Just 20 minutes from Cornellà, the small settlement of Garraf offers beach, modernist history, and hiking routes in the heart of nature. A peaceful retreat to escape urban life.
Residents of Cornellà have one of the most unique corners of the Barcelona coast just a stone's throw away. This is Garraf, a small coastal settlement belonging to the municipality of Sitges that combines modernist heritage, beach, and nature. The drive takes just over 20 minutes via the C-31, making it an ideal quick getaway for any day.
Garraf grew in the early 20th century, driven by entrepreneur Eusebi Güell, a patron of Antoni Gaudí. Güell exploited the Falconera quarry at the southern end of the village, and in 1901, he commissioned the construction of a port for transporting stone, which is now used for sports. On the other side of the settlement, he commissioned the modernist wineries known as Cellers Güell, whose authorship is debated between Gaudí and his disciple Francesc Berenguer i Mestres.
The quarry's activity attracted fishermen, and with the installation of a train stop, Garraf made its mark on the Barcelona upper class. Noble families from Barcelona found a quiet and discreet beach here, and from the 1920s onwards, it became common for them to summer in this small enclave.
One of the most iconic postcards of Garraf is the Casetes, 33 small wooden constructions that started as beach huts and have since become an emblem. Declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest, they have been the backdrop for numerous advertisements and music videos. Some sources suggest they also served as housing for fishermen and station workers.
Garraf is well connected: less than five minutes from Castelldefels via the C-31 and half an hour by train from Barcelona. Its hospitality offerings include two beach bars, a renowned restaurant, and an exclusive hotel recently refurbished by the Soho Club. Additionally, in autumn and winter, the village offers a natural spectacle when the tide rises and water seeps under the Casetes, a phenomenon that can be observed from the higher ground.
For hiking enthusiasts, the Garraf Natural Park offers routes that start from the village itself. Despite being by the beach, the karst landscape and Mediterranean vegetation allow for routes of great scenic and biological interest.
In short, Garraf presents itself as a perfect option for residents of Cornellà looking to disconnect without straying too far from home. A mix of history, sea, and mountains makes it a weekend destination or even a place for an afternoon visit.
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