Buying in Palamós: areas, year-round life and what to check

In the heart of the Costa Brava, between Palafrugell and Platja d'Aro, Palamós appeals to buyers looking for something other than a seaside resort. It is a real port town, lively all year round, with its fishermen, its market and its still unspoilt coves. Here is what you need to know to choose the right area and buy with peace of mind.

A town that lives twelve months a year

With nearly 19,000 inhabitants, Palamós does not empty out in winter. The port has a lot to do with it: it is one of the last working fishing ports in this part of the Mediterranean, famous for its red prawns, and the only commercial port in the province of Girona. Every late afternoon, the return of the boats and the fish auction still set the rhythm of life in the port district.

For a buyer, that changes everything. Shops open all year, schools, a hospital, a market, restaurants frequented by locals: Palamós suits a holiday home used often just as well as a plan to settle or retire.

The areas to know

• The centre and the port: mainly flats, within walking distance of the main beach, the shops and the port. Ideal for living without a car, but livelier in summer, especially around the old port in the evening.
• La Fosca: a bay a few minutes north-east of the centre, with its sheltered beach and a more residential setting. Flats and houses, very popular with families and those who love peace and quiet.
• Sant Joan and Vilarromà: the residential areas inland, set back a little from the sea. You will find more houses here and often more affordable budgets than on the seafront.
• The countryside towards Vall-llobrega: masies (traditional farmhouses) and villas with land, in a landscape of hills and fields. Total peace and quiet, but a car becomes essential.

Just to the south, Sant Antoni de Calonge carries on from Palamós with no visible break. Be careful, though: it is a different municipality. Council tax, planning rules and letting licences depend on Calonge i Sant Antoni town hall, not Palamós. Always check which municipality the property is actually in.

Coves and nature

Palamós has kept a remarkable coastline. To the north, Castell beach was saved from development thanks to local campaigning, and the coastal path leads to the coves of Cala s'Alguer, with its old fishermen's huts. Living here means you can walk to an unspoilt cove, even in summer, which is becoming rare on the Costa Brava.

What to check before buying

As everywhere on the coast, some points need particular attention. Here are the ones we check for our clients in Palamós.

• Noise and nightlife: near the old port and the seafront, the summer atmosphere can be very lively late into the evening. View the property on a July or August evening if you can.
• Parking: in the centre, a parking space or garage makes a real difference day to day, especially in season. Check whether it is included in the sale and recorded in the Land Registry.
• Holiday lets: a property without a licence cannot be let by the week, and the rules are changing in Catalonia. Check the licence and the community of owners' rules, as explained in our article on letting your property.
• The seafront: for a frontline property, Spain's Coastal Law can restrict building work. Your lawyer must check the plot's exact position.
• Masies and country houses: on non-buildable land, extensions and changes of use are tightly regulated. Every square metre must be declared and compliant before you sign.
• The community of owners: many flats are part of developments with a pool. The service charges and approved works weigh on your budget.

What budget should you plan for?

Palamós sits in the upper middle of the Costa Brava market, with big differences between areas. A flat in the centre or in Sant Joan remains more affordable than a house in La Fosca or a masia with land. To work out your budget, use our method for setting a realistic budget and our article on prices on the Costa Brava, not forgetting the buying costs in Catalonia.

Getting there

Palamós is about forty minutes from Girona and its airport, which has flights from the UK. Barcelona and its airport are about an hour and a half away. Many of our clients fly in for a long weekend to view properties.

Is Palamós right for you?

• You want an authentic town, lively all year round, with services within walking distance: Palamós is one of the best choices on the Costa Brava.
• You are looking for peace and quiet near a lovely beach: look at La Fosca.
• You dream of space and land: the countryside towards Vall-llobrega is worth a visit, with a suitable budget and proper planning checks.

Still torn between several towns? Our article which towns to choose on the Costa Brava covers the main areas, and our guide to Roses and Empuriabrava covers the north of the coast. Either way, we start by clarifying your project during the first conversation, before any viewing.