What to do in Costa Brava? You have to go to the Costa Brava this summer because it’s back in style. These are the best things to do in the Costa Brava, from quiet beaches to cute towns.
Whether you want to stay longer in Barcelona or find a quiet place to enjoy the summer sun, the Costa Brava has many secret gems to make your trip unforgettable. This beach stretch of the Spanish coast is a favourite spot for both Spanish and foreign tourists during the high season (and the low season). There are a lot of Michelin-starred places in this area, so foodies will also enjoy this coastline. These are the best things to do in the Costa Brava, whether you want to get involved in the creative scene, spend a week on the beach, or try some of Spain’s delicious foods.
What time of year is best to do things in the Costa Brava?
The temperature in the Costa Brava makes it possible to visit almost any time of the year. We suggest May through June and September through October to avoid school breaks and hot weather. Of course, the Costa Brava gets a lot of tourists during the high season who want to enjoy some Spanish heat. Still, a few secret spots will make you feel like you’re on holiday there. Find these things to do in Costa Brava no matter when you go, and prepare for a holiday you’ll never forget.
The rich history of the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava has a past that goes back to the time of the Iberian and Roman colonies. For those who lived there then, the area’s perfect setting on the water and high up in the hills made it perfect. Along with the nearby environment and the sea’s many food boat options, the high location also made it possible to see attacks from the sea from a long way away.
Attacks by pirates, Moors, the French, and the British have happened many times. Still, the Costa Brava always got better. Even though a lot of history was destroyed in the attacks, there are still many historical sites and items to see on the Costa Brava.
Girona, the capital of the Costa Brava, is where you can find most of this interesting past. But all over the Costa Brava, you can find many more interesting sites from the past that are well worth a visit! Find the most stunning Roman, Middle Ages, and Renaissance cathedrals, museums, monasteries, castles, settlements, botanical parks, and gothic buildings. On your trip back in time, let the Costa Brava’s unmatched beauty take you away.
Find out about the Costa Brava’s best places to visit
What to do in Costa Brava? On the Costa Brava, there are many beautiful towns and beach resorts where you can find things to do and see. The past of the Costa Brava is big and beautiful, and there are many interesting places to see because of it. However, the Costa Brava is so big that it would be hard to see all of its sights in two or three weeks.
So, if you’re planning a trip to the Costa Brava, read this summary of the villages and beach towns there, along with some of their most interesting sights! Pick out the Costa de Brava places you want to see, and check which ones are closest to where you’ll be on holiday!
Begur
The medieval hill town of Begur is set on the blue Mediterranean Sea and is very pretty. This small town is surrounded by beautiful nature and has many old buildings. It was mostly built against a rock and has whitewashed houses, historic streets, churches, and old watchtowers. The many fish places and cosy bars have beautiful sea views because they are in such a great spot.
But the most interesting thing about Begur is the old fort that dates back to the 10th century and is a joy to explore. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear with you when you go. The beautiful bays around the hill that Begur is on are great places to cool off in the water.
Besalu
The beautiful Besalu is 15 km west of Roses, close to the coast of Spain. If you want to feel like you’re in the Middle Ages, you must visit this lovely medieval village with its many churches, cosy squares, and charming streets. The first thing you’ll see is the “Puente de Besalú,” a Roman bridge 80 meters long and made in the 1100s. It has two towers on either side. These were the city gates and helped protect it from attackers. From the bridge, you can also see the whole city beautifully.
Blanes
Blanes is a great beach holiday spot for people who love the sun, the sea, and the beach. However, Blanes also has several interesting places to see. There are two lovely gardens in Blanes. The natural garden Marimurtra is 4 hectares, and the tropical garden Pinya de Rosa is 5 hectares. These lovely parks have thousands of plants from around the world and the Mediterranean and many kinds of cacti. You can see the Mediterranean Sea very well from the grounds because they are in a very nice spot.
The historic centre of Blanes also has a lot of history. Walking through it, you’ll see beautiful examples of Gothic architecture, medieval churches, and modernist homes from the Golden Age. The most well-known feature in Blanes is the Castle of Sant Joan, which is on a hill. The first signs of this huge fortress date back to the 11th century. Today, you can only see one tower and a small part of a wall, but it is still a very interesting place to see on the Costa Brava!
Cadaques
The old fishing town of Cadaques is in the northernmost part of the Costa Brava, close to the Cap de Creus National Park. Artists have always liked Cadaques because of its small streets, cosy terraces, and white houses that line the village church. There are also fishing boats in the bay. People who were artists, like Federico García Lorca, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Míro, also liked to come here. That being said, Dali left his mark here!
The Esglesia de Santa Maria draws the most people, though. Because it is on top of the city’s highest point, this Gothic church can be seen almost everywhere. The white church doesn’t look like it has much going on from the outside, but the inside is stunning, thanks partly to the huge, intricate gold Altar Major. You can easily see the coast from Cadaques by boat, on foot to the national natural park Cap de Creus, or by taking a trip to one of the nearby Dali triangle towns, Port Lligat, Figueres, or Púbol.
Cap de Creus
A big nature park in Catalonia is called Cap de Creus. It is in the northern part of the Costa Brava, close to Llançà, Cadaqués, and Roses. From Cadaqués, you can either drive to Cap de Creus (need to rent a car in Lloret? Click here) or walk along a country road with many sharp turns. There are many beautiful places to walk or bike along the mountain scenery and rocks by the water. You can also visit an old lighthouse that has an eco-museum inside it.
The Cape de Creus is part of a nature park that covers 14,000 hectares, 3000 of which are water. This also makes it a beautiful place for people who like to dive and swim. Cap de Creus is the best place to dive and moustache because the bottom is well-lit and has Posidonia Oceanica, red coral, and many kinds of fish. Going on a planned boat or sailboat trip is the best way to see the underwater world of Cap de Creus.
Caminos de Ronda
At least 583 kilometres of ancient paths called Caminos de Ronda run along the whole of Costa Brava. The Caminos da Ronda are old paths that run along the coast of the Costa Brava and connect the different towns that are located there. From the Costa Brava, they also let you get to the beaches and secret spots. You can walk a part of the famous Caminos de Ronda from anywhere on the Costa Brava!
El Port de la Selva
On the steep hills of the coast, 520 meters above the bay of Port de la Selva, stands the huge Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. The monastery’s story says that it was built in the early 700s by monks who had to leave Rome to bring the remains of Peter and other saints to safety on the orders of the Pope at the time. No one knows how old the monastery is.
The monastery was broken into and stolen several times in the 1600s. The monks then left, and the once beautiful building slowly fell apart. The monastery was made a protected landmark in 1930; anyone can visit it now.
About one kilometre from the abbey, you can find Santa Creu de Rodes, the ruins of a village from the 1200s. Some houses that used to be here and a small church are all left of the town. But if you use your mind, you can easily picture how the rooms in the houses were laid out. You can still see the old street plan; the arches at the village’s entrances and exits still stand.
Empuriabrava
It’s also known as the Venice of Spain because it has 25 kilometres of canals that run through it. Like in Venice, you can take a boat from one side of the city to the other. In the Costa Brava, this is one of those places that feels like the Mediterranean. But if you are in Empuriabrava, you should also see the Basilica of Santa Maria de Castelló d’Empúries. This Gothic church was built between the 13th and 15th centuries AD and is only a 10-minute drive from Empuriabrava. Its entrance is stunning, with six beautiful arches, and the museum and organ are a visual treat.
Figueres, Púbol and Portlligat
The so-called Dalí triangle is where everyone who loves Dalí’s art should go. The Dalí triangle comprises three museums in the town of Figueres: Púbol, Portlligat, and the Museum of Dalí’s Life and Works of Art. All three are dedicated to Dalí and his lover, Gala. You can find the Teatro Museo Dalí in Figueres, where the painter was born. The surrealist himself planned the building. For this reason, the building itself is worth seeing. You can also enjoy a fascinating collection of some of his most interesting works inside the museum.
Dalí bought a castle in Púbol, east of Girona, for his friend Gala. The castle is now a museum that shows Dali’s work. The triangle ends at Port Lligat, close to the artist’s favourite place, Cadaques. This is where Dalí had his own house and lived until Gala died. This house is where he made most of his art. Plus, you can see how Dalí made some of his best works.
Girona
Many people stop in Girona on their way to the beautiful beaches of the Costa Brava. Lots of people don’t know this, but Girona is also a lovely old city with many sights from the times of the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. The nicest places to see in Girona are the old city walls, the pretty streets with secret gates, the Jewish neighbourhood El Call, and the brightly coloured houses that hang over the Onyar. The beautiful Cathedral should be at the top of your list when you go to Girona.
The fourteenth-century Gerona Cathedral is a huge building you can only get into by going up more than a hundred steps. These famous stairs have also been used to record episodes of the hit TV show Game of Thrones! The Cathedral’s beautiful barge is the second biggest in the world, and the old cloister is also a great place to see. Enjoy your day in Girona’s old town!
L’Escala
These ruins are not far from the port of L’Escala. What’s left of a Greek trade city built in the sixth century BC is what’s left of a Roman city built in the sixth century BC. Between 800 BC and 3 AD, the Romans ruled this part of Spain. Before that, the Greeks lived here for about 800 BC. Rome’s rulers left the city in the 4th century AD, and it worsened over the years.
Many of the ruins have been found and are now part of the Ruins Empúries, a popular tourist spot on the Costa Brava. If you go to the archaeological site, you will see houses built by the Romans, a forum, a theatre, temples, and a square with an arcade. Another thing you can do is go to the Museum of the Ruins Empúries.
L’Estartit
The Medes Islands are in the beautiful area of L’estartit, which is right on the coast. You can also visit the 13th-century Montgrí Castle. This lovely castle with four round towers on each corner looks like it came from a fairy tale. The castle is on a 300-meter-high hill, which makes it hard to get to on foot. It takes 45 minutes to climb up quickly, but it is well worth it!
You can, of course, also go to the Medes Islands if you are in Estartit! You can only get to the Medes Islands by boat; they are about a kilometre from the coast of L’Estartit. The seven islands that make up the Medes Islands have plants and animals that have never been seen before. Because of this, they are very popular with dives and snorkelers.
Lloret de Mar
Many people think Lloret de Mar is a great place to go out at night, filled with young people who want to party and enjoy the sun, sea, beach, action, and excitement. Many people don’t know this, but Lloret de Mar has a past that goes back to the time of the Iberian people. The three Iberian settlements built on hills in and around Lloret de Mar, which date from the 3rd and 4th centuries BC, are the main proof of this. They are Puig de Castellet, Turó Rodó, and Montbarbat.
The castle Castell de Sant Joan, built in the Middle Ages, is another beautiful piece of history in Lloret de Mar. The Iglesia de Sant Roma, built in the 16th century in the typical Catalan Gothic style, and the Benedictine convent Sant Pere del Bosc, built in the 10th century and home to Benedictine monks, is also worth seeing.
The 100-year-old Botanical Santa Clotilde Gardens is another beautiful place in Lloret de Mar. From its clifftop spot, you can see the sea and the Costa Brava beautifully. People all over Europe think this is one of the most beautiful Mediterranean parks. Along with the beautiful view, this place has waterfalls, marble sculptures, and trees and flowers worldwide.
Lloret de Mar has a lot of history, so it still has many historical sites and traditions from different interesting times. Does Lloret de Mar’s sights interest you? Following are the 23 most stunning sights in Lloret de Mar!
Pals
A “Golden triangle” can be found on the Costa Brava. Three of the Costa Brava’s most beautiful and well-known medieval towns are linked by this triangle. Pals, Palau Sator, and Peratallada are the places under this triangle. But let’s begin with the first one: Friends! The old town of Pals is close to the Playa de Pals beach resort. It has a medieval centre on a hill in almost perfect condition. You won’t believe what you see outside the city because every house in the old inner city is the same as 800 years ago. Time has stopped.
But Castell de Pals, built in the 9th or 10th century, is what Pals is known for. This lovely castle is on the edge of Pals. It has battlements that are 5 meters high, a courtyard, some “luxury” mediaeval houses, and a tower called “Torre de les Hores” that is 15 meters high. Want to live in the Middle Ages the way you only see them in films or read about them in books? Then go to Pals!
Palau Sator
Palau Sator is the second village in the Golden Triangle. This village is the smallest and least well-known of the three. The city is only 12 km2 and has less than 300 people. There isn’t much time to spend at Palau Sator, but the past that has been kept alive makes it well worth it. Look at the 20-meter-tall tower and the old city walls, and walk through the pretty small streets.
Peratallada
The last part of the Golden Triangle is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. It was built in the 10th century AD and is in great shape. Beautiful homes were built around the Peratallada castle to frame the narrow streets with gates and bridges. If you walk through the town’s old streets, you can really feel what life was like in Peratallada in the Middle Ages.
Roses
Roses is a great place to go on holiday to the beach on the Costa Brava because its beaches are so white and smooth. But even here, there are a number of ancient sites that are well worth a visit. Charles V built it in the 16th century as a Renaissance citadel to protect the city from a Turkish attack. The most beautiful sights in the centre of Roses are the church of Santa Maria de Roses, built in the 11th century.
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar has a long history of Roman and even Iberian times. Because of this, many beautiful pieces of history have been kept and can be seen today. The old town is called “Vila Vella,” it has a beautiful castle called “Castillo de Tossa de Mar,” a beautiful lighthouse, and many museums and churches. Lastly, the remains of the Roman villa Els Ametllers can be found on the edge of Tossa de Mar.
When to go to Costa Brava
Weather is nice almost all year because the Mediterranean is warmer; the highs can reach 17°C in March! However, it’s still warm in May and June or September and October, so those are the best times to visit Costa Brava. You’ll also avoid the crowds and higher prices that come with summer. We do know that school breaks are when many families can take a holiday. This means that even though peak summer is also peak tourist season, you can still enjoy the sun in a house a little more away from everyone else (win-win).
How to get there
There are direct flights from the UK to Girona on companies like Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI Airways. The drive from Barcelona to Costa Brava is less than an hour. Barcelona is only 57 miles south of Girona. You could also fly to Barcelona with EasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, or British Airways. From the city’s heart of Barcelona, it’s easy to get to the Costa Brava area by train, bus, private transfer, or rental car. Some suggestions!
How long to spend in Costa Brava?
You’ll need about 4–5 days to enjoy your time exploring the Costa Brava. This gives you time to spend a day in Girona and an overnight stay in a few coastal towns. The next day, you can walk along the Cami de Ronda and see beautiful calas and other sights.
You should visit Girona at the start or end of your coastal break. For your first night on the coast, stay in Tossa de Mar. It’s a small town with a beautiful beach, a small historic centre, and a castle from the Middle Ages that rises above the beach at one end of the town.
The castle offers beautiful views, and many great places in the town centre are right below it.
The next day, take the seaside road for a scenic drive and stop at one of the beautiful calas. Cala Pola is a good choice. The town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols is nice for lunch, and the best seafood places are right by the port.
After lunch, get on the highway and head straight for Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc, two places so close together that you might not even notice.
Spend two nights here and enjoy the lovely beaches, great restaurants, and some of the most stunning views along the Cami de Ronda, which goes through the untouched countryside on either side of the town.
Finally, take the car to Cadaqués on the Cap de Creus for your last night. You can walk up the hill to the small fishing village of Portlligat to see the Casa-Museum Salvador Dalí, the famous Spanish artist’s crazy home.
The Costa Brava is also a popular place for people from Barcelona to go for shorter weekend trips. Two to three days is enough time to relax on a beach in a lovely Spanish town.
The Costa Brava should be on your list of things to do if you’re going to Barcelona. Spain is a great place to visit, but you should give yourself a week to enjoy it. But the Costa Brava is also part of other Spanish holiday plans, especially when you visit Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. Plan to stay in Spain for at least two weeks if you want to see the whole country from north to south and see places like Bilbao, Rioja, Seville, and Granada with our cheap Costa Brava holiday packages.
Looking for cheap ways to visit Costa Brava?
Take one of the free walking tours in Costa Brava to learn more about the beautiful coastal town of Pals’s past, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Walk to the important sights, like the Plaça Major and the Church of Sant Pere, and ask your guide about the best places to eat!
What to do in Costa Brava – FAQS
Is Costa Brava a good place to go on holiday?
It’s a paradise for people who love water sports, hiking, riding, and travelling and want to enjoy great food and culture. The Costa Brava has something for everyone, whether you want an exciting or laid-back trip.
Will it be worth it to visit Costa Brava?
Then Spain’s Costa Brava is a great choice! This beautiful part of Catalonia’s coast runs north of Barcelona to the border with France. Imagine rocky coves that are off the beaten path, cute medieval towns, and beautiful, rough landscapes… but also great food and lively society.
Does Costa Brava have public transport?
It’s easy to get to and from the Costa Brava by train and bus. Now, if only it were that simple to decide which of the region’s best beaches to visit first.
Why should you be interested in Costa Brava?
People usually only think of Costa Brava’s beach towns with their long, sandy beaches. However, it has a lot to see, with its snow-capped peaks, small coves, fishing towns, high mountain hamlets, Romanesque churches, Greco-Roman ruins, medieval fortresses, and Dali’s surrealist legacy.
Is Costa Brava a place to have fun?
The most well-known town on the Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar, is at the top of the list for “going out on the Costa Brava.” If you want to go out at night, this city with over 300 places to see and do fun things is the place to be on the Costa Brava.
