The must-see places to visit on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava enjoys a heritage blending medieval villages, seaside resorts, natural parks, and the artistic legacy of Dalí. Experience a variety of adventures between culture, nature, and seaside relaxation in the authentic Mediterranean setting of the Catalan region.

The perched medieval villages and their castles

The Costa Brava is home to some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Spain, witnesses to a thousand-year-old history. These fortified towns, perched on their hills or inland in the Empordà, are destinations not to be missed during your stay on the Spanish coast.

Pals and its fortress dominating the plain

Classified among the most remarkable medieval ensembles in Catalonia, Pals stands proudly on its rocky promontory. The Torre de les Hores, a vestige of the 10th-century feudal castle, offers an exceptional panorama over the rice fields of the Baix Empordà and the Mediterranean. The 12th-century ramparts still encircle the Vila Vella, where cobbled streets wind between Gothic mansions with golden stone facades. The Romanesque church of Sant Pere, dating from the 10th century, retains remarkable architectural elements.

Peratallada, jewel of carved stone

Peratallada takes its name from the moats dug into the rock (“pedra tallada” means carved stone in Catalan), an 11th-century defensive system that still surrounds an exceptionally well-preserved medieval architectural ensemble today. The castle-palace of the counts of Peratallada, built between the 10th and 14th centuries, dominates the main square. Its interior courtyards, its watchtower, and its vaulted rooms recall the prestige of this feudal lineage. The cobbled streets reveal Gothic arcades, mullioned windows, and coats-of-arms portals. The village hosts several craft markets from March to October. The low season allows you to appreciate the serenity of the place, away from the summer crowds.

Sant Pere de Rodes and the ruins of Empúries

The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, perched on the eastern slope of the Verdera mountain above the Mediterranean, is a masterpiece of Catalan Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 10th century, the castle is recognizable by its imposing vaults that dominate the Cap de Creus.

The Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries trace Mediterranean history. This major archaeological site includes the Greek city Emporion and the Roman city Emporiae established later. The restored mosaics, forums, and temples illustrate the commercial importance of this ancient colony.

Other medieval pearls of the Baix Empordà

Palau-Sator houses a 14th-century castle transformed into a stately home, surrounded by a town with narrow, vaulted streets. La Bisbal d’Empordà, the capital of Catalan ceramics, also has an imposing 11th-century episcopal castle-palace, currently the seat of the Comarcal Council. Ullastret, beyond its medieval village, houses the most important Iberian archaeological site in Catalonia, witnessing an occupation dating back more than 2,500 years. Finally, Begur displays its stone houses under the ruins of an 11th-century castle perched at an altitude of 200 meters, from which the view of the coastline and the Medes Islands is spectacular.

The iconic seaside resorts of the Catalan coast

The Costa Brava reveals all its charm through its iconic seaside resorts: Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Blanes, Cadaqués, Roses, and Empuriabrava.

Lloret de Mar and its hanging gardens

Lloret de Mar captivates with its Santa Clotilde gardens, akin to Mediterranean terraces overlooking the sea. These Italian-inspired gardens combine classic sculptures and lush vegetation. This seaside resort is among the liveliest on the Costa Brava, with peak visitor numbers between June and September. The old town preserves its Catalan authenticity with the church of Sant Romà and its shopping streets.

Tossa de Mar, maritime fortress

The castle of Tossa de Mar majestically dominates the bay since the 12th century. This fortified enclosure, perfectly preserved, is the only example of a fortified medieval village still standing on the Catalan coast. Walking through the Vila Vella (old town), nestled within its ramparts, feels like a stroll out of time. Tossa de Mar mainly attracts visitors from May to October, but its crowds remain moderate.

Blanes and its botanical treasures

In Blanes, the Marimurtra botanical gardens gather numerous Mediterranean and tropical plant species, harmoniously arranged to make the view of the Mediterranean even more spectacular. Opening onto the Costa Brava, the resort combines family beaches and a remarkable botanical heritage.

Cadaqués, Dalí’s famous white village

Cadaqués is a fishing village with bright white facades that has kept its soul despite the passage and fame of the painter. The Salvador Dalí house-museum in Portlligat marks this unbreakable link between the artist and this preserved location. It is a privileged destination where it is just as possible to browse art galleries as it is to discover seafood restaurants and coves accessible on foot, very pleasant between April and October.

Roses and its monumental bay

Roses is organized around a vast protected bay, suitable for water sports. The Renaissance citadel and the Greek origin of the city, founded in the 4th century BC by colonists from Massalia (Marseille), recount over 2,000 years of history. The beachfront restaurants offer suquets (fish stews) and the gambas de Roses famous throughout Catalonia.

Empuriabrava, the Catalan Venice

Empuriabrava stands out with its 25 kilometers of navigable canals, making it the largest residential marina in Europe. In this modern resort, it is possible to moor directly in front of your residence. Water activities, skydiving over the bay, and fine sandy beaches attract an international clientele all year round, with a high season extending from May to October.

Immo Center, our real estate specialist agency in Empuriabrava, has been established in the Spanish Venice since 1975. Our extensive experience is a strength: whatever your requirements, we know where to look to find an exceptional property or one closer to Catalan nature. Transparent and reliable, our service guides you in finding, among the most beautiful houses on the Spanish coast, the one that will give you the taste of living on the Costa Brava, or enjoying a profitable rental investment.

The beaches and coves of the coast

The coastline of the Costa Brava is dotted with majestic beaches and coves. From large family beaches to secret coves nestled between cliffs, there is a great diversity of landscapes to delight all types of visitors.

The family and accessible beaches of the Costa Brava

Platja Gran de Tossa, dominated by the medieval walls of the Vila Vella, is a 400-meter beach where visitors can find umbrellas, deckchairs, and beachfront restaurants. Families appreciate its calm, shallow waters.

In Empuriabrava, the beaches stretch along the Gulf of Roses. Platja d’Empuriabrava, one of the largest on the Costa Brava, is accessible from the canals and boasts comprehensive facilities: lifeguard stations, showers, water sports areas. The beach is wide enough to accommodate many visitors, even in high season.

L’Escala also has beautiful beaches. Nearby, the Greek ruins of Empúries add a cultural dimension to your day at the beach.

The wild and preserved coves

Cala Culip at Cap de Creus is one of the most spectacular coves on the Costa Brava with its turquoise waters framed by wind-sculpted rocks. The remnants of an old yacht club add to the unique character of the place. The total lack of services makes it a sanctuary for lovers of raw nature.

The coves of Begur are among the most photogenic. Sa Riera, made of fine sand and pine trees that slope down to the water, or Sa Tuna, a tiny pebble cove that shelters traditional fishing houses, add to the diversity of the landscape. Aiguablava seduces with its intensely blue waters and its parador perched on the cliff. It is recommended to arrive early in the morning in July-August, as access is limited.

In Palafrugell, the village of Calella overlooks the beach, with its colorful Catalan boats drawn up on the sand. In Llafranc, stroll along a long promenade lined with restaurants, ideal for summer evenings. Tamariu, more intimate, nestles in a natural circus of pines and rocks.

The Camí de Ronda, common thread of the coastline

The Camí de Ronda connects all of these beaches and coves via a historic coastal path. Once a surveillance trail, it now winds between cliffs, pine forests, and secret coves. The sections between Begur and Palafrugell offer exceptional panoramas of the Mediterranean.

The coves of the Costa Brava are varied, far from the tourist crowds, and enjoyable whether you are looking for authenticity, services, or want to go diving or kayaking. The quality of bathing waters is subject to regular checks, and most beaches boast excellent sanitary results.

The natural parks and protected areas of the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is not just beach and sun. The region is home to some of the most remarkable natural parks in Catalonia. In these havens of nature, set out to discover the Mediterranean biodiversity in all its splendor.

The Cap de Creus Natural Park: lunar landscapes and marine biodiversity

The Cap de Creus Natural Park spans over 13,000 hectares between land and sea. The rock formations sculpted by the tramontana wind create a striking setting where slate schist contrasts with the intense blue of the Mediterranean. On marked trails, observe the local flora, which does not fear the sun: thyme, sea lavender, rockroses, and wild orchids. The fauna includes rare species such as the peregrine falcon, the Eurasian eagle-owl, and several colonies of European shags.

The interpretation center at the Cap de Creus lighthouse sometimes organizes exhibitions on the unique geology of the site. During ornithological guided tours in spring, witness bird migration. At sea, the rocky seabeds shelter exceptional biodiversity: groupers, octopuses, nudibranchs, and Posidonia meadows.

The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà: wetlands and bird watching

Just 20 minutes from Roses, the Aiguamolls park covers 4,800 hectares. It is the second most important wetland area in Catalonia after the Ebro Delta. Freshwater lagoons, reedbeds, and flooded meadows host rare migratory birds such as the greater flamingo or the egret all year round. Observation routes are equipped with hides that allow you to admire purple herons, pink flamingos, marsh harriers, and Eurasian spoonbills without disturbing their habitat.

Season Observable Species Best Times Spring Herons, storks, migratory passerines Sunrise Summer Stilts, avocets, terns Early morning Autumn Birds of prey, ducks, waders All day Winter Pink flamingos, cranes, waterfowl Afternoon

The allure of the park is, just as the proximity to the beaches, a compelling point that could lead captivated visitors towards buying an apartment in Roses.

The Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park: a diver’s paradise

The Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park is a protected territory comprising the Montgrí limestone massif, the Medes Islands archipelago, and the lower course of the Ter river. The Medes Islands are a marine reserve where marine ecosystems can regenerate at their own pace. Dive sites feature drop-offs covered with red gorgonians, caves inhabited by 30-kilo groupers, and exceptionally rich underwater meadows.

On land, the Montgrí massif is crisscrossed by hiking trails leading to the medieval castle overlooking the bay of Roses. Karstic geological formations house numerous caves and chasms. The interpretation center in Torroella de Montgrí organizes family-friendly discovery outings.

La Garrotxa: discovering extinct volcanoes and ancient forests

Although located inland, the La Garrotxa Natural Park is worth a detour during a stay on the Costa Brava. Its 40 extinct volcanic cones and 20 lava flows create a rolling landscape characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula. The Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest, grown over a lava flow, is one of the most beautiful forests in Catalonia with its ancient moss-covered trees.

Some of the most beautiful places to visit:

• The Croscat volcano trail: discovery of a crater opened by scoria extraction

• The Santa Margarida volcano route: perfectly circular lake at the bottom of the crater

• The Tres Creus path: panoramic view over the entire volcanic field

• The volcanic zone of Castellfollit de la Roca: a spectacular basaltic cliff

The Can Passavent visitor center offers educational workshops on volcanism and organizes hot-air balloon flights over the craters.

Has discovering the coast’s wonders given you the desire to live there? With Immo Center, make buying an apartment on the Costa Brava easy and enjoy the marvelous pleasures of the Spanish coast whenever you wish.

The Dalinian triangle

The Costa Brava also houses a rich cultural heritage tied to the life of the famous Salvador Dalí.

The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres: a temple of surrealism

The Dalí Theatre-Museum, inaugurated in 1974, occupies the former municipal theater of Figueres, the artist’s birthplace. Salvador Dalí personally designed each space to create a total artwork where architecture and creations merge.

The red facade dotted with giant eggs heralds the dreamlike universe awaiting visitors. Inside, the Mae West room features a three-dimensional installation forming the actress’s face when viewed from a specific angle. The museum holds the world’s most significant collection of Dalí’s works, covering all periods of his artistic career.

The Port Lligat House-Museum: the artist’s intimate refuge

In Cadaqués, the Dalí House-Museum in Port Lligat reveals the intimacy of the couple formed by Salvador and Gala. This former fisherman’s hut, gradually transformed into an atypical villa between 1930 and 1982, testifies to the artist’s daily life. The labyrinthine rooms, Mediterranean patios, and the studio overlooking the bay create a timeless atmosphere where it is easier to envision the artist’s life. The guided tour (limited to 10 people every 10 minutes) allows appreciating biographical details: the library stocked with scientific books, the oval living room with multiple mirrors, the bedroom with a circular bed. Be sure to book several weeks in advance during summer.

The Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol: a tribute to the muse

The third vertex of the Dalinian triangle is in Púbol, where Salvador acquired a medieval castle in 1969 to gift to Gala. Restored according to his partner’s wishes, the Gala Dalí Castle blends Gothic and surrealist elements. The sculpted gardens, baroque furniture, and murals create a poetic whole. Gala has rested in the crypt there since 1982.

Every year, the cultural and natural sites of the Costa Brava charm many visitors. Tourist influx continues to grow, so owning an apartment or a house is a significant advantage. For some, it is the opportunity to vacation under the sun in a sought-after destination with rich heritage. For others, it is a real estate opportunity with high rental yield potential. The coast’s success also boosts the success of rental accommodations. With the Immo Center teams, find the best apartment on the Costa Brava and have an enriching experience.