The Costa Brava is an impressive coastal area in the province of Girona, in Catalonia. It is probably the most visited and acclaimed part of the Mediterranean in Spain, mainly due to the spectacular natural scenery formed by the mixture of sea and mountains of the pre-Pyrenees.
However, the Costa Brava is not just about long beaches, paradisiacal coves and impressive mountains. Here you can visit some of the most beautiful and charming Catalan villages in the world. Don’t hesitate to visit this part of the Mediterranean coast and experience a unique adventure in the north of Spain!
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Things to see on the Costa Brava Spain
Peratallada
The name Peratallada means ”carved stone”, and it is easy to understand why. The village preserves its old feudal appearance, with narrow streets and many arches and passages surrounding the castle. The fortified village stands on a huge rocky base of artificially cut natural sandstone.
The first historical references to Peratallada’s castle date back to 1065, but some structures seem to show that this village already had an even older fortress. Archaeological remains have shown that its origins date back at least to Roman times.
Tossa de Mar
It is impossible to leave Tossa de Mar out of our list of things to see in Catalonia, as it is one of its most beautiful villages. Its medieval walls are a unique construction on the coast of Catalonia, and have been a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931.
The seafaring tradition can still be seen today in the old fishermen’s quarter of Sa Roqueta and in its food. So beautiful is Tossa de Mar that it was used in 1951 as the setting for Ava Gardner’s film ‘Pandora and the Flying Dutchman’.
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is without a doubt one of the most beautiful villages on the Costa Brava Spain. In fact, Dalí considered it “the most beautiful village in the world”. And it’s easy to see why.
In the middle of the impressive Cap de Creus Natural Park, this fishing village enjoys unmatched tranquillity and stunning views. You can enjoy its wonderful little streets full of white houses, as well as stroll along its incredible promenade. Furthermore, in this area you will find many small coves where you can swim in the crystal clear waters. You will definitely fall in love with it.
Calella de Palafrugell
One of the most picturesque villages you on the Costa Brava and Catalonia in general, is Calella de Palafrugell. It is a coastal village whose origins start with the fishermen of Palafrugell who settled on the coast to protect it from pirates in the 18th century.
Its symmetry, white houses and pretty coves make it a picture perfect. It is a popular destination for tourists who want to stroll along the promenade, its Botanical Garden or the Camino de Ronda that runs the length of the coast.
Begur
This historic spot on the Costa Brava has several landmarks that represent key points in its history, with a great boom in medieval times. Highlights include the small Romanesque settlement of Esclanyà, the castle on top of the hill, and the watchtowers that are still standing in its historic centre.
Most tourists who visit the town of Begur do so for its 8 beaches and coves with crystal clear waters and great natural beauty. The most popular are Sa Tuna and Aiguafreda, which provide the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos. These coves are linked to each other thanks to the wonderful coastal paths.
Caminos de Ronda
One of the most fun activities we recommend on the Costa Brava is to take one of the Caminos de Ronda. Parallel to the sea, you’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean at all times as you go hiking.
Along the route, you’ll be able to admire the cliffs, stop at the little coves that catch your eye, visit some of the most beautiful villages in the area, and even spot the odd lighthouse. Among all the routes, we recommend the one from Tossa de Mar to Cala Pola, or the one from Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc. You won’t regret it!
Pals
Pals has a Gothic quarter that has been carefully restored so as not to lose its splendour. It was so carefully preserved thanks to a local doctor who spearheaded the restoration of the village after a long period of neglect.
It was declared a Site of Historical Interest in 1973, and the beautiful and harmonious blend of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles can be seen throughout the historic quarter, El Pedró. Rice paddies add character to the area as well, leaving their mark on the ancient marshy landscape. Another of the wonderful places to see in Catalonia.
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What to do on the Costa Brava with children?
Blanes Botanical Gardens
In Blanes you can find two wonderful Botanical Gardens with incredible views of the sea, which could be the ideal place to spend a lovely morning or afternoon with the family.
On the one hand, there is the Pinya de Rosa garden, where you can immerse yourself in a tropical paradise with more than 7,000 species of plants, including cacti, palm trees and aloe vera. On the other hand, you can visit the Marimurtra garden, where you will not only find many plants and trees, but also the family of parrots that lives there.
Aquabrava Water Park
Aquabrava is one of the most famous water parks on the Costa Brava Spain, and is one of the ideal places to visit if you are travelling with children. With a total of 19 attractions, you can spend an incredible day with your family.
The little ones will have a great time as they try out the many slides, artificial rivers and pools. It’s a ideal plan if you visit the Costa Brava during the summer – truly refreshing!
Cap de Creus Natural Park
If you are looking for adventure in the heart of nature, you cannot miss the impressive Cap de Creus Natural Park. In this extensive natural setting you can enjoy a great day out with the family while you explore all its corners or go on a walking route.
You will be fascinated by its abundant vegetation, rocky shapes and endless trails that will make your hike an exciting experience. There are different levels of difficulty and duration so that you can choose the one that suits you most. You will have the opportunity to enjoy incredible landscapes that mix nature and forest with the sea.
Diving in Medes Islands
The Medes Islands is an impressive Protected National Natural Park, forming a group of up to seven islands in front of Estartit Beach. It is a very popular spot for diving enthusiasts.
Thanks to its impressive crystal clear waters, scuba diving in this area is an unbeatable adventure. You will be able to admire an endless amount of marine species and incredible coral beds. And as if that weren’t enough, you can visit places that will leave you speechless, such as the Túnel de la Pedrosa or the Cueva de la Vaca, as well as exploring sunken ships. You’ll love it!
Tips for a trip to Costa Brava Spain
- Prepare your route of the sites to visit before you start your trip.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen.
- Decide carefully where you want to stay depending on your interests.
- We recommend renting a car so you can move around freely.
- Before going to a spot, check the parking space it has.
- Don’t forget that in Catalonia there is a tourist tax in hotels.
How to plan your itinerary of the places you want to see in Costa Brava Spain?
If you want to discover a faster and more organised way to prepare your trip to the Costa Brava, don’t hesitate to sign up to Passporter.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary from scratch.
- Add the cultural, leisure or food places that interest you the most.
- Organise your route by choosing the best method of transport.
- Share your photos on your traveller profile so that other app users can learn about your experience and get inspired.
If you want to know more, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Costa Brava
Although it is difficult to choose, one of the most visited and acclaimed towns on the Costa Brava is without a doubt Calella de Palafrugell. There you can enjoy its incomparable charm and personality.
On the Costa Brava you can visit an infinite number of spectacular coves, so many that you will sometimes find it difficult to choose. That’s why wee made a list of our recommendations:
– First of all, we recommend Cala Estreta, located in Palamós. Its small size and natural surroundings make it a real peaceful haven.
– Secondly, you can go to Cala Rustella. It is located on the road between Roses and Montjoi, and enjoys an idyllic setting with crystal-clear waters.
– Thirdly, we recommend visiting the Illa Roja cove, whose name comes from a huge reddish rock. You will find paradisiacal waters and a wonderful natural setting.
Although you will have different public transport options to move between different areas of the Costa Brava, our recommendation is to rent a car. This way, you’ll have complete autonomy over the places you want to visit without worrying about timetables. Moreover, it is wihtout a doubt the cheapest option if you plan to visit a lot of places.
Thanks to its incredible seafront location, the Costa Brava enjoys a warm and mild climate all year round. However, as it is mainly famous for its beaches and coves, therefore the best months to visit are from April to September, when temperatures are higher and swimming is possible.
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