There’s something about the Costa Brava that makes me want to come back time and time again. Luckily it’s just a short drive from my home, which means I have been able to discover a lot of coastal towns. This stretch of coastline in Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, is so incredibly beautiful. With its whitewashed fishing villages and turquoise water, it feels like a dream. So if you ask me, it’s a must-visit when you are in Catalonia. In this blog, I’m sharing some of the most beautiful beach towns on the Costa Brava.
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Planning your Costa Brava trip
Planning a trip to the Costa Brava can feel a little overwhelming at first since there are so many coastal towns to choose from, each with its own charm. In this guide, I’ve focused on the places that stand out not just for their beauty, but also for their atmosphere. Whether you’re planning to visit a few towns or explore the coastline more extensively, this guide is meant to help you choose places that are truly worth your time. You can find the most charming seaside villages on the Costa Brava that are being discussed in this article in the map below.
One of the best things about the Costa Brava is how easy it is to explore. Distances between towns are relatively short, which makes it perfect for a road trip.
Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is definitely one of the prettiest seaside towns on the Costa Brava and in Catalonia. This old fishing village is made up of whitewashed houses and narrow streets, with boats resting on the sand completing the scene. In summer, it can get quite crowded since it’s such a small town, but still, the beauty of this place definitely makes it worth visiting. What I love most about Calella de Palafrugell is that it hasn’t lost its Mediterranean charm and it feels almost unreal.
In and around Calella de Palafrugell you can find some amazing beaches, but if you want something more active, I can really recommend walking part of the Camí de Ronda. This coastal path offers amazing views of the Costa Brava and the beautiful town. If you want, you can follow the path that goes towards Llafranc, which is not a difficult walk. Llafranc is another one of my favourite coastal towns on the Costa Brava and I’ll discuss it next.
My top picks for Calella de Palafrugell:
→ Best hotel in Calella de Palafrugell
→ Perfect day trip tour from Barcelona to Calella de Palafrugell
Reading tip
Looking for a Costa Brava destination that works well for children? Read my guide to the Best Costa Brava beach towns for families.
Llafranc
Llafranc has a relaxed atmosphere and is another one of the most beautiful beach towns that the Costa Brava has to offer. The town is small, but it has a lovely promenade with cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a long lunch. The beach is wide and sandy and if you are here during the warmer months, the water is clear and perfect for a swim.
Something you cannot miss when visiting Llafranc is a short walk (or drive) up to the Sant Sebastià lighthouse, just outside the town. From here, you get one of the most impressive viewpoints on the Costa Brava coastline, especially around sunset. The contrast between the deep blue sea and the rugged cliffs is absolutely stunning, and you can even see the Pyrenees on clear days.
Whether you stay in Calella de Palafrugell or Llafranc, both villages offer that ideal mix of authenticity and seaside beauty that you will certainly fall in love with and it’s easy to visit both in one or two days.
My top picks for Llafranc:
→ Most impressive hotel in Llafranc
→ Best beachfront hotel in Llafranc
Begur
Begur is a charming hilltop town with a medieval castle sitting right at the top. It’s the kind of place where you can wander through narrow streets and have a look at the small shops, before relaxing on a terrace with a drink.
Climbing up to the castle is definitely worth it for the incredible panorama over the Costa Brava coastline. The castle itself is not very well preserved, but the views more than make up for it. For another great viewpoint, head to Mirador Monument Carmen Amaya.
Although Begur is not directly located on the coast, I still wanted to include it in this list because the town has so much character, and because the beaches of Begur are some of the most beautiful ones on the Costa Brava.
Whenever I visit, I like to combine a stroll through the town with a hike along the coastal path, the Camí de Ronda to discover the beautiful coves. I can highly recommend the section of the path that passes Aiguablava, Sa Tuna, and Sa Riera. Here you’ll find the perfect combination of beautiful bays with crystal-clear water, fishing boats and dramatic rocky cliffs.
My top picks for Begur:
→ Best hotel in Begur
→ Perfect day trip tour from Barcelona to Begur
Travel tip
If you want to explore Catalonia a bit more, you can visit beautiful medieval villages while staying on the Costa Brava. Both Peratallada and Pals are worth a visit and are within a short drive from Begur and Calella de Palafrugell. Read all about them in our most beautiful villages in Catalonia blog.
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar looks like a perfect postcard, with its medieval walls rising above a beautiful beach. It’s easy to fall in love with this town because it offers the ideal mix of history and beach town vibe.
The town’s main beach, Platja Gran, is spacious and has a fantastic view of the old castle. It’s lovely to go for a stroll along the beach and search for a place to eat. There are loads of places to choose from.
The water at Tossa de Mar is often calm and ideal for swimming. In the late afternoon, it’s a good time to wander through the cobblestone streets of the Vila Vella, the old walled town. It’s a steep climb up to the castle, but it’s well worth it for the amazing panoramic views over the coastline. It’s also worth walking up beyond the main castle area to explore the quieter upper paths of the Vila Vella. You can also follow the coastal paths to the north or south, where you’ll find smaller coves and rocky swimming spots that are much less crowded, especially early in the morning.
My top picks for Tossa de Mar:
→ Best beachfront hotel in Tossa de Mar
→ Perfect daytrip tour from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar
Tamariu
Tamariu is a small coastal village tucked away between pine-covered hills and a sheltered bay. It has a quiet atmosphere that makes it perfect if you’re looking to slow down a bit.
The beach in Tamariu is small but incredibly scenic, with calm, clear water that is ideal for swimming. Along the waterfront you’ll find a relaxed promenade lined with a few cafés and seafood restaurants where you can sit for hours.
What I love about Tamariu is how easy it is to switch off here. There’s not a lot going on, and that’s exactly the charm. You can spend the morning swimming, snorkelling or kayaking, grab a long lunch by the sea, and in the afternoon take one of the coastal paths that lead to hidden coves and viewpoints along the Costa Brava coastline. The Camí de Ronda path towards Cala Pedrosa is one of the best hikes in this area. The walk itself is already beautiful, with pine trees and sea views along the way, and you will be rewarded with a small hidden cove that feels remote and untouched.
My top picks for Tamariu:
→ Best beachfront hotel in Tamariu
Travel tip
When choosing where to stay, it’s worth looking for accommodation with parking options if you are traveling by car. In the towns mentioned in this article, parking can be a challenge, especially during the busier months, so having a convenient base can make your trip a lot easier.
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is located in the north of the Costa Brava, near the Cap de Creus Natural Park. This former fishing village is truly one of the most iconic villages on the Costa Brava. The whitewashed houses clustered around the bay give the village a true Mediterranean character. To discover the town, it’s nice to go for a walk along the sea and head toward Platja del Ros along Avinguda Victor Rahola for some incredible views of the town. If you want to take a break, be sure to sit down for a drink at one of the great beach bars in Cadaqués.
Cadaqués has a relaxed artsy atmosphere with lots of art galleries and art shops. It has been attracting artists for a long time and most famously Salvador Dalí, who lived nearby. In Port Lligat you can visit the house he lived in, which now has been turned into a museum.
The village is a popular destination and in summer it can get crowded. If you can, come outside of the high season, but if not, try to come here early in the morning or late in the afternoon. For the same reason in summer, accommodation here books out quickly, so it’s worth checking in advance.
My top picks for Cadaqués:
→ Best beachfront hotel in Cadaqués
→ Perfect daytrip tour from Barcelona to Cadaqués
Practical tips for a perfect Costa Brava visit
Best time to visit the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is a year-round destination, but the best time to go really depends on your personal preferences. Overall, I think it’s great to visit in spring or autumn, since the weather is great for sightseeing and enjoying a terrace or some beach time. It’s not too hot yet and it’s not as crowded either. If you are a true sun lover and it can’t get warm enough for you, the summer might be a great time to go, although the towns mentioned in this article become more crowded during this time of the year.
I’m personally also a fan of visiting the Costa Brava in winter, since we often get beautiful weather in this part of Spain during the winter months.
How to explore the Costa Brava
The easiest way to discover the most beautiful coastal towns on the Costa Brava is by car. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, visit multiple towns in a single trip, and stay as long as you like in each place. Some of the best moments often come from the in-between stops, a viewpoint along the road or a quiet cove you didn’t plan to visit.
While it is possible to travel by public transport, it can be time-consuming, as many of these towns are not very well connected. A car simply makes the experience much more flexible and allows you to make the most of your time along the coast.
If you don’t want to drive but still want to explore the Costa Brava, this guided tour is a great option too.
Final thoughts
What I love most about these towns on the Costa Brava is how each town has its own personality. Some are quiet, others a little more lively, but all of them share that relaxed Mediterranean vibe.
If you’re planning a trip to the Costa Brava, my advice would be to not rush it. Pick a few places, take your time, and leave space for spontaneous stops along the way, which will probably make for the best memories.
