Castell-Platja d'Aro

Platja d’Aro on Costa Brava, Spain

Castell-Platja d'Aro is a municipality in the middle of the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain. It is formed from two parts: Castell d'Aro is the ancient village 3 km inland build around a medieval castle and fortified church on the road from Platja d'Aro to Santa Cristina d'Aro. Platja d'Aro was originally a small fishing village on the road from Palamós to Sant Feliu de Guíxols located on a large 2 km beach. It is now a major resort popular predominantly with Catalans or villa owning Northern Europeans.
The outskirts include a number of urbanisations including Mas Nou which offers spectacular views over the coast and a championship golf course.
Along the coast connecting the main beach with numerous small beaches is the Camí de Ronda.

Castell d'Aro is located in the heart of the Costa Brava, 80 km north of Barcelona. It borders with Calonge to the north, Santa Cristina d'Aro to the west, Sant Feliu to the south and the Coast to the East. Castell-Platja d'Aro occupies the eastern end of the Vall d'Aro, a narrow plain drained by the river Ridaura and located between the Mountain ranges of Cadiretes and southern end of the Gavarres. Platja d'Aro was originally a small fishing village on the highway between Palamós and Sant Feliu de Guíxols with a 2 km long beach. It is now a major tourist resort with hotels and other commercial premises.

In 1996 a new high profile tourist campaign was started, tourists and visitors were encouraged to search the beach for shells and sea snails to obtain prizes and to participate in a prize draw for a car. In 1997 a Museum of the Wrist Watch was opened with 350 wristwatches from history.