Things To Do in Pineda de Mar

Pineda de Mar's after-dark activities tend to be low-key hotel entertainment, so if you’re after a big night out, head for Calella. It’s the next town along the coast and has a decent line-up of bars, pubs and clubs. It’ll take you just under 10 minutes to get there in a cab.

Around Pineda de Mar you’ll find a fair share of souvenir shops selling leather goods, handmade ceramics and beautiful embroidered linens. Or you could head to St. Mere, the main shopping street, for clothing boutiques and a few cute little jewellery places. If you find yourself in Barcelona, 35 minutes’ drive away, you could pop into the huge Diagonal Mar shopping centre. It’s got big brands like H&M, Mango and Calvin Klein.

Pineda de Mar lays claim to a 3-kilometre-long stretch of beach. It’s really wide, and the caramel-coloured sands have the Blue Flag stamp of approval. It’s backed by a palm-lined prom, where you’ll find a few lunch spots, and there’s also a watersports centre where you can try out windsurfing and wakeboarding.

With 3 main squares, there’s plenty of relaxed alfresco dining to be had in Pineda de Mar. People-watching and seafood are the 2 big draws here – the seafood paella is one of the most popular dishes. Elsewhere on the menu the steamed shellfish and fried sardines are winners, as is the seafood platter with alioli sauce – a Catalan-style mayonnaise. You could round off the meal with a glass of Cava, native to this region.

Pineda de Mar has a great family atmosphere, so nightlife is laid-back and focused on hotel entertainment – things like cabaret shows and karaoke are popular and you can pop in even if you’re not a guest. The clubbing crowd head for Lloret de Mar, the region’s nightlife centre. You can join thousands of revellers at the open-air beach clubs where the tunes flit between techno and electronica, Spanish and international. It’s a 25-minute taxi ride away.

When it comes to daytrips from Pineda de Mar, Barcelona’s a bit of a must-do. The Catalan capital takes around 45 minutes to reach by car or just over an hour by train. Tour Gaudi’s slightly bonkers creations, people-watch along Las Ramblas, or hit one of the mammoth malls.

The Montnegre i el Corredor National Park backs the entire Costa del Maresme. It’s all rolling hills, pine forests and cork trees – completely different to the seaside towns nearby. You can park in the town of Vallgorguina, 25 minutes’ drive away, and head into the heart of the forests. One beautiful hike is to the 16^th-century sanctuary of El Corredor. The 2-hour out-and-back hike is easy enough, even though the first half is uphill.

Lloret de Mar’s patron saint is celebrated every year with a 3-day shindig. The party starts with a procession through the town to the Ermita de Santa Cristina chapel. After mass, there’s a fish stew lunch in the church square for everyone who comes along. The next night is the real highlight though – the Dance of the Almorratxes happens on the main square and features 4 couples dressed very formally and performing the town’s traditional dance.

Pineda de Mar likes to keep things traditional, so Spanish cuisine rules the roost as far as restaurants are concerned. You will find a handful of British and international places down by the seafront, on the Passeig Maritim, but most menus feature the likes of seafood paella and moreish tapas dishes.

Friday is market day in Pineda de Mar. Big metal tables shaded by colourful umbrellas pop up all along the seafront in the morning, piled high with everything from fresh fruit and veg to leather sandals. Get there early – it tends to wrap up around lunchtime.