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Best things to do in the Costa Brava
Heading to the Costa Brava? Put these essential things to do on your list and see the best of Spain’s Wild Coast.
The Costa Brava – which translates to ‘wild coast’ – is certainly not short of attractions. Of course, there’s the sandy shoreline itself, which unfurls from the French border all the way to Blanes. But the most northerly costa also packs in culture courtesy of cities like Girona and charming towns like Tossa de Mar, nature via the leafy Marimurtra Botanical Gardens, and culinary treasures at the fishing villages and seaside towns this sandy stretch ticks off along the way. Wondering where to start? Try these things to do in the Costa Brava for size…
Explore the shore at Lloret de Mar
First things first. Any visit to the Costa Brava starts on its namesake shoreline, and you’ve got bundles of beaches to pick from. Lloret de Mar is a good place to start, with five sand-and-shingle sweeps and plenty of places to eat and drink with those all-important sea views. Want to see things from a different perspective? Try a sailing experience. You’ll glide along the Costa Brava in a catamaran, stopping off at hidden coves and secret swim spots along the way.
Dine on net-fresh seafood
The Costa Brava’s got front-row seats to the Mediterranean Sea, so the catch of the day features heavily on restaurant menus here. Try a regional favourite like Arros Negre, or black rice – juicy squid cooked in its own ink, tossed with red peppers, garlic and onion, and served with rice. If you’re feeling fancy, the region has an impressive collection of Michelin-starred restaurants to work your way around. And if you’re partial to a glass of wine, good news – the DO Empordà Wine Route lines up more than 30 wineries in the region, with plenty of tours, tastings and experiences.
Visit a medieval town
Head inland from the coast and the Costa Brava is home to a clutch of towns that still wear their medieval roots on their sleeve. Think cobbled streets, age-old castles and Romanesque churches – all wrapped in ancient defensive walls. While there are plenty of places to pick from, Tossa de Mar is a great place to start. Explore the narrow streets of the Vila Vella, as it’s known, take in the Gothic façade of Sant Vicenc old church and get a snap of the Tossa lighthouse. Then rest your legs on the town’s main beach, Platja Gran. You’ve earned it.
Explore Marimurtra Botanical Gardens
This slice of Spain is famous for its scenery, and nowhere showcases it in all its glory quite like the Marimurtra Botanical Gardens. The Mediterranean Sea peeps through more than 4,000 plants in this chilled-out oasis. And if you book a morning walking tour you’ll be able to skip the queue and arrive nice and early – when this place at its Zen-like best.
Or for more inspo, read about the best hidden beaches in the Costa Brava, top things to do in Spain and our favourite hotels in Spain.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Katie Gregory
Last updated: 16.07.2024
Photo Credits: Turisme Tossa de Mar, Oscar Rodbag, Sara Guerrero, Jaume Campderros, Sira Ayats