There are some places that stay with you long after you’ve left them, and for us, Sant Antoni on Catalonia’s sun-drenched coast is one of those special spots. Nestled between pine-covered headlands and the glittering Mediterranean, this charming seaside town offered everything we love about Spain: coastal walks, quiet coves, delicious food and drink, and that irresistible slow rhythm of life by the sea.
We recently spent time exploring the area around Sant Antoni de Calonge, Palamos and Platja d'Aro, and it completely captured our hearts. From morning swims in quiet bays to late-evening tapas as the sun turned the sea to gold, it was a trip filled with those small, perfect moments that deserve to be remembered.
Coastal Walks and Quiet Coves
One of the true joys of this region is exploring it on foot. The coastal path that winds its way along the Costa Brava, known locally as the Camí de Ronda, is breathtaking at every turn. It hugs the cliffs, weaving through pine forests and rocky outcrops, revealing hidden coves that feel like they belong only to you.
We spent hours meandering along the trail, sometimes climbing steep steps between viewpoints, sometimes pausing just to watch the waves roll in below. Each turn offered something new: the sound of cicadas in the pines, the sparkle of sunlight on the sea, and the scent of salt and rosemary carried on the breeze.
Beaches that Take Your Breath Away
Sant Antoni’s main beach is lively and welcoming, with long stretches of golden sand perfect for swimming or simply soaking up the Spanish sunshine. But just a short walk away, the coastline becomes more intimate, Cala dels Esculls, Cala Cap Roig, and other tucked-away coves offer crystal-clear water framed by red cliffs and fragrant pines.
These smaller beaches are ideal for escaping the crowds, dipping into the sea, or simply watching the boats drift by. It was on one of those afternoons, camera in hand, that we spotted a beautiful white sailboat gliding across the bay, a fleeting but memorable moment that later inspired one of our latest Atlas & I prints from the archive.
A Taste of Catalonia
If the scenery doesn’t win you over, the food certainly will. From relaxed beachside chiringuitos serving grilled sardines and sangria, to restaurants tucked away in the old town of Palamos, with fresh seafood, tapas and local wines plentiful.
Lunches often turned into slow, sunlit afternoons, plates of Paella, Patatas Bravas, Aioli, and Crusty Bread disappearing faster than we’d planned. There’s something about dining outdoors in Spain that reminds you to slow down and savour life’s simple pleasures.
From Photograph to Print
Back in the studio, we wanted to capture that sense of calm and adventure that the Catalonian coast evokes. Using maps from our vintage archive, we created a vintage map print of Sant Antoni, layering it with the silhouette of a sailboat, inspired by the one we saw that day.
For us, it’s more than just a map, it’s a memory. A way of holding onto that moment when sea, sky, and stillness met perfectly. That’s what Atlas & I is all about: turning places that mean something to you into something beautiful to hang on your wall.
The Magic of Remembering a Place
Sant Antoni reminded us that the most special places aren’t always the most famous, they’re the ones where you pause, breathe, and feel completely connected to your surroundings. Whether it’s through travel, photography, or art, we love celebrating those moments when geography meets emotion.
If you’ve got your own favourite stretch of coast, a honeymoon destination, or a seaside town that’s part of your story, our personalised map prints can help you keep that memory alive, forever marked on a map. If you can't find the place or silhouette you are looking for, please contact us at [email protected]
A Journey Worth Remembering
From rugged headlands to calm, sunlit bays, Sant Antoni is a place where you can truly unwind. It’s where the land meets the sea in perfect harmony and where memories linger long after the footprints in the sand have washed away.
