There's one thing that completely changes a family holiday: not having to bundle everyone into the car every morning.
In Cala Montjoi that's literally true. You're inside the Cap de Creus Natural Park, with the beach on one side and your accommodation on the other, and in summer the access road is closed to traffic for much of the day. For day trippers it's a nuisance; for those who sleep here it's the opposite: the beach stays quiet and you're already inside.
This is a seven-day plan to make the most of it. You don't have to do it all or in this order. With kids, what works is having options and not overfilling the day.
Day 1 — Arrive and do nothing
The first day isn't planned. You arrive, unpack and head down to the beach, which is right there.
Cala Montjoi is coarse sand and pebbles, with the seabed dropping off close to the shore. For little ones, the best time is early afternoon, when the sun is no longer beating down. There are also two small pools for the youngest —a children's one (ages 4 to 7, within the mini club) and another for babies aged 0 to 3—, meant for them, not for spending the day: here the water plan is the sea.
At night, the first taste of what will become the kids' fixed date: the mini-disco and Joi, the resort mascot, who dances with the children almost every evening.
Day 2 — The beach in full (and snorkelling)
A beach day at a relaxed pace. This is where Cala Montjoi speaks for itself: the seabed drops off quickly a few metres out, so you don't have to swim far to see life.
For snorkelling with kids, two rules: a calm sea and water shoes, because there's rock and the odd sea urchin. Position yourself at the rocky ends of the cove, not over the sand, and you'll see sea bream, salema and, with luck, an octopus.
Meanwhile, the resort's entertainment programme is running —from 23 June to 11 September— with workshops, games and activities by age group through the Montjoi's Club (Baby, Mini, Junior and teens). Translation: there are stretches when the kids are busy and the parents relaxed.
Day 3 — The "El Bulli was here" day
A five-minute walk away is elBulli1846, the museum in the building of what was once the most famous restaurant in the world. It's not a plan for very young children —it's a two-and-a-half-hour route—, but for families with slightly older kids it's a different outing and very much of the area.
Note: you don't eat there. For that, the beach bar-restaurant, on the way back. And if you're staying at the resort, you get 25% off admission.
If the children are small, swap it for a morning of sandcastles and a swim at the beach. There's no harm in skipping a day.
Day 4 — Sport and the outdoors without leaving the grounds
A day to burn off energy without the car. The resort has padel, mini-golf, tennis, archery, kayaking and pétanque, among others. For many families, this ends up being the favourite day: the kids never stop and there's nowhere to drive to.
If the group is up for it, the kayak adventure is one of the things kids remember best from a summer. It's organised once or twice a week and is the only way to leave the cove by paddle: it's not a "grab a kayak whenever you like", but a guided outing. Kayaking and paddleboarding are included in the price of your stay.
And if you're into cycling, this is good terrain: although the resort doesn't rent bikes —you have to bring them— there are several routes to ride in the area. The resort is bikefriendly.
Day 5 — A short hike around Cap de Creus
A little adventure, in measured doses. The coastal path links the coves of Cap de Creus; you can walk a short stretch —to a neighbouring cove— and come back, without turning it into a slog.
Bring water, a hat and closed shoes: there's little shade and the terrain is uneven. And check the fire risk level beforehand: when Plan Alfa 4 is active, the path inside the park is closed.
Day 6 — A trip to Cadaqués (this one, by car)
The only day that calls for the car. And here you feel the advantage of sleeping inside again: since you're a guest, you pass the barrier at any time by showing your booking or wristband. You don't have to plan your outing around the closure times, as day trippers do.
Cadaqués is the prettiest village in Cap de Creus: white streets, boats and ice cream in the square. You can see it in a morning. If the kids can manage it, you can pop over to Dalí's house in Portlligat, a step away.
Back to the resort for lunch and a quiet afternoon on the beach to wind down.
Day 7 — The day to say goodbye to the beach
The last day is for whatever went down best. In almost every family, that means back to the beach in the morning and saving the evening for one last mini-disco.
And here's the difference you notice at the end of the week: you haven't spent your holiday driving. You've spent your holiday on holiday.
Why "without the car" is the key with kids
Anyone who has holidayed with children knows it: half the day's arguments happen inside the car. Parking, the heat, "how much longer?".
Staying inside the park removes that part. The beach is right in front of you, the entertainment and sport are on the grounds, the museum is a walk away, and you only take the car if you want to —and when you want to—. It's not a logistical detail: it's what makes a family holiday truly restful.
Sleep inside the park and leave the car parked all week → See accommodation in Cala Montjoi
Frequently asked questions
Is Cala Montjoi a campsite?
No. The bungalows are like hotel rooms inside white brick cabins, each with its own bathroom and shower. There are no pitches or caravans. And since full board is always included, they don't have a kitchen either: they're designed for sleeping, recharging and carrying on enjoying the nature, the activities and the facilities, all included in the price.
Are there activities for children in summer?
Yes. The entertainment programme runs from 23 June to 11 September, with age-based programmes (Baby, Mini, Junior and teens), a children's pool, workshops and a mini-disco almost every night.
Can you get to Cala Montjoi with kids in August?
Yes. From 1 July to 31 August, from 9:30 to 16:00, the road is closed to traffic, but guests staying there get in at any time by showing their booking or wristband. Outside those hours, access is open to everyone.
What is there to do in Cala Montjoi if it rains?
Plenty, without leaving the grounds. There's a large marquee for group classes (fitness, dance…), two games rooms with tables for board games, and covered sports facilities such as squash, a gym and a five-a-side football pitch. For the children, the Mini club (crafts and workshops, ages 4 to 11) and the Baby club (a space for parents with babies aged 0 to 3). And a rainy day is also a good time for the elBulli1846 visit.
Do you need to use the car during your stay?
Hardly ever. The beach, the entertainment, the sport, the restaurant and the museum are inside or a step away. You only need it for trips out, like Cadaqués.
