and Malgrat De Marself.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1{self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":R4pa6:",1)EDITOR’S NOTE — Rasheeda Campbell / News Writer / Chevy Chase Alderton: I wanted to stretch myself as a novelist and imagine heartbreak from a person’s perspective who is totally different to me in every way I wanted to explore male friendship and brotherhood having spent so much time writing about female friendship And I also just didn’t want to write about another heartbroken woman you create characters who become your roommates who sit next to you at your desk every day I didn’t want to spend another year with a sad lady I asked all the questions I’ve always wanted to ask them but under the guise of professional research I couldn’t have written Andy and his friends without those conversations Ernest Hemingway is mixing martinis for everyone but he’s there only in a waitstaff capacity Alderton: “Arrangements in Blue” by Amy Key It’s a book in which the author reflects on a life spent as a single woman and how that affects friendships It observes things about being alone that I have never seen or heard articulated before It takes its chapter headings from the songs of “Blue” by Joni Mitchell I haven’t been so obsessed with a book in a long time and she couldn’t wait for me to finish it because I wouldn’t engage in any conversation while its pages were open which includes a generous layer of spiced lamb and a swirl of fresh herbs The Time Commitment: Don’t be thrown off by the total cooking time you can cut down on the prep time by using a store-bought hummus which complements the lamb’s pepper and spice you could fly to Spain for as little as $295 roundtrip (Or save $500 on your next getaway.) Did we mention it’s only $1 to sign up It’s located three minutes from the beach and they serve breakfast in a dreamy sun-drenched garden is another must (and great for people-watching) We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered “It’s your responsibility to take care of yourself so you can either change the subject or be quite honest with your coworker ‘Let’s not talk about this right now because it’s really bringing me down and I want to have a good day’ … You could also try offering a solution [that directs them to someone who can actually handle the situation] if somebody isn’t pulling their weight and your coworker is resentful that they have to pick up the slack and let them know you aren’t able to assist anymore’ .. and I have to finish my writing project.’ At the end of the day you really have to be in control of your time and create boundaries for yourself people will continue to come and complain to you You’re not getting paid to hear their complaints.” Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Public will help create Catalan sculpture to honour ship torpedoed on way to fight fascism Exactly how many died will probably never be known. But history records that at least 45 men drawn from countries all over the world were killed on 30 May 1937 when their ship, the Ciudad de Barcelona, was torpedoed off the coast of Catalonia by a submarine The men were among 300 International Brigadistas heading to Spain to fight for the Republican cause against Spain’s fascist-led Nationalist forces Fishermen living near the coastal town of Malgrat de Mar in Barcelona province helped save more than 120 men but scores were trapped below as the ship went down Witness accounts say the brigadistas sang the Internationale as they sank At least 23 of the survivors were later killed in the civil war “It was late afternoon,” recalled Alun Menai Williams a Welshman who wrote a book about his experiences “I was leaning on the ship’s rail taking in my first view of Spain and its shoreline when there came one hell of an almighty bang “It was a pretty dirty business,” another survivor “Some fellows were killed while they were asleep as with many other stories from the Spanish civil war But now a British-born sculptor based in Catalonia is to create a lasting memorial to the brigadistas and the rescuers The Ciudad de Barcelona was sunk in May 1937. At least 45 men heading to fight for the International Brigades were killed. Photograph: AlamyWhen finished, Solidarity Park will consist of 60 will be portrayed singing aboard an abstract interpretation of a ship which has seating designed as waves and will be situated on top of a stone patio map of the world said the sculpted figures will be identical in form representing “the unity of the struggle of the Brigadiers but each will have individual carved features thus expressing the diversity of us all” which MacDonald hopes will be completed by the end of May next year to mark the 82nd anniversary of the sinking will be a collaborative effort involving students local people and the families and friends of the brigadistas Public workshops will encourage people to help carve the sculpture which will be displayed in a small park on the beach at Malgrat de Mar. So far more than €13,500 has been raised via a crowdfunding campaign towards the estimated €20,000 costs of the project “This is a memorial and a project for everybody,” MacDonald said “That’s why I don’t want to go into my workshop Art in a sense is slightly in jail in society For me community art isn’t like pottery class on Tuesday night It’s about people creating something that has political and cultural significance I don’t think art exists like this in the true sense these days.” How the Ciudad de Barcelona memorial will look Photograph: Courtesy of Robert MacDonaldMacDonald said the project was about using art to expose the truth “This project is also about uncovering the history and the more noise we make He had decided on the project after reading about his namesake who died when the ship went down He had pretty much the same politics as me One of the journeys for me with this project was finding his family and learning a little bit about him He’s an individual I have a really powerful connection with.” MacDonald hopes the work will encourage people to think about the treatment of foreigners immigrants and refugees at a time when tensions appeared to be rising It’s a story that is relevant to many situations in the world at the present time our job is to say things in a different way to help people to actually see it,” he said This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025. The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media. Sector urges authorities to take "quick" action and government says it will prioritize affected areas when giving tourism-related funding ACN | Barcelona The Catalan tourism industry has expressed concerns over the perspectives of the 2020 season, which will start in few months, due to the effects of Storm Gloria Tarragona's federation of hotel and tourism businesses (FEHT) urged authorities to take "quick" action on Friday in order to repair the damage caused by the rough weather told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that he hopes all administrations will "spend budget and efforts" so that everything is ready for Easter when typically the season is considered open Easter week falls in the second week of April this year The Ebre river region and especially its delta is a place that especially worries the sector "It is a very important tourist destination for us," he says leading to serious damage to rice fields and its rich ecosystem The exceptionally bad weather conditions also affected Barcelona's coast and the beaches and coastal towns north of the capital in both the Maresme county and especially the southern part of the Costa Brava The mayors of the northern part of Maresme – which includes Sant Pol de Mar Santa Susanna and Malgrat de Mar – asked for "diligence" to administrations "The level of disaster is very high," they say and the sea has swallowed part of the sand A campsite area in Malgrat de Mar has been seriously damaged the beaches and the maritime promenades are not in good condition but round-the-clock works have started to repair the damage "It is only 70 days left [for the beginning of the tourism season] and we know the promenade won't look as we would like to but we will do our best so that people see that we have made a great effort to make it look decent," said Xavier Amor 'Disaster area' in Barcelona and elsewhere Some of these towns – which have already begun repairing some areas – are considering requesting to be declared a disaster area by the Spanish government Barcelona has already announced that it will request so for its coast The European Union activated the Copernicus satellite to assess the damage of Storm Gloria in Catalonia.  Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The TimesThe Costa Brava is one of Spain’s best spots for a beach holiday with more than 120 miles of coastline and secluded coves backed by pines Resorts vary from quietly luxurious Cadaques and the all-out entertainment hub of Lloret de Mar to more serene and sleepy spots like Platja de Pals There’s no shortage of options in all locations so wherever you want to be you’ll find something to suit Here’s our pick of the best hotels across the Costa Brava Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners Surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Solius valley family-friendly retreat is set in an ancient Catalan farmhouse the best of them featuring grassy gardens that tuck you — and while the pool is surrounded by Bali beds that invite a snooze The kids will be busy enough — there’s a playroom with a ball pit and there are also bikes to hire and a padel court often based on fresh fish from nearby Palamos The European Tour often calls at Camiral and the Stadium Course here has hosted the Spanish Open three times It’s a tough round — though the Tour Course is kinder — so make time to recover in the wellness centre afterwards perhaps with a session in the oxygen chamber (said to calm the mind) or a more traditional massage Rooms here are elegant but you won’t spend much time in yours; there’s tennis Pilates and yoga as well as — naturally — mini golf £ | SPA | POOL | Best for beachfront location Roses has one of the most enticing stretches of golden sand on the Costa Brava and Hotel Montecarlo makes the best of it Every bedroom here comes with a sea view from its terrace and the spa is an Instagram favourite — its hydrotherapy pools stare straight out at Santa Margarita beach with nothing but a smooth glass wall between you and the view There’s a cracking vista from the bar terrace too and there are free bikes to borrow for exploring further afield Set just back from the Catalan coast and surrounded by Mediterranean pine forest this glamping resort goes easy on the camping instead offering canvas rooms that come with a private bathroom in an adjacent wooden hut plus lodges with kitchens and sea view terraces Kids will love the play area with its bouncy castle while tours and masterclasses run the gamut from cocktail-making to tree-planting — after dark there are even astronomy tours via the mobile planetarium while evenings start with sunset drinks at the Sky Bar before a hyperlocal dinner at Brasa i Flama restaurant (think paella and organic veggies from the resort’s own garden) Spain’s state-owned Paradores hog some of the best locations and the Parador de Aiguablava is no exception standing in glorious isolation on the unspoiled Punta D’es Muts and facing out to sea while the fresh modern bedrooms have large balconies and even the sauna offers a sea view An enticing line-up of small coves and sandy beaches runs along the coast nearby but in summer you might just stay right here eating lobster rice on the terrace at Restaurante Mar i Vent and watching the yachts bobbing in the bay below Lady Gaga: when a hotel’s former-guest list features names such as these you can bet it’s something pretty special Hostal de la Gavina’s illustrious history of welcoming the rich and famous tells you everything you need to know — this is the Costa Brava’s premier address and you can expect faultless service and plenty of grandeur two clay tennis courts and a beach just below the hotel for water sports while the breakfast buffet is one of those generous affairs that comes with cava £ | SPA | POOL | Best for a lively location Want the bells and whistles of a proper Spanish beach resort Lloret de Mar is the top choice in these parts with everything from blue-flag beaches and decent scuba diving to the liveliest nightlife on the Costa Brava a fun base with bright rooms decked out in sunshine yellow while the kids’ splash park is arranged around a classic camper van The resort’s main beach is just a ten-minute stroll away and there are several nightclubs within easy staggering distance • Best affordable villas in Spain• Best beaches in Spain Book this laid-back hotel in the resort of Santa Susanna and get ready to suss out the best spot by the outdoor pool area Rooms can sleep up to four and some have private swimming pools while the hotel’s four restaurants include the Bamboo Pool Club on the rooftop and the extensive El Mercat buffet There’s a sense of true escape at this country house hotel and it begins as you drive up the private gravel road to reach the 17th-century stone farmhouse (it takes around ten minutes) and you could spend day after day by the outdoor pool lazing in the whirlpool overlooking the grounds and playing tennis or billiards a dune-backed strand overlooking the Medes islands offshore — it’s just a 15-minute drive You’re sure to spend plenty of time in the kidney-shaped rooftop pool of this bright and breezy coastal hotel though it’s an easy stroll to the beach as well You’re surrounded by the thrum of fun-loving Lloret de Mar and the bedrooms here feel designed for retreat featuring cool white decor and small balconies At day’s end head up to the rooftop once more for a drink at the bar complete with panoramic views across the resort and down to the sea Among Palafrugell’s medieval alleyways a short hop back from the Mediterranean coast this 17th-century former apothecary is now a chic bed and breakfast tempting couples to hole up and stay a while before heading up to the roof terrace to soak up the sun — and the scent of the hotel’s herb and flower garden Downstairs you can laze in the Roman-style caldarium (like a giant bath) while evenings are best spent in the library over board games and a glass of wine from the honesty bar The Emporda region is known for its fabulous wines You’ll need a proper dinner to soak it all up and the hotel can certainly provide; book a table at Michelin-starred Castell Peralada for a tasting menu inspired by the local area or settle in to L’Olivera for upscale dishes that make the best of Emporda’s produce surrounded by olive trees and with views to the Pyrenees; on the 18-hole golf course; or in the spa £ | SPA | POOL | Best for a grown-up beach break Just back from the blue-flag beach of Malgrat de Mar and within easy striking distance of the resort’s seafront bars and restaurants this adult-only hotel has a laid-back feel despite its size while the alfresco pool area has in-water loungers and is shaded by lofty palms Throw in an extensive breakfast buffet and a spa offering massage treatments and it all adds up to an easy Every foodie worth their salt knows of the buzz around El Celler de Can Roca holder of three Michelin stars and the trickiest tables in Girona to get hold of Stay instead at the restaurant’s boutique hotel offering 15 hip suites dressed with high-quality natural materials A fine dining-style breakfast is served up here along with cocktails at sunset and intimate set-menu dinners • Best family-friendly villas in Spain• Best all-inclusive hotels in Spain Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here The picturesque Maresme line has carried passengers from Barcelona to the coast for more than 170 years – but for how much longer passing the few hopeful spring sunbathers and surfers Spain’s oldest train line runs so close to the shore it feels as if you’re travelling on the sea itself Heavy waves took a giant bite out of the coast threatening a section of the track with collapse and forcing the train company to lay on a bus service between La Pineda and Malgrat de Mar It wasn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last: coastal erosion and rising sea levels have put the future of the famed Maresme line in jeopardy. In January 2020, storm Gloria battered the line with 3.6-metre (12ft) waves causing widespread damage and putting several sections out of action the company responsible for railway infrastructure spent €12m (£10m) repairing and shoring up a 1.4-mile (2.2km) stretch of track and replacing a bridge removing even the thin buffer between trains and waves A passenger braves the fury of storm Gloria in 2020. Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters“One more Gloria and that will be the end of the train line,” says Antoni Esteban of Preservem el Maresme an umbrella organisation representing 115 community conservation and other groups in the region Opened in 1848 the Maresme line links Barcelona with Blanes The service was conceived to transport the Barcelona bourgeoisie to their summer residences the Maresme population has grown exponentially The train now passes through 16 growing towns with a combined population of about 500,000 There are 37 beaches and five marinas along the way and in summer the trains are packed as people from Barcelona head for the beaches However, rapid urbanisation of the Maresme towns has worsened coastal erosion Human activity and canalisation of the rivers that drain into the sea mean less sediment is deposited a geologist at the Observatori del GeoRisc research institute Breakwaters and sea walls simply aggravate the problem of erosion so the cure is worse than the diseaseJoan Manuel Vilaplana geologistThe five marinas along the coast are also a contributing factor Vilaplana says: “Ocean currents move the sand from north to south as part of a natural process of regenerating the beaches but the marinas’ quays act as sedimentary traps.” on the coastline may only make the problem worse despite being agreed in 2015 by Adif and central where a series of breakwaters was built to reduce erosion less sand is reaching the beaches than ever “Hard solutions such as breakwaters and sea walls simply aggravate the problem of erosion so the cure is worse than the disease,” says Vilaplana Pilar Marcos of Greenpeace agrees: “Building breakwaters is a huge outlay of public money that will solve nothing in the long term as storms get stronger and more frequent Marcos says that local fishers complain about the impact on marine life of constantly dredging the seabed for sand to replenish the beaches after each winter’s storms. Joan Campolier, the mayor of Santa Susanna, which lies midway between Pineda de Mar and Malgrat de Mar, has called for a definitive solution, even if it means closing the line for longer. His counterpart in La Pineda, Xavier Amor, agrees, saying there is no point in trying to fix the problem by patching it up. Vilaplana believes the only long-term solution is to move the line inland, to run parallel with the motorway. Not only would this guarantee the safety and viability of the train – he says it is only luck that there hasn’t been a serious accident – it would free up land that would allow for wider beaches, which research shows is the best defence against erosion. Read moreAlthough there is widespread agreement that the line needs to move inland he says the plan has been stalled by a lack of political will and “It’s hard to justify doing nothing on economic grounds when they’re spending millions on high-speed rail links that no one is using,” Vilaplana says a reference to Spain’s high-speed rail network which is second only to China in distance covered but has struggled to find enough passengers to be financially viable While moving the line inland may be the best environmental solution thousands of commuters will lament the loss of the curious but joyous sensation of being on a train that seems to travel by sea Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Barcelona Sanguinetti / Diputació de BarcelonaGetaway to Maresme: Wine tasting and relaxationThis getaway takes you to three towns in the region: Alella perhaps as many as there are towns in this region marked by contrasts There's a coastal Maresme and a mountainous one with curative waters there are large department stores and quaint you'll find towns frequented by tourists and others still relatively undiscovered there's an agricultural Maresme and an industrial one… Discovering all of these in just 48 hours is impossible but the visit we recommend sums up the region's diversity Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebooktwitterspotifytiktokAbout us Contact us Time Out Worldwide The cause that led an unemployed Rhondda miner to sacrifice his life in the Spanish Civil War remains as important now as when he died in 1938 Harry Dobson from Tonypandy died in the Battle of the Ebro fighting for Republican Spain against fascist rebels led by General Francisco Franco who won the war and went on to rule Spain as a dictator until his death in 1975 A plaque in memory of Harry was put up in Tonypandy Library shortly after he was killed but it got lost when the old library was demolished in the 1990s After representations from historians and activists a new plaque has been unveiled in the replacement Tonypandy Library by Harry’s nephew Ray Gleeson Ray told those who attended the event: “Our family is very proud of Harry He worked as a miner until 1931 when he was victimised for his activities He was a member of the South Wales Miners Federation and in 1929 he joined the Rhondda branch of the Communist Party of Great Britain “Harry was twice imprisoned for working class activities – in 1932 for four months and in 1936 for six months He finished the last term of imprisonment in April 1937 and on June 2 he was in Spain “The original plaque in 1938 was unveiled by Arthur Horner President of the South Wales Miners Federation Arthur was the eldest surviving son of a family of 17 children I think this determined their resolve in the 1930s to push and demand changes in equality and freedom of expression but for all those who volunteered and fought in Spain.” Harry survived the sinking of his ship which had been torpedoed by an Italian submarine off the coast of Malgrat de Mar Spanish Civil War historian Alan Warren said: “In Spain the Right does not want people to remember their history I don’t know if you’ve heard of the independence referendum which took place in Catalonia in 2017 when 900 people were beaten up by the police There’s an amnesty being offered by the Socialist coalition to those who organised the referendum and the Right are furious So the Civil War continues in people’s hearts and minds “Catalonia has set up an organisation called Memorial Democratic which is trying to educate people about the Spanish Civil War You see interpretive panels all over Catalonia It’s a political strategy that’s trying to show young people what democracy is “Three weeks ago a mass grave was discovered at a Republican hospital with 36 bodies and another layer below An old woman who had been a nurse there said there was a mass grave there and nobody knew in certain areas of government that they don’t want people to remember I think it’s vitally important to remember that.” where he is secretary of the Welsh-Catalan Cultural Association He was recently involved in getting a plaque to Harry Dobson located near the spot where he died He said: “My uncle died in the Second World War Possibly he and many millions of people wouldn’t have died if the Civil War in Spain had turned out differently “Harry was born in 1907 at 121 Dunraven Street He was the son of an Englishman who was a coal miner and a staunch trade unionist His mother was from Abersychan [in the Gwent Valleys] leaving his home to join that great cause.It was the last chance to confront a fascist dictator and stop the spread of fascism and a European war “Harry took part in many of the battles before the final Battle of the Ebro He was wounded on the battlefield and then taken to a cave hospital at the village of La Bisbal de Falset Hospitals had to be built in tunnels and caves to protect them from bombs from the Germans and the Italians he said to the nurse who was caring for him: ‘Comrade they will never keep back the progressive cause told the Rhondda Leader in 1938: “Harry was a lovely bloke He would always call in for a chat whenever he was passing our house He will always be remembered as somebody who stood up for what he believed was right It’s a pity that there’s not a lot more around like him today.” A number of Welshmen died at the Ebro – including Thomas Howell Jones Altogether around 200 Welshmen volunteered to join the International Brigades that were fighting fascism On the day that Harry’s plaque was unveiled in Tonypandy Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez won a vote in Parliament with the support of Catalan and Basque nationalists that will enable him to govern for another term there had been fears that the fascist party Vox would enter government in coalition with the right wing Popular Party Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" It is great to see such a brave man honoured Connect with Nation.Cymru on Facebook and Twitter If you would like to donate to help keep Nation.Cymru running then you just need to click on the box below it will open a pop up window that will allow you to pay using your credit / debit card or paypal Enter your email address to receive instant notifications of new articles All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018 In 2017 Nation.Cymru was launched after raising £5000 from a crowdfunding campaign Today it is one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK attracting over 1.5 million visitors a month We are not backed by billionaire owners or hidden behind a paywall but we depend on our readers' support to continue our work If everyone who visited the site over the course of a month donated at least £1 we would have enough funding for the next eight years To guarantee our future please consider making a donation today. A monster wave has crashed over Majorca rooftops 100 yards inland The freak weather front has claimed at least eight lives after unleashing blizzards surreal foam drifts and mountainous seas with 50ft waves along the Mediterranean coast Amid the chaos, rescue teams in Ibiza are searching for a British man feared to have been swept away during the onslaught Emergency crews launched a search for the 25-year-old after he disappeared in Portinatx in the municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja It's been reported the missing man is one of the crew of a boat which docked in the port of Ibiza Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people in the north of the mainland are now without power in the wake of the winter storm which even coated roads near Benidorm in snow. The north-east and the Balearic Islands are now on high alert as forecasters predict even more gales, heavy rain and icy conditions. A wave nearly 50ft high which was described as a "record-high" was recorded off the holiday island of Menorca at 1pm local time on Tuesday. While the port authorities reported towering waves of nearly 28ft were battering Valencia - which they later revealed was also a record. Nine provinces are still on orange or yellow alert because of huge waves and even fears of avalanches. Gloria is also expected to bring heavy rains to Catalonia increasing the risk of shocking floods in towns and villages neighbouring rivers. The Interior Minister has described the storm as 'exceptional' while the UK Foreign Office has issued an 'extreme risk' warning to British tourists. It's also been reported the death toll will almost certainly rise as several people are missing after Gloria struck. Videos showed waves crashing over the seafront walls and sending water cascading down the street towards buildings in Cala Ratjada on Majorca. While sea foam invaded several streets near the seafront in Tossa de Mar following the potent mix of high winds, waves and torrential rain. One woman was filmed trying to get into her house in the resort up to her waist in the bizarre foam. The storm, described by the head of Barcelona’s beach services as “probably the worst this century” continued to cause more destruction throughout last night. It has already been linked to eight deaths, including that of a 43-year-old engineer killed by an out-of-control van as he tried to put snow chains on the tyres of a car. His wife and two young children were sitting in near a ski station in the northern province of Leon. On Tuesday afternoon,  emergency crews in Majorca revealed they were calling off the search for a missing 27-year-old man who disappeared after going abseiling with two friends. The search operation had to be suspended because of the bad weather. It also emerged a Spanish 67-year-old was also missing feared dead after his car was carried away in a flood area as he drove from Benidorm to nearby Callosa d’En Sarria. His vehicle was empty when it was located and searched by firefighters. Several beaches, including Arenal Beach in the Costa Blanca resort of Javea, were also covered under the foam that invaded Tossa. In Girona in north-east Spain, locals started preparing for the nightmare scenario of the River Onyar bursting its banks. Rosa Maria Pardo, owner of a shop next to the river, told a local paper: “We are really frightened.” Nearly 50 people were evacuated from their homes in Ontinyent near Valencia because of the risk of the River Clariano bursting its banks and water flooding their properties. Flash floods in October in Spain claimed the lives of eight people including two cousins swept away by a wave in Cala d’Or in Majorca They followed devastating storms a month earlier which hit the Costa Blanca hardest and claimed seven lives Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Thousands of volunteers take part all along Catalan coast ACN | Barcelona Cleanup operations have been taking place all along the Catalan coast after the devastation brought by Storm Gloria in January Thousands of volunteers headed to beaches over the weekend to join the communal effort Local councils coordinated events and handed out gloves and bags to helpers student groups and members of the public of all ages came together to remove debris The majority of the rubbish was natural vegetation Plastic and microplastic waste was also collected and taken away "It’s been hugely unfortunate and we all have to work together to restore normality as soon as possible," said Manuel Sánchez a volunteer working in Malgrat de Mar on the Maresme coast Storm Gloria battered Catalonia for five days and caused estimated damage of tens of millions across the country The beach cleanup operations will be welcomed by tourism industry, who have expressed concerns at the impact the damage from Storm Gloria will have on the 2020 season snowfall and huge waves lash eastern regions Nine people have died and four are missing after Storm Gloria continued to batter eastern Spain with high winds which had left 220,000 people in the Tarragona region without electricity on Tuesday but some north-eastern and Balearic areas remained on orange alert while a woman was killed in Alicante province when her home collapsed A farmer in Almería died after becoming trapped in a greenhouse during a hailstorm and another man was found dead in a flooded area a few miles inland from Benidorm Gloria had claimed five other lives between Sunday and Tuesday with winds of up to 90 mph (144kmh) and waves up to 13.5 metres (44 feet) high Storm damage in Mallorca Photograph: Europa Press via Getty ImagesOne man was run over as he put snowchains on his car tyres in Asturias on Sunday while another man died after being hit by a roof tile in Ávila the same day Three other people are thought to have died of hypothermia in Valencia on Monday and Tuesday Rescuers are still searching for four missing people among them a 25-year-old Briton who disappeared while riding his motorbike in northern Ibiza A spokesman for the emergency services said police were alerted by his colleague who had gone to search for him after the Briton – who was on a day off – failed to return from the trip the head of beach services for Barcelona in the north-east told the local broadcaster Betevé that Gloria was the worst sea storm since 2003 and probably this century Huge waves hit the eastern coast Photograph: Europa Press via Getty ImagesThe wild weather also brought seawater pouring into the Ebro delta inundating thousands of hectares of rice plants “We can’t remember anything similar ever happening,” the local mayor “It’s dramatic to see how the river has overflowed and the sea has travelled kilometres inland.” offered his support and condolences to the families of those killed “and to those who are suffering the fatal consequences of this stormy weather” He also thanked the country’s emergency services for their efforts Reuters and the Press Association contributed to this report A memorial plaque has been unveiled close to the spot where the remains of an unsung Welsh hero killed in the Spanish Civil War lie in a mass grave The last battle of the Spanish Civil War took place at the River Ebro near Tarragona 85 years ago It’s where many Welsh volunteers defended democracy and fought against Franco and fascism The unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Harry Dobson took place at La Bisbal de Falset Cemetery It says Harry “Died as he lived fighting for Freedom” Dobson was born in Tonypandy in 1907 and worked at Blaenclydach pit He was an active member of the South Wales Miners Federation – known as the Fed – and the Unemployed Workers Movement It was Dobson who suggested that the executive committee of the Fed should send a delegate to Spain to show their solidarity with the Republic This was before the formation of the International Brigades Like many others Dobson was radicalised by unemployment and the rise of the British Union of Fascists He was active in the trade union movement and in the campaign against fascism in Wales He is best known for coming out of Swansea prison following his arrest at the Tonypandy anti-fascist demonstration in 1936 and asking the question: “How do I get to Spain” Within a couple of months of leaving prison Dobson would be in Spain having finally decided to join up with the International Brigade after hearing a speech by the former Labour MP Leah Manning in Rhondda She organised the evacuation of orphaned or at risk Basque children during the Spanish Civil War.On his way to Spain he survived the sinking of his ship which had been torpedoed by an Italian submarine off the coast of Malgrat de Mar – north of Barcelona Dobson saw action in many of the Spanish Civil War battles He had been a trade union activist and a fierce campaigner against fascism and mass unemployment in the 1930s In Spain Dobson took part in the battles at Teruel and Caspe he and others wandered into Nationalist lines They were arrested but somehow escaped late at night and managed to find refuge in the home of a Republican supporter who gave them food and suggested an escape route swimming across the Ebro Dobson was shot by a burst of machine gun fire while standing on a hill close to the front line talking with two other Welsh fighters Alun Menai Williams and Morris Davies Spanish Medical Aid Nurses Nan Green and Leah Manning were both nursing him when he was wounded at the Ebro and before he died at the Cave Hospital in La Bisbal de Falset in August 1938 Hospitals had been erected in Caves and tunnels to protect against air bombing whose husband George Green was also killed at the Ebro recalled Leah Manning holding the hand of Dobson for many hours Manning sent a condolence letter to someone called Gwen who it is thought was Dobson’s girlfriend There is a newsreel of the British Battalion on parade to the Cenotaph in December 1938 and a young woman laying a wreath of flowers for Dobson This is not “Gwen” but someone called Jean Jones who was perhaps another girlfriend – It is understood that he had many girlfriends The historian and politician Hywel Francis said: “Amongst the Welshmen Harry Dobson best combined the qualities of courage under fire said Dobson was “quiet and unassuming but a great comrade” Leah Manning said this of him: “Whilst I was in the Cave (Hospital) a comrade was carried in from the operating theatre Curiously enough he regained consciousness whilst they were bringing him in and he stared hard at me for a minute or two and said: ‘Why surely it is comrade Leah Manning’ I could not remember at that moment where I had met him but later a friend of his told me that it was at an anti-fascist demonstration at which Arthur Horner and I spoke and it must have been just before they framed the charge against him “I asked the surgeon who had done the operation whether his wound was a dangerous one and he said: ‘Well if he is someone you are interested in I do not think he can live more than two or three hours “He had been wounded in the abdomen during an aviation attack on the other side of the Ebro and the shell had destroyed the spleen which had to be entirely removed suffering very badly from shock because they had had to bring him across the Ebro again for the operation Dr Saxton thought that perhaps another blood transfusion might restore him It was very difficult to give it to him and could only be done by cutting down into his veins after the blood transfusion and a shot of adrenalin he seemed to recover in a marvellous fashion His pulse strengthened and he opened his eyes and said: ‘Why and he must lie very still if he wanted to get well “He asked me if I would hold his hand as it seemed so nice to have an English comrade by his side and he could not really believe it they will never keep back the progressive cause whatever they do’ I sat by him all night; in fact – for about 14 hours “He died about 10 o’clock the next morning He had a splendid reputation with all the men in the British Battalion and the news of his death at party headquarters in Barcelona was received with very deepest regret.” More than 100 people attended the plaque commemoration including members of the Welsh Catalan Cultural Association and International Brigade Cymru Relatives of Harry Dobson were also present The event took place on the 85th anniversary of the final day of combat of the International Brigades in Spain before they would march through the streets of Barcelona and head home was not one of them and sadly he would never see his homeland in the Rhondda Fawr again On November 16 another memorial plaque will be unveiled at Tonypandy Library Let this be a wake-up call to what is being done here by Rishi Sunak and Bully XL Braverman and the rest of their gang… the spirit of the coalfields is no longer… One person missing, Ebre river delta devastated, flooding with rivers about to burst their banks, roads closed, broken bridges, and areas without electricity among effects ACN | Barcelona Storm Gloria continued to batter Catalonia in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after causing major disruptions throughout Tuesday.  and the emergency services began a search operation with the hypothesis that the person might have fallen into the sea while trying to moor a boat.  but Storm Gloria will continue into day four in the afternoon and night – the rough weather has brought strong winds The home affairs ministry warned on Wednesday morning that the "worst phase" of the storm is still to come while the civil protection agency increased the flood alert level to "emergency."  The Barcelona metro area authority stated that the damages from the storm are the worst in at least 20 years.  Several areas throughout the country were flooded due to the rain and the rough sea including a large section of the Ebre river delta and the rice fields and flora and fauna it hosts Major rivers in the Girona region especially are at "maximum risk" of bursting their banks and some rivers such as Tordera and streams have already flooded nearby areas.  Some 20 roads were partially or totally closed at 8am including AP-7 northbound at Hostalric.  Hostalric has had most of its road links with neighboring villages closed and the local council asked the public to stay indoors after qualifying the situation as "quite critical." Some parts of the town had no power and the whole municipality was without water or gas in the morning.  have most of their road links with neighboring villages closed such as one above a train track between Malgrat de Mar and Blanes – on the border between the Barcelona and Girona regions – was badly damaged The authorities estimate they will need between 6 and 9 months to repair it Another example is a seafront promenade in Badalona All in all the Catalan government estimates that the damages caused in the ports owned by the executive – that is all ports in the country except for those in Barcelona and Tarragona owned by Spain – will cost between 6 and 7 million euros.  floods due to the river Tordera overflowing left large parts of Malgrat de Mar and neighboring Palafolls with water usage restrictions Its water-treatment plant was flooded and only has enough drinking water until Friday morning.  Large areas of the Vallès Oriental and Maresme counties had no electricity supply on Wednesday morning like many places in the Girona and Ebre delta areas.   some 30,000 clients had no electricity yet across the country with the Maresme being among the areas more affected.  149,000 students were left without classes due to the effects of Storm Gloria Some school bus lines in the Pyrenees were also canceled due to the snow.   The storm has left some 300 mm of rainfall in central northern and southern parts of the country over the past four days including 315 mm in Arbúcies (La Selva county) and 284 mm in Horta de Sant Joan (Terra Alta) received 11,943 calls related to the storm – the authorities have reminded the public that this phone number is for emergencies only with 012 being the number to request information Seaside idylls from Île de Ré to eastern Crete feature as our tipsters report that even popular destinations such as Menorca and Sicily have their quieter spots On the trail of the lonesome pines in MenorcaCala Galdana beach – and its neighbours – are spectacular Turn off at Ferreries and take the attractive Me-22 road that brings you to a breathtaking horseshoe bay shrouded by pine trees There are also water sports facilities if you want a bit more activity a beautiful beach a short walk to the east If I could be teleported to any beach on my day off here’s where I’d go to.Bethan Patfield Trpejca I was road-tripping the route of the Roman Via Egnatia from Durres to Istanbul when we stumbled across Trpejca The water is clear and the painted plank jetty on the charming side of rickety gazing at the mountains a few miles across the water and smiling about our luck in finding a beautiful beach in landlocked North Macedonia.Anja Steel Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage Faro and Lagos) and start exploring from there.Carolyn Porto Katsiki. Photograph: taniaphotography/Getty ImagesThe winding drive to Porto Katsiki on Lefkada island allows for intermittent views down to the beautiful clear waters a hundred or so steps will take you down to the pebble beach A stroll to the opposite side can provide some shade under the huge limestone cliff The clear and calm turquoise water is brilliant for snorkelling and swimming in Above the beach is a viewpoint with sweeping sunset views and draws a small crowd most evenings serving Greek classics and amazing seafood with stunning views over the Ionian Sea.Charlotte Jose We cycled to the white sand Plage Campiotel and gazed out at the blue expanse of the Atlantic on Île de Ré’s west-facing coast The lack of road infrastructure and abundant cycle paths all add to the joyous feeling that you’re perched on the edge of the world All you have are the wild sand dunes and occasional leathery nudist couple walking past.Sid Kouremenos Photograph: Stephen Hughes/AlamyTravelling to Kouremenos offers glimpses of the most rustic parts of the island Nestled between ancient Minoan temples (above and below water) this beach offers a combination of tranquil waters for families and a windsurfing spot for those after thrills A few tavernas close to the beach offer delicious featured trips and local tips for your next break as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays Jastrzębia Góra. Photograph: Pawel Kazmierczak/AlamyThe beach at Jastrzębia Góra in Poland has silky sand like the Maldives Fragrant pine trees line the beach along the whole of this beautiful coastline and the air is so pure that lichen grows along the paths I have been lucky enough to find amber stones after storms Malgrat de Mar Photograph: Greg Balfour Evans/AlamyTake the R1 train from Barcelona station up the coast; at every stop – from Montgat Nord to Malgrat de Mar – is a beautiful beach away from the hustle of Barça Tickets can cost less than €10 for a return the stations are directly on the beaches and you can travel to five or six within an hour of the city.Adam Baines Carvoeiro Photograph: Francesco Bonino/AlamyThe beautiful sandy beach in the traditional Algarve town of Carvoeiro lies sandwiched between rugged golden cliffs while providing all the amenities of a seaside town with the bonus of the ice-cream shop selling the most delicious rice pudding ice-cream I’m not sure if this is traditional Portuguese fare became my local for a quiet coffee in the morning later transformed by a DJ into the hot place to be at sunset for a cocktail dancing or just soaking up the scene.Paula A group of Gambians based in Spain over the weekend presented 30 balls and a pallet of sportswear to the Ministry of Sports Called the Association of Immigrants in Malgrat- de mar the group is noted for their patriotic support to development programmes in their native Gambia The items were received at the National Sports Council (NSC) office at the Independence Stadium on Friday where sports minister Alieu Jammeh thanked the donors for thinking about their country in their activities The minister said the items are well appreciated especially because the decision to give them to the country is pegged on good intention by the donors “In national development no contribution is small What is paramount is the desire and intention to bring better changes to one’s nation,’’ he told representatives of the association The minister further informed the group that their intervention came at a time government has taken giant steps towards changing the scope and direction of the management of sport with a view to making it available to all talented players in all parts of the region He said the coming regional football associations would open up chances for all talented players in the country to have a chance to prove their talents and be scouted from regional to national level thereby providing “a large pool of talents for our national teams” changes do not come without resistance and misunderstanding hence “the frequent quarrels you read or hear in the media within the sports fraternity” “But all that is part of the process leading to better organization of football,’’ he added head of the coordinating team in The Gambia said the association has a strong policy to support projects in The Gambia Their activities and support included the provision of Land Rover ambulance 22 beds and 2000 litres of liquid detergent soaps for Yoro Bawol Health Centre in the URR Mr Danjo said the association’s members equally have interest in football and other youth and sports affairs and would work towards seeking avenues of cooperation between Gambia and Spanish football clubs and bodies with a view to establishing exchange programmes which could be further used to open up chances for Gambian players with good skills to play in Spain The ceremony was chaired by NSC executive secretary Max Jallow The Association of Immigrants at Malgrat- de mar is headed by Sana Kanteh and comprised many prominent Gambians who have come together to put resources and minds to contribute to not only their welfare but also development projects in The Gambia So that your dogs don't suffer so much from the heat and you don't suffer going to the beach without them we leave you the best beaches to swim together The perfect beach for dogs because it is better for dogs than for people A small beach lacking in services with an orientation that does not help sunbathing but it is perfect for taking dogs for a swim You can visit in Sitges, half an hour from Barcelona, near the cement plant and can be reached by following the old Castelldefels road so you can also crown the day with a walk through the park The dog beach in Barcelona has been a resounding success since it opened a few years ago A kennel of 1,250 m² with a maximum capacity of 100 dogs where in August even queues form dogs can access any beach without time limitation with the exception of Easter This Zone for dogs of 1.000m2 is located between the streets Vandellòs and Tamarit this is one of the most comfortable beaches to go with our animals it has a capacity for 100 people and 75 dogs so you can enjoy a large space without being too cramped During the summer months, close to the thermal power plant of Cubelles, a Zone for dogs is enabled on the beach of Les Salines It is a stretch of more than 450 meters long of sand and gravel ideal for playing and bathing with your dog without having to worry about space The beach is composed of fine golden sand and is open from June 15 to September 16 the beaches of Arenys de Mar accept dogs from 8 pm until 8 am Includes all basic services and marine rescue the beach of Pineda de Mar has a small fenced section for dogs during the summer months.  It is located in front of the two campsites and dogs do not need to be registered in the municipality The enclosure has litter garbage cans and bags for excrement in case you forget them at home if you are looking for a place a little more remote and quiet this is your place you can enjoy between 1.600m2 and 5.000m2 of sand certainly more than enough space to play and bathe with your furry friend This dog beach is located near the boat launching area so you can not only enjoy a fun day with your dog but also a traditional Mediterráneo landscape The waters of this beach are characterized by their transparency and the sand is fine and pleasant The Zone is delimited with wooden fences and has a maximum capacity of 150 people From June 1 to September 30, this beach of Mataró is enabled for dogs and people to enjoy a refreshing day at sea It is located next to the pier and dogs must be registered and microchipped to register them at the ticket The beach has lifeguard service and access hours are from 10-19h with a capacity of only 60 people and 40 dogs is located behind the Badalona municipal swimming pool and all animals attending must be microchipped In the midst of the Cap de Creus we found this canine beach next to the parking lot of the Platja Gran  It is a sandy Zone from where we can enjoyspectacular views of the village of white and picturesque houses.  11:10 AM | Article By: Abdou Rahman Sallah If you want to escape the heat and enjoy like a child in a water park near Barcelona But there is a fourth option (beyond hosing down a rooftop): water parks those blue paradises of childhood still exist and although as adults we tend to forget them that fantasy mixture of swimming pool and amusement park and in Catalonia there are a few where you can go to spend a fun and if you are one of those who have already googled “waterpark near me” or are already crazy typing waterpark or aquapark to find all the options In today’s list you will find the best water park for you to enjoy this summer From the ticket entrance to the city you can already see the domes of some of its most striking slides rafting River… The name already warns you of what you are going to find 50 meters long and with waves up to two meters high so that you can spend the afternoon in the Mediterráneo countryside swimming as if you were in the wild Pacific Ocean 19 for those under 1,2m and 33 for those over 1,2m Few names are more fitting for our childhood dreams. This water park in the Maresme is one of the great regulars of the Barcelona minors when the summer approaches Its slides are in the childhood memories of many of us and attractions such as the donuts (and the custom of generating traffic jams on purpose) as it has been for years the main stage of the Circuit the big gay party that takes over Barcelona during August 16,50 for those under 1,2m and 26€ for for those over 1,2m Free buses and trains leave Barcelona every day It is a large park with a large wave pool of 3,000 m2, unique in Europe, and a climbing area on one of its pools. In addition, to make your stay more comfortable, there are two restaurants, three bars and a kiosk where you can eat and have an ice cream. 💸 General admission tickets: 28€. Under 1.20 m and over 1.20 m The water parks are usually, curiously, near the coast, however this is the exception, as it is located in a village in the interior of Tarragona. It is a small and familiar park, although it still has attractions  that fill us with adrenaline, such as the Anaconda or the Kamikaze. In addition, every Saturday until August 13, it offers zumba classes in the afternoons and various activities such as DJ sessions or batukadas.   📍 Finca les Basses, Albinyana. Bus service from Sitges, Tarragona and other locations. 💸 General admission tickets: 24€. 8 for children between 0.90m and 1.10m. 15€ for children under 1,40m. Marineland has a special feature: Not only people swim here, but also other animals. The park, halfway between an attraction and a zoo, houses a Dolphinarium where you can learn about bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, Humboldt penguins from Peru and Chile, and an aviary with 10 different types of birds. In addition, water attractions such as the Black Hole slide, the 15-meter Boomerang and other usual suspects of this type of attractions. 📍 Carretera Malgrat, Palafolls. Free bus service in nearby towns such as Lloret de Mar, Malgrat de Mar, Calella, Pineda and Blanes.  8€ from 0.9m to 1.1m in height. 14.40 below 1.4m and 22.50 above 1.4m. View this post on Instagram Not all water parks have long slides with free fall or artificial wave pools we can also find them on the same beach in a smaller format where the waves depend on the weather and the slides are inflatable as is the case of AquaPark of Santa Susana So if you don’t know whether to choose between a quiet beach day and a bit of fun this option is perfect as it brings together the best of both worlds And if you’re not too fond of the board will make for a great day out on the water 15€  from 0.9m to 1.4m in height and 25€ above 1.4m the highest free fall in Europe at 31 meters and also Woody’s Lagoon or the Loo River a 1,500-meter course along a canal around the park a Caribbean beach in the province of Tarragona Direct trains from Barcelona to PortAventura station 💸  39€ from 4 to 10 years old and for seniors over 60 Subscribe to be the first to get new family travel inspiration Sign up today! Can you really keep travelling with a child in tow Subscribe to be the first to get new family travel inspiration If you had to name one of Europe’s top city breaks, you’d probably pick Barcelona – no surprise really as it’s only a short flight from the UK But how many people venture further outside the city to the Costa Barcelona press trip/contains affiliate links* When I was invited to explore by the tourist board I discovered it’s great for families too – here’s my guide to the Costa Barcelona and why it should be on your holiday list for Spain A string of airlines fly directly into Barcelona El Prat airport from both London and regional airports – too many to list You can also take the Eurostar and connect to high-speed trains across France and in to Barcelona spending less than nine hours on board (plus a connection in Paris) is you pick the right trains The train from Barcelona runs along the seafront to destinations including Calella although if you want to explore further afield We spent our trip at various campsites along the coast near Calella and Malgrat de Mar with safari tents at Camping La Tordera as well as lodges to choose from But you’re not short of choices with seafront hotels Check out some of my favourite accommodation if you’re travelling with kids or my review of Camping Roca Grossa Considering how much there is to choose from, it’s astonishing that this area gets overlooked for its more popular neighbours. To start off my guide to the Costa Barcelona, here are 13 things to do on the Costa Barcelona to inspire you including if you’re travelling with kids head to Castelldefels where you can try cableskiing or canoeing at Canal Olimpic, created for the Barcelona Olympics – it’s also home to some very stylish beach clubs (keep an eye out for footballers) and the old fortress which has withstood pirates and the Spanish Civil War If you’d rather discover more about the region’s Cava one of the vineyards should be on the list – we sipped ours at Alta Alella which has fabulous views down to the sea If you simply want some beach time, try Malgrat de Mar, also home to a gigantic playground, or to Calella which was one of my favourite parts of the trip We visited on one of the big feast days but there are events running year-round as well as being named an official Catalan Family Holiday Destination with plenty to entertain kids and help keep them safe with some fascinating history and great views onto the water There are more beach clubs to discover there and the chance to work up an appetite out on the water first – high-speed banana boat optional Here’s what I got up to in one day in Calella If you’d like a complete contrast to the coast, Montseny Natural Park was another favourite – the pretty village high in the hills is worth a stop but the woods themselves have something from gentle strolls along the river to more intense hikes taking you through a range of scenery And while the activities our guide showed us were intended for kids Caldes de Montbui should also be on the list The Romans knew about the hot springs here and you can still bathe in the thermal waters today while various springs in the town pump out steaming water and the museum is a great introduction to life here over the centuries The imposing church has its own stories and legends, along with some beautiful stained glass – check out my photos from Costa Barcelona for a taste And the city itself? Definitely worth a day trip – whether you’re travelling to Barcelona with kids or without If you’re travelling with football fans, check out this review of the Camp Nou Experience from the Family Adventure Project soaking up the views of the sea and scenery you suddenly start to understand why lunch in Spain is a major event addictive ‘Pa amb tomàquet’ bread rubbed with tomato and garlic traditional Catalan dishes including ‘canalones’ – similar to cannelloni but with a distinctive twist – and rabbit And check out the Spain Travel Guide from Lonely Planet, as well as their Pocket Barcelona guide for more on the city Disclosure: My trip was courtesy of the Costa Barcelona tourist board suggestions and tomato bread addictions are my own This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller Although I was very stiff after – glad the guide is useful I would love to give cableskiing and canoeing there a go – finishing off with that foodie feast of course It was very fun – and the food was wonderful My in laws lived up the coast line from Barcelona in Roses It was mainly French coming from over the border and Dutch flying in for a quiet getaway It was a bit more of a drive than the places you mentioned but worth a visit to see the real Spain but on the coast We did an amazing drive once to get there from France across the Pyrenees It was a scorching day but there was snow over the mountains One minute we were driving behind a snow plough The next we were wearing our summer gear down in Roses Sorry I’m going on aren’t I lol That sounds gorgeous – a bit further into the Costa Brava than the coast I visited but the idea of a quiet Spanish hideaway on the sea sounds wonderful Your guide to Costa Barcelona brilliantly captures the essence of this lesser-known gem The detailed tips on the best beaches and cultural spots provide a perfect blend for travelers looking to explore beyond the usual tourist paths Your personal insights and family-friendly recommendations make this guide a valuable resource for anyone planning a visit Thanks for shedding light on the diverse attractions of Costa Barcelona This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I’m Cathy, an award-winning travel-obsessed writer who’s never knowingly underpacked I’m also mum to the mini traveller – aka 12-year-old Minnie* – and trying to work out how to cling on to normal life by my fingernails Privacy policy Disclosure policy As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases When the Spanish coast is one of the most popular places for UK families to visit for their sun the most surprising thing about the Costa Barcelona is how few make it to this particular stretch The city gets the most fame, but as the tourist office’s slogan goes ‘Barcelona es molt mes’ – there’s much more to Barcelona. They’re not wrong, as I discovered on my whirlwind four-day visit to the area So forget the Costa Brava to the north and the Costa Dorada to the south here are 13 reasons why you should visit the Costa Barcelona with kids given you’re by the coast but who wants a seaside holiday without a beach From the long golden sands of Calella and Castelldefels to the smaller coves including Roca Grossa and the peaceful sands near Camping La Tordera there are plenty of places to set your beach towel brushing off with a quick flick – unlike too many other beaches I could name where it appears to glue itself to every limb Venture a little way further south from Castelldefels and there are more beaches to discover as well as a string of things to do in Sitges with kids But how many have Olympic standard watersports The Canal Olimpic was built for the Barcelona Olympics in Casteldefells just outside the city itself and there’s still canoeing and windsurfing on offer But the real fun is further up the manmade channel where you can try cableskiing – think water-skiing without a boat you can also attempt a cable version of wakeboarding or for beginners (like me) there’s an ‘easy’ version kneeling down I managed to come off at the first corner twice in a row while small children whizzed past making it look effortless It’s available for ages six and up and is some of the most fun I’ve ever had with a wetsuit on Alternatively, head to Calella’s watersports centre with banana boating for age five and up Wait a second – vineyards in a list of family-friendly activities Alta Alella is fantastic for parents as well with its beautiful views over the vines down to the sea and some wonderful wines but there are also some very clever activities for kids otherwise they run in Catalan on various dates during holidays so younger kids would still have fun joining in pretending to be a grape discovering the different between local Pansa Blanca and Chardonnay on a vineyard tour and getting to taste the incredibly fruity first pressed grape juice along the way Check out the posts from One Tiny Leap and A Modern Mother about our day from its lighthouse (now home to a lovely museum on communication) through its pretty streets where we were lucky enough to visit during the Festa Major the festival of the town’s patron saint And one of the things which really helped it stand out was its family-friendly side Plenty of places talk about being a family-friendly city but this lived up to the description: free activities on the beach during the summer little signs dotted around the town to entertain kids kids’ areas throughout the festival market rather than a sad corner with a few pencils… I could go on Read more about how to spend one day in Calella with kids Perched above the town of Castelldefels, the castle is a fascinating mishmash with the original fortress expanded over the years and a rather more modern lift inside (useful with buggies) as you head up to the old ramparts and discover historic graffiti Acting as a prison during the Spanish Civil War it was originally built in the 16th century to protect against invasions and defending against Berber pirates Check out the impressive paintings and let your imagination turn to knights and dragons The play area at Malgrat de Mar deserves a fancier title than merely a playground – and it’s easily one of the best things to do in Malgrat de Mar with kids Stretching as far as five football pitches there are different areas for different ages including basketball huge toadstools and bright crayon sculptures to clamber on plus the chance to make music while bouncing and balancing Check out this video for a taste of the fun I can verify that this appeals to a much wider age range than children It’s very popular with local kids as soon as school ends The campsites along the coast – or campings as they’re called – have a variety of family-friendly accommodation including cabins if you don’t fancy sleeping under canvas However, if you’re happy with a short walk to the shower block, the new safari tents at Camping La Tordera have some very fun beds for kids and are definitely a cut above the basic All the sites we stayed at had impressive facilities from pool and play areas to different sports courts and restaurant The natural park of Montseny has been named a biosphere reserve it’s as if you’ve walked into a separate world told us the legend of the water maiden as we passed one of the pools and it’s no surprise that myths and fables have grown up in this beautiful place Wandering along wooded paths past waterfalls and cork trees we also tested out some of the very fun activities to try with kids and a ‘treasure’ hunt for some of the natural treasures in the area Save some time to see Montseny village (pronounced more like ‘Mon-senne’ than ‘Mon-senny’) to wander the cobbled streets past brightly coloured buildings to the Fleca for some coca – not Coke but a traditional pastry including coca de crema filled with a custardy cream The tourist office can help arrange an English-speaking guide and there are walks on various themes Read more about our visit to Montseny National Park The hot springs at Caldes de Montbui date back centuries The Romans knew about them and over the years they’ve been used for everything from washing clothes to attempting to cure illness (not least syphilis although that’s one fact you might not want to share with kids) There’s a small museum by the tourist office with some craft activities as well as tours available in English for groups of around 10 or more Start by the lion fountain in the square opposite where hot water steams out – it really is hot at around 70C and consider the fact that the drop you’re feeling started life as rain over 10,000 years ago soaking down 4km beneath the earth before being pushed up through a fault towards the surface If you’re travelling with older kids, you can also visit Els Banys Termals El Safareig, the thermal baths – suitable for over fives, although probably best for children tall enough to stand in the baths. Swimming hats are essential Just two hours from the UK into Barcelona’s airport then a short journey onwards – usually no more than an hour – it’s one of the easiest places to have a sunny break close to home as so many airlines serve the city The Mediterranean was still warm enough to paddle happily in late September and there’s an average of seven hours sunshine even in winter it seemed our four days was one round of eating and more eating – and that really is as good as it sounds From the beach bars to snacks from local bakeries and stalls at the festival in Calella a version with noodles which we tried at Nui Beach Club Or ham and cheese galore, accompanied by bread rubbed with tomato (and garlic if you want) which is incredible addictive. At Camping El Pasquelet just outside Caldes de Montbui we discovered traditional Catalan dishes including ‘canalones’ (not Italian after all Admittedly this one isn’t guaranteed, but while we were indulging in some equally fantastic food at Casanova Beach Club in Castelldefels including some wonderful sea food you’ll look politely blank as someone explains this excitedly to you A lot of the FC Barcelona players live in Castelldefels and this particular beach club is as stylish as it is family-friendly so head over on a Sunday afternoon for a late long leisurely lunch and you could well be lucky There is far more to this area than Barcelona – but if you’re spending more than a few days here it would be strange not to see the city once There’s a good train service from the resorts along the coast with the route hugging the coast so you’ve got some lovely views as you journey in Check out some of my ideas of things to do in Barcelona with kids there’s no need to find parking and you’re right in the heart of Barcelona whether you fancy seeing some glorious Gaudi After which you can escape the crowds once more and head back to your tempting piece of coast For more, check out the great destination guide from Travel Loving Family as well as A Modern Mother’s own 12 reasons to visit lack of footballing knowledge and paella addiction are my own Banana boat image courtesy of Maria Belfort/One Tiny Leap This all looks wonderful – and I love the image of you all at the playground bouncing from one to the other and making a little tune We are there beg of Nov – these tips are awesome #cutytripping Oh great timing – some more posts to come as well so will get writing 🙂 Have a fantastic holiday You had me at vineyard… i just love Barcelona We got engaged there and it holds so many special memories The bouncy playground looks a hoot too #citytripping I did love the fact our itinerary effectively went ‘land at airport it must be such a special place for you to return to I love how ,such water is involved in this list – I’m happy as long as I’m by the water and the river and waterfalls were a beautiful alternative Pretty much the ideal holiday spot I reckon with all that AND Barcelona (an absurdly child-friendly city in its own right) Absolutely – the perfect combination: city with coast nearby I won’t repeat myself but it really is wonderful Completely agree with all 13 of these reasons to visit Costa Barcelona Cathy What a fabulous region to explore with kids especially Thanks Lisa – it is such a great area wine + exploring the forests + beach + food works for pretty much every age 🙂 Ooh I like the idea of roughing it in a Safari tent I once did that as a kid when we did a school trip to Catalina Island and it was pretty awesome Ha – I love the idea of parent-friendly sand but even so I’m definitely won over by your description of the Costa visiting wouldn’t have occurred to me but it makes so much sense – beautiful beaches And anywhere offering child-friendly wine tasting sounds idyllic I decided I had sand from three different countries in my shoes (despite repeated emptying) so very happy not to add to that crunchy tally Even without the footballers (and we were absolutely the wrong group to be impressed there!) I am particularly amazed by the age of the water fact That woodland looks rather magical as do the beaches – reason enough for me to explore the area – and I’ve not even mentioned the wine Love the array of family activities available and well done on your music making I was expecting it to take time to soak through the earth and be pushed back up but 10,000 years or more We couldn’t even quite work out what would have been going on on the surface in 8000BC Was surprised to see the vineyard in your post about kids It’s awesome that they let the kids try the grape juice They have done such a fantastic job – the games are brilliant (however old you are) so worth trying to get a group together and arranging it in English I must confess that I’ve passed through a few times and – Barcelona aside – never considered for a moment that it would be a good place to stop and visit and I’ll have to slow down and explore more the next time I’m in the area My pleasure – I definitely think you’re not alone there I’m not a big fan of visiting beaches in the middle of a big city because they’re almost always not that good but oh my I’ve never thought that Barcelona has that kind of beach Weekend trip doesn’t seem to be enough This isn’t the beach in Barcelona itself – you do have to go outside the city You can get to some gorgeous beaches in about an hour It seems like such a small thing but normally sand just gets everywhere so I was very happy And we did have to get off the musical bouncers in the end as we were being eyed up by a toddler who presumably thought it was his turn It really is amazing – lots of the best bits of Spain all packed in together And we were so nonplussed when he walked in – there was this whole buzz and we were sat there going I would especially like to explore the reserve I’ve rediscovered my love for hiking in the woods on a recent family trip to a national park so anything involving nature is my thing Montseny was such a beautiful spot – although people go to the area for the beaches walking through the woods with our guide was a definite highlight (or anywhere near there.) I’l add this to my list for when I go to Spain again All the food was fabulous – I hope you do manage to get to this corner of the country It’s astonishing how much fun visiting just outside a major city can be It was a lot of fun – you’re never too old to go on a slide (apparently) Looks amazing – the wine and food particularly appeals Barcelona is always a good idea but i didnt know much about the surrounding areas The food and wine were both amazing – it’s hard to beat drinking it in a vineyard in the sunshine too The hot springs are calling my name..as is the wine tasting and if we ever finally make our Barcelona trip happen I’m earmarking this as it does look like there’s so much to do beyond the city They were wonderful – and we had a lot of fun on the trip (especially that playground!) I hope you can get a few days there if and when you visit Barcelona The vineyard and wandering in the woods sound like great reasons to visit Costa Barcelona Absolutely – lovely to have those even apart from the beach We’re hoping to visit the area while we’re in Paris This post really does bring back some lovely memories must learn more of the places and register it in my brain That’s fair – I’d take tropical waters over Spain (and Spain over the UK…) 😀 I really enjoyed following your photos and posts about this area and you are right: despite Spain being so popular It sounds great for families and so much to do Definitely worth it when you’re next in the city I’m a big fan of Spain actually so this is an easy one – yes please I’d love to go such a lovely place to wander – and definitely easy to enjoy without kids as well At least the beach looks familiar 🙂 Love the safari tents I would also like to visit with my kids and whole family there The water sports and Castle look exciting and amazing I think it’s great for families – such a lovely area and so much to see