Are you planning to visit the Costa Brava and don’t know where to book your accommodation? This beautiful destination includes very different places so it will be useful to know which are the best areas to stay in the Costa Brava and what you will find in them.
This section of the Catalan coast begins in the town of Blanes and ends at the border with France.
The Costa Brava, in addition to its tourist attraction, is also synonymous with culture: two of its regions (Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà) take the name of Ampurias, which was the Greek colony Emporion founded in 650 BC.C. But, above all, the Costa Brava has gained many points in recent years for creating one of the best gastronomies in the world.
The best areas to stay in the Costa Brava
Although it is difficult to give an approximate figure of the number of establishments available to stay in the Costa Brava, the number is surely over 7000, being the apartment the most common model of accommodation in the Costa Brava.Girona
1.Girona
With the international airport just a few kilometres away, the A2 road that crosses it and the AVE connection, getting to Girona is quick and easy.A little to the north you can also visit the Monastery of San Pedro de Galligans and further south the Jewish quarter, with its historical museum.
There are also some Arab baths, you can walk along the Rambla de la Libertad or see the river Oñar running over several bridges such as the Puente de Piedra. Other places of interest are the Old Hospital of Santa Caterina or the various locations where scenes of Game of Thrones were shot.You must know that there are organized routes that cover all these points.
As for shops, the busiest streets are those between the historic center and the Eixample neighborhood. You will find all kinds of shops, from the most avant-garde to small craft shops. In the city, could not miss a municipal market, which is in the Plaza Calvet i Rubalcaba.
In Girona you will find all kinds of gastronomy and prices, we can’t stop talking about El Celler de Can Roca, one of the best restaurants in the world. If you like cinema and French food, one of the most visited is La Vedette, north of the old town.
For rice lovers there is the Arrós i Peix, with Girona dishes, or the Restaurant L’Alquería, traditional Valencian rice.And if you like the Basque pintxo, in the Txalaka you will find very good products.
Girona also offers a great nightlife with all kinds of establishments: Irish like Mc Kiernans or Celtic Bar; American with music, snacks and drinks like The River Café Girona and discos like Blow Girona, all of them in the old town.Port de la Selva
Despite the increase in tourism, it is still a quiet place with beautiful beaches, surrounded by mountains and in the northern area of Cap de Creus.It is well connected to the south with Cadaqués and to the north and west with the N-250, although it is not one of the towns with the greatest number of accommodations to stay on the Costa Brava.
The town has several small beaches and in the centre we recommend you visit the church of Santa Maria de las Nieves. You will discover a very typical architecture of Port del la Selva that extends to the rest of the town.
If you want to do some shopping along Carrer del Mar there are a few restaurants: the seafood restaurant Ca l’Herminda, Monterrey or Cal Mariner, the restaurant of a hostel in front of the beach. To enjoy the night Port has Mackintosh Discotheque, about 500 meters from downtown towards Cadaqués.Cadaqués
It is the most eastern town of the Iberian Peninsula, located in the Creus Peninsula and surrounded by a beautiful bay.Although it is a tourist town, due to the isolation produced by the mountains of Puig de Paní and Bufadors, it still has the air of a remote and little crowded place.However, the options for staying in the Costa Brava are varied.
One of the biggest attractions of Cadaqués is its coastline and its steep coves in front of islets. These landscapes have been responsible for the fact that great historical figures such as Dalí, Miró and Picasso have come to live in Cadaqués.In fact, Dalí took up residence in Cala de Portlligat in 1948, where the painter’s house-museum is currently located.
You can also learn more about the city at the Cadaqués Museum, visit the Castle of San Jaime or the Church of Santa María, one of the oldest buildings in the city, built in the 17th century.
Surrounding Cadaqués beach you will find several small shops where you can buy souvenirs and between shops there are many restaurants.
If you want to try fresh seafood and rice dishes, the best option is Es Baluard, in front of Cadaqués beach and overlooking the sea.
Not far away is the Restaurant El Barroco, located in an old mill, and back on the beach the Can Rafa.wherever you go, do not forget to try the anchovies of Cadaqués, a delicacy.
Although this town is quiet, there are also bars and pubs to enjoy the night.Further north, the Café Tropical and the Bar La Frontera are a little more lively, while further south there is the Brown Sugar cocktail bar and on the beach of Port d’Alguer, the Blau Bar and the Mut.
ACCOMMODATION IN EVERYONE
4.Roses
With its numerous hotels and other accommodation facilities Roses is another highlight when looking for a good place to sleep on the Costa Brava.Roses guarantees you to enjoy a good holiday with sun and beach, as well as other attractions.
One of these places is the Citadel of Roses, built in the 17th century on medieval, Roman and Greek remains, and you will be surprised by its entrance and its interior museum.Don’t miss the 18th-century Church of Santa Maria, the castles of La Trinitat and Soplalaraña, the Visigothic Citadel and the Mirador de Santa Rosa.Remember that only 7 kilometres from the city, in Cala Montjoi, you will find what used to be the best restaurant in the world: El Bulli (today a foundation dedicated to research into the creation and innovation of gastronomic science).To have a beer, you have at the foot of the Citadel the Cocktail Terrace, towards the port there are other places like Tutti Fruti, beyond the B/B Bar, and next to the marina the One Roses Beach Bar with live music,
ACCOMMODATION IN ROSES
5.Empuriabrava
It is located in the Gulf of Roses, north of San Martin de Ampurias and is not a place with a high density of hotels to stay on the Costa Brava, as much of Empuriabrava is occupied by canals with plots and villas on the side.
In addition to its canals, Empuriabrava also has a beautiful beach separated by a small marina that gives access to the marina.The town also has the Skydive Empuriabrava airfield and the Butterfly Park.
The shopping area is at the end of the canals, in the Carrer Aeroclub. In a matter of restaurants, we recommend you to go to the Plaza Eivissa where you will find: the Italian La Locanda, the Seafood Restaurant Casa Gallego or the Dorado Steak House.
In this square there is also the Club La Isla and Beach Bus.Or you can go down to Sector Moxo, to the south, where there are a few more pubs.
ACCOMMODATION IN EMPURIABRAVA
6.L’Escala
South of San Martín de Ampurias, L’Escala is a tourist village with a little more than 10.000 inhabitants and with a good hotel offer to sleep in the Costa Brava, especially dense in its center.
The place not to be missed, in the direction of San Martín de Ampurias, are the ruins of the Greek city Emporion, founded in 650 BC. We also recommend visiting the Parish Church of San Pedro and two museums to learn about the seafaring tradition of L’Escala: the Anchovy and Salt Museum and the Fish Interpretation Museum.
Precisely opposite the latter you can enjoy other attractions of L’Escala: its beaches, such as El Rec del Molí and La Escala, and its coves such as Montgó.
You can also do some shopping in the shops of the old town and try the local seafood at Ultramar, Bar la Punta, El Roser 2 -Mediterranean cuisine in front of a cove and with magnificent views of the sea-, or La Llar Dels Pescadors, in the port.
To enjoy the evening, we recommend Bodega Els Barrils, Pelly bar Cafeteria or Latin Nomus nightclub.
ACCOMMODATION IN L’ESCALA
7.Figueres
In the middle of the E-15 (main road to France), with AVE and several highways to go also from East to West is one of the best communicated towns of Girona.
Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres and for that reason you will find buildings dedicated and designed by the artist himself, one of them is the Dalí Theatre-Museum, where the brilliant painter lodged great part of his work and still today it is possible to be contemplated.
There are also other museums such as the Empordà, the Toy and the Electricity Museums, and other places of interest such as the Parish Church of San Pedro and the Castle of San Fernando, on the outskirts of the city.
In what is considered the old town, to the east of the Dalí Museum-Theatre, you will find pedestrian streets full of shops. This area, the most touristy, also offers very good food in the Tavern of the Barri Vell or Bocam, with wines and local products.In the central area you can have a beer in Venice or a cocktail in Chackra V.I.P.
ACCOMMODATION IN FIGUERES
8.L’Estartit
It is part of the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí and, although historically it was a fishing village, today its main economic activity is tourism. It has good road communications to connect with the C-31 and also bus connections.L’Estartit has good road links to the C-31 and also bus connections.
The marine nature park between L’Estartit and the Medas Islands is one of the great tourist attractions and where you can go scuba diving.This mountainous area separates the Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà and there are places of interest such as Montgrí Castle.
Once in the village, the Church Square, its marina and, of course, L’Estartit beach, one of the most famous on the Costa Brava, should be highlighted from its heritage.
In general, the whole town has shops here and there, but it is the sea port and the Carrer Santa Anna where you will find the most shops. Also in this area there are the best restaurants.
As the day ends and night begins to fall, L’Estartit comes alive in places like ‘Sala Mariscal’, with live rock concerts; the Chiringuito de Melchor y Josefa, opposite the port, and especially in the area opposite the Piazza Jacques Costeau, where there are several places like Podium.
The options for accommodation on the Costa Brava in this village are extensive, from the Torre Bonica housing estate to accommodation in the port itself.
ACCOMMODATION IN L’ESTARTIT
9.Pals
Plas is composed of three areas: the village, Els Masos de Pals and Pals Beach, the most touristic area with a variety of accommodation to sleep on the Costa Brava.Thanks to the C-31, which passes through the municipality, communications are good.
Near the beach there is a large golf course.Further inland, in Els Masos, there is an adventure park, and in the village of Pals, there is a small gothic quarter surrounded by a wall that preserves towers from the 4th century.
To eat in the village, we recommend the well-known La Vila restaurant, with traditional home-made cooking, or Ca la Teresa. If you go to the beach, the options are also varied with restaurants facing the sea such as Les Dunes, Un Pals or Solimar.There are also some Beach Clubs with a terrace, such as Sivana Beach Club or the Pub Braai further south.
FIND ACCOMMODATION IN PALS
In addition to this article about the best areas to stay in the Costa Brava you can be interested in these others of nearby destinations like: Where to stay in Barcelona, where to stay in Andorra, where to sleep in Ibiza, where to sleep in Mallorca
10.Begur
North of Aiguablava, it is well connected by road in all directions. With just over four thousand inhabitants, in summer the population is multiplied by 10.That is why Begur has one of the highest densities of accommodation on the Costa Brava.
Begur is divided into an old town and a coastal area, the former, with the famous Castle of Begur as its main symbol, is very much visited for its historical heritage.We recommend you to visit especially the old town, at the foot of the castle, where there are still some watchtowers that were built to watch over pirate raids.
It is also interesting to visit some Indian house built by emigrants from the city who made their fortune in America and, when they returned, they built their houses in colonial style.You will also like the Church of San Pedro, of Gothic style, as well as other buildings such as the Cultural Casino.
If you are more of a nature lover, around Begur there are several hiking routes and you can always visit the coast and enjoy coves such as d’Aiguafreda, in the area of Sa Tuna.
The old town is also ideal to do some shopping in its small shops, especially in streets like Bonaventura Carreras.Along with other dishes, you will discover in restaurants such as Fonda Carrer, Casa Juanita or Can Nasi that Roca fish can be prepared in many ways: with rice, in the oven, grilled…
If you go out at night, you will discover that the castle and the old town are fully lit up for walks around the centre.On Saturday evenings, a sardana dance is organised in the square and most of the pubs are in the town centre: Bar C Roack, el Jardí de Can Marc, La Lluna and some more.
ACCOMMODATION IN BEGUR
11.Aiguablava
It belongs to the municipality of Begur and is south of the town of Fornells.You can easily reach it by car, although the options for sleeping on the Costa Brava in the small bay are reduced to a parador.
Aiguablava is a place where you can go diving, jet skiing, sunbathing and swimming.the beach is not very big and in the summer it gets very crowded, but it is worth visiting.
The beach has two restaurants: Toc al Mar, which specializes in rice and fresh fish, and Les Acacies, with a similar menu and both overlooking the sea.
ACCOMMODATION IN AIGUABLAVA
12.Tamariu
Surrounded by coves and hills Tamariu is one of the quietest destinations on the Costa Brava.Although there are roads that connect it to Palafrugell, the mountains that surround this old fishing settlement keep it away from mass tourism.
The beach of about a hundred meters is the center of Tamariu.around it are concentrated hostels and hotels to stay in the Costa Brava in the area and some good restaurants as Es Dofi and Puerto Playa, both overlooking the sea.
If you want to go for a boat ride in the small bay, you can do so by renting a boat from Paco Boats, which is also very popular with scuba diving, water sports and hiking enthusiasts.
ACCOMMODATION IN TAMARIU
13.Llafranc
It belongs to the municipality of Palafrugell and is located in front of a small bay.The best communications by road are towards the west, it has good accommodations that make it a good option to stay in the Costa Brava and, although it is a tourist area, it still retains the atmosphere of the small fishing village that was.You can also enjoy a small but very well maintained beach.the village also has a yacht club in the port where you can rent boats.
In addition, if you leave the village towards the East, you will find the Monumental Complex of San Sebastian de la Guarda, consisting of the Lighthouse of San Sebastian, a watchtower, a chapel and the remains of an Iberian village.From this area you will get the best views of the bay and Llafranc, and you will recognize the Church of Santa Rosa de Lima in the middle of the city.
As for restaurants, near the port we recommend La Sirena; continuing along the promenade, you’ll find the Llafranc restaurant; two streets to the north is El Toc and, further west, one of the most popular: the León restaurant, specializing in grilled fish.Finally, to enjoy the night, on the road to Palafrugell there is an open-air discotheque: Costa Este.
LLAFRANC ACCOMMODATION
14.Playa de Aro
Playa de Aro is part of Castillo de Aro, a municipality that also includes S’Agaró, to the south.As far as tourism is concerned, it is the most important place and in summer the population reaches over 50,000 inhabitants. This gives an idea of the number of opportunities to stay on the Costa Brava that the municipality offers.
First of all, the extensive and good beaches of Playa de Aro are worth mentioning. Over time, parks have also been built, such as the aquatic park Aquadiver, the amusement park Pp’s Park, Costa Brava Parc Aventura or Everest Costa Brava.
At the end of the beach, if you like water sports, there is also a port with a nautical club and if you want to have a panoramic view of the area, you can go up to the Mirador del Pinell, between Playa d’Aro and S’agaró.You will find toy shops, large supermarkets, shoe shops, etc. As for restaurants, a good number of them are located in the Cavall Bernar avenue, which runs through the town.There are also some pubs on this avenue, such as Gib’s Playa de Aro, Trendy Coctails or the Secret.
And if you are looking for a more beach like experience, there are two very good beach clubs: the Buddha Relax Beach Lounge and the Xic Beach.
15.Tossa de Mar
La Selva is the most southern region of the Costa Brava and there you will find Tossa de Mar.Despite being surrounded by mountains, it has good road communications in all directions and is one of the best places to sleep on the Costa Brava.
Another very interesting place is the Vila Vella, a castle and its wall with several battlements of the 13th century, located in front of the coast and ends the beach of Tossa, with blue flag, you will also like the Parish Church of San Vicente, the 18th century, or the white Casa Sans, the 19th century, beyond the castle is also the Lighthouse of Tossa, with a small museum.
In the central area you can do some shopping and enjoy some of its restaurants, such as Castell Vell, a very well decorated restaurant within the walls, which also organizes guided tours of the castle.
Not far away is La Cuina de Can Simón, where you can try quality Mediterranean cuisine, and below La Placeta.Already in front of the beach, there are others of interest such as the Italian Piccola Nostra and the seafood restaurant Tepes del Mar.
Back in the old town, you can have a drink at night in the Disco Pub San Antonio, the terrace bar El Triket or, on the promenade, in the cocktail bar Cocoa Beach.
MEETING IN TOSSA DE MAR
16.Lloret de Mar
With almost 40.000 inhabitants, it is a major tourist destination, its accommodation offer also makes it one of the best places to stay on the Costa Brava, and communications are very good in any direction.
Lloret is famous for its beaches of fine golden sand and clear waters.Its main coastline is flanked by two monuments: La Dona Marinera to the west and a monument in honour of the women who waited for their husbands to return from the sea, and the Castillo d’en Plaja in Sa Caleta.
This castle is well preserved, but as it is in private hands it is not accessible. In between, in front of the beach, for those interested in learning about Lloret’s seafaring history, is the Museu del Mar.
Not far away is the Church of San Román and further to the east is the 11th century Castle of San Juan, which still has its Homage Tower. For family visits, don’t miss the Water World Park, Gnomo Park and the Santa Clotilde Botanical Gardens, on the outskirts.
Practically from the promenade to the outskirts in the northern area, there are several streets like San Pere with a multitude of shops.
