Canet-en-Roussillon is a sun-drenched Mediterranean resort fringed by a long sandy beach. Stroll along the seafront promenade, top up your tan on the Blue Flag beach and dive into the lively nightlife scene. Its proximity to Catalonia gives Canet-en-Roussillon a unique Spanish flavour.
Things to do in Canet-en-Roussillon
The Blue Flag beach stretches for nine kilometres and is the main attraction in Canet-en-Roussillon. Bask on the golden sand, swim in the Mediterranean Sea and make a splash with water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding and jet skiing. Windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons are a great introduction to the adrenaline-fuelled sports.
Visiting Oniria - Aquarium Canet-en-Roussillon is a great way to break up your time on the beach. The aquarium occupies a striking glass-and-steel building and is home to sharks, rays, octopus and hundreds of colourful fish. Guided tours take you behind the scenes of the aquarium and offer a sneak peek of the fish nursery and kitchen where shark-friendly meals are prepared.
Day trips to Canet Pond offer a chance to spot dozens of bird species. The Discovery Path winds through the nature reserve and takes you past traditional thatch-roof huts used by local fishermen. The path is also dotted with wooden bird hides.
Canet-en-Roussillon swaps traditional French cuisine for classic dishes from the Pyrénées-Orientales region. The region is heavily influenced by neighbouring Catalonia and will tempt you with dishes like seafood paella, “cargols a la llauna” garlic snails and woodfired “calçot” onions. Wash down your meal with a glass of sweet dessert wine produced in the Pyrénées-Orientales region. Discos and nightclubs ensure the party continues well after sunset.
Getting around Canet-en-Roussillon
Canet-en-Roussillon is compact and easy to get around on foot. The resort is a 20-minute drive from Perpignan, two hours from Montpellier and 2.5 hours from Toulouse. Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport is a two-hour drive away.