Holiday in the Costa Brava

What makes Costa Brava special as a destination?

The Costa Brava in northeastern Catalonia stretches from Blanes to the French border and is much more than a typical beach destination: rugged rocky coastlines, hidden coves with crystal-clear water, medieval villages, and the artistic legacy of Salvador Dalí make it one of the most fascinating coastal regions in Europe. The Teatre-Museu Dali in Figueres is the most visited museum in Spain after the Prado — a surrealist total work of art that Dali himself considered his greatest work. In Cadaqués, the picturesque fishing village that inspired Dali throughout his life, stands his home Port Lligat (reservation required). The combination of Mediterranean light, bizarre rock formations, and deep blue sea is immediately understood here. Tossa de Mar delights with its medieval fortress Vila Vella right above the beach — one of the few fortified old towns on the Mediterranean. The Cami de Ronda, a historic coastal path, connects the coves and villages along the entire coast and offers spectacular views of hidden calas where one can descend to swim. Medieval villages like Pals, Peratallada, and Besalú in the hinterland surprise with Romanesque bridges, Jewish quarters, and excellent Catalan cuisine. The region is known for its Michelin-starred restaurants — foremost among them El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, repeatedly voted the best restaurant in the world. The best travel time is from May to October, with September particularly recommended for its warm sea and fewer guests.