Discover the wild coast of the Costa Brava and experience the Spanish holiday of your dreams

Costa Brava (translated as Wild or Rough Coast) is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations located on the northeastern coast of Spain to the north of Barcelona. And like her, the entire Costa Brava falls into a unique region Catalonia. 

This area has been put on the world map breathtaking beaches, beautiful nature, rich history and great food. Because of all this, she became the number one excursion destination for a lot of adventurous solo travelers, couples looking for romance on the beach or families with children who want relaxation, rest and fun.

Map: Where exactly is Costa Brava located? 

As the map suggests, the Costa Brava region se located in Spain, on the Mediterranean coast.

It borders France in the north and borders the Costa del Maresme area in the south, where there are also many popular holiday destinations such as Santa Susanna or Malgrat de Mar.

The entire area is just over 200 km. And if you zoom in a bit on the map, you will see how this breathtaking piece of land is rich in natural beauty, which includes beautiful beaches, picturesque bays, rock formations and mountain ranges. 

The most popular cities on the Costa Brava

The entire area is basically divided into three main parts: 

1. La Selva as the southern part of the Costa Brava
2. Low Emporda somewhere in the middle
3. Gironès in the north by the border with France

Now let's take a look at the most popular resorts and the most interesting cities for tourists, if you would like to visit any of them. 

We will begin the description from the south and travel north; the southern part of the Costa Brava is very accessible trains and buses going from Barcelona.

• Blanes: Considered the gateway to the Costa Brava, Blanes is famous for its botanical gardens (Marimurtra Botanical Garden) or perhaps a long beach promenade. See the official website for more
• Lloret de Mar: Lloret, on the other hand, made its mark on the Costa Brava map mainly due to its exuberant nightlife, great beaches and several monuments such as Santa Clotilde gardens and Castell d'en Plaja castle. See the official website for more.
• Tossa de Mar: This city combines medieval charm with beautiful beaches. Its main attraction is Vila Vella, a well-preserved medieval fortress. See the official website for more.
• Sant Feliu de Guíxols: This is a quieter coastal town known for its cultural events, Benedictine monastery and beautiful coastal path Road of Ronda. See the official website for more.
• Platja d'Aro: A popular tourist resort with a long sandy beach in the center surrounded by busy shopping streets. Platja d'Aro offers many great hotels, restaurants, bars and discos. See the official website for more.
• Palamós: A former fishing village in the bay, today an increasingly popular destination for family vacations. A beach of several kilometers winds through the town, where you can find well-being, entertainment, relaxation and water sports. Palamós is also one of the top destinations if you want to taste good fish or seafood. See the official website for more.
• Calella de Palafrugell: Like Palamós, Calella de Palafrugell was once a fishing village. Today, tourists head here for several wide beaches spread over several bays, culture, nightlife and good food. The Cap Roig and Havaneres festivals are held here every year. See the official website for more.
• Begur: A remarkable, luxurious resort with beautiful bays, a medieval castle and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. There is something for everyone here and it doesn't matter if you like swimming in the sea, diving or adrenaline water sports. See the official website for more.
• Pals: Pals is located more inland and offers a well-preserved medieval old town with cobbled streets and ancient buildings. Despite the fact that a lot of mainly older tourists head here every year, the city retains its original atmosphere. See the official website for more.
• roses: A gradually developing town that is gaining popularity, especially among families with children. Here you will find a wide bay lined with several beaches with a gradual entrance to the sea. There are several interesting sights near the city center, such as historical Citadel. See the official website for more.
• Cadaques: a picturesque town known for its white houses, rich cultural and artistic heritage, nearby museum-theatre Salvador Dali in Figueres or the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Due to its location in the hills, it is not quite a suitable place for a holiday, but rather for a trip from one of the surrounding towns. See the official website for more. 
• Port of the Jungle: a small fishing town in the north that still shows what the Costa Brava looked like before the onslaught of tourists. More in my guide.

What to do and experience on the Costa Brava?

The Costa Brava region offers a wide range of activities and attractions for all types of travelers. If you are looking for adventure, relaxation or fun, the Costa Brava can provide it all.

• Relaxing by the sea and swimming: the number one reason people go on holiday to the Costa Brava. Beautiful beaches, well-equipped hotels, good services, excellent restaurants, vibrant nightlife. These are all valid reasons to go here. 

• Tourism and cycling: The Costa Brava is a paradise for hikers and cyclists, offering wonderful trails and routes that will take you to beautiful nature and picturesque villages. I recommend, for example, the already mentioned one Road of Ronda, which you in its the shorter version stretches along the coast. Parks and nature reserves like Aiguamolls de l'Empordà or Cap de Creus. Or you can continue towards the Pyrenees...

• Diving and water sports: Beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea lies a fascinating underwater world. Divers and snorkelers will find breathtaking coral reefs, caves and diverse underwater fauna here. The strong winds and ideal conditions on the Costa Brava in turn make this a great destination for sailing and surfing. You can try these exciting water sports and enjoy an adrenaline-filled experience at sea.

• Aquaparks and dolphinariums: Would you like to see a dolphin show or have a fun day in the pools and on the slides? Try stopping by Marineland Catalunya or Water world in Lloret de Mar or perhaps Illa Fantasia in Vilassar de Dalt. 

• Visiting historical cities: The Costa Brava is rich in cultural heritage and historical monuments. During your visit, you can discover breathtaking historic towns and villages that will give you a glimpse into the past. I recommend 3 for myself:

  • Girona: This town is one of the most important historical and cultural centers on the Costa Brava. Its center is full of narrow streets, squares and impressive buildings, including the cathedral and the Jewish quarter. And Game of Thrones was also filmed here. More in my guide to Girona.

  • Empuries: In this city you will find one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Spain. Here you can see the ruins of ancient Greek and Roman cities, which are a fascinating testimony of past civilizations.

  • Figueres: The city that is known as the birthplace of the famous artist Salvador Dalí. There is Dalí Museum, which is one of the most important museums of modern art in the world.

Where can you find the best beaches? 

The Costa Brava is home to many charming beaches, which offer the perfect combination of fine sand, azure sea and beautiful surroundings. Among the most popular beaches are:

• Platja Gran d'Aro: This beach in the town of Platja d'Aro is ideal for families with children thanks to its gentle entrance to the sea and fine sand. It also offers a wide range of water sports and activities for all age groups. The beach is equipped with everything you need, including sunbeds, umbrellas and, of course, there are also beach bars and other refreshment places.

• Lloret de Mar: One of the liveliest beach destinations on the Costa Brava. The beaches in Lloret de Mar are surrounded by beautiful cliffs, offering many possibilities for sunbathing, swimming and diving. I recommend it for myself Playa de Fenals (map), which is a bit away from the tourist traffic of the main city beaches, but it will be an all the better experience for you

• Cove Sa Tuna: This picturesque cove with a small beach is hidden among the rocks and is ideal for those looking for peace and privacy. It is surrounded by nature and offers a breathtaking view of the sea. The beach has fine sand and clear waters that invite swimming and diving. You can also rent a kayak here and explore the surrounding rocky cliffs.

• Tossa de Mar: You will find a beach in this picturesque historic town Platja Gran, which is located a short distance from the center. In the city, you can also walk through the narrow streets, visit the castle and enjoy beautiful views of the sea.

Gastronomy and local cuisine

Catalan cuisine and Spanish dishes they are known for their richness and variety of flavors. The Costa Brava is no exception and offers a range of delicious dishes and specialties that you are sure to fall in love with.

• Paella: This famous Spanish dish is popular all over the world. Try an authentic paella on the Costa Brava in one of the resorts with a fishing history (Palamós, Calella de Palafrugell,...) and enjoy a combination of rice, seafood, chicken and vegetables. 

• Tapas: Don't forget to try the local tapas, small portions of different flavors that are served as an appetizer or as part of the main course. In Costa Brava you will find a wide variety of tapas, including prawns, cheeses, olives and other delicacies.

• Wine: Catalonia is known for its excellent wines. Visit the local vineyards and taste the delicious Catalan wine that will be the perfect complement to your meal. Catalonia is famous above all sparkling wine cava.

Practical information for the trip

If you are planning a visit to the Costa Brava, it is important to keep some practical information in mind.

• Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Costa Brava is from May to September when the weather is at its warmest and sunniest. The tourist season starts in June and ends in August. If you prefer a quieter time, you can consider visiting at the beginning or end of the season when the number of tourists is lower.

• Transport info: The Costa Brava is well accessible via airports in Girona a Barcelona. You can use any of the means of public transport from the airport for transport (trains, buses). If you have more days, I recommend it borrow a car, because thanks to it you will gain independence and get everywhere much faster. Although some areas are close to each other in terms of kilometers, the transport service does not work well everywhere... If you decide to travel by car, be aware that some beaches and city centers have limited access for vehicles.

• Accommodations: The Costa Brava offers a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, apartments, villas and campsites. Choose accommodation according to your preferences and budget. Similar to Barcelona, ​​try here too explore the Booking offer. If you want places with a rich nightlife for your vacation, go for the southern resorts such as Tossa de Mar. On the other hand, if you prefer peace and quiet, head north.