Few places can be compared to the Costa Brava in terms of the quality and beauty of its beaches and coves. Located on the coast of Girona in northern Catalonia, the Costa Brava extends from the town of Blanes to Portbou, near the border with France. Traveling to the Costa Brava is synonymous with enjoying beaches with transparent waters, old fishing villages that still retain part of their charm and relaxing walks along the Roads of Ronda that will take you to hidden coves between small cliffs and thick vegetation.
Although there is a wide variety of coves and beaches in this area, we have made a list of what we believe are some of the 10 best beaches on the Costa Brava, always based on our experience in this part of the Catalan coast, where we currently live.
1. Cala Sa Boadella in Lloret de Mar
Sa Boadella, surrounded by a natural environment of rock and lush vegetation, is one of the best beaches in Lloret de Mar and the entire Costa Brava. This beach of about 200 meters in length where nudism is practiced on its right side, is perfect to relax and disconnect from the tourist town of Lloret de Mar. To reach the cove you have to walk about 200 meters from the residential area where you can park easily, especially in the less crowded months.
We recommend you to go down the narrow path to the left, from which you will enjoy magnificent views of the cove and its surroundings, which we have to confess, is one of our favorites on the Costa Brava.
Sa Boadella in Lloret de Mar
2. Cala Pola in Tossa de Mar
Cala Pola located about 6 kilometers from Tossa de Mar, on the road that goes to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, is one of the most beautiful coves of the Costa Brava. With about 80 meters in length it is hidden in a small rocky bay and is one of those corners that we are sure, you can never forget.
Although it is not very visited, it is known since there is a campsite right next to it, just follow the indications of "Camping Pola", or to reach it, although we must warn you that you can only park at the entrance of the parking lot of the camping in low season and not for a long time, so if you are going to spend several hours on the beach, it is best to travel a few meters more and reach a parking area next to the road, past the campsite, where you will not have problems.
Cala Giverola, Cala Futadera and Cala del Senyor Ramon, are other incredible beaches that are in the stretch of curves that go to Sant Feliu de Guíxols from Tossa de Mar, an area full of hidden coves and spectacular panoramic viewpoints to the sea Mediterranean from the road, which make this area one of our favorites in the world.
Cala Pola in Tossa de Mar
3. Illa Roja beach in Begur
Illa Roja, which owes its name to the reddish color of the sand and the large rock located in the middle of the cove, is one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava. Located between Begur and Pals, it can only be reached by the Camino de Ronda on the Costa Brava, which runs from Racó de Pals beach to Cala Sa Riera de Begur.
This nudist beach, about 100 meters long, is perfect for a swim in its crystal clear waters, with the tranquility of finding few people and being able to enjoy, in addition to an incredible landscape, a relaxed atmosphere.
The clarity of its waters make it a perfect cove for snorkeling or diving, without a doubt, one of the best things to do on the Costa Brava.
Illa Roja beach in Begur
4. Cala Player in Cap de Creus
On the old road that goes from Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia for us, to the lighthouse of Cap de Creus you will find spectacular coves such as La Jugadora or Culip. This area of the Cap de Creus Natural Park is characterized by the capricious forms of the rocks as a result of the incredible erosion of the sea and the strong wind of tramontana, which have given way to some very curious formations, which have become part of the landscape of the area.
The Cala Jugadora is very close to the Cap de Creus lighthouse, so if you do not want to make the road from Cadaqués to the cove, about 7 kilometers, you can park near the road and walk down to the cove.
Cala Player in Cap de Creus
5. Es Castell beach in Palamós
Es Castell de Palamós Beach, considered the most virgin beach of the Costa Brava, thanks to the defense in the preservation of its surroundings from its neighbors, is one of the beaches that you can not miss if you come through this area of the Costa Brava. In addition to enjoying a sunny day, at its left end are the ruins of an old Iberian village from which you get magnificent views of the beach, which can also be visited and thus enjoy a most complete day . This silver has a parking lot, very close to the beach, so it is accessible to all audiences.
On the far left, before arriving at the Iberian settlement, you will see a Camino de Ronda, highly recommended if you have a couple of extra hours, from which you can reach Cala Estreta in half an hour, another of the best coves of the Costa Brava.
The Es Castell beach in Palamós
6. Cala Aigua Xelida in Tamariu
With about 20 meters wide and just over a kilometer from Tamariu, this cove is located between the best beaches of the Costa Brava. Only for the walk from Tamariu, we have to tell you that it is already worth it and it is a highly recommended option to reach it.
If we have not convinced you, or you do not have much time, you can also arrive by car and then access the cove by going down some stone stairs that will take you directly to its icy and crystalline waters, perfect for snorkeling and diving among fish.
Cala d'Aigüa Xelida in Tamariu
7. Santa Cristina, one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava
Santa Cristina Beach in Lloret de Mar, is one of the most familiar and popular beaches of the Costa Brava. Fine sand, located at the foot of the Hermitage of Santa Cristina, is surrounded by a magnificent natural environment of rocks and pine trees, which also make it one of the most beautiful in the area.
You should also take into account that it is a large beach, about 500 meters long, ideal for a family beach morning or relax without the crowds that other places on the Costa Brava usually have, especially in the summer months.
It has a large parking lot, about 300 meters from the beach and right next to the beach is the beautiful Cala Treumal, another one of the most beautiful coves of the Costa Brava.
Santa Cristina, one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava
Other beaches and places to see in Lloret de Mar that are very worthwhile are the beach of Canyelles, Sa Caleta and the small Cala Trons, three places that we assure you, you will remember and those who will want to return again and again.
Sa Caleta
8. Sa Tuna in Begur
Begur has some of the best coves on the Costa Brava and places to see in Girona. Starting with Cala Sa Tuna, with crystal clear and calm waters, protected from the waves by the rocks.
On one side of this beach you will find beautiful fishing houses and a Camino de Ronda that will take you to the beautiful cove of Aiguafreda in about 15 minutes of walking.
Access to Sa Tuna is easier than to other coves in the area, since you can access the same beach by car and also has parking and all necessary services in high season.
In Begur there is also Cala de Aiguablava, with a bluish seabed, shallow waters and fine sand, which make it another of the best beaches in Girona.
Cala Sa Tuna in Begur
9. Port-Bo in Calella de Palafrugell
In Calella de Palafrugell, one of the most beautiful villages to see in Catalonia, is the urban beach of Port-Bo. It stands out above all for its surroundings, of old white fishermen's houses, the boats on top of the sand, the arcades forming a porch and the terraces of the fresh seafood restaurants.
It should also be noted that every year in July the traditional and famous is celebrated sung of habaneras, one of the magical moments of the Costa Brava, that you cannot miss if you are in the area.
Port-Bo in Calella de Palafrugell
10. Sa Conca Beach in Platja d'Aro
At the end of the Camino de Ronda between Sant Feliu de Guíxols and S'Agaró, one of the most beautiful on the Costa Brava, is the Sa Conca Beach, a family beach of about 400 meters of golden sand and transparent waters, which has All services, including parking nearby, perfect for a great day at the beach.
The beach is divided into two parts by the Illot de Sa Conca and the furthest part of the Camino de Ronda is the Cala dels Oriços, with a rocky bottom and full of hedgehogs.
Sa Conca beach in Platja d'Aro
If you feel like helping us increase the list the 10 best beaches on the Costa Brava, add yours in the comments.
** This article is written as part of a collaboration with Lloret Turisme, but always based on our experiences, with original content and without any brand having influenced us in any case.
