Costa Brava
Costa Brava Holidays 2017/2018
The seaside region of Costa Brava is a popular yet peaceful Spanish destination renowned for its stunning mountainous landscapes and incredibly-preserved historical buildings. And then of course, there are the beaches – stretching for miles and lined with restaurants and bars. On Costa Brava holidays the shoreline can be your playground for watersports or your pleasantly warm napping spot of choice. It's up to you.
Regions
Lots to do
There are family-friendly parks and activities ranging from quiet walks to energetic waterparks, meaning that Costa Brava holiday packages accommodate almost everybody. With beautiful trails for hiking or biking excursions and four botanical gardens, it is a nature lover's paradise. Costa Brava also boasts a healthy dose of culture, with relics dating back to the 12th century and the largest collection of Salvador Dali paintings in the world.
Where to stay in Costa Brava
This former fishing village couples relaxing beaches and parks with historic venues. Climb up Calella's historic Lighthouse for unrivalled views of the coast, or visit tranquil Dalmau Park. Come night time you can choose from quiet drinks to cabaret or late-night clubs.
Carved into the Spanish coast, this affluent seaside town is renowned for its picturesque coastline frequented by the likes of Salvador Dali and Ernest Hemingway. Equipped with a handful of restaurants and stylish shops, this luxury spot emphasises quality over quantity. Its turquoise waters and serene shores provide new meaning to the term 'escape'.
One of the most popular resorts in Spain, this town boasts 13 beaches and a top European waterpark, ensuring everyone keeps cool and relaxed, both on the shores and off. By day, visitors can stroll past historic sites or through the Santa Clotilde Gardens, showing excellent examples of Catalonians plants. While at night, the town comes alive with energetic bars and restaurants.
Sweeping beaches that stretch for miles and fun activities detailing the town's historic past are what characterise this quiet Costa Brava locale. Top sites include the massive Church of St Nicolau - dubbed the Cathedral of the Coast - and El Castell, a tower resting atop a hill in the centre of town.
In this peaceful resort town, holiday-goers delight in serious rest and relaxation along placid shores whose land is still dotted with Roman relics. The town centre is a seamless blend of its historic past and present culture as a Costa Brava holiday destination. Buildings dating back to the 17th century rise alongside a colourful array of modern restaurants and bars, ensuring every visitor finds something to their liking.
Nestled between the Massif Montnegre National Park and the Mediterranean Sea, Santa Susanna is a patch of paradise along the coast. A host of outdoor activities await, like walking and cycling through wooded trails or gliding through the water on jet skis.
Home to the beautiful Villa Vella – a historic town centre whose buildings date as far back as the 12th century – Tossa de Mar brims with culture, both past and present. You can explore sheltered coves dotting the scenic shoreline or lounge on the beach with the fantastic Tossa de Mar Castle towering in the distance.
Quick Tips
- Roman Catholic
- Euro
- Catalan
- GMT +1
Lush landscapes and long beaches
This area isn't called the 'wild coast' for nothing – the shores here are carved with rugged cliffs that frame bays and are a favourite among those enjoying All Inclusive holidays to Costa Brava. You'll also find long stretches of serene beaches– ideal for family bucket and spade time – that are dotted with sailboats and waterfront dining. These tranquil settings make fantastic backdrops for all-day relaxation, and also offer outdoor excursions where you can be at one with nature.
Rigorous environmental preservation has kept Costa Brava's natural landscapes protected and flourishing. Home to an incredible expanse of forests, nature parks and botanical gardens, the area boasts a huge variety of native flora and fauna. You can view it up close in a park visit or see it rising up in the distance from your spot on the beach.
Museums and culture
The gorgeous landscape here attracts not only nature lovers enjoying holidays to Costa Brava, but artists in search of peaceful surroundings. Surrealist master Salvador Dali called this land his home, where now, at the Dali Theatre and Museum, art lovers can find the largest collection of his paintings in the world.
Nearly 50 museums dot Costa Brava's streets, covering everything from awe-inspiring art to exhibits exploring the area's past as a maritime landmark. Woven with cobbled lanes, history buffs will admire the stunning architecture of Villa Vella, the historic centre of Tossa de Mar. Here you can wander around the remarkably-preserved castle and walled perimeter, built in the 12th and 14th centuries to protect against impending pirate attacks.
Culinary artistry
Foodies won't find themselves wanting for first-class cuisine in Costa Brava, renowned for its combination of fresh ingredients from the nearby mountains and ocean. It also has an impressive selection of gourmet eateries like Korpilombolo, where locally-sourced dishes highlight Spanish flavours and are works of culinary artistry. Home to a huge array of wineries, Costa Brava restaurants emphasise local wine, whose flavours have been praised around the world.
Fun nights out
Evenings are low key in many of the resorts around Costa Brava but if you want to visit some high-octane clubs then Lloret de Mar is the place to go. The nightlife capital of Costa Brava has a great choice of venues and gets busy in summer with tourists and locals partying together. Calellaalso has late night bars along with more quiet and romantic settings.
Thrills and spills
The region offers a host of outdoor activities that cover everything from laid-back to heart-pounding. Those enjoying cheap holidays to Costa Brava can explore the local aquatic wildlife and seabeds on diving trips, or hop aboard a kayak or jet ski, gliding across the surface and soaking up the sun.
At Water World – voted one of the best water parks in Europe – kids and adults alike fly down the park's more than 20 slides and chill out in the pools and hot tubs.