PALS Costa Brava

This walled village of Gothic stone houses around a 15th century castle was abandoned in 1939 after the Spanish Civil War, but it was slowly and lovingly restored after 1948. Many of the houses are now second homes for people from Barcelona. At times the village is too pretty for its own good numerous galleries and pottery shops testify to its popularity with tourists and to appreciate it at its best you should come in the early morning or the evening, when the sunlight is at its most subtle and you can enjoy the alleys and archways without the crowds. The long, sandy beach of Platja de Pals, with modern holiday facilities, is 5km away on the coast.