Costa Brava Voyage Tips and guide

The Costa Brava (Rugged Coast) is a coastal region in north Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain. It comprises 3 comarques (counties): Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and La Selva. It has rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches and sandy beaches. In the inland there are many beautiful small villages. It's one of the main touristic regions of Spain with culture and arts and historic places from Greek and Roman sites to castles to modernist sites.

42°17′32″N 3°1′23″E

Map of Costa Brava

Alt Empordà county (Comarca de l'Alt Empordà)

• 42.4266673.1594441 Portbou, is a small coastal town just south of the French border. Wedged between steep Pyrenean slopes and a sheltered bay, it combines rugged scenery with a pebbly urban beach and a compact port. Once a quiet fishing village, Portbou became an important rail frontier in the late 19th century and still functions as a key cross‑border station.
• 42.4063893.1544442 Colera is a small coastal village , in the comarca of Alt Empordà, between Portbou and Llançà near the French border. Sheltered in a quiet bay where the Albera mountains meet the Mediterranean, it offers uncrowded pebble beaches, clear waters and a laid‑back atmosphere even in high season.
• 42.3666673.15253 Llançà It is an important fishing port and tourist centre, and is a pre-stage in the Catalan Way of St. James, which formally starts in El Port de la Selva,
• 42.341493.202174 El Port de la Selva is a small fishing town, in the comarca of Alt Empordà, on the rugged coast of Cap de Creus. Set around a natural bay and working harbour, it mixes whitewashed houses, a long town beach and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. The area is popular for hiking, sailing and diving within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, and is dominated by the spectacular Romanesque monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in the surrounding hills. It is a stage in the Catalan Way of St. James.
• 42.2886113.2777785 Cadaqués is a picturesque whitewashed fishing town , set in a wide bay on the Cap de Creus peninsula in Alt Empordà, Catalonia. Once relatively isolated behind coastal hills, it has preserved a compact historic centre of narrow cobbled streets and low houses clustered around the church of Santa Maria. The town is famous for its association with Salvador Dalí and other artists, and serves as a relaxed base for exploring the coves and landscapes of Cap de Creus Natural Park
• 42.2633333.1756 Roses It is on the coast at the northern end of the Gulf of Roses, and is an important fishing port and tourist centre. Is one of the main entry points to Cap de Creus Natural Park.
• 42.3787463.0283477 Rabós It's one of the entry points to Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera. It has the splendid Monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera.
• 42.2826972.9814598 Vilabertran, Peralada , It has the Peralada castle, and grows excelent vines of D.O. Empordà .
• 42.2666672.959 Figueres has a wealth of history spanning many centuries that has been preserved and shown in several museums in the area and in the compact Old Town. Being the last major town before the Spanish/French border, it serves as a fantastic base to explore the upper Empordá region that is awash in great food, wines, and beaches that represent the Catalan culture. It houses the Dalí museum.
• 42.253.11666710 Empuriabrava, Castelló d'Empúries. Empuriabrava is home to one of the world's largest man-made marinas with channels cutting through the whole northern part of the urban area. Castelló d'Empúries has an historic old town and a basilica.
• 42.1763893.04166711 Torroella de Fluvià nice litlle village. It is documented since the 10th and 11th centuries as Torroella, Torricella and Torrezella and its church since 1279.
• 42.1899843.08374812 Sant Pere Pescador It has a sandy, 7-km-long beach.
• 42.1135763.13496613 L'Escala It is an important fishing port and tourist centre, and has a festival dedicated to its famous anchovies. Houses the Empuries open air museum with the rest of a greek and a Roman outpost 5 centuries BC.

41°55′59″N 3°4′0″E

Map of Costa Brava

Baix Empordà county Comarca del Baix Empordà)

• 41.9590123.03778314 La Bisbal d'Empordà It is the ceramics capital of Catalonia. and the entry to the Gavarres mountain range.
• 42.0530563.19944415 L'Estartit Due to its beachfront location and sunny weather in the summer, is quite popular with tourists from all over Europe. It has a nice beach and easy access to diving sites just off the coast, and to the Illes Medes. It's one of the entry points to the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park. It has a lot of Diving infraestructure.
• 42.0438893.12861116 Torroella de Montgrí Visit his castle and the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park
• 42.0203862.97344117 La Pera houses the Casa-Museu Castell Gala-Dalí in Púbol hamlet.
• 42.0022223.06972218 Ullastret small city with medieval downtown.
• 41.9747872.9992519 Monells small city with medieval downtown.
• 41.9777993.09009420 Peratallada small fortified medieval town
• 41.9716673.1521 Pals It's one of the many small medieval towns along the Costa Brava but it has a remarkably well-preserved historic village centre and a nice, large beach.
• 41.9541923.20883522 Begur The town is popular for its proximity to beaches, hidden coves, camping and food, as well as the Cuban festival Fira d'Indians in early September.
• 41.9181823.1630223 Palafrugell
• 41.8877783.18333324 Calella de Palafrugell a cozy family resort. The area features many small and genuine coves and beach. There are plenty of restaurants and places to stay when visiting— scenic fishing town.
• 41.8458333.12888925 Palamós Palamòs has several beaches with good infrastructure like the beach "Platja Gran" in the west. It has a big port for small cruises.
• 41.8176393.06827526 Platja d'Aro It is an important center for commerce and daytime and nighttime leisure on the Costa Brava. The town boasts more than two kilometers of beach and a set of coves that complement its landscape.
• 41.7805563.03055627 Sant Feliu de Guíxols Is an important port and tourist centre. The district abuts to the north, the upmarket s'Agaró resort built round the Sant Pol Beach.

41°45′11″N 2°51′53″E

Map of Costa Brava

La Selva county (Comarca de La Selva)

• 41.7205562.93194428 Tossa de Mar — a lovely seaside resort
• 41.72.83333329 Lloret de Mar — a beach resort with a reputation for its nightlife
• 41.6742.79211130 Blanes — Barcelona's nearest and southernmost resort with two botanical gardens, beaches and modernist buildings
• 41.8624022.6653631 Santa Coloma de Farners — Inland city near a termal area

• 42.4166673.051 Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera
• 42.33.222 Cap de Creus Natural Park
• 42.2198723.1072113 Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park
• 42.0745483.1622084 Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park
• 41.9158332.9794445 Massís de les Gavarres protected area
• 41.8077782.9541676 Massís de l'Ardenya protected area

Costa Brava has been a holiday destination since the 1960s. Some regions, like Lloret de Mar, are more popular with foreign tourists, while others, like Begur, cater more to locals.

The region starts in Blanes and goes for over 200 km (120 mi) to the French border. It can be divided in 3 subregions, which match with the coastal area of the administrative counties (comarques): Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and La Selva.

There is a lot of history in the region dating back 2600 years with the ruins of Iberian villages, then Greek outposts and Roman cities. In mediaeval times the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes was built.

In the early 2000s many Russians acquired villas around Costa Brava, inflating restaurant prices, and bringing many expensive cars to the region.

The official language of the region is Catalan and as is the case everywhere in Catalonia, all the citizens are also fluent in Spanish. In this region, English is very widely spoken and quite often French as well. Some people will speak German, but the lingua franca is really English.

• Costa Brava's main airport is Girona - Costa Brava Airport GRO ^IATA. Ryanair operate flights to the airport from several destinations in Europe and Morocco all year. Other seasonal airlines include Thomson Airways and Transavia.
• Alternatively, you can fly into Barcelona El Prat Airport BCN ^IATA. Airport shuttles operate between Girona-Costa Brava airport and the majority of the resort cities, Barcelona and Girona city centre.
• There are several sports airfields

• There is only train service in the north part of Costa Brava between Figueres and Portbou
• In the southern part only Blanes has Train nservice
• A high speed line runs North (France)-South ( Barcelona-rest of Spain ) with stops in Girona and Figueres

• The main bus company covering Costa Brava is Sarfa, toll-free: 902 302 025 (domestic).  (updated Jan 2026)

•  AP-7  (  E15  ) motorway runs inland North (France)-South ( Barcelona-rest of Spain ), and is the main road connection of Costa Brava

•  C-35  goes from  AP-7  (  E15  ) junction near Vidreres until Llagostera.
•  C-65  goes from  AP-7  (  E15  ) junction near Girona to Llagostera (connects to  C-35  ) to  C-31  junction to Sant Feliu de Guíxols
•  C-31  starts in  C-65  junction in Santa Cristina d'Aro and follows the coast until Palafrugell where connects to  C-66 , the follows the coast until Torroella de fluvia where it turn west to reach Figueres and the  AP-7  (  E15  )
•  C-66  goes from north of Girona on the  AP-7  (  E15  ) junction until  C-31  in Palafrugell.

•  N-260  road goes from Figueres until Portbou and connects with the   D914  in France.

•  GI-682  is a windding road from Blanes to Lloret de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols

There are many marinas in the Costa Brava. see the list in the Do section.

The main ports are:

• 41.67562.797251 Port de Blanes , Esplanada del Port s/n , Blanes, ☏ +34 972 330 552, [email protected].  (updated Sep 2023)
• 41.844813.1254772 Port de Palamós, Palamós, ☏ +34 972 31 45 25.  (updated Jan 2026)
• 42.256273.178733 Port de Roses, Roses.  (updated Jan 2026)

If you want to explore a lot of the coastal cities then renting a car is your best option.

There is regular bus service between the towns but nothing compares driving along and stopping where you like.

Have in mind that is a rugged terrain, so most of the times walk or cycle is not a suitable option, except for close distances, and sometimes not even then.

In summer there is plenty of organised tours. Check it in your hotel. They will provide bus, and a guide. An option to consideer if you do not has a car.

• The Cami de Ronda is a path that runs the whole Costa Brava, and usually is the nearest path to the sea, no matter if is a beach or a cliff. Is quite difficult at some points and all the time goes : "down to the beach, up to a cliff, and so on". Many times it joins the GR-92. It provides access to many hidden Coves and beaches. Usually it has breathtaking views over the sea.

in summer parking is a big problem. The clossest to the beach the biggest the problem. A lot of beaches has paid parkings, usually is a daily fee between €5 and €10.

The small villages use to have a parking at the entrance of the town. Many touristic villages has "blue zones" wich means is a paid parking. You have to look for the parkimeter or check if yor parking app is supported in the zone. Unfortunatedly there are no standarizations on the apps so is easy to end with more than 5 parking apps installed.

• Beaches and coves
• The Dali Museum in Figueres.
• Medieval ruins in Tossa de Mar, with some very well-preserved medieval ruins -- including walls and towers which protected the town between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.
• Traditional fishing cities like Blanes and Lloret de Mar and towns like Cadaqués, Tossa de Mar and Pals that have become important destinations for internal Spanish tourism.
• Visit Region Natural Parks. See #Other destinations

These are generally small-sized villages located on the coast that, despite the tourism boom, have managed to maintain their character as coastal towns closely connected to the sea. They have a resident population and the sea constitutes a fundamental element in the landscape's harmony and the maintenance of maritime activities and infrastructure, such as the presence of fisherman's huts, fishing cabins, bathing huts, fishing fleets, or elements characteristic of maritime culture. The best villages in this category are, in Alt Empordà: Portbou, Colera, Llançà, El Port de la Selva, and Cadaqués, and in Baix Empordà: Palafrugell and Palamós.

These are small villages located in a rural environment, known for the harmony of their overall layout, both in terms of the built-up area and their relationship with the natural surroundings. The main common characteristic is the absence of contaminating elements that would disrupt the aesthetic quality of the whole. The best villages in this category are, in Baix Empordà: Peratallada, Ullastret, Pals, and Monells.

They concentrate a large number of buildings and architectural elements of great historical and cultural value. These are towns that preserve important relics from the past and have managed to become a heritage of great value and attraction. The villages which fit in this tourist typology are, in Alt Empordà: Castelló d'Empúries and Figueres, in Baix Empordà: Torroella de Montgrí and Begur, in Gironès: Girona, and in La Selva: Tossa de Mar."

• Jardins de Cap Roig in Calella de Palafrugell
• Jardins de Santa Clotilde in Lloret de Mar
• Jardí botànic Pinya de Rosa in Blanes
• Jardí botànic Marimurtra in Blanes

• Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya-Empúries in L'Escala. Huge ruins of Greek outpost and a Roman Empire city. A must see.
• Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya-Ullastret in Ullastret. ruins of Iberic village (pre-Roman inhabitants)
• Col·lecció Museu d'Arqueologia Submarina, Ca la Pruna in Pals
• Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya-Girona in Girona

• Teatre-Museu Dalí in Figueres
• Museu Castell Gala-Dalí in La Pera
• Dali's House (Port Lligat Museum-House) in Cadaqués

• Old Catalan farmers museum (Col·lecció Museu del Pagès) in Torroella de Fluvià
• Faucets museum (Col·lecció del Museu de les Aixetes) in Campmany
• Salted fish museum (Col·lecció Museu de l'Anxova i de la Sal) in L'Escala
• Flour manufacture museum (Ecomuseu-Farinera de Castelló d'Empúries) in Castelló d'Empúries
• Museu Rural in Palau-sator
• Fishing museum (Museu de la Pesca) in Palamós

• Sant Pere de Rodes a Port de la Selva. See Cap de Creus Natural Park. A must see.
• Monestir de Sant Quirze de Colera a Rabós
• Sant Joan church (Església de Sant Joan de Saverdera) a Palau-saverdera
• Claustre de l'Antic Convent de Sant Domènec a Peralada
• Col·legiata de Santa Maria a Vilabertran
• Monestir benedictí de Sant Miquel de Cruïlles a Cruïlles-Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'Heura
• The Cathedral of Girona

• Gamble at the casinos in Lloret de Mar
• Hiking the GR 92 which runs all the costa Brava or the Camí de ronda which runs parallel to the sea.

These are villages on the coast characterized by a high degree of specialization in tourism. Their primary economic activity and reason for existence is tourism; they offer a wide range of accommodations and concentrate a large number of entertainment-related activities such as water parks, restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. The best villages are, in Alt Empordà county, Roses, and Empuriabrava, in Baix Empordà county there are L'Estartit, Palamós, Sant Antoni de Calonge, and Platja d'Aro, and in Selva county, there is Lloret de Mar.

• Golf Peralada in Peralada
• Torremirona golf club
• Empordà Golf in Torroella de Montgrí
• Golf de Pals in Pals
• Club Golf d'Aro in Platja d'Aro
• Golf Costa Brava in Sta. Cristina d'Aro

• Pitch & Putt Castelló-Empuriabrava in Empuriabrava
• Pitch&putt Gualta in Gualta
• Pitch & Putt Platja d'Aro
• Pitch & Putt Mas Torrellas
• Golf Lloret Pitch & Putt in Lloret de Mar

• Portbou port
• Club Nàutic Sant Miquel de Colera
• Sant Carles port in Llançà
• Llançà port
• Club Nàutic Port de la Selva, El Port de la Selva
• Port de Roses
• Port de Santa Margarida, Roses
• port Empuriabrava
• Puerto de L'Escala
• Port de Fornells
• Club Náutico Llafranch
• Port Marina Palamós
• Port de Palamós
• Port d'Aro in Platja d'Aro
• Club Náutico Sant Feliu de Guíxols
• Club Náutico Cala Canyelles
• Port de Blanes

Tere are many places to dive and a lot of companies. Check the official web at Association of diving centers on the Costa Brava

• Centro de inmersión Port de la Selva in El Port de la Selva
• Sotamar in Cadaqués
• Dive Paradis in L'Escala
• Mateua dive in L'Escala
• La Sirena Diving Center in L'Estartit
• Calypso Diving in L'Estartit
• Unisub in L'Estartit
• Medaqua in L'Estartit
• Xaloc dive in L'Estartit
• El rei del mar in L'Estartit
• Poseidon Diving in Calella de Palafrugell
• Oceanos diving center in Lloret de Mar

• kayaking costa brava (headquarters), ☏ +34 972 77 3806. shop and reservations central. Find them on the following beaches: (updated Feb 2026)
  • Cadaqués-Portlligat
  • Palafrugell-Tamariu
  • L'Escala - Cala Montgó
  • Palamós-Cala Castell

• Nautilus, L'Estartit, ☏ +34 972 751 489. Mar-Nov. They have glass-bottom boats and also classic sailing boats. visits to Medes islands and Nearby caves €25, kids €17 (depending on route). (updated Feb 2026)
• Barca Nuria, L'Estartit (T), ☏ +34 972 665 902. The Núria is a classic fishing boat, 9 meters long, adapted to transport passengers. It has capacity for about twenty people and has windows in the hull to see the seabed. from €24. (updated Feb 2026)

• Water world in Lloret de Mar
• Aquadiver in Platja d'Aro
• Aquabrava in Roses
• PP’s park in Platja d'Aro
• Gnomo park in Blanes
• Arbre aventura in Lloret de Mar
• Sould park in Lloret de Mar
• Aqua Brava in Roses

• Karting Club Blanes in Blanes
• Karting Empuriabrava in Empuriabrava
• Karting Cross Empuriabrava - Cross Park in Empuriabrava
• Karting Palamós in Palamós
• Karting Roses in Roses
• Karting Regencós near Pals and Begur
• Karting Formula Lloret in Lloret de Mar
• Karting l'Escala in L'Escala
• Karting Jocs in L'Estartit
• karting Parc d'atraccions in Llançà

• 42.263.109724 Ampuriabrava Aerodrome (Aeròdrom d'Empuriabrava). Mainly for parachuting with other private light aircraft activities such as pilot training and aerial photography.  (updated Jun 2024)
• 42.142833.051125 Airsport Viladamat.  (updated Jun 2024)
• 42.031873.18026 Aeroclub ULM L'Estartit Costa Brava, ☏ +34 972752058.  (updated Jun 2024)
• 42.007293.1537 Aeròdrom de Pals.  (updated Jun 2024)
• 42.011853.089698 Aeròdrom de Llabià.  (updated Jun 2024)
• 42.029172.990229 Aeròdrom de Foixà.  (updated Jun 2024)
• 41.6872.748310 Camp de vol de Palafolls (http://prair.com/), ☏ +34 649333674. formally is just outside of Costa Brava, but is the only one servicing the southern side area.  (updated Jun 2024)

Other cultural highlights of the Costa Brava are its music festivals, which gather a notable selection of creators and performers from all genres year after year.

• Festival of the Gardens of Cap Roig: Held in Calella de Palafrugell at the Auditori del Jardí Botànic, located in a particularly unique place next to the sea. This summer festival is open to various performing arts disciplines. Early July to mid-August.

• Torroella de Montgrí Music Festival: Taking place in Torroella de Montgrí, the festival started in 1980 and has always maintained Western classical music as the central axis of its programming. Over time, it has introduced extra musical elements and showcased other types of music and cultures. Late July to mid-August.

• International Music Festival of Castell de Peralada: Held in Peralada, this festival has been celebrated continuously since 1987 during the months of July and August within the monumental complex of Castell de Peralada.

• International Festival of Porta Ferrada: In Sant Feliu de Guíxols, it is the oldest in Catalonia, founded in 1958 in front of the Monestir de Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Its name refers to the oldest part of this monumental complex. Mid-July to mid-August.

• International Music Festival of Cadaqués: In Cadaqués, during the first week of August. The festival aims to reflect the artistic eclecticism of this town, a source of inspiration for countless artists. Its program encompasses a wide range of musical genres, from jazz to classical music, and even pop and rock, always betting on good music while maintaining its uniqueness.

• Calonge Music Festival: In Calonge, it is the oldest festival on the Costa Brava (since 1968). Classical, popular, flamenco, jazz, and soul music. August.

• Musicant: In Campllong, a festival committed to promoting the Catalan musical repertoire of all time. Late August and early September.

• Schubertíada de Vilabertran: In Vilabertran, the festival features lieder recitals, but also includes works by other composers, especially his contemporaries. Mid-August to the first week of September.

• Acústica Festival: In Figueres, under the acoustic or unplugged format, both emerging and established artists come together. The first week of September.

There is a big tradition of sing Havaneres songs on the beach. Many villages has an Haveneres festival in summer time. Havaneres were songs played by the XIX century sailors returning from Cuba.

The Costa Brava region has some renowned restaurants, including Miramar in Llançà with 2 Michelin stars, and la Llar in Empuriabrava and Els Brancs in Roses with one star each.

You can also find plenty of touristic restaurants with seafood and paella and traditional restaurants with Catalan cuisine in all the towns and cities.

Typical food products in Costa Brava

• Palamós shrimps
• L’Escala Anchovies
• Pals rice
• Butifarra del Perol - typical sausage
• Ampurdán olive oil
• Ampurdán wine

Typical dishes from Costa Brava

• Pa amb tomàquet i anchoves de L’Escala. Bread with tomato and L’Escala Anchovies.
• Arroz negro caldoso. Black rice
• Escalivada. Grilled aubergine, pepper and onion.
• Canelons. Pasta filled with meat.
• Grilled fresh shrimps from Palamos.
• Fesols amb botifarra de perol. Beans with Perol sausage.

Any coastal town or city in the Costa Brava have almost a bar near the beach to relax and take a drink.

Lloret de Mar is well known because of its discos and nightlife, but you can take a drink quietly on many bars near to the beach.

There is a Denomination of Origin for wine called, DO Empordà that encompasses most of the Costa Brava region and in the last 15-20 years, the wines have increased greatly in quality to the point of being quite recommendable. While you can hire guides, if you have a car, you can also easily make a tour of the cellars using a handy English language book that's available called, Vinologue [1]

All the cities and towns in the Costa Brava have camping areas and hotels for tourist accommodation.

One of the biggest areas for those arriving by caravan is between Sant Pere Pescador and L'Escala which during the summer has more Dutch and British license plates than Spanish.

The Costa Brava is generally a safe destination, but visitors should be aware of a few coastal and petty-crime risks common to Catalonia and Spain’s Mediterranean shores.

On beaches, it is important to respect the Spanish flag system: green means conditions are safe, yellow advises caution due to waves, currents or jellyfish, and red prohibits swimming because of dangerous sea or weather conditions. In recent summers, the Catalan coast has seen more frequent jellyfish blooms, so bathers should watch for local jellyfish flags or notices and avoid touching any washed-up specimens. Families with children should supervise them closely in the water, especially when yellow flags are flying or waves and currents are stronger than they appear from shore.

As on the rest of the Catalan coast, petty theft can occur in crowded resort areas, car parks and busy beaches, so keep valuables out of sight, avoid leaving bags unattended while swimming and consider using a money belt or hotel safe. When driving, do not leave luggage visible in parked cars at viewpoints or motorway service areas, where opportunistic break-ins sometimes happen. In nightlife zones of larger resorts, moderate alcohol consumption, stay with friends and use licensed taxis or reputable transport back to your accommodation.

• Barcelona - Barcelona the capital and largest city of Catalonia.
• Figueres - home to the Dalí museum
• Girona - Nice old town with an impressive Jewish quarter.
• Girona Pyrenees - Monumental mountain towns, ski resorts and la Garrotxa volcanoes.