Caldes d'Estrac: Thermal Waters, Art and Coast

The Fundació Palau opened as a cultural institution in May 2003 to publicly collect and display the paintings and sculpture collection of Josep Palau i Fabre, as well as his private library. Its holdings include around fifty works of Catalan art from different generations of 20th-century artists. Works by Picasso are exhibited on the second floor.

History

The Torre de Can Busquets was first documented historically on 25 February 1586; an olive tree stands on its battlement-crowned top. Carrer Major and Plaça de Sant Antoni, formerly Plaça de la Constitució, form the oldest historic centre of Caldes d'Estrac. At the end of Carrer Major, at the junction with Carretera de Sant Vicenç, a partially preserved circular lime kiln with an interior diameter of 3.40 m and a height of 4.50 m can be seen; it dates from the 17th century and was taken out of service during that period. The Torre Verda, also known as Torre de la Guàrdia, is a round defensive tower from the early modern period, built at the beginning of the 16th century to protect the Maresme coast from raids by Saracen pirates. Parc Joan Maragall is dedicated to the poet Joan Maragall and contains a restored bust commemorating him.

Nature

Passeig dels Anglesos lies by the sea and is lined with houses featuring Mediterranean, neoclassical and Noucentista-style elements. Parc Muntanyà has a sea-view pergola where cultural and social events take place. A guided route through Parc Muntanyà provides insights into its vegetation and extent and offers views of the town and its surroundings.

Activities

During the summer season, amphibious chairs are available at Platja dels Tres Micos by the Red Cross station as a special bathing aid for people with reduced mobility who need assistance getting into and out of the water. The Associació de Pescadors, Afeccionats i Usuaris de la Varada d'Embarcacions on Caldes d'Estrac beach organises sailing, paddleboarding and windsurfing courses. Playa dels Tres Micos has received the Blue Flag every year since 2009.

Wellness

The present-day building of the thermal baths of Caldes d'Estrac dates from 1818 and is publicly owned. The thermal water emerges at a temperature of 37.9 to 38.8 °C and is considered mesothermal, moderately mineralised and hypotonic.

Getting There

Caldes d'Estrac can be reached via the C-32 motorway and by train on the R1 Rodalies line.

Other places: Sant Marçal, Gavà, L'ametlla Del Vallès, Navàs, Gallifa, Mas Carbó, Premià De Mar, Carme

Annual Calendar

The Festa Major of Caldes d'Estrac is associated with the feast day of the patron saint Verge del Remei on 8 September and includes several events, including a Correfoc through part of the town.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.