A holiday on the sunny Spanish Costa Brava guarantees the most beautiful beaches, picturesque fishing villages and surprising natural beauty further inland. Add that to the centuries-old history and cultural heritage of the region and you know your holiday on the Costa Brava will be the highlight of the year. That’s why we’ve compiled our Costa Brava top 10 for you below:

1. The Mediterranean climate

The wonderful Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters makes the Costa Brava a destination you can visit all year round. In the summer months, the temperature reaches an average of 28 degrees during the day. The sea breeze provides a pleasant coolness during the day and the warm summer evenings are perfect for spending time outdoors. Although the summer season is the most ideal holiday period for sun seekers, you can also enjoy pleasant temperatures in the spring and late season with occasional highs of over 20 degrees. In the winter months, the temperature rarely drops below 13 degrees and with the amount of sun, it often feels like spring.

2. Beaches and coves on the Costa Brava

With over 200 kilometres of coastline, the Costa Brava is the perfect destination for a beach holiday. Translated literally, Costa Brava means “Wild Coast”, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any sprawling beaches or quiet coves to be found here. Quite the contrary! Furthermore, many beaches have a Blue Flag certification, the seal of approval for clean beaches and a range of facilities.

Playa de Lloret, the city beach of Lloret de Mar, stretches more than 1.5 kilometres and offers a whole range of amenities. Between Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar you’ll find Playa Canyelles, a fine sandy beach bordered by cliffs and pine forests. Be sure to visit the exotic Platja Treumal in the south of the Costa Brava or Cala Montijo in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Of course, this is just a small list of the beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava! If you want to know more about the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava, check out our Costa Brava Beach guide!

3. Bustling nightlife in Lloret de Mar

Life on the Costa Brava continues until the early hours. After an evening meal, there are plenty of opportunities to have a drink or a dance. The nightclubs of Lloret de Mar are world famous, so don’t be surprised if you see announcements for big names such as Tiësto or Sunnery James in the high season. The nightlife in this city is very diverse: from small intimate cafe-bars to large nightclubs with themed parties and diverse music styles. If you’re looking for a holiday destination with a vibrant nightlife, Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava is the place to be.

Discover everything you need to know in our ultimate guide to Lloret de Mar nightlife!

4. Picturesque seaside towns and fishing villages

Many of the villages on the Costa Brava were originally fishing villages, which have now become popular seaside resort towns. Fortunately, the atmosphere of the past has been preserved in many villages and most even has a cosy fishing port.

One of the most beautiful fishing villages is Palamos, where you can enjoy sun, sea and sand during the day and wander through the old, picturesque streets in the evening. Cadaques, with its whitewashed cottages in the north of the Costa Brava is another old fishing village that is definitely worth a visit. Larger and more well-known seaside resort towns such as Lloret de Mar, Blanes and Tossa de Mar were formerly bustling fishing villages too and you can still feel the atmosphere when you wander through these towns.

Want to know more about villages on the Costa Brava? See also: Discover the Beautiful Villages of the Costa Brava: Sant Feliu de Guixols, Calella de Palafrugell, Begur.

5. Dalí’s legacy

Salvador Dalí, one of the most famous Spanish artists, was born and raised in the village of Figueres. You can visit the striking Teatro Museo Dell’opera in his hometown, which also exhibits artworks that Dalí created during his long life (1904-1989). Portlligat, near Cadaques, was the permanent residence of Dalí and his wife Gala for a long time and the house where they lived is now also a museum. After the death of his wife, the painter moved into a medieval castle in the village of Púbol which now houses an additional museum dedicated to the painter’s special bond with his muse, Gala.

6. The marshlands of Aiguamolls

You may not expect it, but there’s a large area of marshland on the Costa Brava: Aiguamolls de l’emporda. With no less than 5000 hectares, this water-rich area is the natural habitat for hundreds of bird species, including storks and pink flamingoes. The protected natural landscape can be visited for beautiful walks all year round, especially in spring and autumn, when the area is a popular place to see the many migratory birds that make a stop there. Discover more beautiful nature reserves on the Costa Brava, here!

7. The underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea

The water of the Mediterranean Sea is very clear due to its rocky coastline. You can plunge into the sea with a snorkel and goggles from almost any beach and be surprised by the colourful aquatic life below. Las Islas Medas, or Medes Islands in the seaside town of L’estartit, are particularly popular for taking organised snorkelling and diving tours. Admire large octopuses, moray eels and scorpionfish in this protected natural area, as well as the blood coral found on the rocks. The northern Cap de Creus Natural Park is also a popular snorkelling and diving spot for those who want to explore its stunning underwater world.

8. Medieval villages and castles

Most remnants of the Costa Brava’s rich history date back to the Middle Ages. The villages of Palau Sator, Pals a Peratallada are especially popular with history buffs. Here, you can be transported back in time in the winding streets with centuries-old churches and ancient buildings. Pals is also home to the Castell de Pals, a small castle from the year 900. Other castles that date from the Middle Ages are Castell de Sant Joan in Lloret de Mar and the Castle of Tossa de Mar. What make this village so special are the Old City walls and buildings that run all the way to the beach.

9. A range of activities for both young and old

Fancy something different from a day at the beach or strolling through ancient villages? Take part in the most diverse activities on the Costa Brava, from hiking and cycling along the coast or the mountainous inland landscape, to adventurous trips by sea kayak and beautiful boat trips across the Mediterranean. Get your adrenaline fix on a jet ski or even try parasailing. Lloret de Mar is also home to the Waterworld waterpark, with exhilarating water-based attractions for the whole family.

10. The most beautiful villas and homes on the Costa Brava

The success of your holiday really depends on your holiday accommodation. A place you can relax in after a day of sun, sea, sand, culture or exciting activities with your travel group. Club Villamar offers a variety of wonderful holiday homes along the entire Costa Brava. From small and intimate properties to luxurious homes which often feature a private pool. Book the holiday home of your dreams so that you can unwind after taking in the regions beautiful sights and reflect on the experiences you’ve had with your family or friends.

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If you want to read more about travelling to Spain, check out Holidays in Spain – everything you need to know about the sunny destination of Spain and discover everything you’ve always wanted to know about this beautiful country.