Resort towns of Costa Brava. Costa Brava or Costa Dorada: which is better to choose for your holiday? Resorts of the Costa Brava

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Costa Brava: where it is located on the map of Spain, which cities

Most tourists who decide to relax in Spain choose the Costa Brava. They think, and some are even sure, that this is a city and a resort. In fact, this is a coastline that is 200 kilometers long. And it is on this coast that the ancient beautiful cities are located: Blanes, Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar. And this is where tourists stay when they come here. Where do they come? Do you know where Costa Brava is on the map in Spain? We invite you to take a look at this place and then you will understand that this place is truly magical and worth coming here on vacation.

A little geography

And so, Costa Brava is a coast, and some say it is a strip. This miracle is located in the northeast of Catalonia, in the province of Girona. Actually, it’s about 60 kilometers from here to Barcelona, ​​and the Costa Brava borders on France and the border is natural mountains with beautiful landscapes and picturesque paintings. You can also find ski resorts here in winter.

Video about Costa Brava

If you have not yet visited the coast, then watch a beautiful video that shows all the beauty of the 200-kilometer-long coastline. In the video you will see the cities, look at the best beaches in the country and experience the holiday in such a way that you will want to immediately go here.

Climate and weather of the Costa Brava

This place is one of the three most visited places in the country by tourists. But in general, Costa Brava is the coldest place in the country, if we take the average temperature for the year.
The climate here is mild and stable. After all, this is the Mediterranean Sea and there are almost no unpleasant surprises here. In summer, when the holiday season is in full swing, the air temperature is always above +30 degrees.

July and August are the hottest months. During these months the temperature can easily rise to +35 degrees.
The winter months are the coldest. During the day the temperature almost never rises above +10, and at night it can drop to +2 +4. The rainiest month is November; at the end of autumn there are 15-18 days of rain. And the amount of precipitation reaches 120 millimeters.

Map of Spain from Costa Brava

Look directly on the map. Where is the Costa Brava and what cities are located on it.

Map of the Costa Brava with cities and resorts

And now we offer you a new map of the Costa Brava. The map shows cities and resorts located along the entire coast. You will see how far Barcelona is from the first city on the coast, where the border with France is and how far Andorra is.

The coast is notable for the fact that it combines completely incompatible zones in its topography. In one part Costa Brava There are entirely rocky cliffs, on which fir and Pyrenean pines grow in huge numbers. But in the other part of the coast there are picturesque bays and gentle bays with snow-white sand and “sugar” pebbles.The meaning laid down by the Spaniards in this name (in the translation of Costa Brava - “rocky” or “wild coast”) fully reflects the realities of the landscapes available here: steep, avant-garde cliffs, attacked along the perimeter by lush Pyrenean vegetation, interspersed with alentine coves strewn with snow-white sea ​​sand and surrounded by graceful palm trees.

Remarkably, the slopes of the Costa Brava still attract a large number of esotericists and scientists. The reason for this is dolmens - monolithic monuments made of stone blocks that form the shape of a table. It is believed that dolmens were used for esoteric sessions.

Medieval buildings on the coast peacefully coexist with first-class luxury hotels that provide five-star services. Small port towns, fishing villages, majestic fortresses - all these elements of the Middle Ages have been preserved almost completely on the coast. The Costa Brava originates near a town called Blanes, which is only 60 km from Barcelona, ​​if you go to the northeast. And the expanse of coastline ends almost on the French border, near a resort called Roses.

If we talk about the most popular resorts of the Costa Brava, then there are five of them: Lioret de Mar, Blanes, Roses, Estartit, Tossa de Mar.

Lioret de Mar most popular among young people and inveterate partygoers. Moreover, the energetic resort attracts not only young students, but also more mature 30-year-olds. The resort offers active and energetic fun-seekers a variety of bars, discos and noisy clubs.

But don’t think that a comfortable holiday with your family in Lioret de Mar will be impossible! On the contrary, the resort is replete with family entertainment: a magnificent sandy beach, a huge water park, even by European standards, an aquarium, as well as Port Adventure attractions from Universal Studios, a famous film company.

Vacationers on Lioret de Mar are also invited to go parasailing and jet skiing. You can stay comfortably in the Lioret de Mar resort in different ways: rent a hotel room with 1 star, 3 and 5 stars. Inexpensive hostels are also available for accommodation. Hotels with 4 stars “Aquarium Hotel” and “Grand Hotel” are especially hospitable to vacationers. Both hotels offer wonderful views of the sea coast.

The atmosphere is calmer than in Lioret de Mar, prevailing on resort Blanes. This city is famous for its history, because the first settlers appeared on the territory of Blanes already in the 1st century BC. Blanes is located 10 km south of Lioret de Mar.

The main attractions of the city are the ruins of several majestic castles. In the mid-13th century, the castle of San Juan stood on top of the mountain crowning Blanes; in the 12th century, the castle of Viscount Carbera and the Romanesque Basilica of St. Barbara. Nowadays all that remains are ruins, however, well preserved.The local delightful zoo with various inhabitants, as well as the cheerful water amusement park Marineland, will not leave indifferent not only the youngest guests of the resort, but also their adult parents. The beach of this paradise is famous for its annual fireworks festival.

Miniature village Tossa de Mar, hidden in a picturesque bay of the Mediterranean Sea, is famous among tourism lovers not only as an excellent resort for a relaxing holiday, but also as a city unique for its original culture. Going out to sea on boats allows you to see the amazing panorama of Tossa de Mar: the rugged coastline, strewn with soft sand sparkling in the sun, is surrounded by rocky hills, on one of which the centuries-old Spanish fortress reveals its centuries-old fortress to the world. This resort is an Eden for a relaxing family holiday: the lack of active nightlife allows you to completely relax in the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea. Every year, the expanses of Tossa de Mar gather young artists for the international festival of photography and fine arts “Beauties of the Costa Brava”.

The complete opposite of the resort of Tossa de Mar is its “cousin” - Lloret de Mar resort. Rich nightlife alternates with active beach activities. Numerous bars, discos, nightclubs, restaurants and cafes are scattered throughout the resort. The Water World water park, famous for its extreme rides and entertainment for children, is also located in Lloret de Mar.

The capital of the Costa del Maresme municipality is recognized as the best resort for active sports in the Costa Brava - Calella. All kinds of water sports, such as diving, surfing, windsurfing, yachting, rafting complement the “land” sports activities: golf, tennis, mountain biking and many others.

Magnificent and exclusive historical sites and monuments are mostly concentrated in the areas of such Costa Brava resorts as Malgrat de Mar and Pineda de Mar. The resort of Santa Susanna is famous among tourists and local residents for its health center Parc Natural de la Font del Boter, in whose palaces there are hot springs of healing mineral waters.

Costa Brava- a delightful area for exploring the unique, captivating spaces of the Catalan region, a journey through which can turn into the best adventure of a tourist’s life.

Costa Brava (in Spanish, wild coast) is located in the northeastern part of the coast of Spain - the autonomous region of Catalonia, province of Girona. Among all the diversity of the Mediterranean coast, the Costa Brava combines tourism and active recreation areas with magnificent beach resorts.

Costa Brava on the map

The region is famous for its sandy beaches, stretching 214 km from the border with France to the famous resort of Blanes.

Since the most ancient times, the inhabitants of Greece and Rome have chosen these steep and inaccessible rocky shores, with fir, pine and pine trees overgrown on them, bays with snow-white (golden) sand and pebbles, as well as picturesque bays washed by azure sea waves.

Costa Brava was the first Spanish resort to welcome tourists from Russia. Russians have chosen this region, which was facilitated by lower prices for tour packages than other destinations in Spain.

How to get to Costa Brava

For a trip to the Costa Brava, one of the three international airports in Catalonia is most convenient: Reus (8 km from the city of Tarragona), Costa Brava (12 km from Girona) and El Prat (10 km southwest from the center of Barcelona). The most popular is Barcelona airport - you can fly from Moscow in 4 hours.

Then there are various ways to get to the coast: by bus, by train (the railway track is 65 km long and allows you to get only to Blanes, then by car), or you can immediately take a rental car or hire a taxi in Barcelona.

Climate and weather of the Costa Brava

Costa Brava is the coast of Spain, with the coolest climate, distinguished by its special mildness all year round. From June to October the beach season lasts with an average summer temperature of +25...+28°C; in the winter months the temperature drops to +10°C. Not all tourists know that the Costa Brava is a resort ready to receive tourists all year round, and in addition to summer holidays on the coast, in winter you can visit the ski slopes in the Girona Pyrenees.

Beaches of the Costa Brava

The environmental friendliness and service of beach holidays is ensured by strict control by local authorities. Most beaches are marked with the Blue Flag of the European Union (an award for environmental friendliness and cleanliness). For a high level of professionalism in the organization of tourism, the beaches of Fanals and Lloret de Mar received the insignia of the Q Institute I C T E. The beaches of Calonge and Rosasa have environmental protection labels.

Resorts and activities of the Costa Brava

A large number of small resort towns on the Costa Brava attract large numbers of tourists year after year. The most famous are Blanes, Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar.

Lloret de Mar has earned its reputation as the tourist capital of the Costa Brava. There are only two beaches in the city: Lloret and Fenals Beach, but there is a water park called Water World, which is also called the “city of entertainment” due to the huge number of attractions. Tourists with children will be interested in visiting the Aqualeon mini-zoo and Marineland water park. Fans of a noisy and fun holiday will find numerous discos, nightclubs and bars. Lovers of antiquity will not be left out either. The Verdakyer Cultural Center is famous for the relics of the Iberian region from 250 BC. e. Connoisseurs of active recreation can enjoy horseback riding, play golf or tennis, or get acquainted with the beauty of the underwater world by diving or snorkeling.

Tossa de Mar is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful places on the Costa Brava. Unlike Lloret de Mar, this is a more “family” and calm resort. Its decoration is the very ancient fortress of Villa Vella (in the Old Settlement lane), built in the 12th century high on the rocky shore for protection from pirates. Fans of historical excursions will be interested in: a lighthouse with a museum, several ancient churches, the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, and a historical museum is also located on the shore. The sandy beaches of the resort abut rocky shores, and sheer sea cliffs form narrow straits, beautiful bays and deep grottoes. You can admire the underwater beauty from a slowly sailing boat with a transparent bottom, and those who like active recreation can rent diving equipment or go snorkeling.

Blanes

The southernmost resort of the Costa Brava Blanes is a favorite holiday destination for tourists with children, because it is home to a water amusement park and the Marineland water park. In addition to the usual slides, in the water park you can see a zoo with sea animals and a dolphinarium. Interesting to view are the ruins of the ancient castle of San Juan, built in the 10th century, and the Church of Santa Maria in the 14th century. The largest seafood market of the Costa Brava takes place in Blanes every week, and nature lovers will be amazed by the most beautiful botanical garden in Europe.

In the north of the Costa Brava is the cozy resort of Playa de Aro. It has everything you need for a good and unforgettable holiday: magnificent beaches, a lot of excellent hotels and a huge number of restaurants.

The resort of Palamos is also worth mentioning. For many decades it was just a small coastal village, whose inhabitants fished and traded in the bark of cork trees. It received the status of a resort town only in the mid-50s of the last century, during the rapid development of tourism infrastructure.

Each town of the Costa Brava celebrates the annual feast of its patron saint - fiesta mayor. During this time of craft fairs and concerts, there are fireworks displays and attractions for children. The duration of the holiday is several days, and it ends with a parade of sparklers. In Tossa de Mar, fiesta mayo takes place from June 28 to July 1, in Blanes from July 24 to July 28, and in Lloret de Mar from August 24 to August 30.

Nine ways to make your holiday on the Costa Brava unforgettable

  • Arrange a car ride along the coast in a rented car.
  • Diversify your trip by traveling to France or visiting neighboring Andorra for one day.
  • Fans of active recreation can get to Roses Bay and get kitesurfing lessons.
  • Without missing a single evening, enjoy seafood dishes in numerous local restaurants.
  • Visit the Botanical Garden in Blanes using a cute little train as your means of transportation.
  • Be sure to visit the breathtaking Barcelona.
  • Dance all night in one of the many nightclubs of the “capital” Lloret de Mar.
  • Use all your patience and endurance and climb Mount Montserrat.
  • Experience the beauty of the underwater world by scuba diving in Tossa de Mar.

Popular holiday activities on the Costa Brava

Active tourists will also find something to do in Costa Brava: the resort has several water parks, there are golf courses, for fans of water sports on the coast there are more than 30 windsurfing and scuba diving centers, kayaking, canoeing and rafting along mountain rivers. Excursions on bicycles, horseback riding or walking will help diversify your holiday.

Costa Brava.

Costa Brava is rightfully considered one of the most picturesque places on the Spanish coast. The resort covers the north-eastern coast of Catalonia, and stretches from the city of Blanes to the French border for 162 km. The coast here is indented with small coves, and sheer cliffs stretch for 80 miles along the coast, and since the construction of ports here was difficult, the nature here remained in its original form.

Sharp rocks here are interspersed with beautiful semicircular bays with small beaches. The air here is not only pleasant, but also healthy, which is facilitated by pine forests. The local coast is cool compared to other Spanish resorts, which attracts tourists here in the summer who do not want to sweat from the excessive heat.

Costa Brava It is notable for the fact that it was here that the first stream of Russian tourists went, and usually a tour package here costs less than to other parts of Spain.

You can choose a good hotel. Choose the number of stars, price, dates and choose what you like.

How to get to Costa Brava.

Airplane.

Most often, tourists choose to fly here to Barcelona, ​​but international airports are also located in Gerona and Reus. The flight from Moscow lasts about four hours.

You can find plane tickets. Enter Barcelona and select the desired date for the desired dates.

By bus from Barcelona you can get to any coastal resort, in addition, there is a railway line to Blanes (65 km).

Naturally, you can get anywhere by taxi. In order to get there to the right place, you can rent a car, which will cost less than a taxi, and will also expand your freedom of action. You can find the best option using this one.

Cities and resorts of the Costa Brava.

Being on this coast, it is unforgivable not to visit the surrounding attractions and see the real Spain. First of all, naturally, Barcelona.

(Barcelona) .

A city that everyone, young and old, has heard of, the capital of Catalonia, with a rich historical and cultural heritage. The local architecture amazes even seasoned tourists, such as the works of Gaudi and the ancient Gothic Quarter. You can learn more about this famous city in the article about Barcelona.

(Lloret de Mar).

The tourist capital of the coast, located 65 km from Barcelona. Any tourist with any requirements will find something to his liking. Nature lovers will appreciate the beautiful Mediterranean landscapes; fans of antiquities will see here the ruins of the very ancient city of Loredo, in the city center, the monastery of St. Cristina, built in the 14th century.

Fans of a party holiday will find excellent water parks here (Water World water park and the very popular Marineland water park), bars, clubs, discos, music halls; those who want to engage in water sports will also not be offended. Children will love the Aqualeon mini-zoo.

TossadeMar(Tossa de Mar) .

Located 12 kilometers north of Lloret de Mar. Thanks to the amazing surrounding nature, it is considered the pearl of the Costa Brava, and not to be unfounded, the famous Chagall was inspired by the beauty of the local landscapes, as evidenced by his works in the local museum.

The resort is considered more relaxed and suitable for family holidays.

The ruins of the powerful Villa Vella fortress, built during the times of the Iberians and Romans to protect against pirates, remind us of ancient history here.

(Cadaques) .

A small tourist town in the north of the coast, famous for the Perro-Mura Art Center, where you can see paintings by the great Salvador Dali.

The local embankment will delight you with cozy fish restaurants and shops.

(Blanes) .

Located 60 kilometers from Barcelona. In a short time, a small fishing village has turned into a modern resort with well-developed infrastructure. The beaches here are quite flat, which is convenient for families with small children. Tired of doing nothing on the beach, you can visit the best Botanical Garden in Europe, with three thousand species of plants, visit the ruins of the San Juan Castle built in the 11th century or a medieval church.

In addition, you can visit the beautiful Marineland water park, where you will be shown a show with dolphins and fur seals, and seafood lovers can visit the largest fish market on this coast.

Roses ).

It is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches framed by the rocky foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, and the best water park in the Costa Brava. The town is favored by kite and windsurfers thanks to the winds that are very suitable for this hobby.

Empordà (Alt Emporda).

A historical area made famous by Salvador Dali. Tourists can visit here the museum and the house where the great artist lived and worked.

The monuments of ancient and medieval Catalonia harmoniously fit into the beautiful landscapes.

Every city on the coast celebrates fiesta mayor, dedicated to the patron saint, and since the Spaniards know how to celebrate and do it on a grand scale, it is worth visiting this event if you find yourself on vacation at this time. The holiday usually lasts several days with fairs, fireworks, concerts, and entertainment for children.

Beaches of the Costa Brava.

All resort beaches are municipal, equipped, with sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent. In Lloret de Mar, the longest one and a half kilometer sandy beach is located right in the city center, there are also quieter, but no less clean and comfortable beaches Fenals And Santa Cristina .

The central dark sand beach of Tossa de Mar is famous for its vibrant life, beach bars and restaurants. Those who like a more relaxing holiday prefer the beach Kodolar .

In the town of Roses, tourists will enjoy the beach Almadrava, repeatedly awarded the Blue Flag, located next to the reserve Cape Creus. There is a quiet, calm beach here. La Perola, perfect for a family holiday.

L'Estartit will delight vacationers with a four-kilometer beach Pals, surrounded by pine trees, and a nature reserve beach Montgo .

Sand beach San Francesc , at the resort, is very flat, which will please not only families with small children, but also those who simply cannot swim.

Sights and excursions of the Costa Brava.

. The main attraction of the coast.

MonasteryMontserrat (Monasterio de Montserrat).

The famous monastery of Benedictine monks, built in the 11th century on the top of the mountain. A local celebrity is the sculpture of St. Mary, made of wood. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists flock to the monastery to see the sculpture and the monastery itself. Here you can listen to the boys' choir, where José Carreras once sang.

You can get here by cable car or by the recently opened rack railway.

Located in the city of Tossa de Mar.

Emporion. Ruins of the most ancient Greek city in Spain.

. Located in Figueres. There are no guides in the museum, because the great artist wished so. Fans of his talent can visit the Gala Dali castle, which he gave to his beloved, and the house museum in Cadaques.

Located near the coastal town of L "Estartit - divers and lovers of sea walks flock here. Here you can get acquainted with the rich Mediterranean underwater world with scuba diving or just ride on a glass bottom boat. The flora and fauna of these six islands is so diverse that it surprises even ichthyologists .

National parks Garrotxa, Creus, L "Albera, Montseny, Empora. The most picturesque places for lovers of virgin nature. In Garrotxa you can admire several extinct volcanoes.

Diving center in the city of L'Estartit. There is also a marine reserve near the Medes Islands.

Climate of the Costa Brava.

The resort coast is relatively cool, the average monthly temperature does not exceed 28 o C, and the water temperature in summer is usually 21-23 o C.

The location of Spain is very favorable from the point of view of tourist recreation. The country is located on the Mediterranean coast, which makes it attractive for sun and sea lovers. The Costa Bravo coast is extremely picturesque thanks to the rocky cliffs covered with coniferous trees. In some places you can find quiet coves and bays where you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature.

Of course, Costa Bravo is a beach resort. But not only the beaches are the attractions of the Costa Bravo. You can devote time to cultural leisure, broaden your horizons by learning some facts from the history of Spain. It’s better to start with ancient Catalonia. You should immediately decide which attractions you want to visit, because Catalonia is not a separate village or even a city - it is a whole region that includes Barcelona, ​​Girona, Tarragona and Lleida. There are many museums, famous squares and monuments, cathedrals and simply places that delight the tourist's eye. For example, this is the grandiose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Museum of Catalan Art, the monument to Columbus, the Cathedral, and the Arab baths. And in general there are many towns in Costa Bravo. It’s probably not possible to visit them all, but you should definitely visit the traditional tourist places.

The city is located in the southern part of the Costa Bravo. The best way to get around the resort is by car, which you can rent. Having become a popular resort, Lloret de Mar has transformed, turning into the most beautiful city in Spain. There are five large beaches within the city. They will greet you with sea surf, clean water and sand, and excellent service. The highest rating for the quality of water, land and services provided is the blue flag, which is awarded to all five beaches. It should be noted that at the beginning of summer the water in the sea is quite cool: 18-20 degrees, so heat-loving tourists should be more attracted to August, when the water warms up to 24-26 degrees.

If you get tired of the beach, there are other entertainments - Marineland water park, zoo. Those who like to tickle their nerves can try their hand at karting, surfing, and for those who prefer a quieter holiday, we can recommend diving, horseback riding, and sports activities such as bowling, golf, and tennis. Surely many tourists will be interested in the sights of the Costa Bravo in Spain, which are cultural monuments. You can admire the artifacts of the Iberians, as the Greeks called the ancient people of Spain. These artifacts were created before our era. A significant landmark is the Canaleta Fountain - an exact copy of the fountain of the same name in Barcelona. There is a belief that if you drink water from this fountain, Barcelona will become your second home.

The resort began to develop from the middle of the last century. It, like Lloret de Mar, is a neighbor of Barcelona and Girona. And if Lloret de Mar is a youth resort with discos and nightclubs, then Tossa de Mar is suitable for a family holiday. An important feature of the beaches of Tossa de Mar makes this resort attractive for families with small children - the gently sloping shore and crystal clear sand. But despite the shallow waters, there are wonderful diving spots further offshore. In addition, if you do not want to dive into the water, you can admire the beauty of the Mediterranean bottom by booking a trip on a glass-bottom boat. This service is not unique, and if you have ever been to other seaside resorts, you know that it is in demand not only here.

Since ancient times the city has been inextricably linked with the sea. Mostly fishermen lived here, and even earlier the city was a fortress for protection against pirates. The main attraction - the castle-fortress - is more than 800 years old. From those distant times, several buildings have been preserved, mainly churches and ruins of Roman buildings. Art lovers can check out the Public Museum.

Blanes is a city where the Romans once lived. In the center of the city there is a cliff that divides the territory into northern and southern parts. In the southern part, closest to the sea, the tourism business is thriving: hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment centers. Be sure to take the opportunity to visit Sabanel Beach. It stretches along the coast for three kilometers and won the blue flag. Everything here is as it should be on beaches of the highest category: showers, changing cabins, cafes, entertainment complexes.

A famous landmark of Blanes is the Marimurtra Botanical Garden - a huge paradise with plants collected from all over the world, about 3,000 species in total.

Not far from Blanes there is another botanical garden, the cactus garden - Pinha de Rosa. Cacti bloom here almost all year round.

The San Juan Fountain is noteworthy. One of the oldest buildings in Blanes. The date of its construction is considered to be the 15th century. The fountain is an example of the Gothic style of Spain. Perhaps your attention will be drawn to the Capuchin Monastery of St. Anna and the chapel of St. Barbarians.

This quiet town is famous for the fact that the great artist of the last century, Salvador Dali, was born and died here. If you decide to go to Figueres, be sure to visit the museum-theater created by Dali himself.

Within the walls of his creation, the artist found peace - his remains are kept in a crypt. Without a doubt, you will be impressed by visiting this museum. Everything here is done in the spirit of surrealism, and what’s interesting is that no one will explain the artist’s intention to you. Salvador Dali asked that the exhibits not be commented on in any way. Thus, he decided not to distract visitors from the experience. There is a lot to think about and admire here.

To see other attractions of Fegeras, you don’t have to go far. Very close by is the Church of Sant Pere from the 14th century, and a fifteen-minute walk away is the Castle of Sant Ferran, which is somewhat younger than the church, only from the 18th century.

Have a nice trip!