Collioure, France
01 THINGS TO DO
02 WHERE TO EAT
03 WHERE TO STAY
04 HOW TO GET THERE
This is a feel-good kinda place as soon as you arrive you are at ease. The people are extremely friendly and it is expected that you great people while walking in the streets. When random passersby see you with food, they would tell you “bon appetit”. It might sound strange but they really make you feel welcome in their town.
01 THINGS TO DO
Hiking
Fort Saint-Elme - This is a very short but well worth it hike. Through the Musée d'art moderne you will find a trail that leads to a windmill. After that just continue along the dirt trail until you reach the fort. Inside there is a museum and a panoramic view of the city, Spain, and the sea.
If you want to extend the hike, there are several ways to do so. 1) take the trail back down but turn left to hike through some vineyards. 2) hike the road to the hill top look out towers surrounding the city.
All around the city there are hiking trails.
Swimming
There are many beaches to choose from. I suggest either the beach next to the light house or walking from the center past the castle along the waterline up the main road until you reach stairs that go down to a wind sheltered beach.
Castle
Inside the city there is a fantastic castle to walk around and/or go inside. It is right on the water line and makes for a perfect place to sit and watch boats pass by.
02 WHERE TO EAT
People start eating around 18:30 and restaurants close around 21:00. Most restaurants have set menus. That means you get a starter, main, and dessert for one price. Normally there are two to three choices for each category. This is the best way to taste more of the menu for cheap.
Restaurant des Templiers - A really cute restaurant that stays open even in the off season. It has really nice set menus and specializes in Fish. Connected to it is the local bar where most people go to have drinks before and after dinner.
La Marinade - Located in the square behind the fort walls. The food is incredibly fresh but a little more heavy compared to other restaurants in the area. Perfect for those colds days.
Le Tremail - About 10 mins after opening it was already full. The plates range in price and are very big portions. All the plates were done very well. The staff was cheerful and spoke English, Spanish, and French. It’s located right next to the water but behind the fort wall. Great for avoiding the sea wind.
03 WHERE TO STAY
Hotel le Madeloc - A very cute hotel with friendly staff. The pool/hot tub has an amazing view over the city. It is very expensive in the summer but in the off season it is the best place. They say it is located out of the city center, but it is just a 7 minute walk.
04 HOW TO GET THERE
There are trains and buses but nothing direct. The easiest way is to get to Perpignan and take a train from there. Renting a car is the easiest, cheapest, and most beautiful way to get there. From Barcelona it is about a 2.30 hour drive. Along the coast it is fantastic and one of the coolest roads I have ever been on, however, very twisty and will add a lot of time to the trip. The cities long this road are so cute and well worth the drive. With Record Go it cost about €20 for three days plus a surcharge of €9 a day to go into France (Off season).
(Flixbus or Train or Blabla car) to Perpignan then a 20 minute train ride to Collioure. About €50 - 60 one way from Barcelona.