How to Get to Hotel Cala del Pi, Platja d'Aro
Cala del Pi is a small cove between Platja d'Aro and S'Agaró, with pines growing straight out of the rock. Pine in Catalan is pi - hence the name of the cove, and after it the name of the hotel that stands right above the water.
From Girona airport to the hotel is 32 km; from Barcelona airport it is 118 km. The drive takes ~33 min and ~1 hr 27 min respectively.
The setting
Hotel Cala del Pi stands on the seafront at Avinguda Cavall Bernat 160. The path down to the water starts at the hotel's own door.
The hotel takes adults only, so nobody's going to check you in with children. Confirm that before you book the room, rather than finding out at reception on the day you arrive.
Which airport to fly into
| Airport | Distance | Journey time | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girona (GRO) | 32 km | ~33 min | from €54 |
| Barcelona (BCN) | 118 km | ~1 hr 27 min | from €157 |
From Girona you take the C-65 through the hills of La Selva, past Cassà de la Selva and Santa Cristina d'Aro, and the last few kilometres run along the coast.
Coming from Barcelona airport, you follow the AP-7 as far as Girona, then the same C-65. That adds up to ~1 hr 27 min against ~33 min from Girona. You feel that gap twice: on the day you arrive, and again on the day you fly home. Going back you'll set off early, with time in hand for the traffic around Barcelona.
Girona airport is closer to the hotel, but it handles fewer flights than Barcelona: it's a low-cost base, and not every city has a direct route there. Compare both options before you buy your tickets.
Getting there from each airport
| Airport | Transfer | Bus | Train | Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Girona (GRO) | from €54, ~33 min | No direct service, change in Girona | None | Metered |
| Barcelona (BCN) | from €157, ~1 hr 27 min | Via Barcelona, with a change | No direct line | Metered |
Bus. Nothing runs from the airport itself: first to Girona bus station, then a Sagalés bus on to Platja d'Aro. With the change and the waiting, the trip takes about two hours. There are three or four departures a day, and the timetable has nothing to do with arrivals - land at midday and the next bus doesn't leave until half past four.
Barcelona has no direct bus either: you first get into the city, then board a bus to Platja d'Aro at Estació del Nord. Add the wait at baggage reclaim and you spend more than three hours on the road - longer than the flight itself.
Train. No railway reaches Platja d'Aro. The nearest station is in Girona, and even then you finish the journey by bus.
Taxi. Both airports have a rank right outside the terminal, and you pay by the meter. From Barcelona the distance is long, so you won't learn the final figure until the end of the ride.
The bus stops at the edge of town. From there it is another couple of kilometres along the shore to the hotel - hard going with a suitcase in the heat.
What is around
Platja d'Aro is the big resort town on this stretch of coast: two kilometres of beach and a promenade lined with shops. In summer it's crowded.
S'Agaró, fifteen minutes away on foot, works differently from Platja d'Aro: a district of villas that Rafael Masó laid out to a single plan back in the twenties. The houses here are white and built to one pattern. The Camí de Ronda starts there - a cliff path to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, an hour and a half on foot past the coves of Sa Conca and Cala Pei.
From Girona airport, Tossa de Mar with its fortress above the sea is ~39 min away, and Girona, where they filmed Game of Thrones, is ~22 min.
What to know about the transfer
Transfer terms and prices are on the route pages from Girona airport and from Barcelona airport.
Booking goes through the Let's GO app: enter the address and the price appears straight away, before you confirm anything. We cover the whole of Catalonia and airports all over Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closer to Platja d'Aro? Girona: 32 km and ~33 min on the road. From Barcelona it is 118 km and ~1 hr 27 min, but more airlines fly into Barcelona than into Girona.
Is there a bus from Girona airport to Platja d'Aro? Not straight from the airport. First to Girona bus station, then a Sagalés bus to Platja d'Aro: with the change and the wait, about two hours. Three or four departures a day, and the timetable has no link to arrival times.
Does Cala del Pi accept children? No, it's an adults-only hotel.
Hotel website: hotelcaladelpi.com