Here we look at other places that are within reach on a one-day stopover: Barcelona, Girona, Figueres, La Bisbal, Platja d'Aro. There are others but these are the ones I have chosen for interest, attractiveness and ease of getting there. BARCELONA: There is a good public bus service with www.sarfa.com but unless you have about 8 hours of stopover I would recommend you take the excursion organised by your cruise company. If they are late back the boat will wait. If you are going independent and get back to the boat late, that's tough! If you have never been to Barcelona it is one of the "have-to-see" cities of the world. GIRONA: Much smaller than Barcelona but Girona has its own charms. It's really just a big town. The south east side of the river has the Ramblas and the Cathedral. Shopping doesn't really offer much more than you find in Palamos. It's easy to get to with buses, roughly every hour, again in www.sarfa.com FIGUERES: Everybody wants to visit the incredible Museo de Dali and see the works of Catalonia's most famous artist. But it isn't possible to go by public transport in the time you have. You would need to take a bus to Girona and then bus or train up to Figueres and it takes forever. You can go by taxi (the taxis are next the bus station in Carrer Lopez Puigcerver). I think it will cost about 100 or 120 Euros for the taxi to go, wait, then return. Don't go on a Monday because the museum is closed. This is another trip that is better with the cruise company if it's on offer. LA BISBAL: The full name is La Bisbal d'Emporda. It's not a very attractive town but the part of the main road nearest to Girona has half a mile of superb big shops of pottery and ceramics. You can spend hours browsing some of the high quality products. You will buy something; that's for sure; but remember you have to carry it home. There are buses every hour with Sarfa and it takes about 35 minutes. Don't get off at the Sarfa office. Stay on the bus till you see the shops. PLATJA d'ARO: Also called Playa de Aro, it is a very popular Catalan tourist town. In some ways it looks a bit like Miami. There is a long beach front with bars and restaurants but the main part of town is set back from the beach. It's a sparkly place but remember that lots of places close in the middle of the day. If you come on a Friday it's market day. It is just 5 miles from Palamos so it's easy by bus or by taxi. If you are young and fit you can walk the Cami de Ronda (coastal path) and come back by bus. OTHER TOWNS: If there is any other place you want to visit you will probably need a taxi. Don't be afraid to go and ask. Like taxi drivers everywhere they are a bit grumpy but very reliable and honest and not as expensive as you might think. To sum up if you want to go to Barcelona or to the Dali museum the Cruise excursion is usually best and not expensive. If you want to see some other towns like Tossa or LLoret the Cruise excursion offers the easy option. But if you want to go exploring around Palamos you can have a great day with superb photos and wonderful memories all for free. |
