We are in Castelldefels since beginning of August. You may have noticed some posts as well as Instagram activity about Barcelona … Barcelona i. e. Passeig de Gràcia & Plaça de Catalunya are only a 30 min ride on the suburban railway away. Nevertheless Castelldefels also is an interesting spot in the greater area of Barcelona.
Where to start?
Let’s start at the beach. Castelldefels offers some kilometers of a fine sandy beach, rather wide. There are nice beach bars – in between there is always some empty space. Each beach bar offers also beach loungers and sunshades … My better half & I always found anything we’d need for a perfect beach day.
The background … there is a walking path, a promenade, along to the coastline perfect for a morning walk. (We are here sind August, mid of summer – so walking along the beach is fine in the morning, but later … it’s simply too hot!)
There aren’t so many hotels or apartment blocks. They are only 2-3 stories high and don’t dominate the beach line. It’s a quiet quarter compared with some typical holiday hotspots.
From the beach to the centre of Castelldefels you’ll cross a broad area of residential life as well as freeway structures. However, finally you’ll end up in a picturesque small centre, a lively quarter.
There is a church – of course – with a wide place in front of it. Next to the church is the town hall painted pink.
There are tree-lined streets mainly reserved for pedestrians with shops, supermarkets, butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, pastry shops … and cafés, bars, bistros, restaurants – anything you may wish. It’s a nice weather at the moment so it’s a happy outdoor life.
Everywhere in the centre you’ll find the relics of huge watchtowers. They had been erected some hundred years ago for defense purpose. I think that about half a dozen of them survived the centuries.
From the centre of Castelldefels you may spot here and there the castle sitting on top of a hill. It was founded in the 10th century for defense and fortified during the following centuries.
After walking up the hill to the entrance there are some impressive views of the monument … as well as signs of renovation work in progress. The castle is open to public – and there is the Church of St. Mary, also from the 10th century, hidden inside the castle’s fortifications walls … like integrated into the castle.
I assembled some examples from the castle’s (and the church’s) interior decorations. Most of them were restored during the last two centuries.
From the top back to the ground at sea level … enjoying summer at Castelldefels.
