L'escala on the Bay of Roses.

Situated at the southern end of the Bay of Roses, L’Escala is a relatively small resort that attracts a significant number of tourists at peak season. While the beaches are beautiful, the water here is cooler than elsewhere in the Mediterranean but rich in the plankton enjoyed by L’Escala’s main attraction… locally fished anchovies. 

It is not for nothing that L’Escala is also known as the Anchovy Coast. Instead of shipping what are considered to be the world’s finest anchovies (as any Catalan will tell you) to market, L’Escala’s fishermen decided to keep these tiny treasures to themselves, creating a sort of lore that spawned a cottage industry. Today, many shops around L’Escala’s port sell nothing but anchovies caught by its fleet of traditional tranynas and at least five shops boast quality certification. Stop by any local restaurant to enjoy a quintessential Costa Brava treat… a slice of toasted bread topped with anchovies dripping olive oil accompanied by a chilled glass of white wine. Or visit the Museo de l’Anxova de la Sal to study more in depth.  

L’Escala’s old town retains much of its traditional charm and has a good selection of shops, bars and cafes as well as two small beaches. The seafront promenade will take you to the more modern Riells area of town where there is a larger beach with a marina and additional shopping and dining venues. L'Escala is ideal for sports enthusiasts and there are plenty of water sports such as sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing and jet-skiing, while other popular activities include fishing, walking, cycling and golfing. L'Escala also holds numerous fiestas throughout the year including (not surprisingly) one dedicated to the beloved anchovy.  

Just north of L’Escala are the excavations of Spain’s most important ancient Greek city of Empuries. Greeks from Phocaea set up a trading post here in the sixth century B.C. called Emporion, or ‘market’. This became known as the ‘old city’ when a second settlement (the ‘new city’) was established further south. In 218 B.C, the Romans occupied the entire area adding their own architectural and cultural contributions. Highlights of the site include defensive walls, the open Agora marketplace, Roman baths and the site of the Asklepion, the temple of the Greek god of medicine. Excavation, which began in 1908, is only 15% complete and likely to yield more treasures as it continues.

See you soon !!!

 

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