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The most beautiful villages of the Costa Brava

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Do you know the most beautiful villages of the Costa Brava? Looking for what to see, do or visit in this area?

Well, whether you are passing through or if you are going to stay a few days on the coast of Girona, this is of interest to you. Throughout this article, we are going to talk about coastal towns and medieval villages with beaches and mountains, history, culture, gastronomy, and a great variety of leisure activities to do.

So pay attention, because in Willy’s Plan we summarize the most charming villages of the Costa Brava, so you can take advantage of your time in the best possible way, and do not remain indifferent. Ready?

1. Llafranc, Callela de Palafrugel

This small and cozy village on the coast of Girona has only one beach, located at the foot of the mountain of Sant Sebastia, but you do not need more to do tourism on the Costa Brava because it is spectacular. Although it barely exceeds 316 inhabitants, in summer the population grows because it is filled by many people from the city who have their second residence there. Without forgetting the architectural charm of its narrow streets and buildings, enjoy a great plan for its cozy promenade, strolling under the shade of its trees, savoring a sandwich or enjoying a nice sunny day at the edge of the beach.

One of the most outstanding routes through Llafranc is the fishermen’s route. A short tour that shows how this practice gained strength until it became the main economic livelihood of the town. Another of the small excursions around Llafranc that is worth doing is to reach Tamariu, passing by the lighthouse of Sant Sebastià, taking a swim in the Cala Pedrosa and ending with a well-deserved rest in Calella. We recommend you to go to the viewpoint of Sant Sebastià, next to the entrance of the restaurant of the lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular sunset.

Llafranc is not only ideal for a relaxing getaway in Catalonia, but will also appeal to water sports enthusiasts, with a wide range of activities in its yacht club.

For more info: Route from the beach of Llafranc to Far de Sant Sebastià

Cadaqués

excursion cadaques

Cadaqués is a fishing and artisanal village full of life that you will love, one of the best places on the Costa Brava. According to Dalí, it is “the most beautiful village in the world”. Get to know its history getting lost in its old town, its walls and its labyrinthine streets and especially with its famous suquet de peix, a typical delicacy of its wide range of gastronomy.

Then stop by Cala Sabolla or Far de Calanans, the best beaches of the Costa Brava and of great importance to Cadaqués, as it allowed the entry of many boats to the town, working in turn as a seaport and commercial port of the city. It was built on a cliff, so its access was very complicated and the materials arrived by sea, representing a great challenge for the engineers and architects of the time. An effort that today is a tourist attraction for many, where they can enjoy wonderful views of the town and spectacular sunsets. In addition, this lighthouse has been the protagonist of a famous movie like “Perdona si te llamo amor”, directed by Joaquín Llamas. Undoubtedly, a very nice place on the Costa Brava that you can not miss for anything in the world.

For more info: Excursion through Cadaqués, Far Calanans and Cala Saboya

3. Lloret de mar

excursion lloret de mar

Lloret de Mar, one of the most charming places on the Costa Brava, is transformed according to the time of year. In summer it receives thousands of tourists who fill its beaches, enjoy leisure and sports activities and, above all, enjoy the lively nightlife in bars, terraces and nightclubs. However, if you prefer a little more tranquility, in other seasons of the year the population is reduced to its inhabitants and it is the perfect time to enjoy the beaches and coves quietly, go shopping in the old town or dine and go out at night without crowds. If you go at the right time it is one of the quietest places on the Costa Brava.

Although its main attractions are its beaches and coves with crystal clear waters, such as Sa Caleta, you can not leave aside the history and culture of the town, which will turn your trip into an enriching experience. In addition to the castle of Sant Joan, the famous Camins de Ronda or the Church of Sant Romà, if you are passionate about modernist art, one of the routes through Lloret de Mar would be to visit Can Font, a nineteenth century manor house that is a clear example of the influence of this trend in the area, the modernist cemetery or the Gardens of Santa Clotilde, which still retain the Italian Renaissance authenticity.

In the Indian house of Can Garriga, of great historical value and right on the seafront, is the Museum of the Sea, another essential place in Lloret del Mar. This three-story building will show you in an incredibly special way the close relationship that the town has had throughout history with the sea and navigation. It is one of those villages of the Costa Brava to visit as soon as you can.

For more info: Route from the Iberian Settlement Turó Rodó to Cala dèn Trons

4. Tossa de Mar

This medieval village is one of the most popular destinations on the Costa Brava. The success of this place is due to its exceptional Mediterranean climate, which allows you to enjoy a large number of sunny days most of the year, making it one of the best places to visit in Girona.

One of the most typical routes through Tossa de Mar is a walk through the medieval enclosure, between narrow alleys paved in stone and numerous houses that recreate what the town was in its splendor during the medieval period.

In addition to the Cala Codolar, you have the Torre des Moros and the Castell de Tossa. The castle of Tossa del Mar was declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument of Girona and today remains an important representation of medieval architecture. The Torre des Moros or Torre de Can Magí was built in the 16th century to protect a large part of the Costa Brava from the invasions that ravaged the land at that time. It will dazzle you with promising views of the old town of Vila Vella Tossa and the beautiful coasts and nature of Tossa de Mar.

Nor can you miss the Sa Roqueta neighborhood, the traditional fishermen’s neighborhood where the best entertainment, bars and restaurants are concentrated, where you can share an incredible evening with family, friends or partner.

For more info: Hiking routes and excursions in Tossa de Mar

5. Begur

cala aiguablava en begur

Located between Estartit, to the north, and Palamós, to the south, this small village in the Baix Ampurdà with a little more than 4,000 inhabitants (in summer it reaches 20,000), is a real gem with a deep gastronomic and historical personality reflected in every house, every street and every corner.

The best known image of Begur is undoubtedly the medieval castle that presides over the town, but there are also other interesting places to visit. You have the numerous Indian houses, colonial style buildings built by begurenses who in the nineteenth century emigrated to “the Americas” fleeing the economic crisis of the time, and later returned with an important fortune. There are also the defense towers of the sixteenth century (legacy of the time when pirates sailed the Mediterranean and built by the begurenses as a means of refuge against their assaults), the Gothic church dedicated to St. Peter or other historic buildings such as the Cultural Casino or the Old Schools. The visit to the castle of Begur is free, so you can freely access and enjoy the incredible panoramic views that offers much of the Costa Brava and the villages surrounding Begur.

On the Costa Brava it breathes tranquility, invites you to rest, and is the perfect place. You can’t miss Cala Sa tuna either. Its small houses in the middle of narrow streets, still retain the charm of the old fishing port and stunning sea views that undoubtedly make it a perfect place on the Costa Brava to disconnect.

Do not hesitate to consult our Route from Begur to Cala Sa tuna!

5. Roses

Mejores playas Cataluña

Roses is the most important tourist town on the northern Costa Brava and the closest to the European capitals. Located in a privileged place in the bay to which it gives its name, the orientation of the village makes its sunsets an impressive spectacle.

Its coves and beaches surrounded by pine trees are one of its main attractions, to which must be added a complete range of accommodation and restaurants designed for family tourism, making it ideal for a getaway with children in Catalonia.

Surrounded by the mountain of Cap de Creus, in addition to being a major tourist center with a marina and the most prominent fishing port on the north coast, its coastline offers a succession of small coves that are the sunniest in Catalonia. such as Canyelles Petites, Almadraba (or Canyelles Grosses), Murtra, Rustella, Montjoi, Pelosa and Jóncols.

Its extensive beaches of fine sand are suitable for all activities, both sporting and nautical. You can also make excursions to the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, the Visigothic settlement of Puig Rom or the megalithic complex.

7. Peralada

pueblos costa brava

Northeast of Figueres, the small medieval village of Peralada, one of the most beautiful areas of the Bavarian coast, is located in the middle of a region devoted to viticulture. This town is known in part thanks to its golf course and its exceptional casino, but above all thanks to its wineries, where the prestigious Catalan cava is tasted.

A visit to the Doménec Cultural Center located in the Claustre de Sant Domeneç, a 13th century Romanesque monument and the only remaining vestige of an Augustinian convent founded in the 11th century, is a must. Its great attraction is its capitals decorated with biblical and profane scenes.

The symbol of Peralada is the Castell de Peralada, with its towers, battlements and gardens with centenary trees. This ancient residence of the Counts of Peralada was built in the 14th century and at the end of the 16th century transformed into a palace. Today, the property is privately owned and cannot be visited in its entirety. However, one part of the castle houses the elegant casino and the gardens are open in July and August for the Peralada International Music Festival.

You should also visit the Museum of Glass, with Spanish ceramics from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century and the Convent of Carmen, where the Suqué – Mateu collection, one of the most important Catalan art collections, is exhibited. In the impressive library of its museum you can find up to a collection of 1000 different editions of Don Quixote.

Did you like our selection of the most beautiful villages of the Costa Brava? If you miss any of them, don’t hesitate to recommend them in the comments! 🙂

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