Costa Brava Chic Guide

A guide of where to stay on Spain's sunny Costa Brava.

The Costa Brava is the coast of Spain north of Barcelona that stretches up to the French border. It is known around the world as being a beautiful coast of spectacular beaches with soft sand and crystal clear waters. Girona is the biggest and most famous city in the area and has its own airport, but there are many other towns that have become popular with visitors looking for a break from day-to-day life.

Costa Brava is split into four regions: Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, La Selva and Girona. Each region is filled with small fishing harbours and picturesque, whitewashed towns that have retained their authentic Catalan traditions. For more information about some of the best beaches on the Costa Brava, click here to read our article!

Alt Empordà

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This is the most northern region of the Costa Brava and lies on the border separating France and Spain. It is next to the Pyrenees, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, giving tourists the unique opportunity to enjoy both the ocean and the mountains. It is a great place for nature lovers as there are many areas of environmental interest and beautiful places to discover in the region, such as the the Aiguamolls de I'Empordà Natural Park and the many beautiful beaches with their turquoise waters.

The most well-known town in this area is Figueres, the birthplace of legendary surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Here you can visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum, which houses many of his most famous pieces and is where he is buried. Another town that is definitely worth a visit is Peralada, with its stunning castle that looks like something out of a fairy tale. Here you will find decorative gardens, an impressive library and a substantial art collection, as well as a wine museum, a wine spa, a casino, a golf course, and a number of restaurants and bars, one with a Michelin star tasting menu.

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If it is a tranquil beach holiday that you are after, you will find many charming seaside towns all along the coast of Alt Empordà that you will instantly fall in love with. These include Cadaqués, L’Escala, Roses and Port Lligat, where you can enjoy tapas at authentic, local restaurants, strolls along the sand and spending all day making memories at the beach with family and friends. If you are travelling with children then you may want to spend a day at the waterpark, Aquabrava, which is home to Europe’s biggest wave pool!

A holiday in Alt Empordà is not complete without a trip to Empúries, a city founded by the Ancient Greeks in 575BC and later invaded by the Romans. It is the only place Greek ruins can be found in Spain and has an informative archaeological museum.

Baix Empordà

This area sits in the middle of the Costa Brava and is known as the ‘region of coves’.

A ‘must see’ in Baix Empordà includes the beautiful Medes islands that are located just off the coast of L’Estartit. They are one of the most important marine reserves in the western Mediterranean and have a diverse range of marine life. They are popular with scuba divers, snorkelers and glass bottom boat tours. Another import site to visit in the region is the Gala Dalí Castle House Museum, the residence of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí’s wife, Gala. It is a castle dating from the 11th Century, restored by Dalí and Gala, which became Dalí’s last studio and the burial place of his wife. Today guests can explore various rooms and see the art, furniture and gardens of the historic castle.

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The village of Ullastret is also located in Baix Empordà and is considered one of the most important sites in the region due to the richness of its Iberian ruins which date back to the 6th Century BC. Pals is another interesting village that is worth a visit. It is a restored medieval village, famous for its beauty and its enchanting shops selling Catalan art, wines and pottery. If you want a lazy day at the beach then we recommend Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu, Aiguafreda, Platja Sa Tuna, Platja de Sa Riera, Platja Fonda, Cala Castell or Cala Estreta.

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La Selva

This region is located between the wonderful cities of Barcelona and Girona, making it the perfect place to stay for anyone interested in a day trip to the city, whilst spending the majority of their time relaxing in a coastal resort. La Selva is home to a number of stunning beaches, including Cala Futadera, Platja de sa Boadella, Platja de Santa Christina, Platja de Canyelles, Platja Treumal, Cala Giverola and many more.

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La Selva is also home to the popular resort of Tossa de Mar, a beautiful town with cobbled streets and an ancient beachside castle with a mountainous backdrop of lush green valleys and natural springs. The town of Lloret de Mar with its stunning beaches and coves is also in this region and is the perfect place to visit if you are a party animal. You will not be disappointed by the number of lively bars and clubs where you can dance away those warm summer nights.

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Families with young children will love La Selva’s waterpark, Water World, which is open from May to September. There are giant slides, rapid rivers, mini golf and restaurants to keep all the family entertained. Others may enjoy the parks and manecured gardens that can be found in the region, including the Botanic Garden of Marimurtra, the Gardens of Santa Clotilde and the Pinya de Rosa Tropical Botanic Gardens.

Girona

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Girona is the most popular place along the Costa Brava. It is a beautiful city located about an hour and a half drive away from the centre of Barcelona. Like most Spanish towns, it has a modern, commercial new town and an enchanting and historic old town, which are separated by the picture-perfect Onyar River. The old town is a labyrinth of twisting, narrow streets, where you will find the ancient Jewish Quarter and the Arab baths, an imitation of the Medieval baths, dating back to the 12th century. The Cathedral of Girona dates from the 11th century and crowns the city’s skyline. A trip inside the spectacular cathedral comes highy recommended as it has the widest gothic nave in the world!

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The city is full of galleries, museums (including the award-winning Cinema Museum) and atmospheric medieval architecture that can transport you back in time. In fact, it was a key filming location for the popular television show Game of Thrones and many tours of buildings and streets featured in the show are available around the city. 

Girona also welcomes a lot of sports tourism every year due to its impressive surrounding landscapes and it is a certified sports tourism destination.

Where to Stay

At ChicRoom Barcelona we pride ourselves on offering the best luxury accommodation in Spain’s top destinations. We have an amazing range of beautiful, private villas on the Costa Brava which we know you will love.

Click here to book your holiday villa on the Costa Brava today!

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