Today’s route called for steep climb from sea level to the Monastery of Saint Pere de Rodes near the summit of San Salvador peak. This monastery is considered the most important building from the Roman era in Catalonia and can be reached by car (if you are driving) along with footpaths from Llanca or halfway to Port de la Selva in Vall de Creu. The trip notes went on to state walking along the Serrat de la Guerra ridge. Approximately 12 km/7 miles, with five hours walking. The Tramontana is still blowing and the topographic map shows a seaside route that follows the shore all the way from Llanca to Port de la Selva. I really would have liked to visit the Monastery of Saint Pere de Rodes but that’s not going to happen. Sea shore route, here we come, even if the distances are the same.

It’s sunny, windy and it didn’t take long before we stopped along the route and changed to t-shirts because that sun was hot. A very easy walk and one that included a wonderful promenade into Port de la Selva for walkers that extended several miles with different overlooks into the sea and Port de la Selva in the distance with small, white houses climbing the mountain slopes..

promenade along sea to Port de la Selva, Spain 

approaching Port de la Selva from Llanca, Spain
According to the locals, Port de la Selva is wins the title of “small fishing village.” The fishing port is one of the most important in this province, and fishing is still the main source of income. Port de la Selva bay forms a natural harbour and is usually sheltered by the surrounding mountains from the harsh northerly winds. The beach is large and popular with windsurfers. The Office of Turisme is closed…(off-season)…View image…but the harbor is filled with fishing boats. Perhaps tomorrow morning, we’ll take a walk around the harbor.

Port de la Selva fishing harbor, Spain
More wonders…the 3*** Hotel Porto Christo has directional signs pointing the right direction. Before even checking in and starving, we entered a little shop where Senora made us a ham and cheese sandwich on a baguette. Then into this gorgeous hotel with extremely nice people at reception. The nicest room of the trip with a huge, jacuzzi-style bathtub, WI-FI and enough blankets. On an interesting note, all the hotels still have radiators on at night to heat the rooms. The temperature fluctuates between high 60′s F in the day to low 40′s F at night so those extra blankets are important. Dinner will be at the Restaurant Monterrey down the street from the hotel. Again, off season, yadda yadda, dining room isn’t open for dinner yet, yadda yadda but they do serve breakfast.

Dinner at Restaurant Monterrey was very good, made even better with a very pleasant waiter. Fresh mussels, salad, steak and ice cream for dessert and this dinner included one-half liter of wine with it. Such a deal. Port de la Selva was very deserted and don’t know how the restaurants can operate with only six people eating dinner in them. Four customers were us, Helen and Kevin. Helen and Kevin also followed the sea shore route today but attempted the inland trail to the monastery halfway from Llanca. They got to a certain point on the trail, were faced with a sheer drop and couldn’t figure out any way around it. Nothing for it, but to just come back down the way they went up.

Tomorrow, we’ll either have to walk the distance to Cadaques or take a taxi since there is no public transportation. Just one more day of walking on the Cote Vermeille and Costa Brava.