The Locals Guide To Costa Brava

Our guide to Banyoles by our Costa Brava local expert - The ancient town of Banyoles lies near to the Benedictine Monastery of Sant Esteve founded in 812. This is a bustling place, especially good for shopping on the days when the market takes over the whole of the Plaça Major.

Our guide to Begur by our Costa Brava local expert - Begur is documented in manuscripts dating back from the Middle Ages. Some of its historic buildings still stand today, such as the castle or its defence towers built during the 16th and 17th centuries, which served as refuge from the pirates roaming the Mediterranean at that time.

Our guide to Besalú by our Costa Brava local expert - At 150 metres above sea level, in the Garrotxa region, lies Besalú. Its strategic location, between the Fluviá and Capellades rivers, and its proximity to the towns of Girona, Figueres and Olot, is the main reason for which it has been inhabited since the 6th Century.

Our guide to Blanes by our Costa Brava local expert - The busy resort of Blanes spreads down from the Sa Palomera rock, the most Southern part of the Costa Brava. From here downwards, towards Barcelona, the coast is known as the Costa del Maresme.

Our guide to Cadaqués by our Costa Brava local expert - The picturesque town of Cadaqués, its representative monument being the Santa Maria church, is renowned worldwide for its most famous visitor, Salvador Dalí.

Our guide to Castellfollit de la Roca by our Costa Brava local expert - A large number of small villages nestle in the volcanic region of La Garrotxa, an ideal place for hiking because of its lush green wooded landscape, friendly people and exquisite gastronomy.

Our guide to Castelló d'Empúries by our Costa Brava local expert - In approximately the XI century the Counts of Empúries relocated their residence to the Vila Castilione, nowadays known as Castelló d’Empúries, which then became the new capital of the county.

Our guide to Costa Brava Regional Overview by our Costa Brava local expert - Bathed in the spectacular Mediterranean sunlight, the Costa Brava climate is idea...

Our guide to El Port de la Selva by our Costa Brava local expert - El Port de la Selva is a little town facing onto the Mediterranean Sea. Apart from fishing, the production of wine and olive oil was its most important source of income during the XIX century.

Our guide to Empuriabrava by our Costa Brava local expert -

Our guide to Figueres by our Costa Brava local expert - Figueres, the capital city of the Alt Empordà, is still nowadays the intersection communicating  Barcelona  with France and is connected to the French border by the AVE (high speed train).

Our guide to Girona by our Costa Brava local expert - Gerunda was the name that the Romans gave to Girona when they founded the capital city of the Gironès on the Costa Brava region. Proof of this era can be found in the steps in the old city and Força Street, both of which date back to this period. The city wall was built for the purpose of protecting the city and some centuries later was to form part of this area. Curious features of the city wall are the windows, shops or arches built into it.

Our guide to L'Escala by our Costa Brava local expert - To the south of the Golf of Roses lies the little resort of l’Escala, which in the past was a fishermen’s district of San Martí d’Empúries. Its name most probably derives from the Latin "Scala", a term often used to refer to a small port or refuge for boats.

Our guide to L'Estartit by our Costa Brava local expert - L’Estartit was born as a small fishing village in the 18th century. Sea trade with other places such as Barcelona enabled it to sell its produce of corn, rise, wine and liquor. In fact, some of the fortified buildings remaining today still remind us of the pirate attacks of many years ago.

Our guide to La Bisbal d'Empordà by our Costa Brava local expert - La Bisbal, the capital of the Baix Empordà region, changed its Roman name of "Fontanetum" to the current name at the beginning of the 11th century when it was handed over to the "Bisbe" (bishop in Catalan) of Girona.

Our guide to Llançà by our Costa Brava local expert - As proven by various archaeological remains, Llançà has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The dolmen of El Puig d’Esquers and the Abbot’s tomb (Tomba de l’Abat) are two good examples of those ancient times. However, the pre-Romanic period is also of importance and can be appreciated in Llançà’s architecture.

Our guide to Lloret de Mar by our Costa Brava local expert - Lloret de Mar, an important tourist resort on the Costa Brava, offers visitors a wide range of cultural activities, watersports, gastronomy and nightlife.

Our guide to Olot by our Costa Brava local expert - The town of Olot located in the heart of the Garrotxa Volcanic Area Natural Park, offers visitors a wide variety of things to do and see, both within the town and in the unspoilt outskirts on this area of the Costa Brava, not to mention the amazing gastronomy.

Our guide to Palafrugell by our Costa Brava local expert - Pretty rural villages, such as Llofriu, Santa Margarida, Ermedàs and Vilaseca, belong to the municipality of Palafrugell, but it has been the attractive coastal fishing villages of Calella, Llafranc, Tamariu and Aigua Xelida, which have really brought tourists to this area of the Costa Brava.

Our guide to Palamós by our Costa Brava local expert - The Montagut Dolmen is the most striking evidence of the antiquity of the town of Palamós located right in the centre of the Costa Brava.

Our guide to Pals by our Costa Brava local expert - The name Pals derives from the Latin "palus", most probably relating to the nearby marshes where some of the best rice is grown in Catalonia. Documentation exists on the harvesting of rice in this area dating back to the 14th century. The rice industry and the harvesting of dry farming crops are two of the most important activities in this town, not to mention tourism, an important source of revenue nowadays.

Our guide to Peralada by our Costa Brava local expert - In approximately 500 BC an old Iberian fortified town was built where Peralada lies today. During the Middle Ages, Peralada was one of the most important towns in this area of the Costa Brava and even had its own army to defend its inhabitants from attacks from Besalú and Empúries. Traces of this glorious era can be seen in some of the stunning buildings that can be visited today.

Our guide to Platja d'Aro by our Costa Brava local expert - Even though its historical roots are evident due to the menhirs dotted around the region and the dolmen of the Cova dels Moros, today Platja d’Aro is a truly cosmopolitan resort, attracting both large scale tourism and businesses, with important convention centres offering a wide range of services for all types of event.

Our guide to Roses by our Costa Brava local expert - Roses is a town within a bay of the same name and 3000 years of history. It has an exceptional location and is well-connected with Girona, Barcelona and the French border. You can therefore easily combine your stay by visiting other places. However, if you plan to stay there are enough things to do in Roses to keep you occupied for long enough.

Our guide to Sant Feliu de Guíxols by our Costa Brava local expert - In addition to fishing, the predominant industry prior to the tourist boom in the 1960s, the main economic activity of Sant Feliu de Guíxols was the production of cork, an industry still thriving today.

Our guide to Torroella de Montgrí by our Costa Brava local expert - At the foot of the Mongrí hills and not far from the sea lies the village of Torroella de Montgrí, presided by its impressive castle. It is said that its name derives from the combination of the words "torre" (tower) and "celda" (cell).

Our guide to Tossa de Mar by our Costa Brava local expert - The beautiful "Vila Vella" (old town) of Tossa de Mar is one of the best jewels on the shores of the Mediterranean, offering wonderful views over the beach and bay.