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The Costa Brava - Hotels, Inns and Apartments for the Costa Brava

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The Costa Brava

The Costa Brava The Costa Brava is a coastal region in the province of Girona, Catalonia that starts near the French Border at Portbou and ends some 60km north of Barcelona in the town of Blanes. It is an outstanding destination for tourism with a combination of a very good summer climate, excellent beaches (most are Blue Flagged), clear warm waters, stunning landscapes (Costa Brava translates as the ‘Wild or Rugged Coast’), historical heritage and an abundance of nature, wildlife and unique micro-climates.

Since the 1950s it has been a popular destination for the rich and famous and has lent itself to tourist developments on a large scale and due to the Costa Brava’s popularity with the British almost everywhere you go there are “British Pubs and Cafes" where it is possible to get classic English Cuisine (Greasy Breakfasts and soggy Fish & Chips!) for those missing home.

Many of the resorts such as Lloret de Mar are very busy and have an almost twenty four hour party atmosphere, however in amongst all these are still many hidden gems for those who want more than just sun, sand and sangria. The local fayre is superb and we would urge visitors to actively seek out local restaurants and explore the local cuisine largely based on Fresh Fish and Seafood.

Travelling to the Costa Brava is very easy with a railway running the whole length of the coast, excellent Motorway routes, easy access from Girona Airport and Barcelona Airport plus regular bus and coach services.

Apart from sun worshiping the Costa Brava has a wealth of cultural and historic heritage to be explored, plus activities that are popular in the region include walking, cycling, sailing, surfboarding, swimming, diving, snorkelling, bird watching, horse riding and more....


The Costa Brava from North to South:

Portbou - Located on the border with France, Portbou is a small, but important town that serves as a dropping off point for French trains coming from the north and Spanish Trains coming from the south.

Port de Llanca - Consisting of Llanca Village and Port de Llanca this is a quiet peaceful resort some 15km from the French-Spanish border, with an active fishing port and a new yacht harbour. It is popular with tourists from France, Belgium and Germany. Hotels in Llanca

Port de la Selva - Situated on the northern coast of the Cap de Creus, Port de la Selva is an important fishing port and tourist centre famous for the Romanesque Abbey of Sant Pere de Rodes and its fabulous beaches. - Hotels in Port de la Selva

Cadaques - Cadaques is a small town and former fishing port on a bay near the Cap de Creus Peninsula. Only about two and a half hours drive from Barcelona it is very accessible and popular with tourists, especially the Spanish (Cadaques was a popular haunt of Salvador Dali and Picasso). The town has been sympathetlcaly developed over the years and still retains a quite rustic charm. - Hotels in Cadaques

Roses - Situated on the coast at the northern end of the Gulf of Roses, Roses is an important fishing port and tourist centre. Perched on top of the harbour entrance is the Castell de la Trinitat a restored castle that dates back to the 16th century, it offers magnificent views over the Bay of Roses and the surrounding area. - Hotels in Roses

Empuriabrava - Set in the Bay of Roses Empuriabrava is a very historical place with a Greco-Roman Acropolis on the shore. It has one of the largest natural marinas in the world and is a great place to learn to sail and sample the wonderful food that is a hallmark of the Catalan region - Hotels in Empuriabrava

L'Escala - L'Escala is situated on the Costa Brava located between the southern end of the Gulf of Roses and Cala Montgo. L'Escala is an important fishing port and tourist centre with Phoenician and Roman remains dating from some 600 BC. The area around L’Escala is relatively flat and Cycling is very popular here with the Pyrenees offering challenges to more serious riders. Tennis, walking, horse riding, fishing and other water sports are popular here and there are some lovely blue flag beaches. - Hotels in L'Escala

L'Estartit - The town of L'Estartit is situated between the foothills of the Montgrí Massif and the Mediterranean Sea. A delightful small town and seaside resort. A kilometre off shore lies the Illes Medes Archipelago, a world-renowned diving paradise made up of various uninhabited islands. The area is protected by Natural Park status and is home to many different species of flora and fauna, both above and below the waterline. - Hotels in L'Estartit

Sa Riera - set amongst rugged pine covered cliffs Sa Riera is a fishing village and holiday resort situated in a tranquil secluded bay on the Costa Brava close to the nearby town of Begur.

Begur - Begur is an important tourist destination on the Costa Brava. The town of Begur is set inland some 700 feet above sea level and offers great views over the coast to the Medes Archipelago. The town has important historical remains that date back to early history and a Medieval Castle constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. There is a busying nightlife and the popular beaches of Sa Riera, Aiguafreda, Sa Tuna, Platja Fonda, Fornells and Aiguablava are nearby. - Hotels in Begur

Aiguablava - Aiguablava is a small village and bay on the Costa Brava near Begur with a beautiful beach and spectacular cliff walks. It is a popular mooring place for sailing and motor boats.


Palafrugell

Palafrugell is a small medieval town at the heart of the region which also bears the same name. Within the boundaries of this area are included the coastal towns and villages of Tamariu, Llafranch and Calella de Palafrugell

The town of Palafrugell is set inland from the coast and at is centre is the Placa Nova a large square home to many popular bars, restaurants and shops - Hotels in Palafrugell

Tamariu - Tamariu is situated in a tranquil and secluded bay of the Costa Brava close to the nearby towns of Palafrugell, Calella de Palafrugell and Begur. Tamariu is south facing onto one of the most sheltered bays of the Costa Brava and has a coarse-sanded Blue Flag beach that extends nearly all around the bay. Originally a small fishing village, Tamariu has not been over-developed and has retained its individuality and charm with some excellent seafood restaurants, small cafes and bars - Hotels in Tamariu

Llafranch - Llafranch (Llafranc) is a "hidden gem" for visitors who want a little more than just sun, sand and sangria. This is an upmarket destination that is very popular with Spanish Tourists (i.e. Those in the know!). A true delight in summer with a pleasant ambience, staying at Llafranch is considered a luxury amongst the Spanish. The small shops around town offer designer clothes, great restaurants and fun entertainment - Hotels in Llafranch

Calella de Palafrugell - Calella de Palafrugell is a small holiday resort and fishing village on the coast, near Palafrugell and a short distance along the coast from Llafranch. It should not be confused with the larger, more commercialised resort of Calella, which is further south towards Barcelona. Calella de Palafrugell has moved steadily upmarket in recent years and offers some very high quality restaurants and hotels.


Palomos - Famous for the locally caught prawns Palamos is situated at the northern end of a large bay, which is popular for swimming, sailing and windsurfing The town is a major port and the only commercial harbour in the Province of Girona with one of the last remaining fishing fleets on this part of the Mediterranean Coast - Hotels in Palamos

Platja d'Aro - Platja d'Aro is located on the eastern end of the Vall d'Aro, a narrow plain between the Mountain ranges of Cadiretes and southern end of the Gavarres. Platja d'Aro was originally a small fishing village is now a major tourist resort overlooking a 2 km long beach - Hotels in Platja d'Aro

S'Agaro - S'Agaro is an upmarket resort on the Costa Brava between Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Platja d'Aro. The world famous five star Hostal de la Gavina dominates the view from Sant Pol beach and is a popular destination for kings, queens, movie stars and the rich and famous. - Hotels in S'Agaro

Sant Feliu de Guixols - Sant Feliu de Guíxols is set on the Costa Brava to the south of the upmarket S'Agaro resort. The town has grown up around the Sant Feliu de Guíxols Monastery which is a protected historic monument that is now home to the town museum. Sant Feliu de Guíxols has a lengthy coastline that includes many small bays and coves with rocky or fine sand beaches. The town is surrounded by forests of pine, oak, and cork trees - Hotels in San Feliu de Guixols

Tossa de Mar - Tossa de Mar is a holiday resort located on the Costa Brava, about equidistance between Barcelona and the French border. Tossa de Mar has three main beaches the largest being the main Tossa Beach which is less than 400m in length - Hotels in Tossa de Mar

Lloret de Mar - Lloret de Mar is one of the most popular holiday resorts on the Costa Brava some 40 kilometres from Girona and 75 kilometres from Barcelona. Lloret de Mar's main beach is nearly a mile long and consists of white sand consistently awarded the Blue Flag Status for cleanliness. Lloret has a busy nightlife that is very popular with the 18-30s group - Hotels in Lloret de Mar

Blanes - Blanes is a delightful tourist town at the southern end of the Costa Brava. The coast of Blanes has nearly 4km of varied beaches, Steep rocky cliffs and small inviting coves. Blanes while busy is much more peaceful than the nearby town of Lloret de Mar - Hotels in Blanes We had a fleeting visit to Blanes in 2007 and took a few Photos of Blanes that don't really do it justice.

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Useful Links for The Costa Brava

Holidays, Hotels and Inns for the Costa Brava from Lastminute.com®
Hotels and Inns for the Costa Brava and Catalonia from LateRooms.com®
Hotels and Inns for the Costa Brava from Superbreak

Spain from Lonely Planet
The Costa Brava from Wikipedia

Holiday Villas and Self Catering

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The Costa Brava - Hotels, Inns and Apartments for the Costa Brava