Costa Brava Spain

The Costa Brava Spain is a stunning region of Catalonia, that offers everything from sandy beaches, rocky coves, tranquil villages, and stunning mountain scenery, as well as a number of well-known beach resorts that are perfect for a family holiday or a romantic getaway.

The Costa Brava covers around 160 kilometres of the Catalan coastline and spans from the French border to the province of Barcelona. L'Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, La Selva, and Girones are its four regions.

Lloret de Mar, Platja d'Aro, Tossa de Mar, and Roses are a few of the major beach resorts on the Costa Brava. These popular holiday resorts have all the amenities you can imagine from a wide range of water sports to fine dining restaurants and, a vibrant nightlife.

Costa Brava Spain
Costa Brava

If you are looking to enjoy a more natural break, the Costa Brava Spain is home to some outstanding natural parks and gardens including  The Jardines de Santa Clotilde, the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Emporda, and the Jard Botanic Marimurtra to name but a few.

If you'd like a more tranquil experience, you can visit some of the little fishing towns and villages that dot the coast. Sa Tuna, Pals, Calella de Palafrugell, and Cadaques are a few of the most beautiful.

The traditional architecture, culture, and food of these villages have been preserved, and they provide a window into everyday life there. Other historical and cultural monuments in the area include the Castle de Tossa de Mar, the Village Medieval de Pals, and the Salvador Dali Home near Portligat.

It is also easy to reach Barcelona or Girona by car or public transport. No matter what time of the year you visit, you will be enchanted by the Costa Brava.

Calella Costa Brava
Calella Costa Brava

Girona

Girona Catalonia Travel
Girona Catalonia

Girona is an ancient city located about an hour’s drive north of Barcelona, in the north-easterly region of Catalonia.

The beautiful walled city features the River Onyar running through its core, with picturesque, multi-colour hanging houses virtually touching the water.

Its most notable attractions include the jewelled altar of the 15th-century cathedral, the Museu d’Art gallery and the Jewish Quarter.

Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar

The popular coastal resort of Lloret de Mar has become a featured package holiday destination from a wide array of European countries.

This fun beach resort offers a lively atmosphere, an interesting coastline, lots of accommodation options, and a vibrant nightlife.

The influence of rich cultures, such as the Roman culture, has left many beautiful landmarks and legacies in Lloret de Mar’s historical record. The town has over a dozen historical sites to visit, including chapels, sanctuaries, museums and ancient settlements.

Tossa de Mar

Tossa De Mar - Costa Brava Travel
Tossa De Mar - Costa Brava

Tossa de Mar is a typical Catalonian beach resort with great beaches and bags of atmosphere.

The town was a meeting place for artists and film stars including Ava Gardner, who has a dessert named after her which is still sold to this day in bakeries around the town.

The most charming part of Tossa de Mar is the old quarter located around the Villa Vela Castle where you are treated to old cobbled streets, small shops and bars and a good selection of local eateries.

The beaches and covers around Tossa de Mar are second to nine with golden sands and crystal clear waters, perfect for swimming, diving and snorkelling.

Top Attractions On the Costa Brava

 

The Salvador Dali Museum

Salvador Dali Museum
Salvador Dali Museum

This Salvador Dali Museum houses over 4,000 pieces of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali’s work and is the second most visited museum in Catalonia.

This unusual museum contains a variety of art including paintings, sculptures, holograms and jewelry.

PortAventura Theme Park

Portventura Theme Park
Portventura Theme Park

This is Spain’s most adrenaline-pumping, gigantic theme park. Visitors enjoy theme shows, restaurants, souvenir shops and wild rides like Dragon Khan and Furios Baco clocking speeds over 100kph.

Adventure seekers can also visit the massive water slides at PortAventura Aquatic Park and the three premium courses at Golf PortAventura.

Historic Sites

Poblet Monastery Catalonia
Poblet Monastery

These vast and amazingly detailed Greek and Roman ruins are one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain.

The Greeks built a city here in the 6th century B.C. and the Romans constructed a new city during the 1st century B.C.

There are surprisingly intact floor mosaics, the remains of the amphitheatre and various villas.

A visit to the museum sheds light on the excavation process and displays many everyday items, pieces of art and mosaics.

Cap de Creus Natural Park

Cap de Creus Natural Park
Cap de Creus Natural Park

The Cap de Creus nature park is located on a rocky headland close to the towns of Figueres and Roses.

It was the first marine/terrestrial nature reserve in Catalonia, and where visitors can enjoy various diverse ecosystems.

Coastal walks with stunning views of the Mediterranean, sailing among hidden coves and amazing scuba diving can all be discovered here.

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Sant Pere de Rodes
Sant Pere de Rodes

Sitting 250 meters above sea level, atop the mountain of Verdera, the views from Sant Pere de Rodes are breathtaking!

Overlooking the Cap de Creus Natural Park, this 10th-century Benedictine monastery is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture. Most intriguing are the church, the bell and the defence tower.

Beaches in Costa Brava Spain

Tossa De Mar - Costa Brava Travel
Tossa De Mar - Costa Brava

The Costa Brava boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse beaches in the Mediterranean. From sandy stretches to rocky coves, from lively resorts to secluded hideaways, there is a beach for every taste and mood on the Costa Brava Spain.

Some of the best beaches on the Costa Brava are:

- Illa Roja Beach: This stunning beach is famous for its red island that emerges from the turquoise water. It is a nudist beach, but also open to anyone who wants to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquillity of this place.

- Castell Beach: This is one of the few virgin beaches on the Costa Brava, surrounded by pine forests and protected from urban development. It is ideal for families, hikers, and nature lovers.

- Cala Tavallera: This is a hidden gem in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, accessible only by foot or boat. It is a small pebbled beach with crystal-clear water and spectacular views of the rocky coast.

- Cala Aiguablava: This is one of the most popular and picturesque beaches on the Costa Brava, with fine golden sand and shallow water. It has all the amenities and services you need, as well as a charming fishing village nearby.

- Cadaqués: This is not just a beach, but a whole town that exudes charm and culture. Cadaqués was the home and inspiration of Salvador Dalí, and you can visit his house-museum in Portlligat. The town has several beaches and coves, each with its own character and atmosphere.

- Gola del Ter: This is where the Ter river meets the sea, creating a unique landscape of sand dunes, wetlands, and wildlife. It is a great spot for birdwatching, kite surfing, and relaxing.

- Cala of Sr. Ramon: This is a secluded and wild beach, located between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. It is surrounded by cliffs and pine trees and has no facilities or services. It is perfect for those who seek privacy and adventure.

- Sant Pere Beach: This is a long and wide beach in Pescador Island Natural Park, with fine sand and clear water. It has a lively promenade with bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as a marina and a fishing port.

Costa Brava Gastronomy

Grilled Monkfish
Grilled Monkfish

The Costa Brava region of Spain is renowned for its fresh seafood, Mediterranean cuisine, and traditional Catalan dishes. The area boasts an abundance of local ingredients, including fresh fish, vegetables, and fruits, which are often featured in the region's popular dishes.

One of the most famous dishes from the Costa Brava is suquet de peix, a hearty fish stew made with a variety of local fish, shellfish, and potatoes. Other popular seafood dishes in the region include grilled sardines, prawns, and squid, served with garlic and parsley.

Catalan cuisine also features a variety of meat dishes, including butifarra, a type of sausage made with pork and spices, and fuet, a cured sausage that is often served as an appetizer. Another popular meat dish is cordero a la brasa, which is roasted lamb seasoned with garlic and rosemary.

Fresh vegetables are a staple of many local dishes, such as eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes. A common side dish with bread and olive oil is escalivada, a classic vegetable dish made with grilled eggplant, peppers, and onions.

The Costa Brava is known for its burgeoning gastronomic scene, with numerous contemporary eateries offering fresh interpretations of regional specialities. A number of Michelin-starred eateries can be found in the area, notably El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which has been awarded the best restaurant in the world status on numerous occasions.

Getting to the Costa Brava

Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is easy to get around as there are several public transport options plus there is an extensive road and motorway system.

- Flights: The nearest airport to Costa Brava is Girona-Costa Brava Airport, which is about 30 km away from the coast. There are also flights to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which is about 150 km

- Bus: There are regular bus services available to and from Costa Brava. Ticket prices range from 10 to 25 Euros, which is a fair price for the complete journey.  There are regular bus services from all the major cities such as Madrid and Bilbao.

- Trains There are two main train stations in the Costa Brava: Girona and Figueres. Both of them are connected by high-speed trains (AVE and TGV) to Barcelona and France. You can also take regional trains from Girona to Portbou, stopping at Llançà and Colera on the coast.

- By car: The Costa Brava is well connected by motorways with Barcelona and other cities in Spain. You can take the AP-7 motorway from Barcelona to Girona or Figueres, and then take the C-31 or C-32 coastal roads to reach different towns and villages on the coast. The journey takes between 1 and 2 hours and the tolls cost between 10 and 20 euros.

You can also take scenic routes along the coast, such as the GI-682 from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols or the GI-614 from Palamos to Calella de Palafrugell, yes the free roads may take a little longer but you will enjoy stunning views over the small bays and Mediterranean’s sea along the way.

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