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    Costa Brava
    Region

    Spain

    Costa Brava

    The Costa Brava spans some 200 km from Blanes to the French border at Portbou. Rocky cliffs, small pine-fringed coves, and whitewashed fishing villages like Calella de Palafrugell or Cadaqués characterise Catalonia's north coast.

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    7. Costa Brava
    The Costa Brava spans some 200 km from Blanes to the French border at Portbou. Rocky cliffs, small pine-fringed coves, and whitewashed fishing villages like Calella de Palafrugell or Cadaqués characterise Catalonia's north coast. Inland, medieval Girona and Figueres host the Dalí Theatre-Museum.
    The Costa Brava is Catalonia's northernmost coast and stretches from Blanes to Portbou on the French border. Unlike further south, the foothills of the Pyrenees here plunge steeply into the sea, interspersed with small coves often only accessible on foot or by boat. In the south, seaside resorts like Lloret and Tossa de Mar define the landscape; in the centre, the Baix Empordà with Begur, Calella de Palafrugell, and Pals; and in the north, the rugged Cap de Creus peninsula with Cadaqués. The hinterland belongs to the Empordà plain, with vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. Girona, with the Girona-Costa Brava airport, is the gateway to the region.
    Begur

    Place 1 of 4

    Begur

    Begur, on a hill in Baix Empordà, is under two kilometres from the sea. The castle ruin overlooks the village, where its lanes display the villas of Indianos, wealthy 19th-century returnees from Cuba.

    Begur, with about 4,000 inhabitants, is divided into the hilltop village center and several coastal coves. In the center, you'll find the Plaça de la Vila with bars and restaurants, from where a short ascent leads to the castle ruins.

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    Calella de Palafrugell

    Place 2 of 4

    Calella de Palafrugell

    Calella de Palafrugell is a former fishing village in Baix Empordà with white houses, small sandy coves, and the Les Voltes arcades on Port Bo beach. The village is known for the Cantada d'Havaneres, where every July sea shanties are sung by the sea.

    Calella is part of the municipality of Palafrugell, situated some four kilometers from its center on the coast. The village stretches over several coves, including Port Bo, Platja del Canadell, and Port Pelegrí, connected by stairs and coastal paths.

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    Figueres

    Place 3 of 4

    Figueres

    Figueres, capital of Alt Empordà, is the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. Its Theater-Museum makes the city the best-known destination in the Costa Brava hinterland, also featuring one of Europe's largest fortresses and a lively Rambla.

    Figueres has a population of just under 50,000 and is located in the Empordà plain, about 20 kilometers from both the coast and the French border. The old town is compact and can be walked across in half an hour: it's just a few minutes from La Rambla to the Dalí Museum.

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    Tossa de Mar

    Place 4 of 4

    Tossa de Mar

    Tossa de Mar is a seaside resort on the southern Costa Brava, dominated by Vila Vella: a walled old town on a rocky promontory above the beach.

    Tossa has approximately 6,000 residents, a number that multiplies in summer. The town center lies on the bay with the main beach Platja Gran, at whose southern end Vila Vella ascends.

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    Sights in Costa Brava

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Attraction

    Cap de Creus

    The easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula is a nature park of wind-sculpted slate, coves, and macchia. From the lighthouse at the cape, you gaze far across the Mediterranean Sea; hiking trails lead here from Cadaqués and El Port de la Selva.
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    Museum

    Ruins of Empúries

    At L'Escala, Greek traders founded the colony of Emporion in the 6th century BC; later, a Roman city developed alongside it. You walk through foundations, mosaics, and the forum right by the sea; a museum displays the finds.
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    Museum

    Dalí House-Museum Portlligat

    In the bay of Portlligat near Cadaqués, Salvador Dalí expanded several fishermen's huts into his winding home and studio, where he lived from 1930 to 1982. The visit is only possible in small groups with a pre-booked time slot.
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    Food and Drink

    Suquet de peix

    Fishermen's fish stew with potatoes, garlic, and an almond picada. It is prepared with the catch of the day.

    L'Escala Anchovies

    Salt-cured anchovies from L'Escala, where salting has a long tradition. The Museu de l'Anxova i de la Sal in the town tells its story.

    Sea and mountain

    Typical sea-and-mountain combination, such as chicken with langoustines or meatballs with cuttlefish.

    Wine from Empordà

    The DO Empordà features vineyards between the coast and the Pyrenees, known for Grenache and Carignan red wines.

    Cremat

    Rum flambéed with sugar, cinnamon, and coffee, traditionally drunk with Havaneres.

    Ethos

    Fishermen, Cork Merchants, and DalíUntil the 20th century, the coastal towns thrived on fishing, cork processing, and overseas trade. From this era originated the Havaneres, sailor songs with Cuban roots, which are sung every summer on the beach of Calella de Palafrugell. At the ancient ruins of Empúries, Greek settlers landed as early as the 6th century BCE.Salvador Dalí shaped the region like no other artist: His Theatre-Museum is in Figueres, his home in Portlligat near Cadaqués, and his wife Gala's castle in Púbol. These three locations form the so-called Dalí Triangle.

    Exploring locally

    No railway line runs along the coast. Express trains between Barcelona and France stop in Girona and Figueres; from there, Sarfa buses run to the coastal towns. For exploring smaller coves and inland villages, a rental car is most practical. During summer, parking at the coves fills quickly and is often paid, with some access roads completely closed.Airport: Girona-Costa Brava near Vilobí d'Onyar, about 12 kilometers south of Girona.By Foot: The coastal path Camí de Ronda (part of the GR 92) connects many coves, such as between Calella de Palafrugell and Tamariu.By Boat: During summer, scheduled boats operate between Blanes, Lloret and Tossa de Mar.

    Nearby

    Begur

    Begur

    Begur, on a hill in Baix Empordà, is under two kilometres from the sea. The castle ruin overlooks the village, where its lanes display the villas of Indianos, wealthy 19th-century returnees from Cuba. Begur boasts some of the Costa Brava's most famous coves.
    Calella de Palafrugell

    Calella de Palafrugell

    Calella de Palafrugell is a former fishing village in Baix Empordà with white houses, small sandy coves, and the Les Voltes arcades on Port Bo beach. The village is known for the Cantada d'Havaneres, where every July sea shanties are sung by the sea.
    Girona

    Girona

    The Catalan city of Girona impresses with a rich history and picturesque scenery. Colourful houses line the River Onyar, while the well-preserved Barri Vell, the Old Town, entices with narrow streets and a medieval charm. The impressive Girona Cathedral dominates the city's skyline and houses the world's widest Gothic nave. Explore the historic Jewish Quarter, El Call, with its winding alleys and visit the Roman and medieval city walls for panoramic views. Girona also offers Roman remains and the Banys Àrabs, the Arab baths. For a relaxed experience, a visit in spring or autumn is recommended to explore the city at leisure.
    Tossa de Mar

    Tossa de Mar

    Tossa de Mar is a seaside resort on the southern Costa Brava, dominated by Vila Vella: a walled old town on a rocky promontory above the beach. The town walls with their round towers date back to the 12th century and are the only largely preserved fortified old town on the Catalan coast.
    Figueres

    Figueres

    Figueres, capital of Alt Empordà, is the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. Its Theater-Museum makes the city the best-known destination in the Costa Brava hinterland, also featuring one of Europe's largest fortresses and a lively Rambla.