9 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is the coastal area which runs all the way from just above the city of Barcelona to the French border. It’s characterised by cute little towns and villages, rugged rocky coastlines, mountainous peaks and stunning beaches, bays and inlets. Here are the things you need to know before you visit Costa Brava.
It's a large area
Natural Feature
The Costa Brava makes up a large part of the Spanish region of Catalonia. It runs all the way from the French border down to the province of Barcelona. It also extends west from the coastline, encompassing some of the interior villages and towns along the way.
To make the most of your trip in Costa Brava and explore the beautiful coastline via kayak during a full day tour with snorkelling, cliff jumping and lunch included.
You really need a car to explore it properly
Natural Feature
You can get to some places in the Costa Brava by bus, but the routes are not very extensive and journeys are long – stopping in all the small towns along the way. Many of the tiny villages and hidden coves cannot even be reached by public transport at all, so if you really want to see the best of the Costa Brava, it’s best to hire a car.
Dalí country
Museum
One of the Costa Brava’s most famous former residents is the eccentric artist Salvador Dalí. Dalí was born in the town of Figueres, around 43km north of Girona. Today, this is also where you’ll find one of his most celebrated and arguably his best museums – The Dalí Theatre Museum. At the same time, this museum is a great part of the Costa Brava culture history. Converted from a former theatre by Dali himself, it’s home to some of his most famous works. Other Dalí spots you can find in the Costa Brava include his quirky summer home in Portlligat, close to the town of Cadaqués, and his castle in the town of Púbol.
Full of quaint historic villages
Architectural Landmark
The area in and around the Costa Brava is dotted with many charming towns and villages. Some of the best you need to visit include the medieval town of Besalú, the beautiful hilltop town of Begur with its castle, the artsy white-washed town of Cadaqués and the coastal villages of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc. These attractions give a glimpse into the history of Costa Brava.
Girona is the gateway to the Costa Brava
Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark
It's home to an array of interesting museums
Cinema, Museum
They speak Catalan here
Natural Feature
The interior is filled with mountains and natural parks
Natural Feature, Park
West of the coastal area of the Costa Brava, the area is filled with soaring mountains, valleys and stunning natural parks. It’s a great area for hiking and mountain biking especially. Some of the best areas include the Montseny Mountain Range, the Cap de Creus National Park and La Garrotxa Natural Park – filled with ancient volcanoes.