Kite the Golf de Roses and surroundings.

 

Planet Kitesurf Holidays give us their holiday low down…

 

 

Words / Images: Planet Kitesurf Holidays (except where indicated)

 

Head north from the vibrant city of Barcelona and you’ll enter the Costa Brava. A beautiful, wild part of Spain characterized by long, sandy beaches, sprawling farmland, and cute stone villages. It’s the perfect place to escape for a long weekend, or longer if you like, and just relax and enjoy the slow pace of country living. It also boasts some pretty amazing kite conditions too.

 

One of the best kitesurfing spots in Spain

Located roughly an hour and a half drive from Barcelona, Golf de Roses is a wide, expansive bay that stretches all the way from the picturesque Cap Norfeu to the holiday town of L’Escala. Close to L’Escala you will find ION Club Golf de Roses –operating out of what is arguably one of the best kitesurfing spots in Spain. Open during the summer months, the centre takes full advantage of the steady sea breezes which build up in the afternoons. This thermal wind is light and gentle, but consistent, hitting the beach at a cross-off shore direction. The area is also occasionally graced by the Tramuntana north wind – which blows in off the Pyrenees and kicks in at the spot at over 18 knots.

The centre is only one of a handful operating in this part of the world and what that means is that you have the water virtually all to yourself. While the beaches can get busy with holidaymakers in the summer months, the flat protected bay stretches forever and a day, with a gently sloping shoreline, making it a great place to hone your skills with few other kiters on the water and absolutely no obstacles in the way!

 

 

Fantastic foiling conditions

The consistent light wind, deep water and extensive space, make Golf de Roses one of the best foiling spots in the world. The centre here was one of the first to offer foiling lessons and rental and is well equipped to assist anyone wanting to get going on the foil.

They also have a café and bar right on site, and a range of other equipment, from SUPs to windsurfers, perfect for travelling with friends and family members who also want to take to the water in one form or another.

 

Quaint boutique hotels

The area around the kitesurf centre is dotted with rolling farmlands and old country cottages and barns. Some of these have been renovated and lovingly restored to provide a charming getaway that you can only find in the Costa Brava area.

One of Planet’s favourites is Can Pico. This boutique-style property is reached via a narrow cobbled alleyway in a teeny-tiny ‘town’ that features about 3 other houses! Big airy bedrooms, with seemingly even larger bathrooms, overlook a well-manicured garden and an extra-large pool. European-style breakfasts are served in a chic dining room looking onto the pool and a small lounge and plenty of books are available for winding down with a glass of wine at the end of a long day.

Another great property can be found at the newly opened Can Dispes. This owner-run property offers a homely atmosphere with gorgeous Spanish architecture. You will also find a pool, and even a gym at Can Dispes and a few restaurants can be found within a 10-15 minute drive of the property. Expect a warm welcome, a friendly atmosphere, and some of the best breakfasts in the area!

 

 

Great add-on tours

As Barcelona is so easily reached from this area of Spain, a few nights spent in this bustling city are an absolute must-do! Self-cater at Aparthotel Silver and you’ll find that all of the city’s top spots are within a 20-minute walk. Spend your days exploring the famous Sagrada Familia, the fascinating Park Guell and Gaudi’s stunning apartments at Casa Mila and Casa Batlló. If you simply don’t have the time or the funds to spend exploring the city, an overnight stopover at Mucha Masia comes highly recommended for those on a budget. Although offering hostel-style accommodation, their private two sleeper room is perfect for an overnight stay and the hotel is run by locals who can tell you the best things to see and do in this vibey part of the city. We highly recommend renting one of their bicycles and exploring the beautiful natural reserve that leads down to the beach. You can even go for a sail on a catamaran or just enjoy a glass of Cava at one of the beach bars before hopping on your flight back home!

 

Find out more on Planet Kitesurf Holidays’ website