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Elisabeth By the Sea, Costa Brava

Things to do guide

The best things to do on the Costa Brava

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Elisabeth By the Sea

The Costa Brava is the 'wild coast' of Catalonia, and it earns the name. Pine-covered headlands drop to rust-red cliffs, and between them sit coves of clear water that you reach on foot or by boat. Behind the beaches there are walled medieval villages, Greek and Roman ruins and the surreal world of Salvador Dalí.

Resorts in the south, such as Lloret and Tossa, have the big hotels and the easy beaches. The middle coast around Begur is all coves and old stone villages, and the north, near Cadaqués, is the wildest of all. Hire a car if you can: the best things here are the ones you find on a side road.

Don't miss

  1. 1Tossa de Mar
  2. 2Cadaqués
  3. 3Dalí Theatre-Museum
  4. 4Camí de Ronda
  5. 5Girona

Towns and villages

Stone walls, narrow lanes and the sea at the end of every street.

  1. Tossa de Mar

    Neighbourhood

    The walls of the Vila Vella at Tossa de Mar
    Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Costa Brava's best-preserved walled medieval town. The Vila Vella, its walls and towers rising over a small bay, is a joy to wander, with cobbled lanes, a lighthouse at the top and views over the water. Below it, a good sandy beach sits right in front of the old town.

    Tip: Walk the Vila Vella early or in the evening, when the day-trippers have gone.

  2. Cadaqués

    Neighbourhood

    The white houses and church of Cadaqués above the bay
    Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Whitewashed houses stacked around a bay at the far north, with a church above the harbour and a long history of artists. Dalí lived next door, and Picasso came to paint here. It's a long, winding drive from the rest of the coast, which is exactly why it feels so special.

  3. Begur

    Neighbourhood

    Begur and its hilltop castle
    Photo: Los Paseos, CC BY 2.0

    A hillside town with a ruined castle on top, streets of grand houses built by Catalans who made fortunes in the Americas, and some of the coast's prettiest coves just below. It's the middle Costa Brava at its best.

  4. Pals

    Neighbourhood

    A medieval village a few kilometres inland from the beaches, with stone houses, narrow lanes, a tower and views across the Empordà plain to the sea. It's a calm, atmospheric detour from the beach.

Dalí country

  1. Dalí Theatre-Museum

    Museum

    The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres
    Photo: Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com), CC BY-SA 4.0

    Salvador Dalí designed this museum himself, in the old theatre of his home town of Figueres, and he is buried beneath it. It's a surreal tour through his work, with a glass dome, giant eggs on the roof and rooms that feel like an artwork in their own right.

    Tip: Book ahead in high season and allow a couple of hours.

  2. Casa Dalí in Portlligat

    Museum

    Salvador Dalí's house at Portlligat near Cadaqués
    Photo: CGE, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The artist's white house on a small bay beside Cadaqués, assembled from fishermen's huts over decades, with a garden, a pool and the studio where he worked. It gives an intimate look at the man behind the moustache.

    Tip: Visits are by timed ticket, so book ahead.

Coves, coast and sea

  1. Cala Sa Tuna

    Beach

    The fishermen's houses of Cala Sa Tuna below Begur
    Photo: DagafeSQV, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A tiny cove below Begur with a pebbly beach, a handful of fishermen's houses and a couple of restaurants. The water is clear and calm, and there are pine-fringed paths along the headlands on either side.

  2. Camí de Ronda

    Nature

    A stretch of the Camí de Ronda coastal footpath at Lloret de Mar
    Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The old coastal path that once let the coastguard patrol the shoreline now links the resorts and coves in a network of walks. It follows the cliffs and drops down into hidden bays, and there's a stretch to suit nearly everyone, from a gentle stroll between two beaches to a full day's hike.

    Tip: Wear proper shoes, take water and plan to swim.

  3. Medes Islands

    Nature

    The Medes Islands off L'Estartit
    Photo: Paulaarbeloa, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A tiny archipelago just off L'Estartit, protected as a marine reserve and loved by divers and snorkellers for its clear water and fish. Glass-bottomed boats run out from L'Estartit, so you can see it without getting wet.

  4. Cap de Creus

    Nature

    The wind-sculpted headland of Cap de Creus
    Photo: Víctor Perea Ros, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The wild eastern tip of the Pyrenees meets the Mediterranean here, in a landscape of wind-carved rocks, bare hills and a lighthouse. It's a protected natural park, and the most dramatic scenery on the coast.

History and gardens

  1. Empúries

    Landmark

    The Greek ruins of Empúries
    Photo: LeZibou, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Greek traders founded a colony here more than 2,500 years ago, and the Romans built a city beside it. You can walk through the ruins, with mosaics, a forum and the old Greek harbour, beside a lovely stretch of beach.

  2. Girona

    Day trip

    Colourful houses along the Onyar river in Girona
    Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, CC BY 2.0

    A medieval city of tall, colourful houses that line the Onyar river, with a hilltop cathedral and the old Jewish quarter of narrow, stepped lanes. Walk the old city walls for views, and stop for a coffee by the river. It's close to the airport, so easy to add on.

    Tip: Walk the old walls for the best view over the rooftops.

  3. Marimurtra Botanical Garden

    Nature

    A botanical garden perched on a clifftop above Blanes, with Mediterranean plants and wide views of the sea. It's a calm place to spend a morning away from the beach.

Eat and drink

  1. Suquet de peix

    Food

    The Costa Brava's classic fishermen's stew: fish and potatoes simmered in a rich broth with saffron and a touch of garlic. It's the dish to order at a harbour restaurant on a cool evening.

  2. Anxoves de l’Escala

    Food

    L'Escala is famous for its salted anchovies, cured by hand and served simply with bread and tomato or olive oil. Pair a plate with a glass of local white wine from the Empordà.

Where to stay in Costa Brava

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay on the Costa Brava →

Getting around

A hire car is the best way to reach the smaller coves and villages, but the roads are narrow and can be busy in summer. Buses link the main resorts, and Girona and Barcelona airports both have good transfers. Boats run between some of the coastal towns.

When to go

Summer is the beach season, and the sea is warm enough for swimming from early summer into autumn. Spring and autumn are cooler but quieter and ideal for walking the coastal path.

Questions about visiting Costa Brava

What is the Costa Brava best known for?
Rugged coves and clear water, medieval villages such as Tossa de Mar and Begur, the artist Salvador Dalí and its seafood.
What is there to do on the Costa Brava with kids?
Sandy beaches at resorts like Roses and Platja d’Aro, Water World in Lloret de Mar and boat trips to the Medes Islands.
How many days do you need on the Costa Brava?
A week lets you explore a couple of stretches of coast. Add a day each for Girona and Figueres.
Do you need a car on the Costa Brava?
It helps a lot for the smaller coves and inland villages, but the main resorts are linked by bus.

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