Where to Stay in Costa Brava: My Favorite Towns + Hotels
The Costa Brava, literally translated as the Wild Coast, is a beautiful stretch of coastline in Spain running from Blanes right up to the French border. This area of Catalunya is one of the most stunning in all of the country, offering rugged cliff edges, incredible sandy coves, crystal clear waters, and delicious food.
Whilst it can get very busy in summer, the Costa Brava has been able to retain a lot of its original charm and wildness and, in my opinion, seems much less developed than other coastal areas of Spain.
When deciding where to stay along the Costa Brava, it's important to think about location and what you want out of your holiday. As is common in much of Spain, many of the towns along the Costa Brava are actually 2 towns – one more of a beach town and the other the original one that's set a bit further back. So, choosing which one you stay in is important, especially if you don't want to be traveling.
There are also larger cities, tiny hilltop villages, and beach resorts to choose from – so you really are spoilt for choice on the Costa Brava!
The 4 Best Towns to Stay on the Costa Brava
One of the things I really love about the Costa Brava is how diverse it is. As a popular tourist destination, you can find large resort-style hotels right on the beach, but there are also lots of amazing small medieval towns, cities, and tiny villages surrounded by pine forests.
Pals: Pals is a beautiful place for couples to stay with incredible nearby beaches and an idyllic old town too.
Tossa del Mar: A great seaside town that has wonderful coves and plenty of activities for families.
Cadaques: A relaxed seaside town that's popular amongst artists and those looking for access to nature.
Girona: Catalunya's second-biggest city is full of history, culture, and fascinating sights to see. It's also famous for its annual flower season.
1. Where to Stay in Costa Brava for Beautiful Beaches & Traditional Town Vibes: Pals (My Favorite)
Best for: Couples who want a mix of exploring old towns and lying on the beach
Before going to the Costa Brava, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I certainly hadn't expected a mix of wide sandy beaches, stunning secret coves, and hilltop towns with a medieval castle. But that's exactly what I got!
Pals was recommended to us by one of our best friends from Catalunya, and it was perfect for a 5-day break. Just like other places along the coast, there's Pals town and Platja de Pals, the beach area. We stayed between the two which was a great place to base ourselves and offered us everything we wanted, including perfect beaches, fewer tourists, towns to explore, and amazing food.
Pros of Staying in Pals
Beautiful beaches nearby
Varied accommodations for different budgets
Close to other towns and beaches
Great food and restaurants
Wonderful town to walk around
Fewer tourists than other places on the coast
Cons of Staying in Pals
You probably need a car to get to the towns and beaches
Not a huge amount to do in Pals town
Best Hotels to Stay in Pals
($$$) Masía Rural Can Poch
This beautiful 17th-century restored house is just a 12-minute walk from Pals town and close to the beach too. The extensive grounds have a swimming pool, vegetable plots, and terraces.
($$) Ses Garites
This beautiful hotel has modern and stylish rooms and is perfect for nature lovers. There's a terrace, swimming pool, and BBQ facilities and it's just a 5-minute drive from Pals town.
($) Hostal Barris
Hostal Barris is located in central Pals, so close to restaurants, nature, and beaches. Each room has its own bathroom and they're all clean and well-equipped.
Things to Do in Pals
Visit One of The Amazing Beaches: Platja de Pals is a long and wide sandy beach that's very family-friendly. Although beautiful, it wasn't quite what we were looking for, and instead, we headed to Platja de l'Illa Roja, a short walk/scramble over rocks from Platja de Pals. This beautiful, secluded beach was basically empty in the morning and the water was stunning – although much colder than I expected, which is common for the Costa Brava.
Another incredible beach, a little further away from Pals, is Platja Fonda. The rugged, pine-covered cliffs run straight into bright emerald water and it was surprisingly not too full when we went in September.
I'd recommend getting the EasyPark app for beaches in the area, it came in really helpful for us and we were able to prolong the time we'd parked the car from the beach!
Visit Pals Town: One thing we kept saying when walking around the amazing towns on the Costa Brava was ‘Why aren't more people here?'. We'd recently got back from a trip around busy Tuscany and the towns are just as beautiful but, for some reason, not as well known. Pals is a stunning medieval town with winding cobbled streets, cute little bars, and beautiful gardens. It's definitely worth spending an afternoon wandering around, eating some tapas, and exploring all the art shops.
Take a Trip to Begur: Begur is a larger town than Pals and just a 10-minute drive away. It has a more luxurious feel than some others in the area. I'd recommend walking up to the castle for some stunning views over Platja del Pals and up the coast.
Cook Amazing Fresh Fish! Wherever we are in Spain, we're always on the lookout for fresh and local produce. Peixateria Arnau is an amazing fish shop close to where we were staying that has fresh fish delivered twice per day. It was a great place to stop off on our way back from the beach and grab some food for dinner.
2. Where to Stay in Costa Brava for Families, Beach Activities: Tossa de Mar
Best for: Water sports, kid-friendly beaches, and nature
Tossa de Mar is a lively and atmospheric town to the south of Pals. It's a good balance of being built up enough that there are great restaurants and activities for children but the old center still brings charm and character. Many heading to the area with kids head towards Platja d'Aro but, in my opinion, there are many more beautiful Costa Brava beaches that aren't as touristy – Tossa de Mar is one of them.
The historic Medieval village stands proudly on the cliff edge, overlooking the large sandy beach of Tossa de Mar. At the other end of the beach are apartment blocks, restaurants, and some places offering good nightlife.
But don't think that Tossa de Mar is a lively party town. This beautiful place is the perfect beach break and the nearby coves and beaches are amazing for water sports, snorkeling, and relaxing.
And, for those who are interested, Tossa de Mar was also the first anti-bullfighting city in the world!
Pros of Staying in Tossa de Mar
Lots of nature to enjoy
Child and family-friendly
Lots of hotels to choose from
Beautiful beaches nearby
Close to hiking trails
Cons of Staying in Tossa de Mar
Can be more touristy than in smaller towns
Best Hotels to Stay in Tossa de Mar
($$$) Boutique Hotel Casa Granados
This boutique hotel is a restored 19th-century mansion just 150 meters from the beach. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens and there's a private swimming pool too. There are various suites to choose from, many of which have a private terrace.
($$) Gran Hotel Reymer
This beachfront hotel has an outdoor pool, padel court, and panoramic views of Tossa de Mar. The rooms are all air-conditioned with a private balcony and have all the amenities you need.
($) Hotel Vila de Tossa
This great hotel is just 400 meters from the beach and offers clean and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. There's a buffet breakfast on offer and outdoor parking.
Things to Do in Tossa de Mar
Go Hiking: One of the most beautiful hiking trails on the Costa Brava is around Tossa de Mar. Camí de Ronda is a footpath that was first built in the 19th century to help local police control and stop smuggling. It's a beautiful, looping trail that winds itself through pine forests to some beautiful coves. The first one you'll come across is Cala Bona which is a particularly wild and beautiful beach that's perfect for a break! The trail is generally considered difficult and it's best to do it out of the heat.
Enjoy Water Sports: There are lots of great places to enjoy paddleboarding, snorkeling, diving, waterskiing, and surfing in and around Tossa de Mar.
Walk Through the Old Town: The narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town are definitely worth visiting. It's a little like going back in time but with the odd souvenir shop mixed in. In fact, it's the only fortified town that remains on the coast of Catalunya!
Visit One of the Most Beautiful Beaches on the Coast: Cala Futadera was one of the most beautiful beaches we went to on our trip and it's the perfect day trip from Tossa de Mar. The little cove is lined with rocky cliffs and endless pine trees and the water is crystal clear. It's a popular spot for yachts thanks to its secluded location and beauty.
3. Where to Stay in Costa Brava for Art, Food, and Beautiful Beaches: Cadaques
Best for: Day trips, museums, and pebbled beaches
Cadaques is a town to the north of the Costa Brava, about a 2-hour drive from Barcelona. Unlike other places on this list, Cadaques is famous for its beautiful pebble beaches and white-washed buildings. The village is adorned with hanging bougainvillea, blue doors, and a variety of potted cacti.
I really liked Cadaques for its relaxed, bohemian feel and several great restaurants are serving Catalan tapas and fresh dishes.
For those that love nature, Cadaques also offers great hiking trails and the Cap de Creus National Park is close by. It's full of panoramic ocean views and stunning rock formations.
Pros of Staying in Cadaques
Beautiful town with a great atmosphere
Wonderful restaurants
Good for art lovers
Plenty of accommodations to choose from
Lots of great beaches nearby
Cons of Staying in Cadaques
It can be touristy in the high seasons
Public transport there can be difficult
Pebble beach, not sand
Best Hotels in Cadaques
($$$) Hotel Playa Sol
This stylish hotel is located just a stone's throw away from the beach and has an outdoor swimming pool and an olive grove to enjoy. It's tastefully decorated and there's private parking too.
($$) Hotel La Residencia
This wonderful hotel is themed around the life and work of Dali. The rooms are spacious and some have a sea view. It's in the heart of Cadaques and many restaurants and cafes are within walking distance.
($) Hostal Vehí
All rooms in Hostal Vehí are bright, well-decorated, and air-conditioned. They also have a private bathroom and breakfast is on offer. It's in a great location in the heart of Cadaques, close to the beach and restaurants.
Things to Do in Cadaques
Visit the Dali Museum and House: You can visit the summer home of the famous artist, Salvador Dali, which is a fantastic way to understand a bit more about him and his artwork. The house is in Port Lligat, about 15 minutes walk from Cadaques. You should buy tickets in advance and they ask you to arrive 30 minutes before, as parking is tricky and it's not the easiest place to get to.
Walk to the Lighthouse: The view from Far de Cala Nans, the lighthouse up the hill from Cadaques, is incredible. It's a great place to take a picnic and, if you're up early enough, I'd recommend going there for sunrise.
Go to a Wonderful Pebbled Beach: Platja del Ros is a stunning beach with great views over to Cadaques. It's a pebbled beach, which I love as it makes the water so much clearer, but it might not be up your street if you prefer to relax on the sand.
Take a Walk along the Harbor: The harbor in Cadaques is beautiful and full of charming little fishing boats. It's a particularly great place to walk along at night as the twinkly lights make it even more beautiful!
4. Where to Stay in Costa Brava for Big City Life and a Great Base: Girona
Best for: Public transport, day trips to other towns, and sightseeing
Girona is an amazing city and the perfect place to base yourself for your first time on the Costa Brava. It's also great if you prefer having more things to do and enjoying the benefits of staying in a big city. It's beautiful and made up of winding medieval streets and a stunning old Jewish Quarter.
There is an airport in Girona, although it's much smaller than Barcelona and there are way fewer flights. Something I really like about this romantic city is that you can easily take day trips to nearly all of the other places on this list. There's a great small group tour to Pals and Begur which is a lovely way of seeing the surrounding nature and towns, but enjoying bigger city life.
Pros of Staying in Girona
Great location with access to other towns
Good public transport and easy to get to
Beautiful city with lots to see and do
Great food
Lots of hotels to choose from
Cons of Staying in Girona
Beaches are further away
The Best Hotels in Girona
($$$) Hotel Nord 1901
A beautiful hotel in the middle of Girona's old town offering luxury rooms, manicured gardens, and an outdoor swimming pool. Sights such as the Girona Cathedral are close by too.
($$) Hotel Històric
This hotel is beautifully decorated with modern finishes and traditional features such as stone walls and wooden beams. It's in the center of the Old Town, with restaurants and tourist sights within walking distance.
($) Pensión Borrás
This is a great little hotel with clean and equipped rooms and private bathrooms. It's centrally located in the Old Town and many rooms have a balcony.
Things to Do in Girona
Walk Along the City Walls: This is definitely one of the best things to do in Girona and a great way to get an incredible view of the city. There are also several towers along the wall which offer an even better view!
Walk Across the Eiffel Bridge: Yes, that's Eiffel as in the Eiffel Tower – and once you've seen the bridge you'll see they're very similar! It's also a great place to get a view of the Onyar River.
Visit Girona Cathedral: Girona Cathedral is a wonderful building and one of the top places to visit in the city. Prepare yourself for walking up all the stairs to the entrance, though!
Try a Xuixo! Xuixo is my favorite Spanish pastry, so you can imagine how happy I was to find out they're originally from Girona! They're kind of like a donut filled with patisserie cream. You can get a couple of different flavors but my favorite is the original. I tried a few on our day trip to Girona and Xuixo Castello was the best!
Go to the Beach! Girona might be one of the inland towns on the Costa Brava, but some stunning coves are pretty nearby. You'll probably need a car to access them, although larger towns, such as Cadaques, can be reached by public transport.
Getting to The Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is a popular holiday destination in Spain so getting there is fairly easy. Barcelona has a large, international airport just a short drive from the region. There are daily and often cheap flights from all over Europe. There are some bus companies and other public transport options to take you to the larger towns on the Costa Brava, but hiring a car is your best bet, especially if you want to travel around.
You could also go to the Costa Brava as part of a trip along the east coast of Spain or around Catalunya. We drove up from Valencia, stopping off for a few days in the stunning Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta and Peniscola before continuing onto the Costa Brava and inland Catalunya.
You can also arrive in Barcelona via ferry and train from all over Spain and neighboring countries.
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Where to Stay in Costa Brava – Frequently Asked Questions
☀️ When's The Best Time to Go to The Costa Brava?
I went to the Costa Brava in September last year and it was perfect. It was really warm during the day but cooler at night and there were fewer people than at the height of summer. The water was pretty chilly though and was certainly refreshing!
My Catalan friend also loves to go to the Costa Brava in winter, especially to go hiking. It's much easier to park and there's barely anyone around. It's definitely too cold for swimming, though!
📅 How Long to Spend on The Costa Brava?
I'd say 3 to 5 days is enough time to enjoy the area and see a couple of the towns and lovely beaches. Of course, if you want to make it into a beach holiday, you could stay in many of the places on the list for a bit longer and take day trips to visit others in the area.
👨👩👦 Is The Costa Brava Kid Friendly?
Yes! The Costa Brava is a great holiday destination to take kids. There are loads of wide and sandy beaches for them to play on, and plenty of parks and sights to see when you're not at the beach. There's also a Water World Parc 20 minutes from Tossa de Mar and many of the beaches along the coast have inflatable parks on the water for kids to play on.
💰 Is The Costa Brava Expensive?
The Costa Brava is surprisingly affordable, especially if you go out of season. This summer, we were actually planning on booking a couple of days in Ibiza, but since we were a bit late everything is super expensive. The Costa Brava is much cheaper, especially when you consider that the water is just as clear and the villages just as beautiful!
Where to Stay in Costa Brava – Final Words
I know the Costa Brava is a popular destination for Spaniards and non-Spaniards but it still has a bit of an ‘undiscovered' feel to it.
There are so many amazing beaches and towns to explore and the coastline is truly stunning. It feels very different to other coasts in Spain and the food and people are amazing. In fact, we loved it so much that we're thinking of going back this year too!
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