Best beaches in costa brava: 9 Of The Best Beaches In Costa Brava

9 Of The Best Beaches In Costa Brava

Playing home to 133 miles of coastline, Costa Brava, dubbed ‘the Wild Coast’ has myriad places to lay your beach towel. Largely rugged, unspoilt, and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll find everything from upbeat, family-friendly beach resorts to private and secluded coves.

One of the most appealing things about Costa Brava beaches is the clear, shallow water and the fact that many of them carry the Blue Flag seal of approval by the Catalan tourist board. So, check out our list of the best beaches in Costa Brava and prepare for some serious R&R.

Calella de Palafrugell

White-washed houses fringe this small pebbled beach. The shallow, crystal-clear waters make it great for families and for relaxing strolls around this quaint seaside town. Insider tip: set your alarm and get here for sunrise. It’s spectacular.

Cala Culip, Cadaqués

If you judge your beaches on the underwater experience, you’ll give five stars to Cala Culip. This pint-sized shingle beach, hidden in the coves of Cap de Creus, is lesser known to tourists. Yet boasts some excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities amongst ancient shipwrecks and unspoilt marine life. Get in touch with a local diving school for the best experience. Getting your PADI certificate is certainly up there as one of the best things to do in Costa Brava.

Cala Giverola, Tossa de Mar

If you’re looking for one of Costa Brava’s most naturally striking beaches, this small, pine-fringed cove is your calling. It’s not tourist-free and gets quite busy in high season, but it certainly has a wilder feel than many beaches here. You’ll need a car to get there (follow the signs to Sant Feliu de Guixols), but once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with wild, rugged cliffs, plenty of family-friendly watersports and beautiful, turquoise water.

Platja de Treumal, Selva

Located just five minutes away from Blanes, this petite yet pretty beach gets five stars for accessibility and is a perfect place to while away an afternoon. One of the most alluring things about it is the arresting natural beauty – surrounded by scenic pine forest, it fringes the Pinya Rosa Botanical Garden. What’s more, it’s a stone’s throw away from Santa Cristina, another sandy spot worth checking out.

Platja de Lloret

What attracts most beach-goers to Platja de Lloret is that it’s the longest beach in the area. It boasts a long promenade, plenty of family-friendly amenities and a whole 1,630 metres of coarse but golden sand. Lloret de Mar is one of the most popular resorts in Costa Brava, with casinos, cocktail bars and restaurants aplenty. So once the sun sinks into the horizon, why not freshen up and soak up some of the Costa Brava nightlife?

Playa Cala Sa Boadella, Lloret de Mar

Piercing blue water, a tranquil setting and clean sand – what more could you ask for in a beach? Overlooked by picturesque pine-clad rocks, this is one of the smaller coves of Lloret de Mar. But what it lacks in space, it more than makes up for in tranquillity. Like many Costa Brava beaches, Playa Cala Sa Boadella is suitable for families; but do be warned, you may spot the odd nudist going for a dip.

Cala Sant Francesc, Blanes

Set in a pretty cove at the foot of St Juan hill, this mostly peaceful and uncrowded beach is a local favourite, and with smart villas peppering the hillside, it has a relaxed but chic vibe.

It has ample facilities, with friendly beach bars and parasols available for hire. Plus, it’s nearby to the Marimurta Botanical Garden, which is home to some 4,000 exotic plant species and mesmerising views over Blanes.

Playa de Aiguablava, Begur

The charming town of Begur brings a smile to every first-time visitor, and Playa de Aiguablava – arguably the finest of its eight coves and beaches – is equally magical. It can get a little crowded in high season, but with verdant cliffs, a chilled-out vibe and some of the finest sand in the region, this sheltered haven is well worth visiting. You’ll find a selection of fish restaurants to choose from, and families can keep the children entertained with stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, which are available for hire.

La Pletera, L’Estartit

There are three main beaches in the eastern town of L’Estartit and two of them – the Els Griells Beach and the Platja Gran L’Estartit – are great for those in search of beachfront restaurants, children’s clubs, and endless beach activities.

But if you’re searching for a beach that’s a little off-the-beaten-track, La Pletera is the beach you’ll want to keep a secret. This gem is located right inside the Ter Vell Nature Reserve. Think gentle, undulating sand dunes and plenty of peace and quiet to help you recharge.

Having accommodation close to the beach is absolutely ideal (you can basically roll out of bed and on to a sun lounger… what’s not to like?!) And that’s why we’ve got a huge selection of villas in Costa Brava, that range from 6-beds overlooking the ocean to mansions in the countryside, and of course, villas with beaches at walking distance.

Costa Brava beaches Map

READ MORE:

Costa Brava holidays – everything you need to know

Top 10 villas in Costa Brava

Most beautiful towns and villages in Costa Brava

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14 Best Beaches on Spain’s Costa Brava for Sun, Sea and Sand

Foto: Goran BogicevicEs Codolar

When you think of this sparkling region, you think of sun, sea and sand. These are the beaches on the Costa Brava

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When you think of the Costa Brava, thoughts immediately fly towards serene days spent under the scorching sun, an ocean of sand around you as the actual ocean spreads far off into the horizon. The best beaches on the Costa Brava are everything visitors expect and then some, but what might be surprising is how idyllic and untouched some of them are. If you want a beach packed with excitement and goings-on, you’ll find it. Want somewhere all to yourself for a lazy day of reading in the sun? You might get lucky on that front too. Spain has many incredible beaches, but the ones on the Costa Brava are something else entirely.

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1. Platja de Treumal

Attractions
Beaches
La Selva

If you’re looking for a typical Costa Brava beach, this is one of the most accessible. Treumal is a true marvel that extends 400 metres along the foot of a protected area, Pinya de Rosa, where there’s a gorgeous botanical garden full of cacti. In the summer, the beach has a newspaper stand, secure car parking and sunbed hire, and for the rest of the year, it’s a peaceful spot where you can hear the birds chattering away in the botanical garden. Unsurprisingly, yoga meetings take place here. It’s just five minutes by car from the centre of Blanes.

©J2R – Shutterstock

2. Platja de Santa Cristina

Attractions
Beaches
La Selva

This is the first cousin of the Treumal beach; they’re separated by a few coves but a world of difference. In Santa Cristina, development projects were on the brink of causing havoc in the middle of the 20th century. Good sense and the love of Lloret people for this spot, where the shrine of the local patron saint stands, triumphed in the form of a fragile balance between tourist facilities and a mass of intensely green pine trees that still endow the southern flank, where there’s also an old fisherman’s cottage that’s looking a little wild these days. Painter Joaquin Sorolla immortalised the light, greens and blues of Santa Cristina in one of his most fiercely Mediterranean paintings. It’s an ideal spot for wearing oversize sunglasses and a large hat in the style of a decadent film star. You know you want to.

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Platja de Sant Pol

3. Sant Pol

Attractions
Beaches

This marvellous bay on the outskirts of Sant Feliu de Guïxols is the beach that many locals recall from their childhoods. Invaded by brick in the past 30 years, there is still a lot of beauty; the beachfront houses from the start of the last century built by entrepreneurs who made their fortune in the Americas before returning home, the elegant site of S’Agaró Vell, snd the sumptuous Hostal de la Gavina that gives onto the start of one of the most spectacular parts of the Camí de Ronda coastal path. The result is a comfortable urban beach with a cushioned and controlled wild touch, particularly on the rocks and coves situated to the extreme south. In the evenings, you can still find the charm of the most elegant side of the Costa Brava, with foreign families heading out for dinner somewhat curiously dressed. Two things need to be pointed out; first, we’re talking about the beach of Sant Pol, not of S’Agaró. S’Agaró is the place whose lands extend inland toward Vall d’Aro and is, above all, a commercial name; secondly, its strategic situation on the outskirts of town but in a civilised setting means that Sant Pol is the ideal beach for swimming at night, especially in the corner sheltered by the wall in the far south.

4. Cala Rovira

Attractions
Beaches
Baix Empordà

After the hell that the main beach in Platja d’Aro can become at the height of summer (OK, we’re exaggerating slightly; on 2km of beach that’s more than 50m wide, you’ll always find some habitable spot even in the middle of summer), finding Cala Rovira, by keeping on heading along the Camí de Ronda coastal path once you’ve passed the rock of Cavall Bernat, can feel like a physical slap of beauty. You’ll rarely find it empty, but it’s so pretty, so improbably white, green and blue, that not even some inopportune apartments that peek out between the pine trees, or the numerous families that head there, can mess up your first impression. If, despite the idyllic appearance of the landscape, you can’t bear people playing beach tennis, La Rovira is also on the way to the entrance of several small coves – Sa Cova, El Pi, Els Canyers, Belladona – rocky and libertine where you can enjoy reading while sitting on a hot rock, like a bibliophile reptile.

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Carles Palacio i Berta

5. L’Illa Roja

Attractions
Beaches

Yes, Begur has a lot of amazing beaches, so why choose this one in particular, which doesn’t have any services? Apart from the fact that it’s not saturated with beautiful people like Sa Tuna or Aiguafreda, we like it because it’s the only nudist beach in the central part of the Costa Brava. After all, the intense red colours of the rocks that emerge from the bay transform it into a strange living place because its semicircular shape creates a very inviting beach. It’ll also be appealing for some because it remains relatively unvisited by groups or children, as it’s necessary to walk quite far to get there from the Camí de Ronda coastal path. And, of course, in reality, the coolest beaches are the ones without ice cream stands and let you believe for a while that the rest of your life doesn’t exist. The only problem is that the high walls of the cliffs surrounding it create shade from the mid-afternoon, so make the most of the morning.

6. Platja de Pals and La Gola del Ter

This is one of the beaches on the Girona coast that most look like it’s lapped by the Atlantic. For a couple of kilometres, the rocks and cliffs have created a beach with fine white sand and high dunes interrupted by the estuary of the river Ter, which extends to the foot of the massif of Montgrí and the Illes Medes. From north to south – the only way to appreciate a beach like this is by walking – you’ll first find the beach of Racó, at the end of the cliffs of Begur; then the beach of Pals, deep, with an open horizon, and perfect for wind sports. Then comes the beach of Mas Pinell, comfortable and urbanised; La Gola del Ter, a corner that changes according to the seasons where there’s a beach for dogs; and, close to L’Estartit, and finally the beach of Riells, which borders on the Aiguamolls (wetlands) of the Empordà. This river plain is perfect for bike outings from Torroella de Mongrí, which is lucky because in the summer, traffic and parking can be mission impossible.

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Cala del senyor Ramon

7. Cala del Senyor Ramon

Attractions
Beaches

The Cala del Senyor Ramon is the naturist beach par excellence in the Baix Empordà region. A generous length of quality sand gives on to a stretch of sea that is totally open to the east, while two bits of rockery enclose it to the north and south, helping to preserve the intimacy of bathers. The Cala del Senyor Ramon is accessible by a road (leaving the GI-682 at km 32) that ends up on an esplanade just by the beach, where they charge €6 to park, or via a footpath that starts in the residential estate of Rosamar. You can also leave the car for free at the top, but the walk back up the hill after a morning of sun is a guarantee for fainting. Connected to the world only via the torture-like road between Tossa and Sant Feliu de Guíxols (it has 365 bends), it’s the typical beach that’s ideal for taking sandwiches and the cool box, and spending the whole day enjoying swimming, reading and trying to detect spectators with binoculars hidden in the nearby forest.

Carles Palacio i Berta

8. Platja de Castell

Attractions
Beaches
Baix Empordà

A mass effort by locals saved the landscape around this beach from the developers, and in Castell, you’ll still find virgin spaces and the legend. The two noble houses that flank it to the north and south have hosted celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich and Salvador Dalí. You get there from the Palafrugell dual carriageway via a road in pretty good condition, although you still need to drive carefully. Pay the parking fee without regret: everything they earn is reinvested in conserving the surroundings. Enjoy the reeds of the Aubí stream and the ducks and amphibians that live there, have a picnic under the pine trees that provide protection from the sun, head up to the Iberian settlement of Punta de la Corbetera, and get lost in the forest as you search for Dalí’s cottage, whose door is surrealistically twisted. Visit the nearby coves, where there are impressive corners and not a single line of mobile coverage. In the summer, there are toilets, a newspaper kiosk and kayaks to hire, but it’s also the ideal beach in winter as it’s completely sheltered from the wind.

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©funkyfrogstock

9.

Platja del Canadell

Attractions
Beaches

We know that this is one of the beaches on the Costa Brava with the greatest number of towels per square metre at the height of summer, but throughout the winter and up to Sant Joan (Jun 23), it’s a real delight. This old fishing village that’s been converted into a kind of summer mecca for wealthier Catalans hasn’t lost its charm along the way, and seeing the people (everybody is beautiful) coming out of their houses with their swimsuits already on and throwing themselves into the water has a certain fun, even if we can only experience their joy vicariously. The range of restaurants and bars is almost infinite but invariably expensive: Calella is one of the most upmarket destinations on the Costa Brava.

Foto: Goran Bogicevic

10. Es Codolar

Attractions
Beaches

This miraculously preserved cove has lived a lot of lives. It’s been a safe port sheltered from the strong Tramuntana and Llevant winds that blow in those parts and the dream (or nightmare for those who opposed them) of property speculators who wanted to convert it into a marina. In few places on the Costa Brava is the footprint of history so visible as on this small shingle beach that stretches for 80 metres and is squeezed between one of the watchtowers from the medieval old town of Tossa de Mar and the slopes of a cliff that plummets some 50 metres down. In the summer, it’s worth arriving early and leaving at midday when the sun is at its highest point. To get there you have to walk through the walled old town and climb down lots of steps. Families often don’t bother going, while on August mornings it’s popular with teens both local and visiting. The fishing boats, which are a nice touch, aren’t actually props even if they seem like it; they belong to some old sea dogs who still go out in the early hours to practise their art.

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11. Platja de Sant Pere Pescador

Attractions
Beaches
Alt Empordà

Another immense beach, more than 6km long, where you can find a peaceful corner among the dunes even in the middle of summer. Close to the Empordà wetlands, extending across a plain that’s formed by the estuary of the Fluvià river, it’s part of the Bay of Roses, but the fact that it’s a long way from the most densely populated urban centres makes this into one of the least crowded beaches in this part of the Costa Brava. It’s one of the few places on the Costa Brava where the practice of kitesurfing is expressly authorised and regulated. It’s also a perfect spot for other sports such as sailing and windsurfing, as it’s extraordinarily open to the wind. However, this paradise for those who like to fly on the waves can, on occasion, be a more dangerous place for those who want to swim, as there are strong currents – always be prudent. Bear in mind that it has plenty of lifeguards, so that should help put your mind at rest.

12. Cala Sa Sabolla

Things to do
Alt Empordà

There are many reasons to visit Sa Sabolla: for starters, the Camí de Ronda coastal path, from which you get to the beach, is an authentic joy for all the senses. It’s true that it’s not the easiest place to get to (you can only reach it on foot or by boat) but it’s absolutely worth it. The cove (‘cala’ in Catalan), which has crystal-clear waters and a shingle surface, is completely surrounded by sheer rocks and is, by far, one of the most secluded beaches on the Costa Brava.

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13. Platja d’Empúries

Attractions
Beaches
Alt Empordà

Even if you just go there for a Sunday sandwich and the chance to read the paper, it’s impossible not to get at least a little emotional about everything that this beach signifies. In the past, Phonecians, Greeks and Romans disembarked there, and each created their cities. Later there was the medieval village of Sant Martí d’Empúries, built in a Romanic style; while in the 21st century, more pragmatic but necessary features have arrived, such as kiosks and a belle époque hotel with its own vegetable garden. Stretching for hundreds of metres, it’s a fantastic option for resting after visiting the Greek and Roman remains and eating a savoury rice dish in L’Escala.

14. Cala Tavallera

Things to do
Beaches
Alt Empordà

We’ve traversed white sand and red stones and finally arrived at the black rocks of Cap de Creus. They mark the most eastern point of the Iberian Peninsula and the wildest part of the Costa Brava, an authentic Finisterre that’s as spectacular as it is treacherous, covered in thousand-year-old remains and still jealously guarding some of its best-kept secrets. One of them is Cala Tavallera, located about 2km from Port de la Selva but only accessible from the GR11, the hiking route that connects the Mediterranean with the Atlantic. The safest way to get there has always been by a two-hour walk that ends with a well-deserved prize: a cove that’s practically deserted in summer and winter, which has a shelter for spending the night and witnesses dawns that feel as though a new world has been born. The seabed is spectacular and has a wide range of creatures living on it. At the height of summer, many small boats anchor there, but at the start and end of the season, it’s very rare to find anybody else there. If you want to spend the night, it’s a good idea to call the local council to make sure it’s in usable condition and available.

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The 10 best beaches on the Costa Brava Noticia

2 The municipality of Sa Riera, along with neighboring Aiguablava, is perhaps one of the most famous beaches and bays of the Costa Brava. It is located a short drive from Bagur, a town worth visiting for anyone who wants to get to know the region. This place is ideal for family holidays. Landscapes of Aiguablava, which means “blue water”, look like real postcards. The remaining beaches of Bagura – Sa Tuna, Aiguafreda and Playa Fonda – also deserve the attention of tourists.

2. Portichol Beach (La Escala)

A distinctive feature of the Portichol area is the proximity of the ancient Greek port of Emporion, the archaeological complex on the site of which is located near the beach. This section of the coast is equipped with a descent for people with disabilities. There are many hotels and restaurants in the surrounding area. From Portichol you can get to Las Dunas Avenue, which runs along the sea between La Escala and the medieval settlement of Sant Marti de Empurias. Its length is 2.5 km. While walking or cycling along it, tourists can enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the beaches and archaeological sites.

3. Sant Pere Pescador Beach

Between Sant Martí de Empurias and Roses is one of the largest sandy beaches on the Costa Brava. Its length is about 40 km. The area of the beach is large enough to accommodate at a comfortable distance from other vacationers. The wind that blows here in the summer attracts kite surfers to the beach. Aiguamols Natural Park is located in the central part of the beach.

4. Beach of Cadaqués

The beaches of the same region are not very conducive to relaxing under the sun – they are all rocky. However, their main attraction is the city itself, one of the most charming settlements on the coast of Girona. Local landscapes made Salvador Dali fall in love with himself. Here you can have an aperitif on one of the local summer terraces and still swim on one of the local beaches.

5. Gulf of Taballera (Port de la Selva)

Some people prefer beaches with fine sand where they can take a nap, others are willing to sacrifice comfort to enjoy the crystal clear waters of rocky coasts. The Gulf of Taballera is ideal for the latter. In addition, snorkeling is possible here.

6. Bay of Montjoi (Roses)

The famous Spanish restaurant El Bulli, considered the best in the world, was once located in the vicinity of this bay. Now you can relax on the gray sand beach, which is part of the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The water on this stretch of coastline is calm, with moderate winds and usually not too sunny.

7. La Boadella (Lloret de Mar)

Lloret combines the best and the worst of the Costa Brava: magnificent nature and a huge number of tourists. The city is desperately trying to get rid of the title of capital of alcohol tourism. However, European youth vacationing here are usually quite lazy, and for this reason they ignore more remote beaches. One of them, La Boadella, located between Lloret de Mar and Blanes, can be a good place for a relaxing holiday. Nudists rest on one of its outskirts.

8. Estretta Bay (Palamos)

previously used smugglers and sailors.

9. Señor Ramon Beach (Santa Cristina d’Aro)

This small bay is also known as Curculada. Here you can enjoy swimming in perhaps the cleanest water on the entire coast of Girona. It is accessed by motorway.

10. Es Castell Beach (Palamos)

Es Castell is distinguished not only by its beauty, but also by its historical heritage. This beach is a living illustration of what the Costa Brava might have looked like if tourism had not started to develop on it. In a referendum in 1994, local residents voted against building a golf course. Thus, they saved one of the most beautiful corners of the coast. Near the beach are the ruins of an Iberian settlement.

Topics: Tourism
Girona

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The best beaches on the Costa Brava

The famous Catalan Costa Brava is famous for its gorgeous beaches with crystal clear waters. The best beaches on the Costa Brava are presented in this article.

Content

It is included in the list of the best beaches on the Costa Brava. A picturesque path leads from Tamariu to the bay. Go down the stone stairs that will lead you straight to the crystal clear water. This bay is ideal for snorkeling and diving.

The best beaches on the Costa Brava: Santa Cristina
Santa Cristina beach in Lloret de Mar, one of the most famous and popular beaches of the Costa Brava. This beach is surrounded by magnificent natural. It is nestled among rocks and pine trees, making it one of the most beautiful in the area.
This large beach, about 500 meters long, is ideal for a family beach holiday.
There is a large parking lot about 300 meters from the beach. Near the beach is the beautiful Cala Tremal. This is one of the most beautiful bays on the Costa Brava.
Santa Cristina, one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava.

Other beaches and places in Lloret de Mar: Canyelles beach, Sa Caleta and small Cala Trons. You will remember these three places where you will want to return again and again.

Best beaches on the Costa Brava: Sa Tuna in Begur
Begur has some of the best coves on the Costa Brava and places to visit in Girona. Starting from Cala Sa Tuna, with crystal clear and calm water, protected from the waves by rocks.
On one side of this beach you will find beautiful fishermen’s houses and the Camino de Ronda, which will take you to the beautiful cove of Aiguafreda about 15 minutes walk.
Access to Sa Tuna is easier than other bays in the area. You can get to the same beach by car and park your car.

Begur also has Cala de Aiguablava, with a bluish seabed, shallow waters and fine sand, making it another of Girona’s best beaches.

Port Bo in Calella de Palafrugell
In Calella de Palafrugell, one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia, you will find the city beach of Port Bo.