Follow the seaside north from Barcelona and you’ll discover the Costa Brava, a dramatic 200km (124-mile) stretch filled with picturesque villages, clifftop trails, and hidden beaches and coves begging to be explored. For centuries, the coast has been a source of creativity for artists like Salvador Dalí who drew inspiration from the many surreal rock formations in the rugged Cap de Creus Natural Park and mid-century filmmakers who sought out the scenic backdrops of Tossa de Mar.
The coastline is a summer paradise for vacationers who want to pad their schedules with long lunches and lazy beach days, as well as a playground for adventurers seeking coastal trails and routes by land and sea. There are profoundly historic sites like the ancient ruins of the Iberian peninsula’s first Greek settlement in Empúries, as well as prehistoric structures still standing in the hills above the Bay of Roses.
There is no true center to the Costa Brava, rather it is a destination that begs to be explored languorously, hopping from village to village and cove to cove.
When should I go to the Costa Brava?
The best time to visit the Costa Brava for a beach holiday is between June and September. July and August are the best months for swimming, but also tend to be the most crowded and expensive. June and September are ideal months to visit since you might luck out with a few warm sunny days that can make for a refreshing dip in the sea, but can generally find lower rates on hotels.
If swimming isn’t a priority, temperatures are cool and comfortable in the spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) and it’s generally sunny although an overcast and rainy week here and there is a possibility.
How much time should I spend in the Costa Brava?
It’s possible to take a day trip to the Costa Brava from Barcelona, but you should expect to spend at least two to three hours traveling there and back. Two or three nights is perfect for a weekend getaway if you pick one area to explore — like the Cap de Creus or the Cap de Begur peninsulas — but you will need at least a week if you want to do a more thorough exploration of the coast and visit multiple towns and scenic areas.
Is it easy to get in and around the Costa Brava?
Trains…
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