Beaches and watersports. One of the obvious attractions of the Costa Brava is the idyllic beaches. From endless stretches of sandy beaches to the nooks and crags of hideaway coves, the coastline is lined with beautiful spots. Stretch out and soak up the sun or hit the water to explore the sea. Sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing are all on offer along the coast. There’s also the Medes Islands archipelago, a cluster of tiny islands opposite Estartit. It’s a marine nature reserve with a fabulous underwater seascape and a gem of a place to go scuba diving or to be admired from a glass-bottomed boat.
Hiking and biking. The Costa Brava has several natural parks which are ideal for long walks and cycle rides - La Garrotxa and Cap de Creus are just two of them.
La Burricleta – the catchy name for these electric bikes merges the words for donkey and bicycle. Burricleta tours are available in various locations. Whether you want to see the scenery around Girona or cycle through the rice paddies in Pals, it’s an excellent compromise between walking and driving and you’ll get to see the best of the region without too much effort! The bikes come with straw paniers to stash your bags, a stylish cycle helmet, and a guide.
Montserrat is an impressive mountain with jagged, finger-like rock formations and a monastery which dates back to the ninth century. Go up in the cable car and enjoy hiking back down. Take a picnic and your camera.
The Ruins of Empuries cover two ancient settlements, one Greek and one Roman. History lovers will love the excavations and artefacts, and even those less enthralled with archaeology will admit that the sea views make it worthwhile !
The Maravelles Caves in Benifallet provide a welcome respite from the heat and are worth stopping off for to admire the stalactites, stalagmites and curious rock formations that will stoke imaginations young and old.
The Pals rice paddies. Walk, cycle, or take a little tourist train through the fields to find out exactly how rice is sown, grown and harvested. And what better way to end the day than tasting the local rice dish Arròs de Pals a la Cassola at a restaurant in the pretty mediaeval village ?
Empuriabrava - there are lots of waterparks on Costa Brava which make a great family day out. However, if you’d rather swap a closed environment for the freedom of the beach, then Platja d'Empuriabrava is the place to go. A fully-fledged inflatable water park is set up in the sea in the summer months.
The Dali trail – if you struggle to get reticent youngsters on board for a much-needed culture fix, then tracing the life of the surrealist artist Salvador Dali can facilitate the task. His colourful and extravagant works add a light-hearted zest of wackiness that makes a museum visit much more fun. The Dali Triangle covers the museum in Figueres, his home in Portlligat, and the castle he bought for his wife in Pubol.
Sélection
With its fabulous view of the coves on the Costa Brava, this rental holiday villa is a beautiful property just five minutes from the beach and one kilometres from a charming little village.
Discover
Sweet Cadaqués is a holiday villa on the Costa Brava in north-west Spain. This rental property comes with a sea view and a private pool in a picture-perfect holiday spot on the Catalan coast – all within walking distance of the picturesque village and its romantic sandy beach. The perfect combination for a family holiday in Spain!
Discover
Set between the Costa Brava and the Costa Blanca, Villa Playa y Sierra is a rental property on the Costa Del Azahar in southern Catalonia. The concept is all about clean, contemporary lines and top-notch facilities. This villa has been specially designed for a luxury holiday in Spain, with the Med on the doorstep and laid-back living at your fingertips.
Discover
Blue Costa Brava is a mountainside holiday rental property with a pool. Recently built, it blends in seamlessly with the hillside thanks to its structure, its colours and the materials used...
Discover
Traditional and refined, this former Masia (traditional rural home) has been tastefully restored, preserving its original architecture including vaulted rooms formally used for agriculture, the superb original staircase, exposed stones, terracotta floor tiles, interior wooden shutters, etc. The high quality interior décor perfectly matches these architectural features with the overall effect being very warm and elegant. Located in the heart of a lively, attractive village with abundant ochre colours, Villa Genuina has a large private garden and a superb swimming pool, well out of sight behind the high stone walls.
Discover
Masia Vina y Playa is a Catalan farmhouse to rent in the Barcelona area. With capacity for 16 people, it is the perfect holiday villa for large families or groups of friends. With a natural park on the doorstep and views of the sea and vineyards, this property is a haven of peace and the ideal backdrop for enjoying the best things in life.
Discover
Costa Daurada Pool and Beach is a luxury villa with a swimming pool for rent by the sea in Spain, for 10 people. This luxury house is located on the seafront, it benefits from a fine sandy beach just 100 metres away on foot. It's a spacious, well-equipped villa that's as stylish inside as it is out. The property offers a swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen, promising convivial meals and pleasant moments of sharing. It is located just a few kilometres from a fishing village and not far from Tarragona in Catalonia.
Discover
Ambiance Catalogne is a fine holiday property with swimming pool, in a peaceful setting on the edge of the village near Torroella de Montgri, around 10 kilometres from the nearest sandy beaches.
Discover
Villa Costa Brava is a modern villa for rent on the Costa Brava featuring an original design and tasteful decorative scheme.
Discover
A prestigious contemporary villa featuring an original design and tasteful decor, Green Costa Brava nestles in a leafy setting on the hillsides of Tamariu. The wide picture windows allow in abundant light, enabling you to get the most from the peaceful natural environment from comfort of the lounge and dining room. The villa's design is typical of summer residences
Discover