Discovering Argelès-sur-Mer
in the Pyrénées Orientales
An emblematic resort of the Pyrénées Orientales, Argelès-sur-Mer is renowned for the beauty of its long, sandy beaches and for its many family activities. Take advantage of your stay at the 5-star Camping Argeles sur Mer to explore the town and surrounding area.
Where is Argelès-sur-Mer?
At the foot of the Albères massif, just a few kilometers from the Spanish border, Argelès marks the boundary between the rocky coves of the Côte Vermeille and the vast sandy expanses of the Côte d’Améthyste.
The old village lies inland on the banks of the Massane river, two kilometers from the Mediterranean, while the resort of Argelès-Plage has developed along the coast between Saint-Cyprien and Collioure.
Its coastline stretches 10 km from the mouth of the Tech river to the Ouille beach. Inland, Argelès stretches right up to the Spanish border.
What to do in Argelès-sur-Mer
- Beach games, swimming and lounging
- Stroll through the Argelès markets
- Fun at the funfair: Luna Park’s rides stretch over 1 hectare.
- Hiking in the Albères massif
- Rejuvenating walks in the grounds of Château de Valmy
- Family canyoning in a dedicated park: the canyoning park
- Visits and cultural events: from the Argelès camp memorial to the Enfants de la Mer festival
- Visit nearby Collioure, its art galleries and royal castle
- Shopping in Perpignan
Argelès-sur-Mer coastline and beaches
Just 1500 m from the old Occitan village of Argelès, the resort of Argelès-Plage stretches 7 km of golden sand on either side of the port.
From the
Racou beach
and the Porteils cove, which mark the start of the Côte Vermeille towards Collioure, to the long family beaches stretching as far as the Mas Larrieu nature reserve, the tourist resort of Argelès offers idlers and water sports enthusiasts alike a wide choice of supervised family beaches, charming coves and wild stretches.
To the south of the port, you can enjoy the characterful landscape of the Côte Vermeille; to the north, the long sandy stretches typical of the Côte d’Améthyste.
From the port to the edge of Saint-Cyprien, a succession of supervised beaches du Sud, du Centre, des Pins, du Tamariguer and de la Marenda, all of which are accessible to the disabled and are bordered by a pleasant promenade. beach clubs of the resort offer an infinite variety of services: from deckchair and parasol hire to towed buoy sessions and sailing courses.
Argelès’ beach clubs offer a wide range of boats for hire, from giant paddleboards and pedalos to catamarans and sea kayaks. There are also playgrounds and trampolines for children. Some clubs are entirely dedicated to young holidaymakers, such as the Pirate’s Land beach club with its inflatable play structures.
Along the beaches of Argelès, from the port to the start of the Marenda beach and the Bois des Pins, stretches a magnificent promenade: reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and other walkers with soft modes of transport, it is pleasantly lined with oleanders and palm trees. With a length of almost 2 km, the Argelès seafront promenade is the ideal place to stroll during the day or at sunset, as a couple or with the family. It hosts photos from the annual Argelès Photos Nature festival.
Walks and hikes in Argelès-sur-Mer
At the foot of the Albères massif, Argelès is a sea and mountain destination, where you can alternate between seaside activities and outdoor pursuits on the hills. The diversity of its landscapes makes it a paradise for hikers.
Starting from the Château de Valmy, a network of signposted trails offers a wide choice of itineraries for hikers of all levels, with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. These include the not-to-be-missed ascent to the Tour de la Massane, one of the defensive remains of the Kingdom of Majorca, at an altitude of almost 800 meters.
On the seaside, you can also enjoy a wide range of walks, such as the coastal itinerary linking the hamlet of Racou to Collioure, via the protected coves of Porteils. A 10 km signposted trail also invites you to walk along the Argelès coastline: this 3-hour walk takes you from the Argelès tourist office to the Mas Larrieu reserve, with a loop punctuated by educational panels in the reserve, around the Ribereta and the mouth of the Tech.
Leisure and tourism activities in Argelès-sur-Mer
A family resort par excellence, Argelès is packed withleisure activities to suit all tastes.
Visit aquatic and nautical activities are, of course, the king of tourism in Argelès-sur-Mer: you can paddleboard and SUP surf, try your hand at scuba diving at the most beautiful spots on the Côte Vermeille, discover the coastline aboard a sea kayak or rent a boat from the port of Argelès. A number of companies offer guided cruises and introductory fishing trips.
Thrill-seekers will find other water activities on offer at the resort’s beach clubs, such as towed buoys and water skiing.
Argelès-sur-Mer is also a cultural destination, with a rich heritage to discover: from the fortified church of Notre-Dame-del-Prats to the Château de Pujol and the Tour de la Massane, from the Château de Valmy and its magnificent park to the dolmens hidden in the mountains.
Also worth a visit in Argelès are the Casa de l’Albera heritage house, the memorial to Franco’s refugee camp, and the Marianne gallery art museum.
Argelès and the surrounding area also boast a rich natural heritage. It includes environments as varied as the Bois des Pins and its 8,000 century-old trees, the Mas Larrieu nature reserve at the mouth of the Tech, the Massane forest nature reserve, the Racou protected site, as well as the landscaped areas of Valmy park and the seafront promenade. Outdoor activities are an integral part of tourism in Argelès.
Trail, running, crossing the Tech river on horseback, cycling, hiking or mountain biking, nature walks with a guide: from the Albères massif to the coast, the choice is vast!
Would you like to have fun in Roussillon, with original activities and leisure activities for all ages? Argelès-sur-Mer also offers a wide range of family outings and theme parks, including the delightful Parc de Valmy with its bird-of-prey show, the Luna Park fairground, the Turtle Valley, theBanyuls aquarium and the Tropique du Papillon.
Thrill-seekers will be delighted by the Tour de l’Extreme, the Argelès Aventure tree-climbing courses, the canyoning park and the Drop In Water Jump water park.
Argelès-sur-Mer also offers a wide range of other activities for the whole family, including beach club activities, paddle boarding, underwater cruises, mini-golf and mini-karting!
Tourism Argelès-sur-Mer: restaurants
- Le Flowers: rotisserie restaurant, located at 59 rue Victor-Hugo, on the town side, near the Argelès train station. It offers à la carte dishes from 11 to 20 euros and a seasonal menu at 29 euros. Enjoy meat, fish and vegan dishes.
- L’Auberge du Cayrou: a traditional restaurant, the Auberge du Cayrou offers simple, elegant cuisine in a setting that reflects its image, at 18 rue du 14-juillet in Argelès. The average ticket per person ranges from 25 to 39 euros.
- Ô Malassi: in the resort of Argelès-Plage, Ô Malassi welcomes you on the seafront in an Andalusian bodega atmosphere. Tapas and platters between sea and mountains at 28 allée Jules Aroles.
- Seven Street Kfé: in palm alley, just a few yards from the beach, Seven Street Kfé specializes in seafood parilladas and Mojitos. A gourmet address offering tapas, cocktails, large salads, moules-frites, burgers, meat and fish dishes made in-house with fresh, high-quality produce.
- Le Bleu Marine: on the Quai Vasco de Gama in the port of Argelès, Bleu Marine is the place to go for fish and seafood lovers. A choice of menus for young and old, with a variety of specialties such as fondue de la mer, fish à la plancha and sharing platters.
Discover the best restaurants in Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Where to go out in Argelès?
Facing the port, on the seafront or in the old village, there are plenty of places to have a drink in Argelès. Whether you’re a family, a couple or a group of friends, for a simple aperitif or a late-night party, a wide choice of atmospheres awaits you.
Beer lovers will appreciate the incredible Around the World in 80 Beers menu, featuring over 120 varieties of beer from 40 countries around the world, and the establishment’s exceptional harbor location.
For a cocktail overlooking the beach, head to Sirocco, Wantilan Café or Carré Blanc. Wine lovers will prefer Chai Deprade, on route de Collioure, with its charcuterie and cheese platters.
The Argelès bars have got you going and you’d like to continue the evening in a nightclub? There’s plenty of choice in this Pyrénées-Orientales resort, too: discotheques and nightclubs are mainly to be found in Argelès-Plage, on the seafront. The Playa Club is the casino’s nightclub, with its large terrace facing the sea. Located in allée des Pins, it offers themed evenings with DJs from midnight to 6am, every day in summer.
Would you like to spend the whole evening in the same establishment? Not far from the Argelès tourist office, the Carnaval Café musical bar welcomes you for cocktails and barbecues, followed by an evening of DJ entertainment. If you’re looking for a trendy disco with a pool for a beachside pool party, PotChic on Boulevard de la Mer is the place for you.
What to do in Argelès-sur-Mer when it rains?
- The casino: table games, slot machines, restaurant and bar
- Plaza bowl bowling alley, arcade, pool table and laser game
- Galerie Marianne: the municipal art gallery with works from all horizons
- The Jean-Jaurès cinema, with its air-conditioned 2D and 3D screens
- The Argelès-sur-Mer camp memorial, home to hundreds of thousands of Spanish refugees under Franco’s dictatorship.
- The Alberaquatique pool, with its swimming pool and leisure pool
- La Casa de l’Albera, heritage house dedicated to the Albères massif
