Looking for an escape from the lively and bustling city of Barcelona? Experience the beautiful Costa Brava, which stretches from Blanes town to the French border, with an array of beautiful buildings, delicious restaurants and endless beaches. This Spanish region ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable Mediterranean getaway.
How to get there from Barcelona
There are a variety of ways to reach the incredible Costa Brava. Firstly, travelling by car from Barcelona takes around an hour; during this journey, you can drive through idyllic towns and places.
Public transport is also readily available; Renfe trains are the most convenient option, as you will arrive in Girona in only about 40 minutes. You can buy your train tickets online, at the station or by using your metro card. Or if you prefer buses, the journey is slightly longer, about 1 and a half hours.
When is the best time to go?
The ideal time to visit Costa Brava is in May, just before the touristy summer arrives. The weather is warm yet not too hot, which is perfect for exploring and hiking in the mountains. However, the Costa Brava during July and August is an extremely busy and popular time to visit, with high temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees. If you want to avoid busy crowds, visit in September; it is much quieter and the sea is the perfect temperature to have a quick dip!
What to do and see
Costa Brava is arguably the most beautiful part of Spain, with plenty of delightful towns to explore. The towns are small-scale and close to each other, making it easy to discover and explore many of them in one day. For a more tranquil escape, head to Blanes, an enchanting old town with an active fishing port and charming botanical gardens overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean coastline.
If you are not looking to follow the typical tourist route, visit Begur and Fornells; they are underrated yet magnificent towns and villages. Both places have coves with sparkling water and are surrounded by mountains, the perfect place to hike, explore and sunbathe.
For a more historical experience, discover the well-known town of Girona, located just off the coast. This town is filled with Jewish quarters as well as 12th-century Mediterranean buildings. This is also a dream holiday destination for Game of Thrones fans as much of the series was filmed in multiple locations in the Old Town, such as the Girona Cathedral and much more!
Not only can you discover these incredible towns, but you also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the life and works of one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century, Salvador Dalí. In Figueres, his birthplace, you can visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, a rather popular tourist destination, home to some of his quirky and impressive works, which allows you to gain an insight into the mind of this impressive artist.
Everything you need to plan your trip in 2025
Gastronomy
Costa Brava offers a variety of incredible restaurants that are meant to be savoured slowly, all while in good company. Treat yourself to a three-Michelin-star restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, Girona. The restaurant has been run by three brothers for over 30 years, with exquisite tasting menus.
Satisfy your seafood craving at Miramar, a two-star emblematic restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine as well as seafood Á La Carte dishes and set menus that will leave you wanting more, as you marvel at the views over Llança Bay.
For one-of-a-kind and sustainable cuisine, the traditional 2-Michelin-star restaurant, Bo TiC, is nestled in Alt Empordà and run by chef Albert Sastregener and sommelier Cristina Torrent. The couple provides customers with an extensive wine list and high-quality service, with delightful gastronomy.
Beaches
Costa Brava has an abundance of beaches that are just waiting to be explored! With a coastline of over 200km, you can relax and discover Lloret del Mar, Tossa de Mar and Calella de Palafrugell, just to name a few. If you are an adrenaline junky, you can experience a variety of watersports such as Parasailing, which offers you stunning birds-eye views of the Mediterranean coastline. For those looking for a speedy ride, try out jet skiing. At well-known beaches like Lloret del Mar, you can rent out jet skis solo or with a partner and race over the waves for an unforgettable ride. For a more relaxed activity, hop on board a catamaran and indulge in a glass of cava whilst sailing across the Mediterranean, the perfect scenic, calm and memorable activity.
Costa Brava festivals
Porta Ferrada festival
During July and August, the Porta Ferrada Festival takes place. Established in 1958, this festival offers renowned artists as well as local talent. Previously, artists such as Tom Jones, Two Door Cinema Club, Antònia Font and many more! The tickets are from 15 to 65 euros, depending on the artist you want to see.
Cap Roig festival
The Cap Roig Festival is held from late July to the third week of August, located in the botanical gardens of Cap Roig Castle. This event is popular with the locals, as the majority of the acts are Spanish. However, there are some well-known acts too, with Michael Bublé, Tom Jones and James Blunt hitting the stage this year.
festival Castell Peralada
Festival Castell Peralada is held in the gardens of the Peralada castle, it runs from July until the middle of August with a variety of performances such as ballet, rock, pop or opera. Not only is the festival held here, but there is also a 5-star hotel with a casino and a hotel, which would complete your festival experience. Additionally, it is home to one of the best wineries in the Costa Brava.
When visiting Costa Brava for the first time, you will be presented with numerous activities, stunning sights, beautiful towns, top-quality restaurants… the list goes on. Whether you are searching for a relaxing and luxurious break by sunbathing on a catamaran or want to take part in unforgettable activities and treat yourself to fine dining. This beautiful Spanish region offers something that you cannot find anywhere else.
Sandra Roig
Sandra Roig is Marketing Director at AB Apartment Barcelona. AB Apartment Barcelona is an apartment rental agency offering over one thousand short and long term apartments across Barcelona. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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