Things to do in  Costa Brava

The little town of Palamós is a popular Costa Brava vacation choice for independent travelers, and the small cruise port makes it a jump-off point for shore excursions to the Costa Brava and historic Girona. Palamós’ pretty fishing harbor is known for its prawns, but the town offers more than just good seafood. Relax on golden sand beaches, visit rocky coves, and stroll the historic town center.

Situated in the former home and workshop of surrealist painter Salvador Dali, the Salvador Dali House—Portlligat (Casa Salvador Dalí—Port Lligat) showcases the artist’s quirky work and offers a look into his eccentric life. Visitors can explore the house-museum’s maze-like interior, window-framed views, and kitschy decor including everything from mannequins to taxidermy. Outside, you’ll find a surrealist wonderland as well, with curiosities like a funky lip-shaped sofa flanked by giant Pirelli tire signs and an abundance of Dali’s signature giant eggs.

Surrounded by walls and marked with winding cobblestone streets, medieval Pals still has many of its aged stone arches, walkways, and balconies. A Romanesque tower dates back to the 11th century, while the Mirador del Pedró provides a lookout over the sea and surrounding Catalonian landscape dotted with citrus groves and rice fields.

The picturesque mountain town of Besalú is well-known for its ancient Catholic monasteries and iconic Romanesque architecture, particularly a photogenic 12th-century bridge that has become the symbol of the town. In the Middle Ages, Besalú was a regional capital, overseeing this scenic section of Catalonia.

Halfway between Barcelona and the French border lies the town of Palafrugell, a jumping-off point to some of the prettiest and most pristine areas of the Costa Brava. Enticing spots include the fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, Cap Roig promontory, and the beachy villages of Tamariu, Aiguablava, Fornells, and Llafranc.

Located in far northeast Catalonia near the French border, Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. A wild and rugged landscape overlooking the Mediterranean, Cap de Creus is home to a lighthouse, nature reserve, hidden coves, and dramatic coastal scenery, with fancifully shaped rocks that inspired Salvador Dali.

The southernmost part of the Dalí Triangle (completed by the Dalí Theater-Museum in Figueres and the Salvador Dalí House in Cadaqués), the Castle of Púbol (Gala Dalí Castle) was a gift from artist Salvador Dali to his muse and wife, Gala. Their former home is now her final resting place—a surrealist Gothic and Renaissance building surrounded by shaded gardens and quirky fountains, and open for the public to explore.

One of the top resort destinations on Spain’s Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar offers family-friendly stretches of sandy beach lapped by azure waters perfect for various water sports. The old town—a former fishing village—is home to attractions like the Santa Clotilde Gardens, Modernist cemetery, and Church of Sant Romà within its maze of narrow twisting lanes, plus eateries specialized in Catalonian cuisine.

Revealing the region’s ancient history, Empúries is a hidden gem in the Costa Brava, well worth taking some time away from the beach for. Once a grand city founded by the Greeks and then occupied by the Romans, the area’s archaeological excavations show the remains of buildings, city walls, and even statues.

Situated near the mouth of the River Muga on Spain’s Gulf of Roses, the attractive medieval town of Castelló d'Empúries has a rich architectural heritage, thanks to its position as the seat of the earls of Empúries until the 14th century. Cobbled streets, a well-preserved Jewish Quarter, and a 14th-century Gothic church add to the historic appeal.

One of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful botanical gardens, cliff-top Jardí Botànic de Cap Roig hosts hundreds of species over 42 acres (17 hectares), with dazzling sea views and a faux-medieval castle. Every year, from mid-July to mid-August, the gardens host a series of concerts known as the Cap Roig Festival.

Set along Costa Brava near the town of Blanes, Cala de Sant Francesc (also known as Cala Bona or Bona Cove) is a small but scenic cove with a golden sand beach and rocks and boulders of different sizes, surrounded by pine trees. With clean waters and amenities, Cala de San Francesc has consistently been awarded a Blue Flag.

Salvador Dalí once said that the lovely seaside town of Cadaqués was the most beautiful village in the world. Today, the whitewashed town, with its quiet cobbled streets wending through a maze of modernist homes, charming hotels, and restaurants renowned for their tasty local cuisine, ranks among the Costa Brava's top attractions.

Located on the outskirts of scenic Lloret de Mar, Water World Lloret is one of Costa Brava’s top water parks. The park spans 7 acres (3 hectares) and features more than 20 aquatic attractions, from wave pools and play zones for kids to racing slides, an 820-foot (250-meter) water coaster, and an adrenaline-pumping free fall drop.