Literally meaning the “Wild Coast", Costa Brava is a region that stretches for hundreds of miles on Spain's northeast side. The Costa Brava has specifically dedicated itself to attracting tourists since the 1950's. Today, tourism drives the economy there. Beginning just north of Barcelona and extending to the French border, this is a region that encompasses exquisite beauty and fabulous natural landscapes, as well as resorts that exemplify the excessive building and over-development that has taken place over the last few decades in certain pockets. However, ignore the English-style tourism and look to the bigger picture, as the Costa Brava retains much of its original charm, where gorgeous coves and white sand beaches surround pretty fishing villages overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and historic towns boast artistic and cultural landmarks alongside medieval splendour.
Top Things to do in Costa Brava
Because it is so big, there is plenty to see and do in Costa Brava. If you enjoy history, you will enjoy a trip to Vila Vella. Located in Tossa de Mar, Vila Vella is an ancient, completely walled city. The city first sprouted back in the 12th century and kept growing until the 18th century. Inside Vila Vella, you can take a look at all of the ruins. In fact, there are entire streets and towers that you can explore! And if you enjoy your time at Vila Vella, you can stay at the variety of Costa Brava hotels nearby. Tossa del Mar once attracted modern artists such as Chagall, and remains a lovely seaside resort that has resisted over commercialization.
Girona, slightly inland from Palafrugell, is the capital of the province. This attractive city with a large student population has a stunning medieval centre that holds a Gothic cathedral plus many fine churches such as the Església de Sant Feliu. As well as several museums, Girona has a charming pedestrianized area that contains a historic bathhouse, the Banys Àrabs as well as some excellent modern Catalan restaurants.
For another taste of history, head to Calella - on the southern boundary of Costa Brava, about 60 km outside of Barcelona. With Calella's narrow streets and ancient buildings, you can step back in time and imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago. While you are there, be sure to feast on some tapas - one of Spain's most famous foods.
The most eastern town in Spain, Cadaques is a former fishing village with whitewashed buildings clinging to its winding streets. Unspoilt and remote, this scenic spot close to the French border contains the Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse), and was a famous hangout for early 20th century artists such as Salvador Dali.
Further to the north, in the small fishing village of Port Lligat, you will find the Dali Museum House - the old summer home of famous artist Salvador Dali. Today, the home is just as quirky as it was when he lived there - only now, it is open to the public. This is a perfect showcase for Spain's outlandish surrealist who lived and breathed art.
Eating
The Costa Brava has some of the best restaurants in Spain, and is known for its fresh seafood and innovative Catalan cuisine. This is, after all, the region that gave the world El Bulli (now closed as a restaurant), the renowned Michelin starred restaurant that set a new standard of modern cooking. It is certainly possible to dine simply and cheaply at one of the many tapas bars in the region, or at the other end of the scale, Girona's Alt Ampurdà region is home to some of the country's most renowned restaurants. Reservations are a must at Girona's acclaimed Celler de Can Roca, which serves inspired Mediterranean cuisine and has been awarded three Michelin stars. Albereda, also in Girona, is an elegant and innovative restaurant known for its contemporary Catalan style. South of Cadaques is Can Pelayo, which serves up fresh and delicious fish and seafood dishes commonly washed down with crisp local wine, while Eldorado in Sant Feliu de Guixols serves up stylish modern Catalan cuisine. For more traditional fare, try La Xicra in Palafrugell, a local institution serving rich game dishes in winter and simple grilled fish and salads in summer.
Kids and Families
The Costa Brava is a perfect holiday destination for families with children, with its miles and miles of glorious sandy beaches, family-friendly hotels and restaurants, and gentle warm waters. Offering traditional attractions such as Water World, a water park near Lloret del Mar that is ideal for older kids and teens, there are also more quirky draws such as Gnomo Park, a large Gnome-based theme park set in a pine forest setting between Lloret and Blanes. Within the region also are spectacular diving and underwater sites such as Parc Natural Submarí near L'Estartit and the new Bwater Diver diving centre at Sant Feliu de Guixols. Or you could simply buy a bucket and spade and an ice cream and plonk yourself and the family down on any number of beautiful safe beaches.
Parks and the Great Outdoors
If you like the great outdoors, you have come to the right place. Blessed with diverse and picturesque landscapes, the Costa Brava is known for its areas of outstanding natural beauty and stunning towns and villages. The calas, or coves along this coast, are simply drop dead gorgeous, backed by rocky cliffs and surrounding turquoise waters. Walk the coastal paths from Aiguablava to Begur and Palafrugell to appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty and scenery of the region, where the white sandy shores and aquamarine waters could almost convince you that you are in the Caribbean, not Europe. Calella De Palafrugell is a lovely resort beloved by citizens of Barcelona and Girona with some excellent hotels, child-friendly beaches and also the stunning Jardi Botanic de Cap Roig (botanic gardens). Close by is beguilingly beautiful Tamariu and charming Llafranc, a tiny seaside town. Lying a few miles north of Tossa del Mar (via some treacherous hairpin bends) is exquisite Sant Feliu de Guixols, a small town featuring lovely beaches and a former Benedictine monastery now housing a city museum. Overlooking the Bay of Roses is perhaps one of the region's most spectacular sights, the Sant Pere de Rodes Romanesque monastery currently undergoing restoration to its former glory.
Costa Brava Hotels
One of Spain's first areas to embrace tourism, the Costa Brava is supplied with hotels aplenty, ranging from cheap and cheerful purpose-built hotels in Lloret to individual and charming accommodation dotted around this glorious stretch of coast. If you can avoid high season in July and August, the best time to visit is May/June or September, when the weather is still fabulous, the crowds have departed and the prices are significantly lower. Late spring is a superb time to book a Costa Brava hotel, as the countryside will be alive with wild flowers and herbs, while September/October is still lovely and warm. Off the beaten track are many pretty and historic buildings offering excellent accommodation, as well as modern golf resorts offering upmarket hotels. Girona is a good bet for historic and unusual accommodation, ranging from affordable to luxury.