The Costa Brava – Getting There and Places to Stay
The rugged and rocky nature of the Costa Brava is implicit in the name of this stretch of the Catalan coast. It is a coastal area famous for its variety of corners and hidden coves, each more beautiful than the previous one. It presents a combination of rocky cliffs, pine forests and waves breaking on the shore. The rugged landscape does not prevent the admiration of coves and long sandy beaches with very different textures. This magnificent scenery provides opportunities to spend placid vacations under the sun, to enjoy its traditional cuisine, and, for those more adventurous, thrilling sports adventures and a lively nightlife.
Regarding the culinary tradition of the Costa Brava, the most important feature is fish, presented in a variety of cooking methods: grilled, fried and roasted. Fish casseroles and stews, very particular dishes, consist of heating a mixture of fish and seafood in a variety of sauces or soups. The result is really delicious!
Getting There
For the last decade the proliferation of low cost airlines has meant a 180º shift in the way visitors can reach the Costa Brava. While in the past coastal towns like Lloret de Mar, Platja d’Aro and the like received most of its tourists arriving by bus, the newly re-vamped Girona Airport offers the possibility of landing in Girona city directly from many European major cities thanks to Ryanair. Those still wishing to fly on a budget to Barcelona city can do so with many low cost carriers, most notably easyJet, which offers flights almost at any day and time.
You can still use the train from Continental Europe or decide to take package buses, but things are changing regarding how visitors arrive to the Costa Brava. The possibility of acquiring flights if willing to be flexible on dates is a strong component of the changes in transport trends.
While only the how to arrive has changed, the rest of the Costa Brava offers the same multitude of fantastic places for all tastes, having with the years managed to improve the variety of services it offers the visitor.
Key towns
L Escala is one of the fishing towns in the Costa Brava which have managed to keep most of its locals during low season. It is in the Alt Empordà area, and it features many small secluded bays and thick-sand beaches as well as deep shores and rocky cliffs. Read more about L’Escala in our dedicated article. Near there, the recently reconstructed ruins of Empúries, which retain the memory of the passage of Greeks and Romans in this part of the Iberian Peninsula, are highly recommended.
Blanes: Added to the nighttime entertainment, it offers a wide range of beaches and water sports. Also, be sure to enjoy a visit of its renowned botanical garden, or to attend its spectacular fireworks competition (July 26th). Blanes is also famous for the opportunity of acquiring attractive crafts in the many traditional fairs, regularly held at this location.
Cadaqués is one of the best starting points for exploring the beautiful natural areas of Cap de Creus. Its whitewashed houses set off a beautiful town that is abuzz with social and cultural entertainment throughout the year. The concerts held in the church during the summer, Perrot Moore’s Museum of Graphic Arts and Dalí’s Portlligat House are among the many attractions of the town.
L’Estartit is a major tourist center, noted for its beautiful landscapes. Off its port leave ships to take visitors to the Illes Medes (Medes Islands) so visitors can admire the beauty of the seabed in the area. It is also one of the great centers for diving in the Costa Brava.
Lloret de Mar: Not for nothing many visitors of the most varied nationalities choose to spend their holidays in this town to enjoy its long beaches, its casino, its water park (Water World) and a nightlife that is spiced up by its hundreds of bars, clubs and outdoor terraces.
Palafrugell. In the coastal section of this municipality are Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu and Llafranc, three suggestive stops amist a natural environment of small coves, towering cliffs and pine trees that reach the very edge of the sea. The outdoor walks through these magnificent landscapes are one of the great attractions of the area. Palafrugell beach in the summer holds the famous Habaneres, seamen’s songs performed by local singing groups who sing these soft and melancholic melodies out to the sea, while the audience becomes part of the entertainment drinking the ron cremat (literally, “burnt rum”) prepared for the occasion. For the more adventurous, there are many options for scuba diving, but if what moves you is more cultural, check out the Cork Museum.
In Calella de Palafrugell visitors should visit the Botanical Gardens of Cap Roig, and in Castelló d’Empúries, visiting the Natural Park Aiguamolls de l’Empordà is almost a compulsory activity.
Palamós has become a paradise for sailing. It is the ideal place for practicing or learning the sport, in addition to tasting its superb cuisine, with shrimp (with its own seal of origin) as the undisputed protagonist.
Platja d’Aro’s nightlife is synonymous with long walks in summer and winter Sundays. It offers many and varied local night shows, bright and vibrant, which make the night hours fly by. Throughout the day the shopping activity takes over from pubs and clubs, offering products covering the full range both traditional and imported goods.
Roses has one of the largest beaches of the Costa Brava, which draws a large and beautiful semicircle. From its rich history it has inherited quite well preserved Greek and Roman remains, as well as a military fortress in very good condition.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols unites its attractive beaches with a rich commercial life, whose main focus of interest is the Sunday outdoor market and antique fair held during the summer. As for leisure activities, we recommend attending the many international music festivals as well as the nearby towns (although within the province) like the Casino Castell de Peralada (a casino in a real castle) in Torroella town. Regarding daytime activities, the curious Toy Museum is a worthwhile experience.
Tossa de Mar is the only town on the Catalan coast which has managed to keep the remains of its walled Medieval town, la Vila Vella, complete with a watchtower from which you can see magnificent views. During August, a painting competition is organized. Participants must start and complete their paintings in a single day, from sunrise to sunset. The settings chosen for inspiration often imply hidden corners of the town.
Figueres: To highlight is the Salvador Dalí Museum-Theatre, where you can admire a fine collection of jewels, installations and other works of difficult classification made by the famous painter.
Sant Pere de Roda: Its Sant Pere Monastery is an attractive cultural visit, both for its Romanesque architecture as well as for its privileged location.
Tags: Girona province · Popular places · Sun & beach · Walks
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