producers
Celler La Vinyeta La Vinyeta is one of the youngest and most dynamic DO Empordà projects. Its owners, Josep and Marta, are two young entrepreneurs who set up the business in 2002 with just 4 hectares of old vines. In 2006 they built the Cellar and began to produce their first bottles. In the space of just a few years, La Vinyeta has received numerous plaudits and has earned the appreciation of many visitors. La Vinyeta offers wine tours of the vineyards with tastings.They also offer picnics among the vines. La Vinyeta
Celler Espelt Espelt has been founded by members of a long line of winemakers. Their mantra is that the culture of wine lies in agriculture, quality, creativity and passion. The wine making tradition of Empordà and the love for the earth led those behind the project to plant vines in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Espelt has a shop which is open to the public and offer wine tastings. Espelt
Celler Hugas de Batlle
The “Celler Hugas de Batlle” is a small family ran winery based in the center of Colera. It has a patio which serves as a production area and a shop inside with a place for tasting. The Celler offers various wine tasting options including a breakfast option and tours of the vineyards. One of the few Cellers right on the water. Celler Hugas de Batlle
Celler Arché-Pagès is a family-owned winery located in the town of Capmany. Five generations of winegrowers have cultivated the estate’s 14 hectares of vineyards. Mainly indigenous varieties of grapes are planted such as Garnacha and Cariñena. The company exercises absolute control over the entire process, from pruning the vines to selling the wine. This modern and dynamic winery offers visitors the chance to visit its facilities. To stroll through the vineyards and to taste wines with a distinctive personality. Arche Pages
Mas Lunes Mas Llunes is a modern winery that specializes in the production of wine from the estate’s own vineyards. It is owned by the Roig de Garriguella family, which has been closely involved in wine growing in Empordà for several generations. They offer wine tastings and tours of the vineyards in their own 4×4 vehicles. Mas Llunes
Mas Oller Mas Oller currently has 12 hectares of wine-producing vines and 4 hectares of newly planted vines. The approach of Mas Oller is based on reviving the winegrowing tradition of Empordà, with a modern interpretation of the concept of wine. Both the winery and vineyards can be visited at Mas Oller. The enoteca offers visitors the chance to purchase and taste the wines that it produces in an idyllic setting. They offer tastings and visits of the vineyards. Also check their website for information on special cheese and wine tastings. Mas Oller
Celler Can Sais
This small family-owned winery with a long wine growing tradition is located in the old part of the town of Vall-llobrega, in the Gavarres Massif. Can Sais attempt to produce wines with concentration and personality, wines that say something about the area and its way of life. They offer guided visits of the vineyards and instalations, wine tastings and other activities such as wine therapy massages. Celler Can Sais
Celler Bell-Lloc This Empordà farmstead is imbued with a philosophy rooted in the land, which takes advantage of recent advances to provide quality, without losing spirit and authenticity. They offer celler visits and a gastronomic experience of a meal paired with their own wines. Finca Bell Lloc
Cellers d’en Guilla New wines produced with grapes from old vines: this is the approach adopted by Cellers d’en Guilla, a new winery with limited production located in the Delfià district of Rabós d’Empordà. Offering visits and wine tastings with local food products. Celler Guilla
Terra Remota Terra Remota is a winery that is highly sensitive to its surroundings and, consequently, is strongly committed to becoming integrated within its environment. The result is a top quality wine and an enchanting landscape. They do winery visits, tastings and picnics amongst the vines. Terra Remota
Most Costa Brava vineyards require pre-booking of tastings and it is recommended to make contact at least 24 hours in advance. Contact details are listed on the websites of each Celler.
We have quite a few houses available for rent in the Figueres region and and we are often asked by clients where are the best places to do their shopping. Below is a Google map where a number of supermarkets are highlighted. Bascara also has a couple of small supermarkets and a good quality butchers which are open on Sunday mornings. Bascara also has a small Sunday market selling fruit and vegetables among other items.
Sunday market at Bascara
A list of supermarkets in Figueres
When deciding where to do your supermarket shopping in Figueres there’s two Bonpreu Esclat supermarkets. This is where we normally shop as we find Esclat to have the best quality fresh local produce.
Esclat 1. Carrer Nou s/n
Esclat 2. Av. Paisos Catalans, 2
Other Figueres supermarkets include;
Mercadona Carrer de Met Miravitlles, s/n
Aldi, Avinguda de Roses, 30, 32
BonArea Carrer Nou, 77
Carrefour, Carretera de Figueres a, Avinguda de Roses, km. 29
Figueres weekly market
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday there’s a fruit and vegetable market in Figueres. It opens at 07.00am and finishing at 2.00pm. Location; Plaça del Gra i Plaça Catalunya. Also every Thursday in Figueres there’s a large clothing street market held at Passeig Nou, Plaça del Sol i Riera Galligants.
Delicatessens in Figueres
Figueres also has a number of local delicatessens and charcuterie to choose from including the following:
El Graner specializing in local charcuterie. Av. Marignane 22, Figueres
Figueres charcuterie – photo credit El Graner
Ibericus sell high quality hams and charcuterie. Carrer de Peralada, 22
Carnisseria Xarcuteria F.LLADO Carrer de González de Soto, 24, 17600 Figueres
Dalícatessen Carrer de Sant Pere, 19, 17600 Figueres
Iberian Wines and Food Passeig del Cementiri, 17, Nau 1, 17600 Figueres
Casa Ribas – El Bon Beure Pujada del Castell, 17, 17600 Figueres
Carnisseria xarcuteria marcel puigmal Av. Marignane, 22, 17600 Figueres
Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia have been at the forefront of gastronomic invention for decades.
One of the aperitifs from a recent visit to El Celler de Can Roca
There’s a very high concentration of Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia, perhaps more than any other place on Earth. Here is a list of the Michelin starred restaurants close to Girona and the Costa Brava. With a fantastic selection of fresh local produce at their disposal Catalan chefs have always led the way in Gastronomic innovation. Ferran Adria and his ground breaking restaurant El Bulli, is quite possibly the most famous chef in the world.
Inventive dish from the restaurant Bo-Tic
A list of restaurants in Catalonia with Michelin stars
With three Michelin stars and recently voted the best restaurant in the world Girona’s very own El Celler de Can Roca leads the way. Celler de Can Roca
However El Celler de Can Roca is not the only restaurant in Catalonia with three Michelin stars. Sant Pau in Sant Pol de Mar also holds this distinction. Sant Pau
With two Michelin Stars we have Les Cols in Olot Les Colsand Can Fabes in Sant Celoni Can Fabes
Then we have a great selection of restaurants with one Michelin star in the Girona province:
At Charming Villas Catalonia we take pride in helping our clients make the most of their stay in the region. We can help reserve tables at Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia for our clients as well as helping with many other activities and extra services.
Cadaques where i left my worries behind the mountains. This is a guest post by Ash Clark, one of our bloggers on our recent “blog trip” to Cadaques and the Costa Brava.
Onboard the Sant Isidre
Seeing as I arrived at night, it wasn’t until the next day that I really got to appreciate the unique location that Cadaqués is set in. Invited on a four day blog trip by Charming Villas Catalonia Cadaques was where we were spending our first two nights.
When I woke the next morning, I got to see what it is that has made this sleepy fishing village grow into a popular summer holiday spot.
Walking from my villa through the cobbled lanes that wind around the town’s whitewashed buildings and villas, I had no doubt in my mind that I was on the Mediterranean.
A typical street of Cadaques
Sailing on the Sant Isidre, Cadaques
I was lucky enough to spend my first day sailing on a ‘laüt’, a traditional Catalan fishing vessel. While I generally find most sailing experiences rather memorable, this particular one especially stood out as we sailed along the coastline of the Cap de Creus National Park. The unique perspective offered from the decks of our boat really allowed me to appreciate how spectacular the natural landscape is in this part of Spain.
While the coastline that Cadaqués sits on is without a doubt its main draw card, it was the mountains around the town that drew a lot of my attention.
The vast majority of the hillsides around Cadaqués have terrace levels, made from stack-stone retaining walls.
It doesn’t take one long to realize that most of these impressive walls are rather aged and that the incredible amounts of manual labor it would of taken to construct them was originally completed to serve a specific purpose.
The blank terraced hillsides that dominate the area today haven’t always been that way. I soon learned that Cadaqués was once a major producer of wine and olive oil. Unfortunately the wineries and olive farms that once thrived here were completely wiped out after an outbreak of a plant virus that destroyed the plants.
Today, wineries in the region are making a come back, offering some high quality drops of both red and white. Which, like almost every aspect of Catalan, have their own unique flare to them. Celler Martin Faixo grow their wines in the hills of Cadaques
A little bay along the Cap de Creus
Cadaques where i left my worries behind the mountains
As the local saying goes, “When you come to Cadaqués, you leave your worries behind the mountains.” The natural scenery, food, art and culture on display in this fascinating town really do play true to those words for those who visit.
About the Author: Ash Clark is a travel writer and photographer from Sydney, Australia. With a strong curiosity, he never manages to stay in one place for too long. To keep up to date with his current travels you can follow his personal travel blog at themostalive.com and on twitter @themostalive.
We all love chocolate right? Hands up who watched “Charlie and the Chocolate factory” in their youth and since have dreamed of visiting a real life chocolate factory? Torras chocolates Banyoles allows this dream to come true.
Ceramic Torras chocolate signs
Torras chocolate Banyoles
In the 50’s and 60’s Torras installed many ceramic advertising signs on the sides of houses in the Banyoles region. Many can still be seen to this day and the sign pictured is in the village of Orfes.
As well as the traditional regular chocolate, Torras chocolates Banyoles also produce a large range of sugar-free, gluten-free and organic chocolates. Their pioneering sugar-free organic range is a world first!
It is possible to arrange visits to see how chocolate is made and to taste some different varieties. There’s also an on-site shop which sells the full range of Torras chocolates. It is also possible to order on-line through the Torras website. Here is the contact information to arrange a visit:
At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer our clients a wide selection of luxury holiday villas on the Costa Brava. Let us guide you through the villa selection process from start to finish.
We offer a free concierge service to all our clients and can help arrange activities and extra services. Locally based our aim to make sure that our clients get the most out of their stay while in Catalonia. We can help arrange special day-trip itineraries and give suggestions of activities and things to see and do. We are here for you.
One of the most sought after holiday destinations on the whole Catalan coastline, Cadaques has an undeniable charm and mystique which draws you back time after time.
Cadaques for the most part evaded the developers of the 1960’s and 70’s mainly because of it’s isolated location within the Cap de Creus national park right at the top of the Costa Brava. The developers were more interested in flat, easily accessible beachfront real estate to exploit so thankfully left the town alone. Cadaques has been around for centuries but the only road in and out of the town was built around 1908, meaning that up until then the only real access to the town was by boat. By all accounts some Cadaques residents had sailed to Cuba and North America but had never traveled inland to the nearby town of Figueres!
The beautiful coastal town of Cadaques
The Cap de Creus peninsula is the most eastern point of Spain. This means that it is also the first part of Spain to witness the sunrise. People from the region gather at the Cap de Creus lighthouse in the early morning of the 1st of January every year to welcome in the New Year with dancing and merriment!
The area has inspired many artists, most notably Salvador Dali who lived in the area. He venerated the elements of light and texture which inspired him throughout his lifetime.
Dali bought a bunch of fisherman’s shacks on the harbour of PortLligat which I guess you could call a suburb of Cadaques. He converted them into one abode and spent a great part of his life here. The house is now a museum which is open to the public.
Cadaques beach
Things to do in Cadaques
Staying in one of our Barcelona vacation rentals or one of our luxury Costa Brava villas in Begur or Tamariu? Charming Villas Catalonia can help put together a bespoke Cadaques day trip itinerary for you. We can arrange a driver to pick you up from your villa and take take you back in the evening. Set up a local guide to walk you through the ancient heart of the town exploring the cobbled streets, artists galleries and hidden corners.
Have a unique fisherman’s lunch on the pier at Portlligat or in one of the many good standard restaurants in the town. Try the famous Cadaques Taps – a sweet dessert cake made for generations from a secret recipe by the local bakery Pastisseria La Mallorquina. Take a refreshing smoothie or organic juice at Brown Sugar, one of the most authentic bars in Cadaques.
Visit the Dali museum, take a boat trip or a pleasant walk to the the lighthouse at Cala Nans or the hidden beach of Cala Guillola. Let us know your interests and we can help you plan a bespoke and memorable day out in Cadaques, our favourite coastal town on the Costa Brava.
A great way to spend a day or half a day is to take a boat trip around the Cap de Creus. The Sant Isidre is a classic Catalan fishing boat built in 1925 and which has a capacity for up to 35 people. You will visit isolated bays which are only accessible by boat and have the option of lunch onboard.
Where to eat in Cadaques?
Cadaques also has some great restaurants and too many to list here but here is a small sample:
Martin Faixo is a producer of some great local wines grown in the Cap de Creus and they also run the two very good restaurants Can Rafa and the Enoteca MF.
Compartir Cadaques . Opened in 2012 by three local chefs who worked at the world famous El Bulli, Compartir has quickly became one of Cadaques’s most popular restaurants.
MOS Cadaques is another new restaurant which opened its doors in 2012. Contemporary food from a Michelin starred chef.
