30 essentials: the best things to see and do in Costa Brava (Girona)

One of the corners of Spain that has major tourist attractions and greatest historical charm is, without a doubt, the Costa Brava en Catalonia.

La Costa Brava is in the Girona province, and said name covers the coastal area that goes from Blanes to Portbou, on the border with France.

But some holidays in the Pyrenees Costa Brava, where according to the promotional slogan, “Live the Double“, also involve excursions into its interior, including the Girona Pyrenees.

In fact, on the trips I have made to the Costa Brava In recent years, visits have not only focused on the regions of Alto and Bajo Ampurdán or in Jungle.

Best tourism attractions on the Costa Brava

There are many attractions and arguments for make a getaway or spend some vacation area Catalonia.

Specifically, its famous beaches and coves, Its nature spots, or its cultural places with medieval towns with great charm y historical monuments, as well as the traces of the figure of Dalí.

But they also have a great role gastronomy, with restaurants with Michelin star, wine tourism, with interesting wineries to visit, as well as the active tourism, with various activities that you can sign up for.

Best beaches and coves on the Costa Brava

Now, the Costa Brava has earned great fame as summer vacation destination Thanks to their beaches and its famous bays.

Think about coves on the Costa Brava It also takes us to settings with great charm, such as its coastal towns, especially the old fishing villages of Calella de Palafrugell y Cadaqués.

We also do not have to forget Tossa de Mar, with its combination of tourist beach, coves and medieval castle; Palamos, where the traditional fishing activity is maintained; either Begur, with its historic site and castle.

• Here you can consult information with the best beaches and coves on the Costa Brava.

Another coastal attraction are those known as Caminos de Ronda, historic paths that run along the coast, which centuries ago were used to reach the coves, and that after the Civil War were used by the Servicio Marítimo Guardia Civil to combat smuggling.

These trails, duly marked and enabled, allow you to make a distance of up to 43 km along the coastal coast, from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Begur.

Here we tell you what it is like S'Agaró Ronda Route in the Aro beach.

Charming medieval towns in Costa Brava

If there is something that has always caught my attention in the Costa Brava They are your charming medieval towns.

These are places that show an architectural complex of great historical-artistic value and great charm, which combine walled enclosures, castles, churches, monasteries, and palaces.

In this regard, it is worth highlighting the historic center of the city of Girona, with an old Jewry who, due to his great charm, was the protagonist of the series Game of Thrones.

But also various towns such as in peratalla, with its charming and narrow streets with stone houses, Besalú and its historical Jewry: Pals, with its interesting Gothic windows in its houses.

Likewise, PeraladaWith its castle where traditionally the summer festivals, as well as the Romanesque cloister of Sant Domènec: Castle of Aro, with the benedormiens castle and its Gothic church.

As well Castelló d'Empuries, where is the one known as Empordà Cathedral: young men, film setting location Eight catalan surnames.

Also worth highlighting is the historic site of Santa Pau o Hostalets d´en Bas, with one of the most picturesque squares in Catalonia, both on the La Garrotxa region.

Monasteries in Costa Brava

From a cultural point of view, the Costa Brava It also stands out for its ancient monasteries.

To highlight the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, a monumental complex near El Port de la Selva, where its church stands out, built between the 10th and 11th centuries to welcome pilgrims, an exceptional example of the Catalan Romanesque.

Less known is the architectural jewel of the Canonical of Santa María de Vilabertran, with a 12th century cloister with the purest Romanesque.

Dalí Triangle in Costa Brava

And if we talk about art and culture on the Costa Brava, highlights the prominence of the figure of Dalí.

If you are passionate about his work, or the character, on your getaway or vacation you must visit the three places known as Dali triangle.

I mean the Dalí Theater-Museum in Figueres, the most ideal place to delve into the great work of the great artist; the Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat, where he lived and worked most of his life; and the Gala-Dalí Castle of Pubol, which was a place of rest and refuge for his wife.

Nature places in the Pyrenees Costa Brava

Regarding nature enclaves, and contrary to what one might think, the Costa Brava it's not only coastal landscape, but it offers a great variety.

I remind you that this tourist destination is delimited by the Girona Pyrenees, where you find some of the alpine ski resorts with greater tradition in Spain, such as La Molina, Masella, Núria y Vallter 2000, as well as the Nordic ski resort of Giles Fontanera.

Three places of great biological value have a great role on the coast of the Costa Brava.

This is the Cap de Creus Natural Park, Els Aiguamolls de l'Empordá Natural Park and Montgrí Natural Park.

Inside there are other notable places such as the Lake of Banyoles or Natural park of the volcanic zone of La Garrotxa, with the interesting enclaves of Croscat Volcano or Santa Margarita VolcanoAs well as Jorda beech forest.

Gastronomy and wine tourism on the Costa Brava

From the gastronomic point of view, after the path of El Bulli de Ferran Adria, a great innovator in world cuisine, is the Celler de Can Roca, with three Michelin stars and distinguished in 2013 and 2015 as Best Restaurant in the World.

But you have to know that the Costa Brava It has up to 14 restaurants that have a total of 18 Michelin stars.

This is just a reflection of the great gastronomic wealth that this tourist destination has, with outstanding sea ​​and mountain preparations.

Finally, if you are a fan of wine tourism, In the Costa Brava you count on the DO Empordá Wine Route.

Through it you can visit more than 30 wineries in different places on the Costa Brava, from Cadaqués to Palamós on the coast, or from Pals to Peralada in the interior.