Costa Brava stretches approximately 200km, from Blanes to near the French border at Portbou. It is one of the favorite summer destinations for Europeans and beyond, being the most beautiful coastal area in Spain. The resorts in Costa Brava are renowned worldwide for their beaches, resorts, gastronomy, and spectacular landscapes where the Mediterranean waves suddenly meet the steep surrounding cliffs. Most of the coastal towns are former fishing villages where you can savor some of the tastiest fish and seafood dishes in all of Spain.
How to Get to Costa Brava
Costa Brava is located in the Catalonia region, very close to Barcelona. Therefore, the simplest way is to fly into Barcelona and start exploring the coastal area from there. To fully enjoy what this region has to offer, I recommend considering renting a car. This way, you have the opportunity to visit more towns in a shorter time and enjoy breathtaking landscapes.
However, if renting a car does not appeal to you, you can also reach Costa Brava by train from Barcelona. The train ride to Blanes takes approximately 1h20m, and from there, you can continue to explore the area by train, as the towns are well connected by the railway network.
Another way to discover Costa Brava is to hike the “Cami de Ronda” route, translated as “The Coastal Path.” This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Spain, offering unique opportunities to discover many hidden caves, coves, and landscapes that you cannot see by car or train. The trail is of easy to medium difficulty and is very long, stretching along the entire coast, but you can hike just certain portions of it.
Top rated beaches in Costa Brava – 10 Beaches you shouldn’t miss
When to Visit Costa Brava
Costa Brava enjoys mild weather all year round, thanks to the Mediterranean climate. However, the best time to visit Costa Brava is from May to June and September to October. In July and August, the heat becomes suffocating, and it is also the peak tourist season, which causes accommodation prices to rise significantly.
The Most Beautiful Towns on Costa Brava
1. Cadaques
Cadaques is one of the most beautiful and famous towns on Costa Brava, with impressive natural scenery described in detail by coves, steep cliffs, beaches, and, of course, the Mediterranean Sea. The town’s architecture is typical for the coastal area, with white-painted houses spread over high hills and narrow streets forming a delightful labyrinth. Cadaques was one of the favorite places and a real source of inspiration for Salvador Dali, who loved spending his holidays here. Tourists can visit Salvador Dali’s house in Port Lligat, just 3km from Cadaques. Another popular tourist attraction in Cadaques is the Cap de Creus Natural Park, where visitors can hike to spectacular panoramic points.
Accommodation in Cadaques:
2. Figueres
Figueres is the city where Spanish painter Salvador Dali was born and hosts one of the most famous and visited museums in Spain, the Dali Museum. Figueres paints the picture of a vibrant city full of charm and culture, and it is a real delight to explore on foot.
Accommodation in Figueres:
3. Begur
Lively and colorful, Begur is a charming town in the Girona region, where steep cliffs blend spectacularly with sandy beaches and Mediterranean vegetation. Begur is renowned for its well-preserved traditional architecture, with old stone houses and labyrinthine streets leading to breathtaking panoramic views of the coastal area.
Accommodation in Begur:
4. Blanes
Blanes is a former fishing village that has become an important landmark on the Spanish tourism map. It is the starting point for Costa Brava, located 70km from Barcelona, and welcomes visitors with a historic center full of restaurants, shops, and terraces where the Catalan atmosphere is in full swing.
Accommodation in Blanes:
5. Pals
Located in the Girona region, Pals is a medieval Spanish town where history, architecture, and the rural landscape made up of olive groves and vineyards are the main attractions for tourists. The medieval towers and defense walls in the historic center, along with the Gothic architecture churches, cobbled streets, and stone houses, are a real delight for any visitor.
Accommodation in Pals:
6. Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is a picturesque town, a former fishing village, with the same authentic atmosphere typical of the coastal area, renowned for its beaches, rural landscapes, and cultural traditions. Near the beach, many old houses of former fishermen have been preserved, contributing to the postcard-worthy image of the town.
Accommodation in Palafrugell:
7. Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is one of the largest towns on Costa Brava, making it somewhat more commercial than smaller towns in the area. The main tourist attractions are the historic center Vila Vella, Gran Beach, Llorell Beach, Cala Pola, and Cala Bona. The town hosts many excellent restaurants where visitors can enjoy local culinary experiences, with true gastronomic delights, especially fish and seafood dishes.
Accommodation in Tossa de Mar:
8. L’Estartit
L’Estartit is a popular tourist destination on Costa Brava, renowned for its beaches, picturesque port, water activities, and proximity to the Medes Islands, which can be reached quite quickly by boat from L’Estartit port.
Accommodation in L’Estartit:
9. Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar is the largest and most vibrant resort on Costa Brava, being very popular as a holiday destination for families due to its numerous resorts, but also for nightlife lovers thanks to the clubs and bars open until morning. The main tourist attractions in Lloret de Mar are Platja de Lloret, Fenals Beach, Cala Sa Boadella, Santa Clotilde Gardens, and Montnegre i el Corredor National Park.
Accommodation in Lloret de Mar:
10. Platja d’Aro
Platja d’Aro is among the preferred holiday destinations on Costa Brava for young people due to its lively nightlife and nearby theme parks. Besides the sandy beaches, the town offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars that stretch along the promenade known as “Passeig Marítim.”
Accommodation in Platja d’Aro:
11. Llafranc
Llafranc is one of the most picturesque villages on the Costa Brava coast, thanks to its position at the foot of the hills and the stunning landscapes it offers. Llafranc is a true architectural gem, with traditional white-painted houses, narrow streets, and a promenade that stretches along the entire shoreline.
Accommodation in Llafranc:
12. Roses
Roses is one of the oldest Catalan localities, bordered to the north by the Cap de Creus National Park, and one of the main fishing ports on Costa Brava. The main tourist attractions in the area are the Empúries archaeological site, Peralada Castle, and the “Ciutadella de Roses” Museum.
Accommodation in Roses:
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Happy travels! 🥰
