Ullastret may be a rural stone farming village but some of the most beautiful beaches the nearby coastline has to offer are only a 25 minute drive away. The sandy coves of Llafranc, Calella, Tamariu and Aigua Blava are just a few of the delightful spots to bathe in the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.
There are several excellent restaurants in and around Ullastret to suit all tastes, from traditional Catalan home cooking to gourmet cuisine. A particular favourite is snails baked in the oven and served with All i Olli.
The nearby pottery town of La Bisbal boasts a multitude of shops selling locally made ceramics, antiques and handicrafts along with a fascinating street market every Friday that stretches throughout the backstreets and around the church.
The local stables ‘Centre Hipic La Clau’ offers horse riding and guided routes on horseback and carriage through the surrounding countryside.
Visit the Pre-Roman Iberian town of Puig de Sant Andreu. Walk amongst stone remains and see how the indigenous Iberian tribes lived back in the 6th century BC.
Visit the many medieval stone villages dotted around the area and enjoy Gothic and Romanic architecture.
Rarely mentioned in tourist guide books, there are several routes (walking or combined drive and walk) through the ‘Gavarres’ mountains (a short drive from Ullastret) where historic gems are to be discovered such as abandoned Romanic churches, Neolithic dolmens and century's old byways where the ruts worn into the rocks by ancient horse-drawn carts can still be discerned.
Take a trip from the fishing port of Palamós aboard the ‘Rafael’, a traditional lateen-rigged Catalan fishing boat and follow in the footsteps of the infamous 15th century pirate "Barbarossa".
On Palamós quayside, "General Nautíc" offers a range of motor launches that can be rented by the day or week plus the opportunity of big game fishing under the guidance of an experienced sports fisherman.
Explore the nearby medieval village of Pals, which can be seen perched on the hillside from miles around. Wander around the old town, El Pedró. One of the main features to see is the magnificent circular Romanesque Tower, the Torre de les Hores, which is all that is left of the castle that used to guard the estuary of the river Daró. From the viewpoint, you can see the Medes Islands, the Montgrí and Canigó massifs and the Albera mountain ranges.
Ullastret holds more than one ‘Fiesta’. From the 10th August to 14th August is the ‘Festa major’ when the streets fill with music and dancing. During the second week of June, a Medieval market is held along with historical re-enactments.
The nearby pottery town of La Bisbal holds its 5 day long Grand Fiesta during the third week of August.
Every Friday evening through July, Pals church hosts guitar concerts with musicians from all over Europe.
