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Any advice on Costa Brava and Barcelona?

Posted by (LA) on

Wife and I are planning a 10-day trip during last two weeks of June 2025. Will start with a day or two in Barcelona and then 7-9 days in Costa Brava. Traveling our two 30-something sons and their spouse/girlfriend. Plus one 15 month old grandchild.

Tentatively thinking maybe 2-3 nights in Barcelona, 3 nights in Girona, 3-4 nights in a coastal city. But also thinking maybe more time on coast would be better. Could also add a day or two. Want no more than 3 locations.

Wife and I have traveled in Italy and Greece and are looking for some similar experiences. Cute little towns with rich history, and good food and wine. Would like to do some hiking, beaches, see historical sites, visit museums and maybe night life for the youngsters while my wife and I watch the toddler.

Can anyone recommend a good Costa Brava Guidebook that is recent? Rick does not have one and Lonely Planet is from 2003.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

We normally travel in the shoulder seasons but are restricted to this time slot this time. Will it be too crowded?

Any suggestions or insights would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

Posted by
2672 posts

The Costa Brava beach town of TOSSA DE MAR would be perfect. It has fantastic beaches and a castle with completely intact medieval streets surrounding it. Tossa de Mar has direct bus service in 1:15 from Barcelona during the summer. GIRONA is only a 35-minute drive away from Tossa de Mar. There also are spectacular oceanview hikes on pathways from the castle going southwest of town.
The Lonely Planet book on Spain covers Barcelona, Girona and the Costa Brava, with editions from the prior 5 years or so including more than enough info. Tossa de Mar’s Tourist information office by its bus station has tons of useful brochures as well.
We had a rental car for a couple days that was very useful in getting from Tossa de Mar to Girona and also made it possible to visit the ancient town of BESALU (There are no trains to the coastal towns of the Costa Brava and bus service is spotty). Ganxo Rent-A-Car will deliver a car to your hotel wherever it is, and also pick the car up— all at very reasonable rates.
Have a great trip!

Posted by
4225 posts

Just FYI, the Costa Brava will be beyond packed this summer! Especially as Spain is on track to be the most visited country on the planet in 2025 ;-0

Yes I think it will be hard to find charm or relaxation among the hordes of package holidaymakers, very popular place with the northern Europeans.

You can try your luck in places like Tossa or Lloret or more north in Llafranc or Sant Feliu but good luck to you!

If it were my holiday I'd try to spend a some time in one of these old medieval mountain towns that are so popular to holiday in for local Catalan families during the Summer. Rupit (my favorite), Besalu, Camprodon, Queralbs etc all good bases for hiking, exploring history, eating well.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you Kenko for the great suggestions, very much appreciated. Tossa de Mar sounds perfect for our group. And Besalu sounds wonderful as well. Very much appreciated.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you Carlos for the heads up. Sounds like it will make sense to avoid the bigger cities and plan on some crowds. Great information.

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