Saint-Cyprien-Plage Travel Guide

Everything you need to know for an unforgettable holiday on the Catalan coast, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees.

Saint-Cyprien-Plage is an authentic seaside resort in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France, nestled between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees foothills. With its long sandy beaches, lively marina, colourful markets and the gentle Catalan climate, it is an ideal destination for families, couples and groups of friends. This guide will help you plan your stay and discover the treasures of the region.

🏖️ The Beaches

The Main Beach

The main beach of Saint-Cyprien-Plage stretches over several kilometres of fine golden sand. The waters are calm and shallow, perfect for children. In summer (July–August), the beach is supervised by lifeguards and equipped with first-aid stations. Beach clubs offer sun loungers, parasols and refreshment stands. The seafront features a pleasant pedestrian promenade, ideal for evening strolls. All three of our apartments are just a few minutes' walk from this beautiful beach.

North & South Beaches

To the north, towards the mouth of the Têt river, and to the south towards Argelès-sur-Mer, the beaches become wilder and more unspoilt. Less crowded, they are perfect for those seeking tranquillity. The protected dune system shelters coastal flora and fauna typical of the Roussillon coast. Bring a parasol and plenty of water, as there are no facilities on these stretches.

The Marina Beach

A small sheltered beach at the entrance to the marina, it offers particularly calm waters thanks to the breakwater. It is popular with families with young children and snorkelling enthusiasts. The marina restaurants are just steps away for a seaside lunch.

🚢 The Marina

The Saint-Cyprien marina is the third-largest pleasure port in Europe and second in France, with over 2,000 berths. It is a vibrant hub of the resort: stroll along the quays, enjoy restaurant terraces and cafés, browse boutiques, and soak up the authentic Mediterranean atmosphere that comes alive especially in the evening.

Do not miss the sunsets from the marina breakwater — the views are stunning, with the Albères mountains and the Canigou peak as a backdrop. In summer, the marina regularly hosts entertainment: concerts, night markets, and fireworks on Bastille Day (14 July) and 15 August. Several sailing schools and nautical clubs offer boat trips, rentals and introductory diving sessions.

🎪 The Markets

The summer market of Saint-Cyprien-Plage is a must: on Tuesday and Fridays, the pedestrian streets of the resort transform into a bustling open-air market. You will find local produce, crafts, summer clothing and Catalan specialities to sample as you stroll. The festive, relaxed atmosphere makes it a perfect outing for the whole family.

The covered market in Saint-Cyprien village (a 5-minute drive) operates year-round. You will find Roussillon fruit and vegetables, Pyrenean goat cheese, Catalan charcuterie (fuet, llonganissa), garrigue honey, olives and the unmissable local olive oil. On Sunday mornings, a large open-air market fills the village streets — do not miss it!

🏄 Activities & Leisure

Water Sports

The Saint-Cyprien coastline is an ideal playground for water sports. Stand-up paddle, sea kayak, jet-ski, towable buoy, parasailing — providers abound on the beach and at the marina. Favourable wind conditions also delight kitesurfers and windsurfers, particularly in the shoulder seasons.

Cycling & Paths

A coastal cycle path links Saint-Cyprien to Canet-en-Roussillon to the north (about 12 km) and to Argelès-sur-Mer to the south (8 km). It is a pleasant, flat route along the seafront, perfect for a family ride or a morning jog. Several bike rental shops (standard and electric) are located in the resort.

Tennis & Golf

The Golf de Saint-Cyprien, a magnificent 27-hole course designed with sea views and Pyrenees panoramas, is one of the finest courses in the south of France. Tennis players will find several courts available in the resort. There is also a riding centre nearby for horse rides on the beach or through the garrigue scrubland.

For Families

Children love the Aqualand water park (in El Canar, 20 minutes away on the Spanish side) with its slides and wave pools. Closer by, the Saint-Cyprien-Plage funfair sets up every summer with rides and bumper cars. The Canet bowling alley and Perpignan cinema round out the entertainment for those rare rainy days.

🚗 Day Trips & Excursions

Collioure — 30 min

An artists' village where Matisse and Derain invented Fauvism, Collioure is a gem of the Côte Vermeille. Colourful lanes, a royal castle, a church at the water's edge, turquoise-water coves and artisanal anchovies — an essential excursion. Continue to Banyuls-sur-Mer to visit the cellars of the sweet natural wines.

Perpignan — 20 min

The northern Catalan capital offers a rich historic heritage: the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, the Castillet, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and the old-town alleyways. The Saturday morning market on Place de la République is very lively. Perpignan also abounds with restaurants, bars and shops for a day out.

Spain & Cadaqués — 1 hr

The Spanish border is just 30 minutes away. Figueres and its Dalí Museum, the La Jonquera market, the wild beaches of Cap de Creus and the village of Cadaqués (once Salvador Dalí's retreat) make for easy day trips. Don't forget your ID!

Nature & Mountains

The Gorges de la Fou (the narrowest in France, 40 min), the Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt (spectacular geological formations, 45 min) and the Canigou — the sacred mountain of the Catalans at 2,784 m — offer superb hiking. In winter, the ski resorts of Font-Romeu and Les Angles are just 1.5 hours away.

🍷 Catalan Cuisine

Catalan cuisine is generous and sun-drenched. Do not leave Saint-Cyprien without tasting Collioure anchovies (marinated, as tapenade or simply grilled), boutifarre (grilled Catalan sausage), escalivada (roasted vegetables) and the traditional crème catalane — the ancestor of crème brûlée, caramelised with a red-hot iron. Restaurants at the marina and in the pedestrian streets offer these specialities at reasonable prices.

On the wine side, Roussillon is an exceptional wine-growing region: Côtes du Roussillon, Collioure, Banyuls, Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes — visit the estates and cellars for memorable tastings. Local markets and fine food shops are also packed with regional products: Agly olive oil, garrigue honey, touron (Catalan nougat) and rousquilles (anise-flavoured ring-shaped pastries).

ℹ️ Practical Information

☀️ Weather

Saint-Cyprien enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and the mildest climate in mainland France. In summer, expect 25–32 °C with almost constant sunshine. The sea reaches 22–25 °C from June to September. The Tramontane (north-west wind) sometimes blows hard but clears the clouds — the days after Tramontane bring crystal-clear blue skies.

🚗 Getting There

By car: A9 motorway (exit Perpignan Sud), then D81 towards Saint-Cyprien (20 min from the motorway). By train: Perpignan TGV station (Paris–Perpignan in 5 hrs), then 20 min by car/shuttle. By air: Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport (flights from Paris, London, Brussels) 25 min away, or Girona airport (1.5 hrs) and Barcelona airport (2 hrs).

📅 Best Time to Visit

High season (July–August) offers the warmest sea and all the entertainment, but it is also the busiest period. June and September are ideal: wonderful weather, less crowded beaches, softer prices. Our apartments are rented Saturday to Saturday in high season. Off-season, we offer flexible stays — contact us!

🏠 Our Rentals in Saint-Cyprien-Plage

Three comfortable apartments, steps from the beach and marina. Direct booking, best price guaranteed.

Book Your Stay in Saint-Cyprien-Plage

Our apartments fill up fast for summer. Contact us now to check availability and book at the best price — no commission, direct from the owner.