The Costa Brava is an area full of incredible places and experiences that you can not miss. Its geographical location in the province of Girona, with the winds of the Mediterranean as the Tramuntana and the erosion of the sea has made it a unique place, which we assure you, hooks and much. With a large number of hidden coves between the vegetation and cliffs that end up in crystalline waters, walks along Caminos de Ronda by the sea, the charm that old fishermen populations still have or their gastronomy with protagonists such as fresh fish and seafood ... make She one of the best places in the world to live.
This is an area that we know well and we have traveled many times, since it is now our place of residence. We could recommend many things to see and do on the Costa Brava, but in the end we have reduced the list to 10 experiences that will surely make you think about returning again and again.
1. Visit Cadaqués
Cadaqués, is one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia and for Salvador Dalí the most beautiful town in the world.
Surrounded by the landscape of the Cap de Creus Natural Park, it still retains all its charm of an old fishing village, its narrow streets, its white houses, a beautiful promenade and its fishing boats resting in the coves. Among the many activities we can do, we recommend you to walk to Port Lligat to visit Salvador Dalí's house, make a walking route to the Cap de Creus lighthouse or to the Cala Nans lighthouse, experiences that you will surely not forget.
Cadaqués
2. Bathe in one of its hidden coves
If there is something that we have in quantity on the Costa Brava with coves that thanks to the erosion of the sea are hidden among nature and which can only be accessed on foot after a long walk, something that is appreciated, especially in times summers Others are easier to access, so the best time to enjoy them is outside the most summertime season, at which time you will practically be alone. One of the ones we like the most is Cala Trons, located near Lloret de Mar that meets all the requirements, small and quiet, crystal clear waters, fine sand and a perfect place to snorkel. It can be accessed by the Camino de Ronda towards Tossa de Mar or directly by car. Although we highlight this, there are many others that are worthwhile such as: Cala Aigüa Xelida (Tamariu), Cala Illa Roja (Begur), Cala Estreta (Palamós), Cala Pola (Tossa de Mar), Cala Sa Tuna (Begur),…
Cala Trons
3. Taste your gastronomy
One of the best things to do on the Costa Brava It is to taste its gastronomy. The suquet de peix, the prawns of Palamós or the anxoves de l'escala are some of its most typical dishes, which we assure you, you will not forget. Being able to eat a paella, a fish or fresh seafood in one of its many terraces on the seafront is something that is priceless. And if our economy allows, although the best restaurant in the world "The Bulli"In Cala Montjoi it closed some time ago, many of its students and apprentices have restaurants in this area with some Michelin Stars, a unique opportunity to know the best cuisine at the hands of the best.
Suquet de peix
4. Visit Calella de Palafrugell, one of the best things to see and do on the Costa Brava
Calella de Palafrugell is another of the towns that you have what to see on the Costa Brava. It still retains its historic center with its white houses and narrow streets of its sailor past. Although it is better to go outside the high summer season, since there is a lot of tourism, in the spring or autumn months, we can still enjoy a relaxing bath in one of its beautiful coves and take advantage of sunbathing. To highlight the path that goes to Llafranc, which is considered one of the most beautiful Roads of Ronda of the Costa Brava.
Calella de Palafrugell, one of the best things to see and do on the Costa Brava
5. Scuba diving in the Medes Islands
There are many areas to practice scuba diving on the Costa Brava But one of the best is undoubtedly the Medes Islands. Declared a Protected National Natural Park, its seven islands are located in front of Estartit Beach. In this area there are also many boat trips with the transparent bottom to see the seabed, but nothing is comparable to doing some immersion in which to enjoy the impressive coral bottoms, with a lot of fish, at different depths.
And if you have dared to practice scuba diving in the area, do not forget to go into an underwater cave such as the cave of La Vaca, Sardina or the Pedrosa tunnel or dive among sunken ships such as Reggio Messina or Avenire.
Diving in the Medes Islands
6. Parachute jump in Empuriabrava
Another of the most exciting experiences with more doses of adrenaline on the Costa Brava is the parachute jump. The best area to practice it is Empuriabrava with the company Skyve Dive Empuriabrava, considered one of the best in the world and where people of all nationalities come to practice or debut in the parachute jump. If you have encouraged to try it, you have to keep in mind that you will start with tandem jumps with an expert and if after the experience you want to continue, you can choose to take a course that will allow you to jump for free.
Parachute jump
7. Hiking in the Cap de Creus Natural Park
The winds of the Mediterranean with the erosion of the water on the cliffs have turned the Natural Park of Cap de Creus into a landscape that looks like another planet. Its hidden coves, the capricious forms of the rocks, the vegetation and its ancient roads make it worthwhile to make several hiking trails in this area. In this web of hiking trails you can find several, although we recommend the one we did from Cadaqués to the lighthouse of Cap de Creus, passing through Port Lligat and some of its most famous coves. They are about 15 km round trip and in about 5 or 6 hours with stops you can do well, having minimal physical conditions. Another of the routes, easier than the previous one, is the one of the Place of Tudela, which is about 6 km and in two hours we can do it perfectly and more counting that we can arrive by car at the beginning of the route, where we can park without problems in the parking area.
Trekking through Cap de Creus
8. Sail on a sailboat
Another of the best things to see and do on the Costa Brava is to sail on a sailboat or boat to see and enjoy the coves and cliffs from another perspective Being able to approach one of these coves and bathe in them, practically in solitude, is something that is priceless. There are many routes that can be done and leave almost all the towns of the Costa Brava. In addition, if you are lucky you can also see dolphins and all kinds of seabirds.
Sailboat on the Costa Brava
9. Tour some of the Roads of Ronda
Another of the best things to do in Girona and its Costa Brava is to stroll along its spectacular Roads of Ronda. Walking along the sea to discover small coves, beaches, vertigo cliffs, lighthouses and villages full of charm, will make the walk, however long, it seems short. One of the most beautiful is that of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc, a route that we have done several times and we never tire of repeating at different times of the year. Other recommendations are from Tossa de Mar to Cala Pola, from L'Estartit to Torroella de Montgrí, from Aiguablava to Begur and Pals, from Port de la Selva to Llançà or from Lloret de Mar to Tossa.
Parapet walk
10. Visit Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is another of the towns that deserve a visit and another one of the better to see and do on the Costa Brava. Its photogenic castle with its walls and all the old medieval part are wonderful that surely will not surprise you. Surrounded by some of the best coves on the Costa Brava such as Cala Futadera, Cala Pola, Cala Bona, Cala Salions, Cala Morisca or La Giveroleta make Tossa a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beach.
Keep in mind that Tossa is a rather tourist town, but less crowded and cheaper than Cadaqués or Calella de Palafrugell, so it can be a great option to spend a few days on vacation in a town that retains part of the charm of past times.
Tossa de Mar
Accommodation at the Hotel Vistabella in Roses
This summer's end we had the opportunity, thanks to the invitation of the Hotel Vistabella, to enjoy an incredible weekend in one of its rooms, in which we woke up every day in front of impressive sunrises and enjoyed the best sunsets from our terrace, in addition to tasting the best cuisine in El Balcó del Mar and in Els Brancs, a Michelin Star restaurant that is undoubtedly one of the great attractions of the hotel.
Be sure to read this complete review of the Vistabella Hotel, where staying is one of the best things to see and do on the Costa Brava.
If you feel like helping us increase the list of 10 things to see and do in Costa Brava, add yours in the comments.
** All photos without a watermark have been provided by Shutterstock.
* During one of our getaways along the Costa Brava we stayed at the Vistabella Hotel maintaining a collaboration with them. This has not influenced the opinions that are reported here, which are all a summary of our experience and feelings during the stay.
