The Costa Brava offers a host of faces and activities. The 9 must-do things to do on the Costa Brava: the essentials for discovering the Wild Coast.
Secluded coves, breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, turquoise waters, medieval villages: the Costa Brava is as diverse as it is beautiful. Sports aficionados enjoy water sports and hiking. Art and history buffs flock to museums, festivals and picturesque villages. Fans of idleness can put down their towels and soak up all their sunshine.
The Costa Brava invites you to experience the vacation of your dreams, at your own pace, and is constantly striving to give you a change of scene. To make the most of the Catalan coast‘s many attractions, follow the guide. Here are the 9 must-do things to do on the Costa Brava.
1. Local gastronomy
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One of the first things to do on the Costa Brava? Discover its culture and way of life through its culinary traditions. Straddling sea and land, the Costa Brava’s gastronomic heritage will surprise you with its simple yet tasty character.
You’ll be able to taste combinations that are almost banal, but with an explosive, rapidly addictive taste. Tomato bread, rice-based preparations, roasted vegetable dishes, crema catalana, sweet onions from Figueras, olive oil, anchovies from L’Escala and Rosas, charcuterie and cheeses from the Pyrenees. All in the form of tapas to be enjoyed Spanish-style, and enhanced by wines such as Moscatel.
And did you know that two Costa Brava restaurants have been named the world’s best? El Bulli, in Rosas, and El Celler Can Roca, in Girona. So, yes, there’s plenty to salivate over!
2. Natural parks
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You can’t visit the Costa Brava without visiting at least one of its three nature parks.
First of all, there’s the Cap de Creus Nature Park. To the north, bordering Cadaqués, it is shaped by a unique geology and landscapes ploughed by powerful winds. Divided between land and sea, turquoise waters and jagged rocks, Cap de Creus offers the sumptuous and elusive panoramas of a pristine coastline.
Then there’s the Parc Naturel des Aiguamolls d’Empordà. A marshy land to the south of Empuriabrava, it’s a veritable paradise for bird enthusiasts. Here, rare and beautiful migratory species find refuge.
Finally, there’s the Montgri, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Nature Park, in Torroella de Montgri. This jewel of contrasts alternates between the wilderness of the Montgri hills and remarkable aquatic nature reserves.
3. Water sports
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Speaking of aquatic nature reserves… One of the must-do things to do on the Costa Brava is to try your hand at water sports.
What’s more, if you’re already an enthusiast, the opportunities for practice alone can justify your trip. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, sailing, surfing, kayaking, boating, jet skiing, water skiing: it’s all possible. Unless you’re the type of person who’d rather put on flippers and take along a snorkel or oxygen tank?
The Costa Brava is also full of breathtaking snorkeling and diving spots. In all, no fewer than sixty diving centers are scattered all along the coast. However, if you have to choose just one: the Medes Islands. This small archipelago is Spain’s most popular diving paradise. Drop-offs, caves, tunnels and endemic species await you in an almost Polynesian world.
4. Le Chemin de la Ronde
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Visiting the Costa Brava without having walked the Chemin de Ronde? You can’t.
This trail, which winds its way along the coast and sometimes follows the GR92, is a compendium of natural wonders. To cover the whole trail, allow around two weeks and two hundred kilometers. Otherwise, you can simply discover it in sections. Either way, you’ll always be nestled between seashore and fragrant pinewoods.
The idyllic route sometimes takes you right down to the water’s edge and into small, confidential coves. And sometimes you’ll find yourself in the middle of a medieval or fishing village. Despite its renown, the Chemin de la Ronde offers rejuvenating walks and great tranquillity. A must for lovers of nature and tranquillity.
5. Festive events
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In Spain, we love to party and celebrate traditions. On the coast, even more so!
One of the things to do on the Costa Brava, whether you’re a big party-goer or a shy night owl, is to experience this joie de vivre. Even better, attend one of the festive events that punctuate the coast throughout the year. Some, for example, are linked to popular and joyous religious celebrations.
These are not-to-be-missed events for local residents. There are parades, sardana dancing and pyrotechnic feats. Then there are the purely entertaining and cultural events: celebrating flowers in Girona, opera in Peralade, music in Cap Roig, jazz in l’Estartit and much more.
6. Medieval villages
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The Côte Sauvage is home to a fabulous number of small medieval villages. They invite you to visit the Costa Brava on delightful, timeless peregrinations.
- Pals: this medieval city hugs the Mediterranean Sea and has a heart of its own that’s instantly charming. The fortifications of Pals open onto a breathtaking panorama of historic buildings and turquoise lagoons;
- Peratallada: this medieval village blossoms at the foot of its incredibly well-preserved castle. You’ll discover its vaulted squares, winding streets, walls and authentic Catalan decor;
- Palau Sator: this village, wrapped around its castle, offers the authenticity of a rural village still unknown to tourists;
- La Bisbal d’Empordà: this medieval village proudly holds the title of capital of pottery and antique dealers. The old town centre features narrow streets, old houses and pretty squares around the bishop’s palace;
- Púbol: this small town is best known for its castle, where Gala Dalí lived in the 1970s. This grand, medieval residence offers a glimpse of the Dalí couple in the last period of their lives;
- Ullastret: this small village is best known for its castle, which welcomed Gala Dalí in the 1970s. This grand medieval residence offers a glimpse of the Dalí couple in the last period of their lives;
- Begur: a village perched high up in the mountains, dominated by the ruins of its castle and surprising by its houses inherited from the 19th-century Indianos.
7. Coastal towns
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Visiting the Costa Brava also means stopping off at some of the coastal towns. For a day or a few days, they are the cultural and historical landmarks of the coast.
- Palafrugell: here, the seafront is strewn with gleaming whitewashed houses, life is in full swing in the fishing port, the coves are nibbled by translucent waters and the historic center is a labyrinth of shady alleyways;
- Cadaqués: its unique atmosphere is due to its small fishing port, its immaculate houses nestling in the cliffs and the soul of Dalí hovering everywhere. Nicknamed the white village, Cadaqués looks like a postcard;
- Girona: this typically medieval city, perched on a rocky promontory, is packed with treasures. Its history-filled surroundings take you from cobbled streets to centuries-old buildings. The backdrop is the magnificent Pyrenees;
- Calella de Palafrugell: an ancient fishing village with winding streets to lose yourself in. Port Bo, the port district, with its panoramic views of charming houses and monuments from the past;
- L’Escala: a town crowned by a coastline of coves, cliffs and sandy beaches. L’Escala is home to one of the most beautiful bays in the world: the Bay of Roses;
- Tossa de Mar: nicknamed the blue paradise because of its magnificent, azure bay, the village also has a seductive historic heart;
- Roses: nestled in a magnificent natural harbor, steeped in seafaring traditions, the city of Roses boasts some of the finest remains on the coast;
- Empuriabrava: this « Venice of Spain » is criss-crossed by twenty-five kilometers of navigable canals. It has established itself as a luxurious, picture-postcard seaside resort par excellence.
8. In the footsteps of Dalí
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Salvador Dalí, who was born in 1904 and died in Figueres in 1989, remained attached to his roots throughout his life. His muse, apart from his wife, was the fishing village of Portlligat, near Cadaqués. He was also inspired by the natural beauty of Cap de Creus, where the tramontana seemed to inspire him.
Do you love the painter? Then take a tour of the Costa Brava, following the exceptional sites that trace the career of the Catalan genius. Through the Dalinian Triangle, discover the old theater in Figueres, his house in Portlligat and his castle in Púbol.
9. The beaches
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We’ve put it last among the 9 must-do things to do on the Costa Brava, simply because it’s good to save the best for last. It’s hard to choose the best beaches on the Costa Sauvage, so many compete in beauty and curiosity. Here are a few of our favorite spots:
- Blanes: for its exceptional setting between pine forests and translucent seabeds;
- Lloret de Mar: for its combination of unspoilt nature, lagoon hues and urban services;
- Calella de Palafrugell: for its ideal location between typical houses and rocky reefs;
- Tossa de Mar: for its crystal-clear sea surrounded by greenery and its many facilities;
- Cap Roig: for its surreal diving spots;
- Begur: for its picturesque coves crowned by charming fishermen’s cottages ;
- El Port de la Selva: for its wild landscapes and unspoilt environment;
- L’Estartit: for its unique location in a pristine nature reserve;
- Escala: for its small beach of pebbles and rocks sandwiched between two large beaches;
- Empuriabrava: for its magnificent view over the Bay of Roses and the green massifs ;
- Cap de Creus: for the landscapes that inspired Salvador Dalí.
How to get to the Costa Brava
- The car is often the preferred means of transport to get to and visit the Costa Brava. From Paris, it takes around ten hours. Ideally, you should include a stopover on your journey. However, if you live further south, the Costa Brava is barely further than the French-Spanish border. The advantage is also that you can share the cost of the journey, so you can travel more economically.
- Alternatively, flying is still the quickest way to reach the Costa Brava. What’s more, flights are generally very affordable. You’ll land in Barcelona or Girona. To make the best choice, don’t hesitate to use a flight comparator such as Skyscanner. Once there, rent a car or take the bus to one of the Costa Brava’s main towns.
Where to stay on the Costa Brava?
There’s an abundance of accommodation on offer on the Costa Brava. Campsites, hotels, B&Bs, Airbnb, youth hostels: there’s something for every taste and budget. To help you find your way around, a hotel comparator will be invaluable.
For a citybreak, Girona is an ideal destination. Between culture, nature, heritage and traditions, this city brimming with attractions has everything to offer. Empuriabrava and Calella de Palafrugell are more suited to larger budgets and luxury retreats. If you want a 100% beach destination but are on a tighter budget, l’Estartit, l’Escala, Cadaqués, Roses and Tossa de Mar are sure to please.
Medieval villages such as Pals are ideal for those looking for a haven of peace and quiet. Finally, party-goers will love Lloret de Mar or Blanes, with its lively nightlife.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Costa Brava