Do you dream of a sunny holiday on one of the most famous Costas in Spain? The Costa Brava has countless beautiful beaches, picturesque villages and an impressive, rugged coastline. Costa Brava literally means ‘Wild Coast’, referring to the region’s rough bays, wild rocks and mountainous landscapes.

Here, you will be able to enjoy unspoilt nature, beautiful botanical gardens, long beaches and hidden caves. Take a stroll around the picturesque villages or visit one of the bustling seaside towns like Blanes, Lloret de Mar or Tossa de Mar or the regional capital Barcelona. Prefer something more active? No problem! Take part in a variety of water sports activities, go climbing up in the treetops or race around on a go-karting track. Whatever your ideal holiday, there is plenty here for everyone! In addition, you can spend your dream holiday in one of our beautiful accommodation options: a villa or holiday home on the Costa Brava in sunny Spain. How exciting!

Spain in general

Spain is located in the southwest of Europe and has a population of over 47 million people. The country’s diversity is reflected in its wide range of cultures, languages, eating habits and climates. It boasts beautiful fishing villages in the northwest and sun-drenched Costas on the east coast. Besides Spanish (Castillan), Catalan, Basque and Galician are also “co-official” languages.

Spaniards love good food, and they eat as many as five times a day! They eat later than average in Europe with lunch between 2 pm and 4 pm and their evening meal around 9:30 pm in winter and often as late as 10:30 pm in summer. Restaurants in Spain open later, which is good to know when planning a holiday on the Costa Brava in Spain! Well-known Spanish dishes are, of course, tapas, paella, tortillas and don’t forget the Iberico ham.   

Due to its versatility, Spain attracts all kinds of tourists. Many young people spend their holidays in Spain due to its many entertainment venues. Lloret de Mar is, of course, a well-known area for nightlife, but Spain is also very popular with families and older people.

Want to know more about a holiday in Spain in general? Read: Holidays in Spain-everything you need to know about the sunny destination of Spain

Costa Brava, Spain

The breath-taking beauty of the Spanish Costa Brava, combined with a wonderful Mediterranean climate and endless activities, makes it an ideal holiday destination for both young and old. The long, pearly-white, sandy beaches are mostly located along beautiful palm-lined promenades, where you can take a stroll after a day of sunbathing or water sports or relax in one of the many restaurants.

The coastal, mountainous Costa Brava is home to 8 natural parks, making it one of the most diverse natural areas in Europe. This makes it the perfect destination for both nature and diving enthusiasts. In addition to beautiful beaches and natural beauty, the Costa Brava also has a rich history dating back to Roman times.

Whether you want to enjoy an evening strolling along the promenade, have a delicious meal, or dance until the early hours, you’ll undoubtedly find everything you’re looking for here. The Costa Brava in Spain, with its exciting nightlife, Spanish hospitality and exceptional cuisine, is a true delight for anyone looking for the ultimate holiday!

Where is the Costa Brava?

You’ll find the varied Costa Brava just across the border with France, and this beautiful region on the Mediterranean coast is the ideal destination for an unforgettable holiday. The Costa Brava is a 200-kilometre stretch of coastline and is located in Catalonia. This region is an important wine area in Spain and is particularly known for its Cava – Catalan sparkling wine. The Costa Brava starts at Portbou on the French border and runs to Blanes where it passes into the Costa del Maresme.

Climate Of Costa Brava

The Costa Brava in Spain has a Mediterranean climate, with mild wet winters and warm dry summers. The Mediterranean Sea has a warming effect on the region in winter. This is reinforced by the presence of mountains and hills inland that retain the warmth of the sea and hold back the cold in winter.

In summer, a holiday on the Spanish Costas is almost guaranteed to mean hot and dry weather. Did you know that Spain has 300 days of sunshine per year? Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations for many Brits due to its wonderful climate which is why so many tourists choose to holiday on the Costa Brava each year.

Costa Brava Culture

When you think of the Costa Brava, you may not immediately think of culture. However, the region also has a cultural side and was a beloved home to many artists and painters. Famous names such as Salvador Dali, Picasso and Juan Miró have lived here, meaning there are many museums and galleries to visit. The village of Cadaqués is a major attraction for art lovers, where the Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí still shows exactly how the artist himself lived.

You can also enjoy culture in Girona where there are many historical sites such as ancient settlements and ruins to be found. There are also many castles along the Costa Brava, including Dali’s castle (Castle of Pubol), Castell La Ciutadella in Roses and Castell de Sant Joan in Blanes.

And let’s not forget Barcelona! In this important cultural city, you can enjoy a rich history of art including the Sagrada Familia, the beautiful mosaic facade of Casa Batlló or the Picasso museum.

Top 6 reasons to choose the Costa Brava in Spain

1. Beautiful beaches

The beautiful beaches are one of the main reasons why many people choose a holiday on the Costa Brava in Spain. Many of the beaches on the Costa Brava are truly breath-taking, with clear water and fine pearly white sand. Here, you can relax and enjoy the sun, a nice picnic, a good book and refreshing water on these beautiful, paradisiacal beaches all day.

There are many idyllic beaches with large cliffs and impressive bays with crystal-clear water. In the evening, take a walk along the beach or visit one of the best beach parties. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind on a beautiful beach every day – all you need is a beach towel and a good book to start your dream holiday on the Costa Brava in Spain. Relaxation at its finest! No matter which beach you choose, you’re guaranteed the perfect setting.

Want to know more about the beaches on the Costa Brava? Then read our Costa Brava beach guide!

2. Picturesque villages

Of course, the Spanish Costa Brava is not only known for its beautiful beaches, but also for the small, picturesque villages and towns that adorn its coastline. You’ll find small fishing villages and picturesque hidden towns to explore or just to escape the crowds. And the great thing about these small villages is that they are bustling with Spaniards, who want nothing more than for you to experience real Spanish culture.

In these small towns, you’ll discover the real Spain; where the people and culture really illustrate what makes this place such an inviting part of the world. Every corner you come across has its own story, its own unique role in history, and the locals all welcome you to be part of it.

For more information, see also: Picturesque villages of the Catalan interior: Pals and Peratallada

3. Many sights

In addition to sun, sea, sand and stunning nature, the Costa Brava in Spain has many sights that you definitely don’t want to miss. Cap de Creus is a natural park and is ideal for divers. The Cathedral of Girona with its beautiful views over the city is also a must-see. Or how about Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city?

For those looking for peace and quiet on holiday, the nature reserves allow you to explore the nature and landscape of this coast and everything it has to offer. Along the way, you’ll pass bays and caves, forests, rolling hills and game reserves that are full of local flora and fauna, which are not found anywhere else in the world. There is something for everyone. Are you ready to discover the Costa Brava in Spain?

4. A range of activities

There is plenty to experience here. Are you looking for action? Then race around on one of the go-karting tracks or visit the largest water park in Europe in Lloret de Mar! There’s fun for both young and old in this paradise of splashes and slides. Are water sports more your thing? Great! You can go windsurfing, kayaking, wakeboarding or water skiing in most coastal towns on the Costa Brava. Fancy admiring the beautiful underwater world while snorkelling? You can do this in one of many stunning beach caves. You can also visit these underwater caves by boat or go on a diving adventure to discover the underwater fauna.

Prefer to keep it high and dry? Then the local adventure parks are for you. For a unique outdoor experience, explore the treetops on cables, high ropes, nets, bridges and tunnels if you’re feeling brave! And what could be nicer than being able to relax in your own villa or holiday home on the Spanish Costa Brava after an active day! The perfect combination, right?

Find the best activities on the Costa Brava here!

5. Easily accessible, even by car

You can easily travel to the Costa Brava in Spain by coach or plane from the UK. But the Costa Brava is also perfectly accessible by car, which brings numerous advantages along with it. The length of your car journey to the Costa Brava depends on a number of factors, including your place of departure in the UK and your final destination. From London to the famous Lloret de Mar in the south of the Costa Brava, the journey is around 900 miles. A good option is to divide the drive to the Costa Brava into two parts by spending the night somewhere along the way. Although an overnight stay involves additional costs, the advantage is that you’ll arrive at your holiday destination much more relaxed and less tired.

There are several routes you can take when driving from the UK to the Costa Brava. If you want to get to your destination as quickly as possible, it is best to choose the Route du Soleil. If you also want to see some of the landscape and surroundings along the way, you can choose one of countless tourist routes.

6. Enjoy a beautiful environment

The impressive Spanish Costa Brava, with its varied landscape, picturesque villages and pleasant climate, is the ideal destination for a magical sunny holiday in wonderful surroundings. Relax on the beautiful beaches, enjoy colourful botanical gardens or stroll along bustling promenades. There are also several protected natural parks, each of which has its own peculiarities and diversity. Here you can observe a variety of bird and plant species undisturbed, take long walks and enjoy the most incredible views. Along the way, you’ll pass bays and caves, forests, rolling hills and game reserves that are full of local flora and fauna which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Great accommodation options

The Costa Brava has everything you need for a unique, sun-soaked holiday, not only in terms of sun, sea, sand, sights and activities, but also in terms of holiday homes and villas! A hotel is a nice option, but it often leaves you with very little space and privacy and can get pretty crowded. No one likes busy breakfast rooms and the race for a sunbed around a crowded swimming pool.

Renting a villa or holiday home is the ideal solution. Holiday homes on the Costa Brava in Spain offer plenty of luxury and privacy. All holiday homes and villas are spacious, with beautiful living rooms, fully equipped kitchens, luxury bathrooms, comfortable bedrooms, charming outdoor areas and even private pools. You and your travel group will have the holiday home all to yourselves for ultimate privacy. Discover the most beautiful villas and holiday homes on the Spanish Costa Brava that Club Villamar has selected especially for you!

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Want to know more about a holiday in Spain in general? Check out: Holidays in Spain -everything you need to know about the sunny destination of Spain