Français
EnglishThings to do in Castelldefels
- Location: a coastal town in the province of Barcelona, less than 20 kilometres from the Catalan capital, between the Garraf massif and the Mediterranean Sea.
- History: the town grew up around the 9th-century castle; the nearby land was settled, and for centuries the economy relied on farming, especially vineyards.
- Becoming a resort: in the 1950s, Castelldefels became a seaside resort for the province, which led to the development of the town as we know it.
- Beach: calm water, swimming and water sports, a seafront promenade, sun lounger hire, a children's play area, Wi-Fi and a beach bar.
- Garraf Natural Park: limestone landscape dropping into the sea, caves, canyons and cliffs, 11 walking routes, sparse vegetation on the coast, holm oaks and Aleppo pines inland, falcons and seabirds.
- Key point: the castle, rebuilt in the 12th century when the area was the border between the Caliphate of Cordoba and the Crown of Aragon, keeps a 10th-century Romanesque church, old walls and various rooms.
Less than 20 kilometres from the Catalan capital, Castelldefels is a small town on the coast of Barcelona. Bordered by the Garraf massif and the Mediterranean Sea, Castelldefels has a geography that makes it an ideal holiday spot.
In this article, you will learn about the history of this town in the province of Barcelona and discover what it offers visitors.
The history of Castelldefels
The birth of today's Castelldefels is closely linked to the building of the castle in the 9th century.
It was at this time that the land near the castle was settled by a small population living mainly from its vineyards. For centuries, farming was the basis of the economy.
In the 1950s, the town became a seaside resort for the province of Barcelona, which led to the development of the town we know today.
What to see in Castelldefels
Thanks to its special location, Castelldefels offers plenty of leisure and travel options. Beach, nature, sport: in Castelldefels you can find the activity that suits you best. Its thousand-year history also offers visitors high-quality cultural sightseeing.
Relax on Castelldefels beach
Castelldefels beach has calm water. You can sunbathe, do water sports, swim in the Mediterranean or stroll along the seafront. The beach also offers a range of services, such as sun lounger hire, a children's play area, Wi-Fi and a beach bar.
Visit the Garraf Natural Park
The Garraf Natural Park is made of limestone, forming a rugged landscape that drops into the sea and is full of caves, canyons and cliffs. There are 11 different walking routes. In the coastal areas, the lack of water means sparse vegetation, with plenty of shrubs and rock formations.
Even so, you can enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean in this area. Inside the park, on the other hand, the vegetation is thicker and typically Mediterranean, with holm oaks and plenty of Aleppo pine forests. The nature of these mountains has attracted many species, such as falcons and various seabirds.
Castelldefels castle
The old town lies at the foot of the castle, on a high hill. The castle was rebuilt in the 12th century, when Castelldefels was the border area between the Muslim territory of the Caliph of Cordoba and the Christians of the Crown of Aragon. The complex keeps a 10th-century Romanesque church, as well as old walls and various rooms.
Would you like to buy a house in Castelldefels or an apartment in Castelldefels? Contact us.
Romain Traversino is head of the Barcelona office of Alveo Search (Alveo group). He supports international buyers with their property projects in Barcelona and in Catalonia, from search to signing. He speaks six languages and shares his advice on choosing neighbourhoods, analysing prices and buying remotely.
Our resources for buying in Spain
