Discover the lovely villages of the Costa Brava: Sant Feliu de Guixols, Calella de Palafrugell, Begur
This trio of small seaside villages nestles in a lovely part of the Costa Brava to the north of Tossa de Mar.
Go on a journey of discovery of the most beautiful villages on the Catalan coast. Have a lovely time wandering around Sant Feliu de Guixols, Calella de Palafrugell and Begur.
These little villages are picture-postcard pretty. Immerse yourself into the life of these former fishing villages and surround yourself with their timeless charm.
Begur, a little hidden gem of Catalonia
Start off your journey from Tossa de Mar with a trip to Begur. Continue south along the coast and arrive at Calella de Palafrugell followed by Sant Feliu de Guixols
The village of Begur is famous for its charm. The medieval castle towers over the traditional fishermen’s cottages and overlooks the sea with its many tiny creeks. From high up you can even get a view of the unspoilt Medes Islands. This village is often mentioned in the lists of must-see places to visit on the Costa Brava.
Start off the morning with a walk around Bégur. You will come across several splendid buildings. Some villas have a decidedly modernist feel, reminiscent of the links between the Costa Brava and the Americas. The 18th century saw many of the inhabitants of the ‘wild coast’ depart across the Atlantic in search of fame and fortune. Those who were successful returned to their home village and commissioned the building of lovely villas. These adventurers came to be known as “Indianos”. Begur Tourist Office will provide you with all the information you need on the main places of interest in the village. You can also pick up a brochure.
Carry on the enjoyment of your morning into the afternoon and go for a picnic and a swim on Aiguablava beach. This is classed as one of themost beautiful beaches in Catalonia. An idyllic spot that will bowl you over on the spot. A crystal-clear sea with shallow waters: you feel like you are in the Caribbean. Enjoy the view and take a dip before carrying on towards Palafrugell.
How to get to Bégur from Tossa de Mar.
If you don’t have a car you will be pleased to know that there is a Sarfa bus line connecting Tossa de Mar to other villages on the Costa Brava. You can also get to Aiguablava beach by taking the bus from Bégur.
By car, the trip will take around 50 minutes going north on the C31.
Calella de Palafrugell: embodying the charm of the Costa Brava
In the early afternoon, continue your journey of exploration of the beautiful villages of the Catalan coast with a visit to Calella de Palafrugell. Originally a fishing village, it spreads out along a bay. Just like Tossa de Mar, it is picture-postcard pretty with its small white houses decorated with blue tiles, perching on the waterfront. Unsurprisingly, the beauty of this village is a great draw and Calella de Palafrugell attracts many visitors in high-season.
To make the most of the laid-back charm of this village, we recommend you take a wander around and stop from time to time at one of the seaside cafés. If you have the time, pay a visit to the botanical gardens, a superb site that is home to many different plants from across the words and has splendid views across the Mediterranean.
For further information, visit the site of Calella de Palafrugell Tourist Office.
Finally, take the C31 to Sant Feliu de Guixols, the last step in your journey of discovery of the most beautiful villages of the Costa Brava. This last part of the trip takes approx. 30 minutes. You could also travel between the two villages by bus.
Sant Feliu de Guixols : the original Costa Brava
Sant Feliu de Guixols started off as a small seaside village.It has become increasingly popular with tourists but has managed to keep a degree of authenticity. You will come across a pleasing blend of architectural styles. A medieval monastery, a hermitage and buildings in the modernist style are side by side in this town on the ‘wild coast’.
When you are wandering around the narrow lanes of the old town, take some time to admire the modernist architecture of some of the buildings. You can also visit the Benedictine Monastery of Sant Feliu. This religious site was established many years ago and is now a successful blend of several architectural styles. Built on the ruins of an ancient Roman city, it is now home to a museum on the subject of maritime rescue. The museum affords an exceptional panorama of the Mediterranean coast.
If you still have some time or energy left, we recommend a visit to the Hermitage of Sant Elm. As it is located at the top of the town it has a splendid view of the bay. In the early 20th century, this is where a journalist from Catalonia named this part of the coast the Costa Brava. This denomination means ‘wild coast’. To find out more about trips to Sant Feliu de Guixols, consult the Tourist Office website.
Finish off your day steeped in beauty with dinner at Sa Marinada. This seafood restaurant is located at the harbour of Sant Feliu de Guixols. Take a seat on the terrace or in the dining room and enjoy a range of special fish dishes, seafood, paellas and so on.
How to get to Tossa de Mar from Sant Feliu
There are two buses a day, in each direction, between the two villages (the Plafrugell-Lloret line). The journey takes approx. 30 minutes. If you have a car, take the GI682 between Tossa and Sant Feliu de Guixols. Enjoy the splendid views of the sea and the many little bays that are largely undisturbed.
Are you planning a holiday in Catalonia? Rent your accommodation in Tossa de Mar so you can explore up and down the coast and venture into the countryside. You can be sure of an unforgettable holiday!