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Barcelona, Costa Brava, and Calafell? Itinerary Help

My family will be traveling to Barcelona and vicinity for 14 days in mid June (includes 2 travel days). I need help rounding out the last few days of my trip. We'll have 4 full days in Barcelona, and then we'll be in the Costa Brava region for 5 full days. We'll meet up with friends and rent a car in Girona. We have plans to explore the area and with Girona, Tossa de Mar, and Montserrat on the list. (Yes, I do realize that Montserrat might be easier to get to from Barcelona, but we want to go with our friends.)

What I am struggling with is the last 3 days... We will part ways with our friends and would like a quiet last couple of days to just relax and take in the area/culture before flying out of BCN. We will have a car and want to be settle near a beach with restaurants/town within walking distance. Do you recommend Llefranc, or should we turn in the car in Girona and take the train south of Barcelona, staying somewhere like Calafell? Is it better to stay in the Costa Brava region? I am wondering how packed Llefranc gets late June and whether Calafell would be more relaxing with less people.

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4180 posts

I suggest some time in the Baix Emporda region, which I would describe as the "Tuscany of Catalonia". Imagine rolling green hills, ancient ruins, wine and olive groves, rice fields, medieval hill towns etc. This area is totally off the radar in terms of foreigners but very much loved by locals. I was there with friends over the summer and we had a wonderful time, including exploring the preserved Ancient Celto-Iberian town of Ullastret (complete with intact 2000 year old walls). A little north you have the ruins of an ancient Greek colony called Empúries. Excellent onsite museum with a beautiful blend of historic architecture and natural beauty. For lunch in the area we ate at "Mooma" which is a rural cider house with vast apple orchards, the onsite restaurant is excellent featuring elevated "farm to table" versions of the local cuisine.