Summary
The Costa Brava in Catalonia’s Girona Province is a destination that attracts visitors for a multitude of reasons. Families and young individuals seeking leisure can find resorts such as Lloret de Mar and Blanes, which are rich in activities, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful sandy beaches.
Culture enthusiasts can explore the historically preserved towns of Girona, Pals, and Tossa de Mar, each exuding centuries of heritage.
Moreover, gastronomic experiences abound along the Costa Brava, home to numerous Michelin-starred establishments and friendly vineyards. The rugged landscapes beyond the splendid beaches invite outdoor adventures, including hiking.
1. Girona
Allocate a day to experience the highlights of Girona and its expansive medieval old town.
Girona is situated beside the Onyar River, with a picturesque riverfront showcasing its iconic, tightly-packed, colorful buildings that reach the water’s edge.
Wander through the narrow alleys of the Call, which is Girona’s preserved Jewish quarter, featuring 12th-century Arab architecture.
The historic walls encircling the old city remain intact, dating back to the 10th century and offering a raised walkway for panoramic views of the city.
However, if one sight must be prioritized, it should be the Basilica of Sant Feliu, which is distinguished by its notable sheared spire.
2. Roses
Located at the northern end of the Gulf of Roses, this upscale resort offers a variety of features. Visitors can enjoy diverse beaches along the expansive sandy bay that curves gently toward L’Escala, or westwards along a rocky, indented coastline with secluded coves nestled beneath cliffs.
At these locations, you will discover outstanding local restaurants perched on bluffs, providing inspiring views of the sea.
Additionally, take a moment to explore the remnants of the citadel, constructed during Charles V’s reign in the 16th century to protect against pirate and French incursions.
3. Tossa De Mar
Tossa de Mar is a charming coastal resort featuring pristine sandy bays and well-preserved medieval architecture, located at the southern edge of the Costa Brava.
The standout feature is the Vila Vella, which occupies an entire cape on the southern side of the resort.
This fortified town was constructed in the 1100s and strengthened with robust defenses and watchtowers in the 1500s due to threats from North African pirates.
These fortifications remain remarkably intact, a rarity along the coast, with a network of cobblestone streets perfect for exploration.
4. Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum
Salvador Dalí, the 20th-century surrealist artist, is closely linked with northeastern Catalonia.
Three attractions in the area honor his legacy, with the Theatre-Museum in Figueres being the most significant.
This museum houses the largest collection of his works globally, featuring pieces from all phases of his career and immersive installations that occupy entire rooms.
Interestingly, the artist is interred in a crypt beneath the stage of this converted theatre.
Additionally, the museum displays items from Dalí’s personal collection, including works by El Greco and Marcel Duchamp.
5. Wine Tours
Wine production in northeastern Catalonia has been practiced since Roman times.
The region boasts ideal conditions for viticulture, from mineral-rich soils to a warm climate often moderated by brisk northerly winds.
Several villages produce renowned Catalan specialty, Cava.
The local Designation of Origin (DO) is Empordà, and wine enthusiasts can engage in numerous activities along the designated wine route, visiting cellars, cooperatives, vineyards, and wineries.
At Castillo de Perelada and Celler Can Sais, visitors can indulge in wine therapies that incorporate grapes and wine into spa treatments.
6. Lloret de Mar
For those seeking the quintessential Mediterranean experience of sun, sea, and sand, this destination is ideal.
Four of the nearby beaches have received the prestigious Blue Flag designation.
The beachfront at Lloret exhibits a classic Mediterranean resort atmosphere, characterized by an arc of golden sand lined with a promenade, alongside modern apartment buildings containing cafes, restaurants, and seafront bars.
As for nightlife, Lloret de Mar is considered the foremost location on the Costa Brava, with pubs, bars, and nightclubs open into the early hours.
Additionally, daytime activities include go-karting, mini-golf, traditional golf, horseback riding, and much more.
7. Empúries
A few kilometers from the resort of L’Escala on the Gulf of Roses lies the largest ancient archaeological site on the Costa Brava.
This town was originally founded by Greek colonists 2,500 years ago and further developed by the Romans.
Empúries was once an island but has now merged with the mainland and has been excavated since the early 20th century.
Visitors can explore Greek and Roman mosaics, remnants of temples and early Christian basilicas, and follow the course of the ancient Roman walls.
At the site’s center is a small museum showcasing artifacts, including coins and ceramics discovered during excavations.
8. Cap de Creus
The landscapes surrounding this headland near Roses are unique within the Costa Brava region.
The strong northerly tramontana winds have resulted in sparse vegetation, consisting mainly of pine scrub and low bushes, with no significant tree cover.
These winds have also sculpted the uncanny rock formations for which the cape is renowned.
Locals have assigned nicknames to these bizarre shapes, such as the eagle at Plan de Tudela and the lion at Cap Gros.
In contrast, the sheltered rocky crags along the shore are home to small coves with crystalline waters, enticing visitors to swim during hot days.
9. Pals
Wear comfortable shoes for an exploration through the meandering streets of this medieval town situated on a steep hill.
The cobblestone passageways resemble a canyon floor, flanked by tall walls of honey-colored stone houses, winding through tunnels and beneath archways that lead into sun-drenched arcaded squares, where locals and visitors enjoy coffee in the shade.
The centerpiece of the town is the 12th-century romanesque Torre de los Hores (Tower of the Hours), named for its bell.
The castle to which it once belonged dates back to at least the 9th century, during the reign of the Western Frankish King Odo.
10. Gastronomy
One of the most renowned haute cuisine restaurants, elBulli, operated in the Costa Brava near Roses until 2011. Its head chef, Ferran Adrià, is Catalan, inspiring numerous local chefs to follow in his innovative footsteps. A total of 13 restaurants in the Costa Brava collectively hold 17 Michelin stars.
Among these, the three-star El Celler de Can Roca consistently ranks high on Restaurant Magazine’s list of the world’s best.
Traditionally, Girona province integrates rural and coastal ingredients, so visitors may encounter unique dishes such as cuttlefish with meatballs or chicken accompanied by langoustines.
Crucial to this culinary landscape is the exceptional local produce, with ingredients like onions, olives, olive oil, beef, anchovies, and even apples being recognized for their origin.
11. Caldes de Malavella
Visitors to Catalonia may have encountered or sampled Vichy Catalan mineral water, notable for its strong, almost saline flavor.
This distinctive beverage often evokes strong opinions; nonetheless, visiting its source is an experience worth having.
Caldes de Malavella has attracted various civilizations to its thermal waters, including the Romans, who constructed a well-preserved bath complex in the area.
Numerous springs exist, such as El Raig d’en Mel, where water emerges at 60°C and boasts a flavor similar to Vichy Catalan.
After your visit, unwind at one of the many spas in Caldes for a luxurious rejuvenation experience.
12. Water Sports and Active Tourism
The Costa Brava’s extensive 200-kilometer coastline offers more than 30 PADI-approved dive centers and 17 marinas.
Virtually any water-based activity you can envision is available, including kayaking, kitesurfing, water-skiing, cruises, and sailing.
Windsurfers and kite-surfers can take advantage of the strong northerly breezes just a few hundred meters offshore in the Gulf of Roses or at Pals Beach.
For those seeking land-based adventures, a network of cycling and hiking trails meanders into the foothills of the Pyrenees and along Greenways, historic railway paths interspersed through Mediterranean landscapes.
13. Megalithic Complexes
Evidence of Stone Age activity is prevalent throughout Girona Province.
The most significant cluster of megalithic monuments can be found just off the route from Roses to Montjoi.
A marked trail provides insightful information about dolmens, menhirs, and burial cists.
The Creu d’en Cobertella dolmen is the largest structure, consisting of seven large stones supporting a substantial slab.
The construction methods of these ancient edifices will leave you in amazement.
In Santa Cristina d’Aro, another large dolmen, approximately 4,500 years old, features a slab-lined passageway leading to a burial chamber.
14. Golf
Scattered throughout the Costa Brava region are nine golf courses that operate year-round.
For serious golfers with a solid handicap, the distinguished Club de Golf Costa Brava in Santa Cristina d’Aro is an exceptional option.
Surrounding an old Masia (farmhouse), the club features two courses: one par-72 and another par-73, set amidst stunning scenery.
The fairways are bordered by dense groves of ancient pines and holm oaks.
For casual players or beginners, pitch & putt courses are available. A great choice in Lloret de Mar is Papalú’s, featuring 18 holes across challenging terrain and immaculate greens.
15. La Garrotxa
An easy drive into the northeastern Catalan countryside via Olot will lead you to the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone.
This expansive volcanic field has not erupted in 11,000 years, but it has been responsible for minor earthquakes, the last significant event affecting Barcelona in the 15th century.
The area is renowned for its scenic beauty, featuring 40 distinctive volcanic cones surrounded by oak, beech, and pine forests.
The entire park is interwoven with interconnected trails, allowing visitors to traverse over basalt lava flows and up extinct volcanoes, showcasing a landscape unlike any other in Iberia.
