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From culture-filled cities to stunning seashore cities, these are among the greatest locations to go to in Costa Brava.
Tucked away on the northeastern coast of Spain, the Costa Brava stretches from Blanes (about 70km east of Barcelona) to the French border.
The identify Costa Brava interprets to ‘tough coast’ or ‘wild coast’. It’s a becoming description: this 75km part of Spain’s shoreline is especially rugged and rocky. It’s the proper setting for an adventurous journey, maybe tenting close to a good looking Spanish seashore or road-tripping alongside the coast in the hunt for hidden gems. However that doesn’t imply there’s not loads of tradition, wellness, and enjoyable seashores to take pleasure in, too.
Should you’re after a extra outdoorsy kind of vacation, Costa Brava is the area for you: you’ll discover bike trails galore, seashores to go well with each style, thrilling watersports, and the huge community of coastal footpaths referred to as Camins de Ronda.
Costa Brava can be top-of-the-line areas for tenting in Spain, with dozens of nice campsites to select from. Yelloh! Village has an enormous presence within the area, with a number of campsites recognized for his or her improbable amenities and pleasant vibes.
Followers of tradition gained’t be upset, both. From artwork galleries and museums to historic archaeology and unbeatable gastronomy, there’s a lot extra to Costa Brava than its stunning seashores.
Under, I’ve rounded up among the greatest locations and most stunning cities to go to in Costa Brava. I’ve additionally really helpful a couple of of the perfect Yelloh! Village campsites alongside the shoreline, that will help you plan the place to remain.
Time to plan your excellent vacation in Costa Brava…
NB – this publish was written in collaboration with Yelloh! Village. All phrases and opinions are my very own and based mostly on previous journeys to the area.
Finest Locations to Go to in Costa Brava: Map
11 Finest Locations to Go to in Costa Brava
Blanes & Lloret de Mar
Blanes marks the official begin of the Costa Brava, so it’s a terrific place to start out. It’s additionally some of the widespread seaside resorts within the area, together with the neighbouring city of Lloret de Mar.
Each cities have stunning seashores, loads of lodging choices to go well with all budgets, and many sights. Blanes is a former fishing village, and nonetheless has an energetic fishing port, in addition to an enthralling previous city to discover. Lloret de Mar is understood for its nightlife and has a fame as a “package deal vacation” vacation spot, whereas Blanes is a tad extra enjoyable.
The stretch of coast between the 2 cities is wonderful. Don’t miss the Jardins de Santa Clotilde, a tranquil, clifftop backyard overlooking the dreamy seashore of Platja de sa Boadella.
Girona
Though not really on the coast, Girona is the most important metropolis within the space and makes a wonderful day journey for anybody staying on the Costa Brava. It’s additionally extremely fairly and fairly underrated: don’t miss it!
Discover the colorful Jewish Quarter, the Twelfth-century Medieval Metropolis Partitions, and stroll throughout Girona’s putting pink bridge – which was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame!).
Girona was additionally a key filming location for the HBO collection Recreation of Thrones. Followers can take a strolling tour to find some recognisable sights! Attempt to go to through the springtime Temps de Flors Competition, when the historic metropolis centre is roofed in vibrant floral shows.
Sant Feliu de Guixols
I visited Sant Feliu de Guixols on one in every of my first journeys to Costa Brava and immediately fell in love!
It is a nice setting for outdoorsy sorts. The coast stroll from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to S’Agaró is likely one of the hottest walks on the Costa Brava. Or, if you happen to’re feeling braver, there’s additionally the By way of Ferrata Cala del Molí. A white-knuckle claiming route on the cliffs above the ocean, it’s the one by way of ferrata in Europe that’s by the ocean.
There are two Yelloh! Village campsites close to Sant Feliu de Guixols. Sant Pol is a moderately-sized campsite with two swimming pools and direct entry to the seashore. Mas Sant Josep is simply 4 miles inland, however boasts an enormous aquatic park that includes whirlpool baths, waterslides, and a waterfall!
Begur & Fornells
One in all my private favourites is the attractive city of Begur – together with the close by seashore village of Fornells. These can each be visited collectively as a stunning Costa Brava day journey, or you can keep in Fornells and stroll as much as Begur from the seaside.
With its vibrant historic quarter and hilltop Fifteenth-century citadel, Begur is likely one of the most stunning locations to go to in all of Costa Brava. It’s extremely popular with locals from Barcelona as a weekend getaway, however it’s not normally too busy. Once I visited in Might I had the place to myself!
Don’t miss the panoramic views from the citadel. Searching throughout a tumble of terracotta roofs you may glimpse Emporda’s mountainous inside, whereas alongside the coast on clear days you’ll see so far as the Pyrenees.
Simply ten minutes drive away, Fornells is a quiet little seaside village. That is the last word escape, with rocky coves ignored by dense pine bushes.
Tossa de Mar
Simply alongside the coast from Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar is a reasonably, historic and conventional coastal city. The city was constructed round its Medieval citadel, which sits on a small headland, offering a romantic backdrop for Tossa’s stunning, golden sandy seashores.
Wander via the charming previous city, go to the citadel ruins, or calm down and unwind on the beautiful Platja Gran seashore. Have to get a bit extra energetic? Hike as much as the perspective at Balcón al Mar for epic sea views, or stroll the coast path to the tiny, hidden coves of Cala Bona and Cala Pola.
Calonge
Set barely again from the coast, the medieval hilltop city of Calonge marks the beginning of the DO Empordà Wine Route – so it is a should for wine lovers! Although a reasonably small wine-growing area, Emporda is understood for producing unbelievable wines at a very good worth.
Calonge is surrounded by some prime vineyards. I significantly love Clos d’Agon, whose sloping vineyards have beautiful sea views, as I found after I went wine tasting close to Calonge.
Within the city itself, you may discover the Eleventh-century citadel or go to the Roman village of Castel Barri. And if you have to cool off in spite of everything that wine and historical past, the seaside resort cities of Sant Antoni de Calonge and Palamos are simply a few miles away.
Cap de Creus Nationwide Park
Close to the north of the Costa Brava, the beautiful Cap de Creus Nationwide Park is likely one of the most stunning locations to go to.
It’s a rocky, mountainous peninsula coated with forest and windswept gorse. Excellent for climbing! There are many hidden rocky coves and almost-secret seashores to find for many who wish to get away from all of it.
Tenting goes hand in hand with all that beautiful nature. Fortunately, there’s one other improbable Yelloh! Village campsite simply down the highway. Tenting Sant Miquel is true on the coast in Colera, a stones’ throw from the nationwide park. So it’s the proper selection for nature lovers!
Figueres
Heading inland, Figueres is one other fab day journey from the Costa Brava. The capital of the Empordà area, this small, picturesque metropolis has deep Catalan roots.
Figueres was the house of the well-known surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. In the present day, it’s residence to the Dalí Theatre-Museum – a weird attraction that’s half artwork gallery, half expertise.
That’s the primary cause vacationers go to Figueres, however the city additionally boasts wonderful gastronomy and a number of other fascinating monuments. Don’t miss the medieval partitions and the citadel of Sant Ferran whenever you go to!
Friends
Friends is properly referred to as some of the stunning cities in Costa Brava. This charming medieval city sits perched on a hilltop within the countryside of the Baix Empordá area.
Wander via the picturesque medieval quarter; a maze of slim, cobbled streets and honey-coloured stone buildings. Don’t miss the round Romanesque tower Torre de las Horas (Tower of the Hours).
Gulf of Roses
Should you’re in search of sheltered seashores, the Gulf of Roses is the proper setting! This huge bay close to the northeastern finish of the Costa Brava is unquestionably top-of-the-line locations to go to for beach-lovers!
On the furthest finish, the attractive city of Roses has wonderful white sand seashores and a wealthy historic heritage. The spotlight is the Ciutadella de Roses; the ruins of a pentagonal-shaped army fortress. It was constructed through the reign of King Carlos I, within the seventeenth century – however the sight has been occupied because the third century BC.
Close by Empuriabrava is a extra luxurious resort, recognized for its massive yacht marina. Take a ship tour of the river to catch a glimpse of among the city’s mansions!
L’Escala and Empúries
On the southwestern finish of the Gulf of Roses, the small coastal city of L’Escala additionally has some vital historical past to find. The seaside archaeological website of Empúries, simply exterior of city, was an historic Greek (and later Roman) buying and selling port. In the present day, it’s an absolute must-visit!
L’Escala itself is a small fishing city recognized for its beautiful sandy seashores and close by Montgrí nature reserve. Surrounding the city are bike trails, rocky coves, and a reasonably marina.
Nature lovers can keep on the improbable Punta Milà Yelloh! Village campsite on the outskirts of L’Escala. It’s set throughout the Montgrí nature reserve, surrounded by pine bushes. This peaceable campsite has direct entry to the sandy seashores at Cala Montgó.
Extra Nice Locations to Go to in Costa Brava!
Should you nonetheless want some suggestions to fill your time, listed here are a couple of extra stunning locations so as to add to your Costa Brava itinerary…
- Parc Pure dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà – nationwide park
- Cadaqués – fishing village
- Sant Pere de Rodes – Benedictine monastery
- Girona By way of Verde (Greenway) – bike path on a disused railway line
- La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone – nationwide park recognized for its extinct volcanic cones.
- Castellfollit de la Roca – clifftop city within the volcanic zone.
- Girona Pyrenees – mountainous area inland.
- Calella de Palafrugell – fairly seaside city. Stroll the coast path from right here to Begur.
- Peratallada – fortified medieval city much like Friends, additionally within the Baix Empordá.
Are there any extra cities, villages or different stunning locations to go to in Costa Brava that I’ve missed? Scroll down to go away me a remark!