Barcelona Day Trip: Costa Brava, Barcelona
Catalunya’s best-kept secret: unparalleled beauty in Barcelona’s backyard.
Picturesque ‘Costa Brava’
No one ever seems to give Catalunya credit for possessing some of the most stunning coastal settings on the Mediterranean. Though it doesn’t receive the worldwide press of the French and Italian Rivieras, the Greek Isles, Corsica and Mallorca, Catalunya’s Costa Brava is every bit as glamorous, and by many counts, more beautiful; it’s certainly more undiscovered. Just over an hour away from Barcelona by car, and spanning 130 miles to the French border, the “Brave Coast” is speckled throughout with tiny picture-perfect towns and charming fishing villages, jagged rocky cliffs which look down over secluded beaches and hidden coves, with a sparkling sea that ranges in color from deep aqua-blue to emerald green. It really is the closest thing to paradise on earth.
Obviously, one could spend multiple days on the Costa Brava, soaking in the ambience of several towns along the way, each more remarkable than the last. We’d love to take you up there for one special day to give you a memorable taste of what it’s all about. We’ll take you to a few whitewashed villages, each a precious gem, with its own seductive qualities; one with a medieval castle right on the water! If the weather is right and you’re up for a swim, you can reach magical tucked away coves via scenic coastal trails. If you’re adventurous, we dare you to dive in from the rocks as the locals do! One thing is for certain: the Costa Brava’s waters are rejuvenating. And, after a day in the sun, there’s nothing quite like sitting back in a shady beach-side restaurant to enjoy an authentic ‘paella’ lunch, or fresh ‘chipirones’ (fried baby squid) and an ice cold ‘clara’ (beer mixed with lemon soda).
We think the absolute best time for this excursion is mid-June or late September, when the crowds are sparse and the weather is great, although the Costa Brava is magnificent year-round. The towns do come to life in the warmer months, however visiting in the winter makes for an enchanting, and distinct, Costa Brava experience. Specific towns visited may vary, but will likely include some of the following: Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, and Begur, with possible additional stops for unforgettable, off-the-beaten-track bathing opportunities, or to explore nearby medieval villages and little-known mountaintop sanctuaries. We will always do our best to avoid the most touristy spots.
As we want to ensure that you see as much as possible, this is a full-day excursion, in which nearly half of your time will be spent in the car.
As with all of our day trips and excursions, there are several different ways to enjoy this experience – please let us know what you’re looking for, and we can certainly find a way to accommodate your requests.
This experience depends greatly on you and your interests.
Please let us know what you’re looking for…
We highly recommend you read our General Touring Guidelines before booking. We want you know exactly what to expect. Please feel free to propose your own personal twist on any existing route or guideline!
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Getting Around
Car & Driver -
Duration
Full-day (10 hrs, approx.)
In order to get the most out of this experience and visit what we consider to be the most special places, we recommend the above itinerary, however, we are happy to modify it to include fewer or more nearby stops.