Resorts in the Costa Brava

Below is our A-Z guide to some of the most popular Costa Brava resorts and towns:

Begur

Begur is a historical town with varied interest to tourists offering a medieval castle, places to dive for coral, plenty of fishing, and local boutiques and meals that are hard to pass up. Divided into a variety of regions, the area also sports coastal paths and enough beaches to make any tourist happy while on holiday with hidden beaches and grand public beaches spread out along several kilometers of coastline. The city is also one of the most vibrant after Tossa de Mar for those who are looking to party a bit while in Costa Brava with plenty of bars and more.

Blanes

The Costa Brava resort of Blanes has around 4 km of beaches, the most famous are Blanes beach and S'Abanell beach. There are plenty of hotels, bars, shops and restaurants.

Many of the menus cater for the English offering fish and chips and fried breakfasts.

There is also a campsite close to Blanes town centre and the beaches. Blanes is a popular family resort and is slightly cheaper than Tossa and Lloret de Mar.

Like many of the Costa Brava resorts, Blanes was formerly a small fishing town, but is now massively redeveloped to cater for tourism.

Cadaques

Cadaques is a the northern most town on the Costa Brava, only a few kilometres from the French border. The coastal region around Cadaques is largely unspoilt by tourism as the area forms the Cap de Creus peninsula which surrounds Cadaques has been declared as a national park. Cadaques attracts many artists due to its heritage and the spectacular coastal scenery which surrounds the area.

The small fishing port of Port Lligat jut to the north of Cadaques is the former home of surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The town is an exclusive resort and is rather expensive compared to other towns on the Costa brava. Cadaques is around an hours drive from Girona Airport, but the last part of the drive is via a rather windy mountain road, not recommended at night.

Recommendation: Salvador Dali's House in Port Lligat around 3km from Cadaques

Calella de Palafrugell

Best known for its archways and traditional houses, the town of Calella de Palafrugell is also a great deal of fun because of its July festival of Havaneres which is a delight to join in with if you can. In town the botanical garden is a popular space where you can see a variety of Mediterranean plants; however, the beaches are easily the most popular point of destination for most travelers although the sand is a bit coarser than in other areas of Costa Brava and more suited for boating.

Girona City

The city of Girona is unique given it has a Jewish quarter locally referred to as the El Call while also sporting an ancient cathedral that will take your breath away and the typical white washed architecture of the Spanish villages. The city is split by the River Onyar into the east and west with most tourists concentrated on the eastern side of the river given this is where the medieval sites are located. The major tourist activity is the old town of Girona where many of the main shops are located, along with a regular markets, and a number small bars, cafes and restaurants which line the banks of the River Onya.

Read more about Girona.

L'Estartit

Sporting plenty of views over the bay that L'Estartit is tucked into in the Costa Brava region, the city is known for its natural beauty, its proximity to the Medes Islands, intriguing landscapes, and protected countryside. The Passeig del Molinet promenade is easily one of is largest attractions which stretches quite a distance across the central beach. Outside of typical seashore activities, L'Estartit is also frequently visited by those who want to go scuba diving near the Medes Islands.

Llafranc

Part of the larger Palafrugell municipality, Llafranc is found in the north of Costa Brava and is known for its great beaches and white washed houses. The town is often considered a hidden gem for those who want a taste of traditional Spanish life along with their sand, sun, and sangrias. The beaches are quite remote and a mixture of sand and cliffs making a boat for hire or kayak the perfect way to explore all of the covers of the region. In addition, Llafranc is also known a blue flag beach making it practically unspoiled.

Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is around a 20 minute drive from from Tossa de Mar and set amidst beautiful Costa Brava coastline. Lloret is the largest, and one of the most popular resorts in the Costa Brava, and has a lively nightlife which attracts many younger visitors.

Lloret's golden sandy beaches are some of the best in the Costa Brava. The resort is a popular location for watersports.

Palamos

Palamos is a resort favoured by the Spanish. Palamos retains much of its traditional Spanish charm, and is noticeably less developed than many of the Costa Brava resorts. Don't expect rows of bars and restaurants selling English breakfasts and fish and chips. Palamos is a more up-market resort, with a great selection of shops, including many designer outlets.

Recommendation: The Museum of Fishing at Palamos where you can find out everything about fishing in the Costa Brava

Pals

Pals is actually a municipality that is split into two separate regions, the almost four kilometers of beach that is great for water sports and is dotted by plenty of resorts and the more historic inland region that is home to the medieval village. Within the city there are plenty of rice fields and marshes to go walking through or biking across as well as plenty of athletic activities including tennis, golf, and more. There is also the chance to see plenty of historic shops and unique boutiques while in town if you can tear yourself out of the sun and off the sand.

Platja d'Aro

Often considered the most commercial village in Costa Brava region, Platja d'Aro is found in the heart of the area sporting a nest of gold sand with plenty of little creeks that offer great fishing and nature activities. The area is build up well for those who want a modern holiday with plenty of cuisine options, culture, and leisure activities such as shopping, spas, and more all over town. Of course, the stretch of coastline lined by resorts is also quite popular among tourists and kept clean for the most part. Platja d'Aro is also one of the most popular stops for youths on holiday in Costa Brava as the city is on the larger side and sports plenty of discotheques and bars.

In October, Platja d'Aro holds an annual beer festival, where many local beers from the Costa Brava region can be sampled.

Roses

The Bay of Roses is bordered to the north by the Cap de Creus national park. Apart from being one of the major fishing ports of the Costa Brava, Roses is the largest tourist resort on the northern Costa Brava, but is relatively unspoilt by tourism.

For those interested in history and architecture, Roses is home to the Museu de la Ciutadella de Roses (The Citadel Museum), an ancient fortification which has been restored, and opened to the public in 2004.

Recommendation: Museu de la Ciutadella de Roses (The Citadel Museum)

S'Agaro

Sitting on a rocky headland, unlike other towns in the Costa Brava region S'Agaro sits up on the coast and does not sport a fantastic coastal beach but instead is marked by cliffs and rocks for the most part. However, the residential area still sports plenty of resorts and private institutions making it a popular holiday location for reclusive celebs hoping to enjoy the sunshine of Costa Brava without the publicity.

Sant Pere Pescadorco

Found in the Northern region of the Costa Brava, Sant Pere Pescador is known for its great landscape and intersecting River Fluvia which helps adds to the beauty of the town. While you can easily get lost in the hills that surround the Sant Pere Pescadorco, if you head towards the coast you will find a wonderful 7km beach that is well maintained and a great place to tan. Given the fact that the town is not as heavily trafficked, it is a great location for those with children. While in town make sure to stop by some of the local orchards where you can taste sweet fruits and juice straight from the tree.

Tamariu

Farther up north from Llafranc is the village of Tamariu which is mostly a coastal town hidden in a small bay of the Costa Brava region. The name of the town marks the fact that the promenade is lined with Tamarind trees and the beaches are sheltered by large hills also covered with the trees and pines. The water in the area is soft and clear due to the bay coverage making it a great family holiday retreat with plenty of small cafes, restaurants, and bars strung out along the coastline.

Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is an attractive Costa Brava town which is popular with families and older visitors.

There are cobbled streets with plenty of shops and restaurants to attract the tourist visitors.

Recommendation: The Vila Vella which is the old town of Tossa de Mar overlooking the beach and offering great views inland and across the Costa Brava