//
Coastal region of Catalonia, Spain
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
The Costa Brava (Rugged Coast) is a coastal region in north Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain. It comprises 3 comarques (counties): Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and La Selva. It has rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches and sandy beaches. In the inland there are many beautiful small villages. It's one of the main touristic regions of Spain with culture and arts and historic places from Greek and Roman sites to castles to modernist sites.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
was a Spanish surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, precise draftsmanship, and the striking and bizarre images in his work.
Find them on the following beaches:
Find them on the following beaches:
They have glass-bottom boats and also classic sailing boats. visits to Medes islands and Nearby caves
The Núria is a classic fishing boat, 9 meters long, adapted to transport passengers. It has capacity for about twenty people and has windows in the hull to see the seabed.
By train
By bus
By car
By boat
There are many marinas in the Costa Brava. see the list in the Do section.
Camí de Ronda (Seashore path)
Parking
In the summer parking is a big problem. The closer you are to the beach the bigger the problem. A lot of beaches have paid parking, which usually is a daily fee between €5 and €10.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Girona · International · GRO
Loading places around the airport…
Portbou is in Costa Brava and is a small coastal town in northern Catalonia, at the end of the Costa Brava and just south of the French border. Wedged between steep Pyrenean slopes and a sheltered bay, it combines rugged scenery with a pebbly urban beach and a compact port.
For the infectious disease, see Cholera Colera is a small coastal village on the northern Costa Brava, in the comarca of Alt Empordà, between Portbou and Llançà near the French border. Sheltered in a quiet bay where the Albera mountains meet the Mediterranean, it offers uncrowded pebble beaches, clear waters and a laid‑back atmosphere even in high season.
Llançà is a small town of 4,900 people (2018) on the coast of northern Catalonia, Spain. It is an important fishing port and tourist centre, and is a pre-stage in the Catalan Way of St.
El Port de la Selva is a small fishing town on the northern Costa Brava, in the comarca of Alt Empordà, on the rugged coast of Cap de Creus. Set around a natural bay and working harbour, it mixes whitewashed houses, a long town beach and a relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Cadaqués is a picturesque whitewashed fishing town on the northern Costa Brava, set in a wide bay on the Cap de Creus peninsula in Alt Empordà, Catalonia. Once relatively isolated behind coastal hills, it has preserved a compact historic centre of narrow cobbled streets and low houses clustered around the church of Santa Maria.
Roses is a city of 19,000 people (2018) on the Costa Brava, in Catalonia. It is on the coast at the northern end of the Gulf of Roses, and is an important fishing port and tourist centre.
Peralada is in Costa Brava, Girona (province) , It has the Peralada castle, and grows excellent vines of D.O. Empordà . Also Catalan Way of St.
Figueres is a small city in Catalonia, Spain, with a population of 40,000. It is the seat of the Alt Empordà county in the Girona Province and has a wealth of history spanning many centuries that has been preserved and shown in several museums in the area and in the compact Old Town.
Empuriabrava (Ampuriabrava in Spanish) is a tourist area of 1 Castelló d'Empúries town approximately 120 km northeast of Barcelona on the coast of Girona in Catalonia. The town is home to one of the world's largest man-made marinas with channels cutting through the whole northern part of the urban area.
Sant Pere Pescador is a small town in the Bay of Roses on the river Fluvià, on the coastline of the Costa Brava. It has a sandy, 7-km-long beach.
L'Escala is a town of 10,400 people (2018) in Costa Brava, Catalonia. It is on the Costa Brava between the southern end of the Gulf of Roses and Cala (bay) Montgó.
La Bisbal d'Empordà is in Costa Brava. It is the ceramics capital of Catalonia.
L'Estartit a small town and seaside resort of about 3,000 permanent residents (in 2019) on the Costa Brava in Catalonia. Due to its beachfront location and sunny weather in the summer, L'Estartit is quite popular with tourists from all over Europe.
Torroella de Montgrí is a city in Costa Brava, Catalonia, Spain. The municipality includes L'Estartit which is on the sea coast, while Torroella is inland.
Llafranc is in Costa Brava, is a small village in the coast belonging to the municipality of Palafrugell. It is a relaxed, upmarket holiday destination that has largely preserved its traditional character.
Ullastret is in Costa Brava.
Peratallada is a very pretty town in Catalonia, Spain, 22 km east of Girona.
With a lovely city centre just a few miles from the shore, Pals is a popular destination in Catalonia, Spain. It's one of the many small medieval towns along the Costa Brava but it has a remarkably well-preserved historic village centre and a nice, large beach.
Begur is a town on the coastline of the Costa Brava in Catalonia. The town is popular for its proximity to beaches, hidden coves, camping and food, as well as the Cuban festival Fira d'Indians in early September.
a summer beach town that celebrates its heritage as a cork-growing community with a beautiful, modern museum about cork.
Calella de Palafrugell is a small fishing town in the municipality of Palafrugell, but it is equally a cozy family resort. The area features many small and genuine coves and Palafrugell's largest beach, Llafranc.
Palamós is a town in Costa Brava. It has several beaches with good infrastructure.
Platja d'Aro is in Costa Brava.It is an important center for commerce and daytime and nighttime leisure on the Costa Brava. The town boasts more than 2 km of beach and a set of coves that complement its landscape.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols is an important port and tourist centre in Costa Brava. The town contains a large monastery which now houses the town museum and is a protected historico-artistic monument.
Articles and travel topics about Costa Brava and Spain.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.