10 Best Things to See & Do in Costa Brava, Spain

Located in the northeast corner of Spain, Costa Brava has to be one of the most beautiful regions I’ve ever visited.  It has rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, scenic drives, vineyards, medieval villages, and so much more.  Although it’s easy to get to Costa Brava as a day trip from Barcelona, trust me when I tell you – this region deserves much more than just one day.  Here are 10 unforgettable things to see and do along Spain’s Costa Brava.

 

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1.  Explore the Medieval Village of Pals

Pals is a medieval village dating back to the 9th-century.  Its cobblestone streets, winding alleyways, beautiful corners, and viewpoints make it an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.  When you arrive, make sure to stop in at the tourist office to buy tickets to go to the top of Torre de les Hores, the highest viewpoint in Pals.

 

2.  Walk from Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc

This might have been my favorite thing that I did in Costa Brava – walking along the coast from Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc.  To do this, I recommend starting at Sant Roc Hotel (there is parking here) and following the “Camí de Ronda Coastal Trail” north.  The walk is around 30+ minutes and is easy and enjoyable with a few easy hills along the way.

Once you arrive to Llafranc, treat yourself to a seafood meal at Restaurant Terrassa Terramar.  And if it’s nice out, don’t forget a swimming suit so you can stop along the way and take a dip in the ocean!

 

3.  Visit Salvador Dalí’s House

Salvador Dalí, one of the greatest artists to ever live, and he lived in Portlligat (Cadaqués) in Costa Brava.  His house was turned into a museum which you can visit today and it’s one of the most interesting places I’ve been.  Not only did he live in this house for 40-years, but it was also his studio and inspired some of his most famous paintings.  To visit, you do need to book tickets ahead of time, which you can do here.

 

4.  Wine Taste at Celler Perelada

If you enjoy wine, you can’t miss the opportunity for a tour and wine tasting at Celler Perelada.  Celler Perelada is a family-owned winery that has not only won awards in wine, but has also won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2017 (it’s truly an architectural marvel).  The history of this winery is quite interesting, with winemaking tradition stretching back to the Middle Ages when monks first cultivated vines in northern Catalonia.  In 1923, Miguel Mateu Pla purchased the estate and revived its centuries-old wine heritage, transforming Perelada into a cultural and viticultural hub.  His family continued to expand the legacy – most notably through the creation of a modern winery and the internationally recognized Festival Castell de Peralada.  Today, Perelada blends history, art, and innovation, producing award-winning wines that reflect the region’s deep roots and Mediterranean spirit.

To visit, you need to book a reservation for a tour and tasting; or you can make reservations to dine at their on-site restaurant – Celler 1923.

 

5.  Enjoy Local Food & Drink

The Costa Brava region not only has incredible food, but it has local dishes native to the region with a focus on seafood.  Local dishes that you might come across (that I highly recommend trying) include…

• Anchovies from L’Escala
• Arròs Mar i Muntanya – this is “sea and mountain rice” and is incredibly tasty (it’s also different than paella)
• Taps – taps are a sponge-like dessert from Cadaqués dating back to the 18th-century (they can be purchased at Can Cabrisas in Cadaqués)
• Xuixo – this is another typical dessert from the region – a deep-fried and sugar-coated pastry filled with creme
• Catalan Fideuà – a seafood and noodle dish using short, toasted noodles

As for local drinks, you can find local wineries in the region, but another typical drink is vermouth which is generally enjoyed before lunch.

 

6.  Explore Girona

Girona is the capital of the region and is a city that was founded by the Romans and dates back to the 1st century BC.  During the Middle Ages, Girona became an important religious and cultural center, home to one of the most significant Jewish quarters in all of Europe.  Throughout its history, the city endured countless sieges, most notably during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s.  Despite its turbulent past, Girona has preserved its historic core beautifully, from its Romanesque cathedral to its winding alleyways and ancient city walls.

If you plan to spend the night in Girona, I highly recommend staying at Hotel Palau Fugit.

 

7.  Stay at Boutique Hotels Along the Coast

One thing that I wasn’t expecting was the number of incredible hotels along the coast and throughout Costa Brava.  Some of my top recommendations include…

• Boutique Hotel Villa Gala in Cadaqués
• Hostal Empúries in L’Escala
• Hotel Blaumar in Cadaqués
• Hotel Divino in Figueres
• Hotel Palau Fugit in Girona
• Hotel Restaurant Villa Salvador in Cadaqués
• La Bionda in Begur
• Mas Lazuli Hotel in Pau

 

8.  Discover Cadaqués

Cadaqués is a charming coastal town in the heart of the Cap de Creus peninsula.  Part of what makes this town stand out is the scenery – think dramatic mountains framing the town until they eventually drop off into the sea.  You have the historic centre and the Church of Santa María – both which you should spend time discovering.  Cadaqués is also where the local dessert – taps – comes from which can be purchased at Can Cabrisas.

If you want to spend the night in Cadaqués I recommend Villa Salvador or Villa Gala – both boutique hotels that have drawn inspiration from Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala.

 

9.  Rent a Car for an Epic Costa Brava Road Trip

In my opinion, the best way to explore the region of Costa Brava is by car.  You have the ability to go at your own pace, to stop in any village you see on the way to your destination (and there are a LOT of quaint villages you see along the way), and general freedom.  Plus, each destination has parking available so it’s pretty easy to get around with a car.

If you do want to explore Costa Brava by car, there are a few ways you can go about getting your car.  First, you can get your car in Girona (the capital city of the region) and drive from there.  Your second option (depending on where you’re coming from) is to pick up your car in Barcelona and drive to the region, which will take less than an hour.  If you are arriving to Barcelona you could also take the train from Barcelona to Girona (40 minutes) and pick up your rental car when you arrive to Girona.

When renting a car, I prefer to use Discover Cars to compare prices across multiple rental companies at once.

 

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10.  Spend the Afternoon at Villa Salvador

Villa Salvador is a gorgeous, adults-only hotel in Cadaqués.  Even if you aren’t staying at this hotel, you can still experience it by purchasing a day pass for the pool, or eating lunch at their gorgeous restaurant (which I highly recommend).

 

FAQ

Q:  “Is Costa Brava worth visiting?”

• A:  Absolutely!  Costa Brava is one of my favorite places in Spain and one of my favorite places in the world.  I plan to return many more times in the future!

Q:  “What is the best time to visit Costa Brava?”

• A:  In my opinion, the best time to visit Costa Brava is in the months before and after summer (May-June/September-October) when crowds are fewer and temperatures are more mild.  I visited in October and the weather was incredible – warm enough to go to the beach with mild mornings and evenings.

Q:  “What is the prettiest town in Costa Brava?”

• A:  Personally, I was most impressed with Calella de Palafrugell.

Q:  “How many days do you need in Costa Brava?”

• A:  You could spend weeks in Costa Brava and barely scratch the surface, however if you don’t have a lot of time to spend, I recommend 4-5 days.

Q:  “Can you swim in Costa Brava in summer?”

• A:  Yes, you can swim in Costa Brava in the summer months (and sometimes you can also swim in the spring or fall weather depending).

 

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Costa Brava truly captures the best of what Spain has to offer.  Adventure, beauty, relaxation… all in one destination.  I hope you feel encouraged to explore beyond Spain’s big cities and venture towards medieval villages and smaller, seaside towns.  If you have any questions about visiting Costa Brava, let me know in a comment below!

 

For more unique places in Spain, don’t miss…

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For more information on things to see and do in Spain, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinspain” or under my highlights for “Spain”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Spain” highlight

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