L'Estartit, diving session in the Medes Islands

In terms of seaside resorts, L'Estartit is a classic example of what was done on the Costa Brava from the 1960s onwards: construction of modern buildings and large hotels, development of a port, a host of leisure activities operating on a seasonal basis... The result is that L'Estartit is full in summer and empty in winter. While the architecture is not L'Estartit's strong point, the activities on offer make it well worth spending a few days or even a holiday there. The Montgrí, Illes Medes and el Baix Ter nature parks surround the resort, providing a breath of fresh air with their protected areas and natural heritage.

Not far from L'Estartit, Torroella de Montgrí is a pretty medieval town with plenty of charm, including the Château de Montgrí, whose high 13th-century ramparts still dominate the agricultural plain. Beyond, the pine-covered Montgrí massif stretches down to the sea, criss-crossed by hiking and mountain-biking trails.

Below the massif, the Mediterranean laps spectacular cliffs and carves out impressive sea caves: a natural area untouched by concrete stretching from the north of L'Estartit to L'Escala, to be explored by kayak when the sea is calm, to moor at the most beautiful rocky coves in the area. You can also hire a boat, with or without a skipper, for a slightly less sporty escapade.

Lovers of more comfortable beaches are not left out: when L'Estartit's developed beach gets too crowded, just head a little further south, towards platja Mas Pinell, to enjoy miles of sand, including large areas untouched by construction: in L'Estartit, don't stop at first impressions!

L'Estartit also attracts many scuba divers, who come to admire the jewel in the resort's crown: the Medes Islands, part of the Montgrí Natural Park, Illes Medes i el Baix Ter. You can see them clearly, a small archipelago of 7 islands and islets just 1km from the coast, now totally uninhabited: it's even forbidden to fish there!

In the past, the Medes Islands were of great strategic importance, which is why there are a few remains of fortifications here and there, but also, it seems, many shipwrecks sunk by pirate attacks... Because it is the seabed of the Medes Islands that attracts the most attention.

An unspoilt area like few others in the Mediterranean, the archipelago is entirely dedicated to strictly regulated diving. The underwater landscapes, the last foothills of the Montgrí massif, are home to a large population of coral, colourful fish, crabs and starfish, algae and posidonia meadows. Dolphins are not uncommon here either!