Costa Brava

Heading for the Costa Brava

In the northeast of Spain, Catalonia extends from the French border to the Ebro Delta. It includes, in the west, the natural park of the Ports, Lleida and Sant Joan de Toran. Jewel of Catalonia, the Costa Brava is famous for its beautiful landscapes, between paradisiacal coves, preserved natural parks and charming villages.

Spanish continuity of the beautiful French Vermeille coast, it is easily reached from the Pyrenees-Orientales by the road linking Perpignan to Girona and Barcelona. The richness and variety of the Costa Brava’s architectural, historical and cultural heritage is matched only by the grandeur of its natural heritage. The old center of Girona and the city of Figueres are must-sees on any trip to the Costa Brava: the latter is home to Salvador Dali’s amazing theater-museum of surrealist architecture.

The Costa Brava is full of beautiful and picturesque villages that are well worth a detour through the sometimes very winding roads: this is the case of the charming Cadaques, also home of Dali, but also of Roses, Pals and Peratallada, Calella de Palfrugell, Blanes, Lloret de Mar or L’Escala. Not to be missed, for their beauty and historical or architectural interest, are the listed medieval center of Tossa des Mar, the residential marina Empuriabrava, also known as the “Venice of Spain”, La Bisbal d’Empordà, considered the capital of ceramics, the Iberian village of Ullastret, the Greco-Roman site of Empuries and the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Besides these cultural and architectural jewels, the Costa Brava offers exceptional landscapes to be discovered through simple walks as well as more sportive outdoor activities. Among the most beautiful places on the Catalan coast are the lake of Banyoles, the coves of Begur and Palafrugell, the natural park of Cap de Creus and the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. Off the Costa Brava, the Medes archipelago is accessible from the port of L’Estartit. Nature lovers will also enjoy refreshing walks in the beautiful botanical gardens of Cap Roig, Blanes or Lloret de Mar.

A paradise for water sports, water recreation and sunbathing, the Costa Brava offers an alternation of large lively urban beaches and heavenly coves.