Tips for CASES VINT-I-U
From supermarkets, to restaurants, to culture and beaches
A little town in a diverse region.
Access & surrounding area
Below are some access options:
Airports
- Barcelona 2 hours away
- Girona 45 minutes away
- Perpignan 60 minutes away
Train stations
- Figueres Vilafant 20 minutes away: the TGV also stops here
- Llançà train station: Take the Renfe from Barcelona or Girona
Surrounding area
Diverse and varied, on both land and water. Our holiday homes are just near the French border, between the foothills of the Pyrenees and the wild Mediterranean coast. You’ll have lots of hiking trails and swimming options here, as well as great cities and attractions in the immediate vicinity. Or you can of course enjoy your time chilling out on our terraces/balconies.
Our beaches…
…actually cover 23 bathing beaches/bays in Llançà and 31 towards Port de la Selva.
Some of the best beaches on the Catalonian coast can be found in our little corner of Cap de Creus.
These beaches have even been recognised by the Generalitat de Catalunya for their excellent water quality. And, with a bit of luck, you might also be able to spot a number of sea-dwellers. You’ll often have the little bays to yourself, as there aren’t many tourists around here. You’ll often have the little bays to yourself, as there aren’t many tourists around here.
The neighbouring Parc Natural del Cap de Creus, which spans both land and sea, is great for diving. You’ll find everything from fine sandy beaches to pebble beaches. What they all have in common is the crystal-clear water that makes the coast of Cap de Creus so stunning and perfect for any sea-based activity.
Nearby shopping
There are some supermarkets down in Llançà. Eurospar, Valvi, Novavenda. The port, as well as the old town itself, has fruit and vegetable shops, bakeries, butcher’s shops, fish shops, a chemist shop, a tobacconist’s and a wine shop. Plus, a weekly farmer’s market is held in the large car park at the port/beach in Llançà.
If you fancy barbequing fish, we buy ours at NANDY down at the port right near the little roundabout.
We recommend buying olive oil, olives, wine and other gourmet food at one of the Cooperativas, e.g. Empordalia, Celler de Vilajuïga, because that’s where you’ll find regional products that also make wonderful souvenirs.
If you want to go a little easier on the hip pocket, it’s worth the 20-minute drive to Aldi or Lidl in Figueres to buy a few basic groceries.
Restaurants and culinary options
Continuously discover new, unfamiliar culinary differences and specialities of the region and its people, hidden in the tiniest of eateries with their passionate chefs.
Fish & seafood
Fancy indulging in some Spanish cuisine? Then remember: Spanish cuisine has more to offer than just tapas and paella. Because fish and seafood are of course also popular dishes here.
Fishing is actually a tradition in Llançà, as well as in the neighbouring town of Port de la Selva . Here, even the young fishers head out and sell their fresh catch of the day in their own little fish shops. Every day from 5 p.m. (during the season), the fish auction hall in Port de la Selva welcomes restaurant owners, chefs, local fish-shop owners and many others who come here to fill their cooler boxes with freshly caught fish and seafood.
Many restaurants serve pescado del día, or ‘fish of the day’. We’ve had some very special fish experiences at L’Encesa in Port de la Selva, where you sit right on Camí de Ronda overlooking the sea – reservations recommended.. The Spaniards love children, so kids are welcome everywhere, all the time.. The Spaniards love children, so kids are welcome everywhere, all the time.
Tapas & paella
You absolutely need to take a day trip to the small town of La Selva de Mar, where we recommend visiting the little tapas bar Can Perleta Tasca Gallega, which is open from March/April onwards – bookings are a must. There are of course many other little bars also serving traditional tapas with sea views.
Staying with Port de la Selva: L’Askata, down at the port among the large fishing boats, does tapas and fish. And when it comes to paella, we recommend L’Àncora restaurant.
When the Tramuntana north wind blows, things stay nice and calm up at „Restaurant La Vall“.
La Balleta restaurant, meanwhile, is very simple but also worth a visit. It’s located on the federal highway uptown from Llançà, and is known for its barbeque dishes. La Balleta restaurant, meanwhile, is very simple but also worth a visit. It’s located on the federal highway uptown from Llançà, and is known for its barbeque dishes.
Lunch
While some restaurants may look simple, they usually serve up great Spanish cuisine. Many offer a Menu del Día/‘Menu of the Day’ that’s super cheap, fresh and tasty.
If we’re after a simple lunch or dinner, we head to La Gavina in Llançà.
Our recommendation – upscale vibes
And here’s another recommendation:
Els Pescadors offers an upscale atmosphere and upscale cuisine. We recommend their crayfish and lobster.
Llançà even has a 2-Michelin-star restaurant in the form of Miramar, but we are yet to try it for ourselves.
While we could absolutely list more restaurants here, it’s best you just ask us if you can’t find a place to suit your needs.
Culture and cities
Attractions and cities near and ‘far’ are all within easy access from our holiday homes:
La Vall de Santa Creu:
- Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes
Figueres:
- Dalí Museum
- Europe’s largest fortress
Girona:
- 45 minutes’ drive away
- Home to one of the world’s best restaurants, El Celler de Can Roca
- A gorgeous old town
- Girona Cathedral
Cadaqués:
- Former fishing village, hippie village and artists’ village
- Salvador Dalí lived here
- Historic laneways, lovely buildings, just an attractive village all round
- Drive to the lighthouse
- Visit incl. tour of the Dali House
- Lots of restaurants and bars
- Packed in peak summer
- 20 minutes’ drive away
Barcelona:
- 2 hours’ drive away or, ideally, take the train
- Visit the Sagrada Família
- Numerous Picasso, Miro museums
You can also find plenty of other tips yourself here: Discover the Empordà Region – Llançà i tu (visitllanca.cat)
Recreational activities and
personal experiences
Where do you start, where do you stop?
There’s a wide variety of recreational options to choose from – from water sports, hiking and cycling to historic sights and city strolls. The region is very diverse, so it’s got all kinds of things to offer.
Plunge into the freedom of the sea, in its most natural form. See the beauty of the underwater world while snorkelling or diving, feel the force of the waves on a refreshing swim or boat trip, and experience the fun of water sport on the beach or out at sea on a boat.
Sport on or under the water
The water is the perfect place to enjoy lots of different activities during peak summer. Whether it be snorkelling or diving at Cap de Creus, surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, water-skiing, jet-skiing or kayaking, if it’s water-based, you can do (pretty much) all of it right here.
If you can, hire a boat and explore Cap de Creus from the sea and find a little bay to moor in for a short break. We’ve often seen dolphins while doing this; it’s such an amazing experience.
Sailing: Sailors will also be able to get their fill when the Tramuntana and Levante winds blow in.
Land-based activities
Hiking – in spring or autumn. We’ve tried it all, because each season here has its own special feel.
The Camí de Ronda is a coastal hiking trail along the Costa Brava in Spain, connecting the Catalonian towns of Portbou (just south of the French border) and Blanes. It’s part of Spain’s GR-92 long-distance hiking trail, and spans a distance of nearly 200 km. It runs right past the house, so you can walk it in either direction. You might even decide to take a bus to Portbou and hike back to Llançà.
Located on a mountain top between Llançà and Port de la Selva in La Vall de Santa Creu is the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. It’s an uphill climb from the little village of La Selva de Mar, and from the top you’ll have breath-taking views of the coast. You can also go inside the monastery. If you find walking difficult, you can drive up the winding road too.
Hike above Cap de Creus to Cadaqués and its lighthouse (the tip of Cap de Creus), stop for a bite to eat, have a breather and head back down. The whole circuit takes about 4 hours. There is also a 3-hour circuit.
Cyclists and mountain-bikers will love the well-sealed roads and trails in the mountains.
For kids
Kids can often be kept occupied for hours with just water and maybe a bit of sand. But at the port, they can also watch lots of little boats and larger ships. And they’re sure to get excited when the big fishing boats sail in. Beach playgrounds provide added variety. And if you want to take a break from the sea, head to Roses, Aquabrava or the butterfly park in Empuriabrava.
A visit to the fish auction hall in Port de la Selva is also guaranteed to be a thrill for young and old. This is where the catch of the day is brought, all sorted into boxes on the conveyor belt ready for auctioning. There’s more activity here in summer than in winter. Enjoy tapas and wine in the bar next-door.
More info available at: www.visitllanca.cat
Caseta Pi – our Pine House
Our Caseta Pi is located in a little pine forest one row back from the sea, and is the perfect place for your dream holiday. The modern, stylish Pine House offers space, tranquillity and sea views to ensure you can enjoy to the max in any season.
Caseta Mar – our Sea House
Indulge in panoramic views of the stunning bay every day. You’ll be able to watch the sun glinting on the sea right from your terrace. Soak in the holiday vibes and enjoy the stylish regional atmosphere of Caseta Mar.
