Friday 27 July 2007

Playa and Punta Montgo, near L'Escala, Catalonia

Small, but picturesque, sandy beach and bay enclosed by whitewashed villas on one hillside and green forests and scrub land owned by the Spanish military on the other hillside. The bay shelters a flotilla of small yachts, but towards the shore, the shallow water and lack of waves make the beach ideal for small children. As you would expect, the sand can get very crowded near the sea line. Debris is removed from the beach every morning, but the surrounding roads are litter-strewn and some of the cafes scruffy. The energetic should hike up through the villas to the top of the point, where there is a small stone tower and grand 360 degree views taking in the Gulf of Roses and the eastern edge of the Pyrenees. You can continue to enjoy the view across this vast bay by taking the bracing, vertiginous cliff walk through undeveloped scrub land towards Riells. 7/10