Es Codolar

This miraculously preserved cove has lived a lot of lives. It's been a safe port sheltered from the strong Tramuntana and Llevant winds that blow in those parts, and also the dream (or nightmare for those who opposed them) of property speculators who wanted to convert it into a marina. In few places on the Costa Brava is the footprint of history so visible as on this small shingle beach that stretches for 80 metres, and squeezed between one of the watchtowers from the medieval old town of Tossa de Mar and the slopes of a cliff that plummets some 50 metres down. In the summer it's worth arriving early and leaving at midday when the sun is at its highest point. As to get there you have to walk through the walled old town and climb down a good number of steps, families often don't bother going, while on August mornings it's popular with teens both local and visiting. The fishing boats, which are a nice touch, aren't actually props even if they seem like it, but belong to some old sea dogs who still go out in the early hours to practise their art.