Mediterranean cities never fail to soothe our senses, visually, gastronomically and also to add a little something extra, romantically. The sun, the sand and the wonderful culture of the Mediterranean are truly amazing. Today we will explore a unique Catalan city in Spain on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, with its own charm and history. Sant Pol de Mar is a lovely Mediterranean village that will give you a true essence of Mediterranean culture as well as the local Catalan culture that is so fascinating to witness and experience.
Sant Pol de Mar is a town located about 50 km from Barcelona, in the county of Maresme, one of the 42 counties or "comarca" that make up Catalonia in Spain. This small town has the charm of old medieval towns with rustic architecture, narrow paths, small stone staircases and whitewashed houses. The city faces the sea entirely and is not an industrial city. Its entire economy is based on the sea and tourism. It is one of those cities that are preserved from heavy capitalism and setting foot there takes us back to antiquity.
As you walk around the city, you will notice that the city is separated from the sea by the railroad. As you enter the city, you will notice the numerous beautiful narrow streets that go up and down. Witness Catalan art and architecture in every building and every house, this city really freezes into time. True to its foundations, as this small village was established as a cultural centre around the monastery of Sant Pol de Maresme which is situation on top of the village on a hill and dates back to the 10th century. Here you will literally feel the enchantment and sacredness.
The village of Sant Pol de Mar was originally and traditionally a fishing village where the population lived from fishing in the sea. This culture and the authentic lifestyles of the fishermen more or less disappeared gradually, giving way and as a consequence to the tourist culture on the beach and the spread of other businesses such as cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, etc., which are by-products of the tourist industry that replaced the traditional fishing economy and way of life. Although the beach of Sant Pol de Mar has not been used for fishing activities since the 1980s, it is still recognized and preserved to maintain its old identity and heritage as a fishing beach and village as a whole.
In the present times, the fishing heritage and the culture of fishermen have been transformed into a "society" led by locals who have undertaken the preservation and restoration of the remains of old fishing boats and materials. In Sant Pol de Mar, we see how history has evolved with the arrival of the new economy and modern lifestyles, yet landscapes such as the beach and the village retain their memories of the past and recall its vibrant recollections.
Today, Sant Pol de Mar is one of the most popular villages in Catalonia and has one of the stunning beaches that attract tourists every year in summer. The beach of this village has rocky coves with a golden sand coast where you can relax to the fullest and enjoy the atmosphere of this tranquil village with a rich legacy. The village has 3 Michelin-starred restaurants, the beach offers a variety of water sports, picturesque monuments such as the Cathedral of Sant Pau and narrow streets that lead to lovely squares and charming corners.
Our advice is to spend a pleasant and stress-free weekend in Sant Pol de Mar enjoying the sun's warmth, sunbathing on the pretty beach of the village and enjoying the escape from the bustling city life and typical tourist destinations.
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