Beach days and relaxed evenings on the Barcelona Coast

Hotel Papi 3*, fun-filled family holidays on the Barcelona Coast

Hotel Papi 3* is a fantastic choice for a lively holiday on the Barcelona Coast. With its friendly family atmosphere, the hotel offers the perfect setting to relax and enjoy time together, whether travelling as a couple or with children.

Located in Malgrat de Mar, it’s just a short walk from the beach and very close to the promenade, where you’ll find shops, bars and restaurants. Its good public transport connections also make it easy to explore other destinations along the coast.

Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool with children’s area, a buffet restaurant with a wide variety of dishes and spaces designed for leisure and entertainment. The rooms are comfortable and functional, with everything needed for a pleasant stay.

Travellers particularly highlight the cleanliness, the attentive staff and the welcoming family atmosphere, as well as the great value for money. A perfect place to enjoy the sun, the beach and the Mediterranean spirit… all that’s left is to book.

Curiosities of Malgrat de Mar (Barcelona Coast)

Malgrat de Mar, on the Barcelona Coast, is a destination full of surprises. Behind the calm image of a seaside town lies a story of engineering feats, resilience and an impressive transformation.

Here are some of its most striking curiosities:

• The “aviary” in the sea: La Pilona
  Walk along Malgrat Beach and you’ll spot a rusty iron structure rising from the water. Known as La Pilona, it once marked the end of an aerial cable system that transported iron from the Can Palomeres mines to ships offshore. A true engineering marvel of the early 20th century, it is now an iconic symbol of the town and a favourite resting place for cormorants.

• Castle Park: a balcony with a space-age lift
  At the top of a hill in the town centre stands Parc del Castell. Beyond its 360° views, the real curiosity is its inclined panoramic lift. Free to use, it takes you from the historic centre to the peaceful gardens in under a minute.

• Francesc Macià Park: the land of giants
  Malgrat is home to one of Catalonia’s most original parks. In Parc de Francesc Macià, everything is oversized: giant pencils, erasers as big as cars and huge sculptures of cakes and sweets. Adults feel tiny, children feel like they’ve stepped into a fairy tale.

• A church that looks like a cathedral
  The Church of Sant Nicolau is known as the “Cathedral of the Coast”. Built in the 18th century, its imposing size and interior often surprise visitors, who mistake it for a cathedral despite the town’s modest scale.

• The origin of its name
  According to popular legend, “Malgrat” comes from “mal grat”, meaning unpleasant, referring to the marshy land where the town was founded. Over time, those marshes became fertile orchards, now famous for the prized mongeta del ganxet bean.

• The Civil War shelter
  Beneath the church square lies a restored air-raid shelter from the Spanish Civil War. Open to visitors, it offers a powerful and moving glimpse into Malgrat’s strategic past.

• The Tordera Delta and flamingos
  Malgrat marks the border between Barcelona and Girona provinces. After recent storms, the mouth of the Tordera River transformed into a new lagoon, now attracting flamingos and migratory birds never seen here before.

The Costa del Maresme, located just north of Barcelona, is an ideal destination if you want to combine relaxed beach days with easy access to one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Known for its long sandy beaches, family-friendly atmosphere and charming seaside towns, this stretch of coast offers a perfect balance between calm coastal living and cultural city breaks.

Make sure you visit:

• Calella, one of the liveliest resorts in the area, with a long promenade and great atmosphere.
• Santa Su****sanna, popular for its wide beaches and modern seafront.
• Mataró, the capital of the region, combining shopping areas with a historic old town.
• Arenys de Mar, a traditional fishing town with plenty of local character.

Beaches we think you’ll like:

• Calella Beach: long, well-equipped and perfect for families.
• Santa Susanna Beach: spacious and clean, ideal for relaxing walks.
• Ocata Beach: close to Barcelona, known for its fine sand and clear waters.
• Arenys de Mar Beach: smaller and more traditional, with a local feel.

Family-friendly activities:

• Enjoy relaxed beach days with calm waters and easy access.
• Walk or cycle along the coastal promenade connecting several towns.
• Explore nature trails in the nearby Parque Natural del Montnegre i el Corredor.
• Take a short train ride to Barcelona for museums, parks and iconic landmarks.

Make sure you try these local delicacies:

• Fresh seafood and grilled fish straight from the Mediterranean.
• Traditional rice dishes, especially seafood paellas.
• Local strawberries, one of the region’s best-known products.
• Wines from the nearby Alella wine region, perfect with any meal.

Make the most of your visit and go to...

• Barcelona (30–40 minutes): culture, architecture and endless things to see and do.
• Girona (1 hour): a beautiful old town with medieval streets and city walls.
• Parque Natural del Montseny (1 hour): perfect for nature lovers and scenic walks.