The Costa Brava is one of the main tourist destinations for those who are looking for a bit of calm by the sea. And there are many reasons for this: a landscape that unites sea and mountain, coves that have managed to escape from the masses, its gastronomy of marine tradition and, of course, its picturesque villages.
Loaded with history and surrounded by natural parks, we wouldn't want you to end your vacation without discovering their corners so we have prepared this article for you to have them all at hand:
Pals
Located in the Baix Empordà region, Pals is a unique village. With a historic centre full of medieval beauty, small craft shops and galleries, it should be a must when you visit La Bisbal de l'Empordà and its region.
If you like legends and witches' tales (who doesn't?), Pals has a lot to tell you. On the wall you can still see the stain left by the last witch who was tortured and executed there ?
Amongst the most emblematic sites in Pals we also find the Castle of Mont Aspre, whose stones were used to rebuild the Church of Sant Pere after the bombing during the Civil War.
And if walking by the sea is your thing, the Camino de Ronda that links Pals with the village of Begur, full of coves and perfect beaches, will delight you as much to soothe the heat of summer as to enjoy the tranquillity of winter. And don't forget to visit the Coll swimming pools, a group of marshes located where the river Daró used to flow.
And we ended up on rice and chocolate. A little weird combination? They're Pals' star products. You can walk or cycle through the rice fields, savouring a little artisan chocolate. You're not saying it's something you do every day, are you?
Tossa de Mar
We will go down to the region of La Selva to visit Tossa de Mar, one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Girona for its beaches and postcard coves.
The village is framed by the Vila Vella Wall, declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument and the most photographed corner of the village by visitors. Built during the Middle Ages, its aim was to protect the population from pirates. And, if you want more stories of pirates and corsairs, visit the white chapel Verge dels Socors, built at the same time and full of secrets.
Walking through Tossa de Mar will wrap you in the aroma of fish and seafood gastronomy. We encourage you to try their typical dish, the cim i tomba, made with fish and vegetables.
And don't miss out on a boat trip through its coves and discovering the marine fauna from the boats with transparent bottoms.
For water sports fans, Tossa de Mar is the ideal place for scuba diving or snorkeling. Leave your car parked and get lost between the paths that go down to the different coves.
But here it won't all be sea. For sports lovers on land, the mountain bike routes through the forests of the Massif des Cadiretes will encourage you to dust off your bike.
And anecdote for cinephiles: Ava Gardner recorded several beach scenes on the coast of Tossa de Mar. From the Costa Brava to Hollywood!
Cadaqués
Cadaqués, the home of Dalí, is one of the star towns of the Costa Brava because of its peculiar fishing origin, the dreamy landscapes and a medieval history that left its mark.
In the heart of the Cap de Creus Natural Park, surrounded by sea and mountains, it is the living image of the postcard of little white houses leaning over the sea. And, in the Portlligat cove, a must-see: the House-Museum of Salvador Dalí. Remember that reservations are obligatory!
The Church of Santa Maria, the highest building and with more prominence in any photograph of Cadaqués, is another corner you should not miss. Neither did the dreaded Barbarossa forget to visit it (and destroy it)! The Costa Brava and the pirates...
"In Cadaqués there are four sea-land delights: in winter the sea urchins (here garoines or garotes): in spring the rock mussels; in summer the lobster and the lobsters (here llobregants or llongants)"
Josep Pla knew what to eat in Cadaqués and left it to you in writing. But, for dessert, the famous taps from Cadaqués - which you can find at the Pastisseria La Mallorquina- hide behind their innocent paint a potential empacho. In moderation! The recipe is original from Cadaqués and a classic among the typical desserts of the Costa Brava.
For lunch, a good walk through the Far del Cap de Creus and the Paratge de Tudela, an impressive place where you will discover the most impressive landscapes of the Natural Park and the Costa Brava.
Calella de Palafrugell
Back to Baix Empordà, Calella de Palafrugell is a small fishing village formed by narrow streets and white houses full of charm.
Calella de Palafrugell is a small corner of the municipality of Palafrugell, from where you can enjoy the views of the sea walking along the Camino de Ronda that links the village with the neighbouring Llafranc.
Although for special corners, those of the botanical garden the Cap Roig. A place full of culture, history and nature, which is home to the Cap Roig Festival, the biggest musical event of the year on the Costa Brava. Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Sir Elton John and hundreds of top musicians have passed through there summer after summer.
A good place to enjoy the views of the Baix Empordà and the Costa Brava is the Iberian site of Sant Sebastià, a ruined village discovered in the sixties and dated in the 15th century BC. It is a place full of history, perfect for walking, learning and enjoying a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean.
We could not end without talking about the gastronomic days in Palafrugell, dedicated to its traditional dish: Es Niu. With almost five hours of preparation, it is a little difficult to find it on the restaurant menus, but you can discover it during these autumn days. Yes! You can enjoy the Costa Brava all year round!
Begur
A little further north, still in the Baix Empordà, we find Begur, a village very famous for its coves of crystalline water, its beautiful landscapes and one of the most beautiful Caminos de Ronda of the Costa Brava. Walking to Pals, you will pass by coves ideal for any time of the year, like Sa Tuna or Sa Riera.
The Watchtowers of Begur have been preserved since the 16th century and were built to defend the inhabitants from the Arab pirates, like their medieval castle. Although it is possible to access by car, we recommend the pedestrian route from the centre of the village, which runs through the narrow streets full of old and colourful stone houses.
Gastronomy in Begur is very varied, but don't forget to try the rock fish. The main ingredient of the seafood cuisine and, of course, of Begur.
Peratallada
Can you imagine crossing a portal and changing times? In Peratallada it is possible. A very small town in the Baix Empordà region, that maintains all the medieval essence.
To enter you must cross the wall through its arch and lose yourself in its labyrinthine cobbled streets as if you were in a story. Wear comfortable shoes!
You'll have to leave your car in one of the car parks outside the wall and you'll be able to walk around the whole village. You will discover wonderful corners among the cafes and small shops that will make you travel in time.
A visit to the moats of the Portal de la Virgen, the North Tower, the Tower of the Hours and, of course, to its castle is a must. A unique fortification in the country that you will find in the Plaza del Castell, ideal for dinner on one of its terraces enjoying a summer night.
Sant Martí d'Empúries
Sant Martí d'Empúries, the seat of the county of Empúries in the 9th century, is a well-known medieval village that belongs to the municipality of L'Escala. Close to the line that separates the Alt Empordà from the Baix Empordà, it is a very busy place for tourists in summer. Its walls and the archaeological site of Empúries are well worth a visit.
Walking around the village is a pleasure. Its narrow streets all end in the Plaza Mayor: the meeting point where the Castle of Sant Martí used to be, of which the gate and its wall are still preserved.
And don't forget to visit the site of Empúries, the only one on the peninsula where the remains of an ancient Greek city (Enporion, 6th century BC) and a Roman city (Emporiae, 1st century BC) coexist. Lots of history that you can learn from their guided tours (the dramatized ones are great!), ideal to spend a day with the family.
Roses
The gate south of Cap de Creus. Roses will make you discover the history of the Costa Brava from its town and will allow you to travel to the origins of humanity with its megalithic route: visit the Llit de la Generala, the Cap de l'Home or the Dolmen de la Creu d'en Cobertella... from the year 3000 BC!
But we have history and the beach in hand. The bay of Roses is among the 10 best bays in the world and you can enjoy it by walking the Camino de Ronda, in which you will discover beautiful corners and pass by several dream coves.
It is also a meeting point for water sports lovers. Diving, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, flyboarding... you can try all the ones you want!
Thanks to its fishing port, its restaurants have fresh fish and seafood every day. Enjoy a good suquet de peix and, for the early risers, come and see the departure of the boats and, by the way, a beautiful sunrise over the Mediterranean.
Blanes
Southern access to the Costa Brava. Full of history, the centre of Blanes is a mixture of different eras and styles, surrounded by the little white houses that give Blanes its special charm.
Although for attraction, its beaches: family, discreet, big, rocky, fine sand... you choose! But do not forget the selfie in the symbol of Blanes: Sa Palomera, the rock that marks the beginning of the Costa Brava.
To enjoy the best views of Blanes you will have to climb the mountain of Sant Joan, where the remains of the castle and the chapel from the 11th and 15th centuries are still preserved.
And let's take advantage, once again, of their fishing port. Don't leave without trying the Blanes shrimp. Local gastronomy straight to the palate!
Torroella de Montgrí
And we'll sneak in a little bit. Torroella de Montgrí is a municipality of the Baix Empordà surrounded by fields where agriculture plays a very important role.
A village with narrow alleys, typical of the medieval period, and framed by the Montgrí Natural Park, Illes Medes and Baix Ter. Beaches, dunes, islands, vegetation, mountain and river in the same place? You will find it in this unique integral reserve in Spain.
If you want to continue enjoying the maritime landscape, a boat trip to one of the coves of Estartit will be an experience to remember. Although, without a doubt, a dive in the Medes Islands will delight the most adventurous.
Gastronomy in Torroella de Montgrí is fruit and vegetable-growing and we also recommend that you visit the l'Estartit area in June, as the gastronomic day Tastets de Mar: la Clova is held there. The sea and the mountains are united by the local gastronomy.
Palamós
With a history of piracy and military disputes, Palamos was a strategic location for trade and dominance of the Mediterranean.
The port of Palamós, one of the most important of the Baix Empordà, is one of the most visited places of the city. Here you can visit the Fishing Museum, the Fish Market and the fish market. They even have a gastronomic classroom to learn how to identify the fish, prepare it and cook it. You will no longer have an excuse between kitchens!
The gastronomy in Palamos is based on the Prawn Menu. If you visit the city in April and June, when the gastronomic campaign is held, you will have a real feast for your palate. They also organise the Menu de la Cigala between October and December and the Menu de cocido de pescado, between February and April. A thousand reasons to be a gastronomic destination of reference.
For sports lovers, in Palamós you have the opportunity to go scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and above all, sailing! The most important and recognised sport in Palamós. For those who like to pedal, the mountain bike routes of the Iberian village of Castell or the Natural Area of Castell-Cap Roig will invite you to discover extraordinary places.
Palau-Sator
The municipality of Palau-Sator, located in the Baix Empordà, is made up of several small towns: Palau-Sator, Fontclara, Sant Julià de Boada, Sant Feliu de Boada and Pantaleu. All of them have a special charm and still preserve their medieval essence.
Forced visit to its wall and its two entrances. The one that is best preserved is the one in the Tower of Hours, which was part of the old castle and on which is inscribed the legend: "Només compto les hores serenes" (I only count the serene hours). The castle of Palau-Sator is located outside the city walls and was declared a cultural asset of national interest.
Palau-Sator is also known for its monumental jewels - such as the Parish Church of Sant Pere or the Monastery of Sant Pau de Sant Clara- and the Mas Pou Rural Museum, with agricultural tools with centuries of history that will allow you to discover the evolution of agriculture in rural areas.
El Port de la Selva
Port de la Selva is a municipality located in the Alt Empordà region, north of Cap de Creus. It combines the mountain with the blue of the Mediterranean, the vineyards, the white houses and the cliffs full of corners to be photographed.
Port de la Selva is a very quiet village, which has not lost its fishing origins. Although it is well known by the holidaymakers, it still preserves the original architecture of the municipality. Here you can forget about the big hotels!
If you visit El Port de la Selva, you must go to the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, the most important Romanesque site in Catalonia. Its views are spectacular and you can enjoy Cap de Creus from the top.
Llançà
Llançà is a small village situated in the Alt Empordà, very close to the French border. In addition to its coves, its rich heritage and the many activities organized by its Tourism Department make it a perfect place to visit at any time of year.
Go up to the Castellar, a rock viewpoint -which was an island in the past- from which you can photograph a good panoramic view of the village and the Cap de Creus entering France.
A meeting point for lovers of hiking, the GR-11 (the Trans-Pyrenees), the GR-92 (the coastal path that links France and Cadiz) and even the Camí de Sant Jaume pass through here. Joining bits and pieces of all of them, they have created lots of hiking and mountain bike routes to discover the Albera Massif and Cap de Creus with the Mediterranean in the background.
The crown of Llançà's gastronomy is worn by Paco Pérez and his Miramar: the only restaurant on the Costa Brava with two Michelin stars. Although if you prefer something of marine tradition the gastronomic offer of Llançà has nothing to envy to other towns of much greater size.
Tamariu
Tamariu is the smallest village in the municipality of Palafrugell. Formerly little more than a pier, over time both citizens and holidaymakers were building the first houses.
Here the fishing boats invade the sand of the main beach and right there is the promenade, with several terraces where you can have a drink with great views.
This small village is very visited by those who want to practice water sports like sailing, kayaking or diving. Although volleyball takes the upper hand: every summer they hold tournaments from the Tamariu yacht club.
Following the Camino de Ronda you will reach beautiful places, such as Cala Pedrosa, Los Liris, Agua Xelida or Aigua Dolça, hidden beaches and coves on the Costa Brava that you cannot miss.
And if you have access to a boat, we encourage you to visit Cala Marquesa and the Cau, located very close to Begur. Incredible places full of peace and quiet.
The traditional Havana songs at the pier or on the beach, call much attention to the vacationers, who describe Tamariu as a town full of magic.
