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Dine with the locals in the old town
Following the trail of the tourists who flock to Malgrat de Mar’s coast, restaurateurs and fast food vendors have popped establishments up along the resort’s beachfront promenade. Here, you can pick up food from around the world, including British favourites. But, for a more authentic experience, head to the area’s old town, where cutesy kitchens serving Catalan specialities are ten a penny.There’s a something-for-everyone approach to nightlife in Malgrat de Mar. Those after a more low-key night can try out the tavernas in the downtown area, where locals quaff cava on the al fresco terraces. On the other hand, there are discos and karaoke bars along the beachfront promenade. Alternatively, Lloret de Mar, a 20-minute taxi along the coast, offers an even livelier after-dark scene.
Read MoreMalgrat de Mar’s downtown area, in the heart of the resort’s old town, is packed with buildings from bygone eras. Its landmark spot is El Castell, a hilltop fortress from the 14th century. The Church of St Nicolau is nearby, too. Finished in the 1700s, its extraordinary size led to it being nicknamed the Cathedral of the Coast, and its Neoclassical façade predates the rest of the building by two centuries.
Read MoreYou can pick up take-me-homes and holiday essentials from the convenience stores and souvenir shops around Malgrat de Mar. If you want to splash some proper cash, though, nearby Barcelona is calling – it’s about an hour’s drive away, and there are excellent public transport links to and from the city. Head for the famous Las Ramblas shopping district, and you’ll find brand names shouldering quirky boutiques.
Read MoreThe shoreline of Malgrat de Mar ribbons out for four-and-a-half kilometres along Spain’s Costa Brava. It’s split into three beaches, each with different personalities. Conca Beach is big with windsurfers, and Centre Beach, in the heart of the town, flies a Blue Flag for quality. Most people, though, congregate on Astillero Beach – it’s where the hotels are concentrated, and the facilities along the sands are second-to-none.
Read MoreThe Festival of St Roc is Malgrat de Mar’s biggest carnival, and it takes place annually, over two days in the middle of August. It’s the wider Barcelona province’s oldest festival, first celebrated more than 400 years ago. These days, festivities include live music and open-air concerts, face-painting and activities for little ones, and lashings of home-cooked food.
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