By Hannah Batista
About 40 miles from Barcelona lies a hidden gem known as Costa Brava. Costa Brava is a coastal region of Catalonia in the province of Girona. As it lines the coast of the Balearic Sea, the region is bursting at the seams with beauty, activities, and adventures.
If your idea of fun lies anywhere between relaxing on a beach and cliff-jumping, you are in for a treat. Costa Brava has anything you would want a dream vacation to offer: beautiful beaches, restaurants, bars, excursions, and shopping— all wrapped into a charming little beach town.
Traveling to Costa Brava is a unique experience not just because it will surpass your expectations of a traditional beach vacation, but you will also see a completely different side of Spain. In a lot of the areas of Costa Brava, you won’t be in a primarily tourist filled city like Barcelona or Madrid. Instead, you’ll find yourself meeting many locals and going out to all the locals’ favorite spots you might not have found otherwise!
Costa Brava is most known for its beaches– and for good reason. The water is a beautiful deep mediterranean blue color and the beach is filled with small, soft pebbles for sand.
The beautiful beach on the Balearic Sea.
You can catch a tan and relax, take a dip in the refreshing water, or play games with friends along the shore. The beaches are perfect for catching up on that book you’ve been meaning to finish or a picnic full of your favorite tapas.
If you’re looking for more adventure in the water, Costa Brava has so much to offer: scuba diving, kayaking, cliff-jumping, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, paddle-boarding and so much more.
Spending his free Saturday on Platja d’Aro beach, Juanmi’s favorite past-time is snorkeling. He comes to the beach by himself most weekends and explores the waters of Costa Brava.
“I make sure to take advantage of living so close to the beach,” Juanmi said. “I am always doing something fun in the water whether it’s snorkeling or spending time on my friends’ boat.”
There are many guided tours and excursions in Costa Brava as well. The tours often include multiple activities if you want to get the most bang for your buck. The guided tours will allow for a comfortable transition to the city, help you learn the ropes of the activity you’re partaking in, and will also introduce you to many new people!
Alongside the dreamy shore, you will find another opportunity of exploration that you would not be able to find anywhere else in Spain. Costa Brava’s landscape is mainly made up of the ocean and the famous, extraordinary coves lining the beaches.
People are often walking or tanning on the rocks by the beach. Some even jump off them into the water. However, some of these coves are massive rock formations that are big enough to go inside and explore.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, take a day trip to the nearest cove and discover the magic that Costa Brava is so famous for. People often swim, kayak, or paddle-board through them. Some of the most famous coves to explore are Cal Culip, Cala s’Alguer, Cala Estreta, and Cala del Senyor Ramon.
Aside from the beaches and coves, the town is filled with shops, restaurants, and markets. You can walk for miles along the boardwalk. Whether you want to window shop, buy some new bathing suits, or grab a souvenir for a friend, you’ll be sure to find something that peaks your interest.
The town also has delicious— and entertaining— restaurants. As it is a very relaxed town, everyone is there to simply have a good time and enjoy themselves. For instance, Golf Bar is a restaurant and bar that has great drink and food options while also offering the chance to play mini golf to their customers! For only 5 euros, you and your friends can enjoy a tasty meal and play a round of mini golf on the terrace of the restaurant.
In the Platja d’Aro area, you will find a plethora of Italian restaurants. Fresh pizza, pasta, or salad after a day spent at the beach…what else could you ask for?
One of the restaurants, Pizzeria La Riera, will even let you create your own pizza. By “make your own”, they don’t just mean customize your toppings; they give you a ball of pizza dough and you take it from there. Once you’re done adding all of the ingredients, they throw it in the oven for you.
Working as a waitress at Pizzeria La Riera, Bella loves showing tourists what her restaurant has to offer. As she usually serves locals, it is always a pleasant surprise when meeting first timers in Costa Brava.
“The best part about working at a place like this is seeing everyone have a smile on their faces the whole time they are here,” Bella said. “Families and friends come here to have a fun experience, not just to eat.”
Some of the delicious food you can get in Costa Brava.
Along with great beaches and day time activities, the town also has a bustling nightlife. Restaurants are at their liveliest at night with big groups of people gathered around tables and chatting over glasses of wine. Locals head out to their favorite spots filled with dancing and bar games like darts and foosball. From little hole-in-the-wall bars to vibrant nightclubs, there’s always something to do once the sun goes down.
A local of Platja d’Aro, Julia loves living there because of the atmosphere of the town at night time. Julia and her friends love to start off their nights at their local karaoke bar before heading to the nightclubs.
“People usually go out for drinks, chat at restaurants for hours, or go to a club pretty much any day of the week,” Julia said. “It’s always such a great vibe here and a great time.”
Costa Brava checks all the boxes. It’s a place to relax, explore, learn, sight-see, eat, dance, and everything in between. Whether you are with friends, family, or on a solo-trip, there is something fun for everyone.
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