discovering.. L’ESCALA

The municipality is located between the south of the Gulf of Roses and the Cala (bay) Montgó. Traditionally, the main industry had revolved around fishing, especially sardines and the famous anchovies from L’Escala. More recently, the most important industry is tourism.

“Many things have changed in the last forty years” – the town’s mayor recently noted – “L’Escala has grown, is greater, agriculture and the fishing has taken step to the tourism and the services, at the beach the boats are replaced by the tourists, the cafés are now bars and terraces with view to the sea… But everything has not changed, the character and the singularity of our town continues to be alive… “.

The mayor is correct; L’Escala has carefully conserved the typical natural beauty and the typical urban atmosphere of the Costa Brava. But, equally important, L’Escala has kept alive many popular traditions and celebrations. These events were not maintained solely for the tourists, they are customs that are strongly rooted among its inhabitants. A good example is the Festa de Ntra. Sra. del Carme, patronised by the fishermen, which is celebrated on 16 July. The Festa celebrates old traditions – which are enjoyed by locals and tourists, alike – when all can participate in the procession that takes the virgin to the church of Sant Pere. Or, consider the Festa Major from the 2 to the 6 of September where the Sardana, the traditional dance of Catalonia, is enjoyed with a special passion.

Other interesting festivities, although of more tourist character are the Festa de la Sal, annually in October where the visitor can see the traditional offices related to fishing industry, – in which also participates the population. Another is the Festa de l’Anxova where everyone will be able to taste the internationally acclaimed anchovies of L’Escala. During the summer months, every Wednesday at 10 o’clock in the night, an orchestra (cobla) plays Sardanas at the beach, and spontaneously groups of people form into circles. Everybody is invited to participate in the dancing.

No one can present the municipality of L’Escala without mentioning the Empuries Ruins, located two kilometres away at St. Marti d’Empuries.  This wonderful site attracts thousands of visitors every year, not only persons interested in archaeology but also by those who only wish to enjoy a walk in the fresh air in a setting of great beauty.

Much less well known is the small village of Cinc Claus, outside the normal tourist routes.  The village, without asphalting and surrounded by fields, is located near Viladamat, and has one of the most important Romanic hermitages of the zone.

L’Escala offers all of the necessary infrastructure to serve and support tourism. Of great importance is the ability to cater to our gastronomical needs.  The traditional cooking, calls for, and is never lacking fresh fish.  Visitor will be able to take excursions by boat along the Costa Brava, practice sports such as sailing or diving, and other sport or cultural visits — or simply enjoy the fine sand beaches of St. Marti.

We recommend that you taste the best anchovies from L’Escala at Anxoves Solés. Anchovies in salt, olive oil, vinegar (boquerones) and the products of Avi Benet’s recipe: cuttlefish, squid, rock octopus… a gastronomic show for the palate that you cannot miss!

In terms of tourism, due to the limited number of hotels on offer, L’Escala is well known for a quiet and very familiar tourism. The offer of campings is quite extensive, both in Montgó and on the so-called ‘camping’s road’ that goes to Sant Pere Pescador. There is even a small camping near the old town of L’Escala.

If what you need is a Property Manager for your community of owners, or to buy a house or apartment in L’Escala, at the real estate agency ZONA Immo L’Escala you will find your trusted agency for Buying & Selling a house or apartment, Property Management & Insurances. More than 40 years of experience are their best guarantee!

As for the fruit & vegetable market in L’Escala, it takes place on Thursdays and Sundays (July & August also on Tuesdays) in Plaça Víctor Català (where the public library is, very close to the church). On Sundays we will also find the typical clothes market (“mercadillo”) on the seafront, next to Riells and Plaça Petit Príncep (Little Prince sq).

DRONE AIR VIEW:

L’Escala épisode 2 (Costa Brava) from Gilles Mondon on Vimeo.

GOOGLE STREET VIEW:

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Pictures from L’Escala

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