We would like to spend some R & R time along the Costa Brava. Recommendations for the best beach areas for strolling, swimming, and beach time would be appreciated. Also, recommendations for a place to stay in this area for 3 adults (one couple and one other adult). We don't have to stay right on the beach, but want to be walking distance from the beach. We will have a car for going from place to place.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I really like Port de la Selva. Nice wide sandy beach, less touristy and more relaxed than Cadaques.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thanks so much! Is it pretty easy to visit the other coastal towns in the Costa Brava? Also we want to do some day hikes. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11880 posts
If your trip is for July this year, you are really cutting it close, as it appears you have no lodging reservations yet?
I wish you good luck.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
We do have reservations that we can cancel, once we have firmed up our itinerary.
Posted by
Zamora, España
8 posts
If you would like some quiet, small beach towns you may want to consider heading north from Cadaques. If you head toward the town of Figueras (which is pretty cool, it has the Dali museum and two great open air food markets) you can catch the frequent and cheap (couple euros) local train that heads from Barcelona, through Figueras and north to Port Bou, which is on the border with France. Or you could just drive up the N-260. Cólera and Port Bou are both charming small towns. You will meet some French tourists, otherwise mostly Spaniards. They have small mostly rocky beaches and promenades and beachside restaurants.. Port Bou is built on a hill that descends from the train station along tree-lined streets down to the Med. Cólera has an amazing little central square with a gigantic tree in the middle of the square and tables and cold beer. Locals only in this square, and pretty friendly vibe. Llanca has an old town built up on a hill and also a port area near a sandy wide beach. Its pretty interesting to continue north into France, you pass the old abandoned border checkpoint set up on a mountain pass. It's interesting to see the changes as you head into France where things are a little more orderly then they are in Spain which feels more rustic. As far as hiking is concerned, the GR92 passes along the entire coast and you can find more details about sections of it on the Wikiloc website. Hiking around the Cap de creus national park is cool (that's where the Pyrenees meets the Mediterranean Sea) You can hike from port Lligat to the lighthouse at Cap de Creus.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative replies. There is just so much do and see, but we also don't want to over book ourselves. Gracias!