What to see and do on the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is not just beaches. It is one of the most complete destinations in the Mediterranean: wild coastline, intact medieval villages, top-level gastronomy, protected nature and a cultural calendar that never stops throughout the year. Whether it is your first visit or you are returning, there is always something new to discover.
If you are wondering what to do on the Costa Brava, the best experiences include visiting charming villages such as Cadaqués or Begur, swimming in coves such as Aiguablava or Sa Tuna, walking the coastal paths, enjoying the local gastronomy, exploring natural parks such as Cap de Creus or the Illes Medes, enjoying wine tourism in Empordà and attending music festivals in summer.
These are the 10 must-do experiences on the Costa Brava
- Visit charming villages such as Cadaqués, Begur or Pals
- Swim in the best coves of the Costa Brava
- Enjoy the local gastronomy
- Walk the coastal paths by the sea
- Enjoy wine tourism in Empordà
- Sail by boat and discover hidden coves
- Attend music festivals
- Explore natural parks such as Cap de Creus or the Illes Medes
- Visit museums and historic heritage
- Go shopping
1. Discover charming medieval and fishing villages
Exploring charming villages is one of the best things to do on the Costa Brava. The province of Girona is home to some of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia, and within it, the Costa Brava brings together many of the best-known and most visited. From medieval villages with cobbled streets such as Begur, Pals or Peratallada to fishing villages with white houses such as Cadaqués or Calella de Palafrugell.
Many of them combine history, architecture and the sea in the same place. Some, such as Llafranc and Calella, are also connected by the coastal path, making it possible to link them on foot in a single route.
Discover the most beautiful villages in Girona
2. Swim in the best coves
Swimming in coves and beaches is one of the must-do experiences on the Costa Brava. Beyond swimming itself, visiting them is already an experience in itself because of their beauty, their natural surroundings and the variety of landscapes they offer.
Small, surrounded by vegetation and with turquoise waters, each cove has its own personality: with fine sand or pebbles, with caves, rocky seabeds ideal for snorkelling or even corners with darker sand. Many of them are connected by the coastal paths, making it possible to discover several of them in the same walking route.
From Aiguablava and Sa Tuna to Cala Pola or Tamariu, many of them preserve an almost untouched setting that makes them some of the most privileged corners of the Mediterranean.
Discover the best beaches and coves on the Costa Brava
3. Try the local gastronomy
Discovering the gastronomy is another of the great experiences on the Costa Brava and a different way to get to know the territory. The local cuisine is based on local produce, traditional recipes and seasonality as a guide. Fish stew, L'Escala anchovies or Cadaqués taps are just some of the must-try references of a Mediterranean gastronomy recognised far beyond its borders.
The offer is wide and varied, from beach bars by the sea to renowned restaurants with views of the Mediterranean and menus based on what arrives each day from the port or the orchard.
At Hotel Aigua Blava you will be able to try many of the most representative dishes of Costa Brava cuisine in a privileged setting, with sea views. Its restaurant, one of the best-rated in the area, combines local produce, tradition and a unique location that turns every meal into an experience.
Discover one of the best restaurants on the Costa Brava
4. Walk the coastal paths
Walking the coastal paths is one of the best activities on the Costa Brava to discover its most authentic landscape. These coastal trails connect coves, cliffs and beaches all along the coastline, offering a unique experience
Walking them allows access to places that would otherwise be inaccessible and makes it possible to combine a stroll, a swim and views in the same route. Each section has its own character, alternating paths among pine trees, natural viewpoints and small hidden coves.
One of the most accessible and spectacular routes is the one in Begur, where from Hotel Aigua Blava you can directly access routes that connect Aiguablava with Platja Fonda in 15–20 minutes, discovering along the way coves such as Ses Orats or Cala Malaret, much less known than the main ones.
Discover more activities to do on the Costa Brava
5. Enjoy wine tourism in Empordà
Wine tourism is one of the most special plans on the Costa Brava for those looking to discover the territory from a different perspective. The Empordà DO is one of the most singular appellations of origin in Catalonia, with a landscape of vineyards between the sea and the Pyrenees that in itself already justifies the visit.
Many wineries in the area offer guided visits, tastings, pairings and experiences among the vineyards, some with a picnic included, allowing you to get to know the wine culture and its connection with the landscape at first hand.
Empordà wine, historically linked to the local gastronomy, combines tradition and modernity in one of the Mediterranean’s most promising wine-producing areas. At Hotel Aigua Blava, this experience is completed with a carefully selected wine list, including references from the Empordà DO together with some of Spain’s most outstanding appellations and an international selection.
Discover the best wineries on the Costa Brava
6. Sail by boat
Sailing by boat is one of the most special experiences on the Costa Brava, as it allows you to discover the coastline from a completely different perspective. Beyond reaching inaccessible coves, it is about enjoying the sea in peace, moving away from the busiest areas and living a much more tranquil experience.
From the water, it is possible to access less frequented corners, small coves that are difficult to reach on foot and areas where you can swim almost in solitude, surrounded by cliffs and nature. It also makes it possible to discover caves, rock formations and seabeds ideal for snorkelling in a much more exclusive setting.
From Hotel Aigua Blava it is possible to organise boat trips with or without a skipper, ideal for exploring the most hidden coves of Begur, snorkelling in transparent waters or simply sailing aimlessly along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Mediterranean.
7. Attend unique music festivals
Attending summer festivals is one of the best things to do on the Costa Brava during the months of June, July and August. At this time of year, the coastline becomes one of the most active cultural stages in Spain, with a programme that combines live music and unique settings.
The summer festivals on the Costa Brava bring together top-level artists in singular spaces such as gardens, castles or open-air amphitheatres, creating an experience that is difficult to match. Beyond the concert, the setting is part of the show.
Among the most renowned are the Cap Roig Festival in Calella de Palafrugell, the Castell de Peralada Festival, the Torroella de Montgrí Festival and Portalblau in L'Escala. All of them have their own programme starting at the end of June and lasting until August.
Discover the main music festivals on the Costa Brava
8. Explore the natural parks
Exploring the natural parks is one of the most recommended experiences on the Costa Brava for discovering its natural wealth, from fauna and flora to some of the most singular landscapes in the Mediterranean. Along the coastline there are some of the most spectacular protected areas in Catalonia, where nature, biodiversity and surroundings combine in a unique way.
The Cap de Creus Natural Park, at the easternmost end of the Peninsula, stands out for its rock formations, wild coves and landscapes sculpted by the wind. The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, one of the most important wetlands in southern Europe, are a privileged place for birdwatching. The Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park combines land and marine spaces, with the Medes Islands as one of the richest marine reserves in the Mediterranean, ideal for snorkelling and diving.
Each of these spaces makes it possible to enjoy activities adapted to all audiences, from hiking and cycling routes to kayaking, wildlife observation or diving in protected environments.
Discover the best guided visits on the Costa Brava
9. Visit museums and historical heritage
Visiting museums and historical heritage is one of the most enriching cultural experiences on the Costa Brava and an essential way to understand the territory beyond its landscape. Its legacy combines different periods and civilisations, leaving a unique heritage that can be explored throughout the province of Girona.
The Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries, founded in the 6th century BC, are one of the most important archaeological sites on the Peninsula. The Dalí universe, with the Theatre-Museum in Figueres, the House in Portlligat in Cadaqués and the Castle of Púbol, constitutes one of the most visited cultural itineraries in Spain. Added to this are medieval castles, Romanesque monasteries, Girona’s Jewish quarter and Begur’s indiano houses, which make it possible to discover the history and identity of the Costa Brava.
Discover the best museums on the Costa Brava
10. Go shopping (shopping)
Going shopping on the Costa Brava is a perfect complementary activity to discover the destination’s more local side. From small craft shops and typical products in charming villages to larger shopping areas, the offer combines tradition and current trends.
In towns such as Platja d'Aro or the centre of Girona you will find a wide variety of shops and boutiques. For a more exclusive experience, La Roca Village, less than an hour away, brings together luxury brands in an outlet format in a carefully designed setting. In addition, local markets, especially in summer, are an excellent opportunity to discover gastronomic products, handicrafts and unique souvenirs.
Discover what else to do on the Costa Brava when it rains
The Costa Brava has something for every type of traveller and for every time of year. The best way to make the most of it is to choose a good base, such as Hotel Aigua Blava in Begur, and explore it at your own pace.
