A Brief Guide to the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava was where the package tour began back in the 1950s. Hoards of tourists packed into ex-war planes descended on what used to be an unspoilt Spanish landscape for two weeks of sun, sea and sand.

Now the popularity of the area as a package tour destination is in demise, but at the same time an appreciation of its true beauty is emerging, and the resorts are welcoming a more discerning type of visitor.

And it’s no wonder: the Costa Brava, found in the autonomous region of Catalonia, is jewel-set with a sparkling array of stunning villages, endless monuments, intrinsic traditions and mouth-watering gastronomy and a remarkably diverse range of landscapes. Here is a very brief guide to a wonderful part of northeast Spain:

Getting to the Costa Brava

There are two major airports serving this region: Barcelona and Girona. Girona is the more popular choice, particularly for the more northern resorts on the coast, with average transfer times of one hour.

Other travel options include taking the P&O ferry from Plymouth to Santander or a Brittany Ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao, then taking the train or driving down through Spain. 

National Express run a coach service to Barcelona and Girona from the UK.

Let the train take the strain: take the Eurostar to Paris, then follow the TGV Atlantique route to Barcelona or take the Elipsos service to Girona.

Staying on the Costa Brava

Hotels, hostels, apartments and campsites abound. There is a range of accommodation to choose from, ranging from luxurious to basic. Check out the websites for each resort for recommendations.

Eating on the Costa Brava

Most coastal resorts are awash with fish and seafood restaurants but of course, there are eateries catering for all tastes. If you want to try real Catalan cuisine, renowned throughout the world for its diversity, then look for some of these dishes:

• Escalivada (baked vegetable salad)


• Rovellons a la llauna (wild mushrooms)


• Pa amb tomaquet (toasted bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil)


• Botifarra amb mongetes (sausage with white beans)


• Cargols a la llauna (snails)


• Graellada de peix i marisc (grilled fish and seafood)


• Sarsuela and suquet de peix (fish casserole)


• Romesco (spicy sauce)  

 And for dessert…

• Bunyols (fritters)


• Crema cremada (caramelized custard cream)


• Panellets (marzipan cakes)


• Torrons (almond sweets)


• Tortells (pastry rings)

When to go

On the Costa Brava, you’ll find a slightly gentler climate than on the more southerly Costas. Temperatures soar during July and August, reaching high twenties and early thirties. May, June and September are perfect if you love the sun but prefer a more bearable climate. Spring and autumn remain nicely warm, but if you are looking for winter sun, you’ll need to venture further down south.

Like all the other regions of Spain, Catalonia celebrates its fair share of fiestas. Each town has its own traditional celebrations and the cultural programmes for each resort are usually available from the local tourist offices. Many are based around religions celebrations, but some also include age-old pagan traditions. But whatever their roots, you can be sure that once you indulge into the true spirit, you’ll find yourself wanting more!

Why not do some research and time your visit to coincide with a fiesta?

Perhaps one of Catalonia’s most important feasts is that of Sant Jordi – Saint George – the patron saint of Catalonia. On this day, couples exchange books and roses, and in Barcelona you’ll find Las Ramblas lined with stall upon stall of books. It is the equivalent of the UK Valentines Day.

The Region’s National Day is 11 September and is celebrated with ‘Castellers’ and ‘Sardanas’.

Castellers means ‘castle builders’ and involves teams of enthusiasts forming impressive human towers – castells - that can be up to ten people high.

The Sardana is a very old dance, which is truly Catalan. It is an open dance that can be joined and left again at any time. It is danced in a circle, holding hands up in the air and coordinating the steps in accordance with a complex set of rules.

Basic information:

Language: Catalán
Region capital: Barcelona
Airports: Girona; Barcelona
Currency: Euro (€)
National Day: 11 September
Patron saint: Sant Jordi (Saint George)
Patron saints day: 23 April
Government: The Generalitat
Major Football Club: FC Barcelona
Catalan Tourist office: 00 34 934 849 900