Carnival, Easter, Valentine’s Day and lots more in Sant Feliu de Guixols!
We have kept February, March and April together on this page as Easter, and therefore Carnival, is such a moveable feast.
We took the photos in the slider above either in mid April or mid March. The beach photos where the people are swimming were actually taken at 17.30 in early March!! Mind you, they did get out of the water pretty quickly… Since writing this, guests have reported seeing swimmers in February!!!
Of course, the weather can be variable at this time of year, but the environment is still gorgeous and there are lots of things to do other than just sun bathe and there are still quite a few things you can do with and on the sea.
From about mid March, look out for wild asparagus, both in the woods next to Maremar and beyond (you will need eagle eyes, but it is there!) and in the market. They look long and straggly but are absolutely delicious!
Walk along the coastline taking in all that the weather holds and the contrasts it makes to the sea.
It is possible to go kayaking or even to hire a boat (most boats need a licence to take out on your own but not all – look at “zoom primer” for a dinghy you can take out without a licence).
And, of course, this is an ideal time of year to do the Dali and Gaudi trips. Warm but not too hot, far fewer crowds if you avoid Easter, much easier to book visits.
As we have already mentioned in the public pages, Easter is a big festival here with lots of celebrations.
Carnival in Sant Feliu de Guixols – fun with the locals!
About 40 days before Easter we have Carnival! Floats, singing, dancing, you name it! It is a fabulous time.
There are lots of carnivals in different villages at this time of year so you are not limited only to Sant Feliu.
Our friend Carmen and her family are usually fully involved in the procedings (see the picture on the right!) and so can provide lots of inside information…
In early March there is a grand horse parade and show in Peralada with lots of acrobatics and people dressing up in the traditional style.
In Llagostera, not too far away, on Palm Sunday there is the Roman Market – a fabulous experience with processions and scenes from the Passion.
Llagostera is about than 20 minutes from Sant Feliu de Guixols.
Around the middle weekend of April we have the festival of the “brunyols” Sant Feliu de Guíxols (see the picture). There are made from dough and some kind of paste. They have a distinctive triangular shape and are quite like sophisticated donuts. They are typical spring and Easter desserts.
The tradition of eating them is claimed to be at least ninety years old (based on the memory of a 100 year old Sant Feliu resident!)
The fair/market takes place just outside the Monastery There is a brunyol competition where three styles of brunyol are pitted against each other…
There will also be children’s activities and stalls of various types.
In Girona on Good Friday, there is “the procession of the Burial of Christ”, featuring legions of Ancient Roman soldiers (manaies).
Also we have the “Festa de Pasquetes” at Castell-Platja d’Aro (which we just call Platja d’Aro). It keeps alive the ancient tradition of going to find one of the best trees in the pine forest, planting one in the square and then celebrating with a big party!
This event used to be held in all villages in the Vall d’Aro to commemorate the advent of spring – and therefore a time of abundance, but only two villages celebrate it these days.
Spain’s Valentine’s Day…
Later on in April (23 April every year) we have Sant Jordi in Sant Feliu de Guixols (indeed across Catalunya), with hot chocolate to share, sardanes, parades of giants and goodness knows what else! Sant Jordi is the Patron Saint of Catalunya and this festival is a celebration involving the giving of a book and/or a rose to the one you love.
It is a sort-of Valentine’s day of Spain.
There are usually lots of book and flower stalls around at this time.
In mid-April we have the “Festa Major de Pasquetes” in Perelada (further away but the village itself is well worth a trip).
Towards the end of April we have the Aplec de Sant Marc in Platja d’Aro (the next town along from us).The celebration takes place in the foothills of les Gavarres, surrounded by the old farmhouses that formed the primitive rural town of Fanals d’amunt, in a clearing among forests and fields that is known as St Marc’s square, probably for reasons that had to do the functions of a real square. Strangely though, despite the name of the Festival, there are no churches or chapels dedicated to San Marco around here!
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