A working fishing port with serious culinary credentials — the Palamós prawn carries its own quality-guarantee mark and is worth every euro. The old town, sandy beach, and a first-rate fishing museum are all steps from the quay.
The cruise quay (Moll de Ponent) sits right beside the town — most attractions are within a 10-minute walk.
💡 Pro move: Siesta is real: many Old Town shops close 13:30–17:00. Plan market shopping and the Fish Museum for the morning.
Palamós has purpose-built cruise berths close to town, with occasional tendering for smaller or overflow calls.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Azamara, Oceania, Windstar, Costa, etc.) | Moll de Ponent (Commercial Quay)📍 | Docked |
| Small/expedition ships or congested days | Bay anchorage📍 | Tendered |
Palamós punches above its size: the town itself is delightful, while Girona, Dalí's museum, and stone-built medieval villages are all within an hour.
Palamós prawns (Aristeus antennatus) carry the official 'Gamba de Palamós' guarantee mark and are best eaten simply grilled at a harbourfront marisquería. The local vermouth and DO Empordà wines pair perfectly.
Find Palamós food tours →One of the Mediterranean's best fishing museums sits right at the port. Hands-on exhibits cover traditional Costa Brava fishing techniques, boat-building, and the economics of a modern fishing fleet.
Find museum tours →Forty-five minutes inland, Girona's cathedral, Arab Baths, and labyrinthine Jewish Quarter (El Call) make for an outstanding half-day. The city walls also appeared in Game of Thrones.
Find Girona day tours →Salvador Dalí designed his own museum — the world's largest surrealist object. The town of Figueres is about 50 minutes from Palamós by taxi or tour bus.
Find Dalí Museum tours →The ancient coastal path links secluded coves and rocky headlands north and south of town. Even a short section from Palamós toward Cala de la Fosca offers dramatic sea views and swimmable coves.
Find coastal hiking tours →Pals and Peratallada are two of Catalonia's best-preserved medieval stone villages, just 25-30 minutes from the port. Narrow lanes, ancient towers, and zero crowds make for an exceptional excursion.
Find medieval village tours →The harbourfront and old town are easily explored on foot, with the beach right alongside.
From the cruise quay walk along the harbour promenade past fishing boats to the Old Town, wind through the Santa Maria del Mar church area and cobblestone lanes, then descend to Platja Gran beach for a swim or coffee before looping back.
Head north from the port along the Camí de Ronda coastal path to reach the sheltered sandy bay of Cala de la Fosca — perfect for a swim. Return the same way or by taxi.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55°F / 13°C | 43°F / 6°C | 6 | 8:12 AM | 5:41 PM |
| Feb | 56°F / 13°C | 45°F / 7°C | 7 | 7:43 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Mar | 59°F / 15°C | 47°F / 8°C | 8 | 6:59 AM | 6:53 PM |
| Apr | 63°F / 17°C | 51°F / 11°C | 8 | 7:07 AM | 8:28 PM |
| May | 69°F / 21°C | 57°F / 14°C | 8 | 6:27 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Jun | 77°F / 25°C | 65°F / 18°C | 5 | 6:12 AM | 9:24 PM |
| Jul | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 4 | 6:26 AM | 9:20 PM |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 4 | 6:56 AM | 8:47 PM |
| Sep | 76°F / 24°C | 65°F / 18°C | 9 | 7:27 AM | 7:56 PM |
| Oct | 70°F / 21°C | 60°F / 16°C | 7 | 8:00 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Nov | 62°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 8 | 7:37 AM | 5:26 PM |
| Dec | 57°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C | 6 | 8:08 AM | 5:17 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The cruise pier is just a 5–10 minute walk along the waterfront to Palamós town center. No transport needed for exploring the town itself.
The port authority operates a shuttle between the cruise terminal and Plaça dels Arbres in the town center. Runs continuously 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
Taxis are available at the pier and operate 24/7. Advance reservation recommended for longer trips to nearby towns like Girona or Cadaqués.
Public buses connect Palamós to other Costa Brava towns including Palafrugell, Girona, and Barcelona. The bus stop is near the town center.
Upcoming cruises that call at Palamós, Costa Brava, Spain. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.