Are you looking for the best beaches in Costa Brava? This famous piece of heavenly coastline north of Barcelona has a lot to offer, from wide, sandy beaches to secluded coves with clean, turquoise waters. But, with so many options, it’s hard to decide where to go! The great thing about Costa Brava is that there’s something for every taste and preferences: groups of friends, families with children, couples, sports enthusiasts… And the list goes on!
So what’s the best beach in Costa Brava? Whether you’re planning to visit on a day trip from Barcelona or you’re planning the perfect holiday in Costa Brava, these are the 20 best beaches in Costa Brava that you should know!
1. Cala Sa Tuna, Begur
Cala Sa Tuna is the perfect beach, the epitome of the Costa Brava coves lined by cute whitewashed houses. The turquoise water and the little wooden boats resting on the shore definitely add to this beach’s charm, as well. When you go to Sa Tuna, I also recommend you explore the beautiful (and less crowded) cove right next to it—you can get there by taking the path leading uphill, between the pine trees.
Getting to Cala Sa Tuna is not as difficult as it seems, but it does require some patience because of the narrow road that leads there, the traffic during summer, and the work it takes to find a parking spot. However, you an be assured that it is totally worth it!
2. Cala Giverola, Tossa de Mar
High up on my list is Cala Giverola, 90 km from Barcelona and very near the charming old town of Tossa de Mar. It’s wide enough not to get too crowded, and the water is clean and blue. The cove is surrounded by cliffs and pine trees, creating the typical idyllic setting typical of beaches in Costa Brava. Getting there is not too complicated, but finding a parking spot can be. If you want comfort, then the best thing is to park at the the resort (for a fee) and, from there, walk down the resort’s path to the beach
I stayed at this beautiful resort two years ago, and enjoyed the most beautiful views of the sea from our balcony. It’s called Arenas Resort Giverola, and you can click here to book an apartment in this little piece of heaven.
3. Cala Pola, Tossa de Mar
Right next to Cala Giverola there’s another beautiful spot to relax in the turquoise water: Cala Pola. Surrounded by pine trees and made of thick sand, it’s the perfect place for a day on the beach which you can combine together with a visit to Cala Giverola. In case you fall in love with it and can’t leave there’s a camping right next to this beach, click here for more information.
Cala Pola is located 6 km away from Tossa de Mar’s city center, so you’ll need a car to get there. Getting there is not as difficult thanks to the camping, where you can park your car (for a fee) and, from there, walk 400 meters downhill. During the summer months there’s a boat excursion leaving from Cala Pola every half an hour, which takes you along the coast and to some nearby caves, all on a glass-bottomed boat.
4. Port Bo, Calella de Palafrugell
Also called “beach of the boats” because of the traditional fishermen’s boats resting on the sand, you can imagine just how charming this beach lined by white houses is. Port Bo beach is located right in front of Calella de Palafrugell’s town center, so it’s only a step away from the many restaurants on the beach walk selling amazing food.
Port Bo is the perfect beach if you’re looking for a place where you can be close to the town center and have many options apart from laying on the beach. Getting there is relatively easy, but keep in mind that you’ll have to park your car in a private parking lot near the beach.
5. Fenals, Lloret de Mar
Located at Lloret de Mar’s south end, Fenals is a wide beach of thick sand. Although surrounded by hotels and apartments, Fenals beach also has a green area. Being a big city beach, it’s easy to reach and offers many facilities such as sunbed and umbrella rental services, water sports and equipment rental, and beach bars.
Getting there is very easy, and there are many parking possibilities for those arriving by car. Fenals Beach can also be reached by bus from Lloret de Mar’s city center.
6. Aiguablava, Begur
One of my personal favorites when it comes to beaches in Costa Brava is Aiguablava, literally “blue water”—a name which definitely suits it. It’s located 130 km away from Barcelona, surrounded and protected by rocks and green cliffs, with only a couple of small buildings intruding this stunning picture of nature.
The sand at Aiguablava beach is fine and golden, and the water is not deep. Because it’s a bit tucked away and can only be reached by car after a ride across some long, curvy roads, you may want to spend the whole day relaxing at Aiguablava. And that won’t be hard: with the beautiful blue water, beach restaurants, and water sports rental facilities (including a diving center) you’ll be wanting to spend days here!
7. Cala Jugadora, Cap de Creus
Cap de Creus is a Natural Park located on a cape, considered Spain’s easternmost point. It’s also home to almost one hundred different beaches and coves! Among all these, Cala Jugadora is one of the top beaches in Cap de Creus. This cove has thick sand and rocks, and it’s surrounded by rocks and vegetation.
It’s located 250 meters away from the main road that connects Cadaques with the lighthouse of Cap de Creus, so it’s not hard to reach. One thing to keep in mind: this is a nudist beach—although that doesn’t mean that everyone at Cala Jugadora is naked!
8. Cala Sa Sabolla, Cadaques
Going back to Cadaques and moving south lies another beautiful cove, hidden along the hiking trail that takes adventurous hikers all the way to the lighthouse of Cala Nans. Cala Sa Sabolla is a wild beach, located between rocky cliffs. Please keep in mind that Cala Sa Sabolla is a nudist beach but, of course, it’s open to everyone.
When you visit Cadaqués in spring or fall and the heat is not so intense, I recommend hiking all the way from the village to the lighthouse at Cala Nans. The 3.6 km hike is not so difficult and it offers beautiful views—and, on the way back, you can always walk down to Cala Sa Sabolla for a refreshing swim!
9. Cala Sant Francesc, Blanes
Located between Blanes and Lloret de Mar, Cala Sant Francesc is a beautiful beach in the southern part of Costa Brava. This cove is just big enough to not feel too crowded and has room for some facilities and beach bars. It sand is golden and thick, and it’s surrounded by pine trees… What more could you possibly need from a beach?
Cala Sant Francesc is sometimes called “Cala Bona”, which may lead to some confusion. Another important fact you should keep in mind is that water becomes deep pretty quickly here, so it may not be ideal for children.
10. Illa Roja, Begur
Illa Roja is a unique cove, featuring a huge rock standing majestically where the sand meets the water, right at the center of the beach. Its name, “red island” is a reference to the color of the rocks and cliffs that surround this beautiful cove.
You can reach Illa Roja from Playa del Racó, following a path along the cliffs. Because it’s so wild and its location so particular, Illa Roja can’t be reached by car. The beach is open to nudists, but it can be visited by anyone.
11. Sa Caleta, Lloret de Mar
Located at the northern end of Lloret de Mar, Sa Caleta is a cove of thick, white sand that lies right underneath an old castle. Sa Caleta used to be a fishermen’s cove, but nowadays it’s frequented by crowds of tourists coming from Lloret, as it can get pretty busy.
In any case, it’s a great option if you’re in the area. Sa Caleta is ideal for families, and it’s also a great place for divers! Getting to Sa Caleta is very easy—the drive is less than 10 minutes from Lloret’s city center.
12. Aigua Xelida, Tamariu
Further up north, in the cute, tiny village of Tamariu, you’ll find Cala d’Aigua Xelida. This cove is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Brava, and it’s easy to see why: it’s the perfect mix of sand, rocks, vegetation, and spectacular views.
It doesn’t get excessively crowded in the summer, probably because it’s not that easy to reach and you need to leave your car before walking down some stairs. Another option is walking all the way from Tamariu beach, located 1.5 km away.
13. Cala Bona, Tossa de Mar
Cala Bona is a very small cove, tucked between the cliffs of Tossa de Mar. However small it is, Cala Bona is a real gem among all the beaches in Costa Brava. Its shallow, crystal-clear waters make it look like a natural pool, small and secluded, hidden from big crowds and the outside world.
Getting there is not very easy, as the only way to reach it is through many steps carved on the rock and there’s no proper parking, so you’ll have to leave the car on the side of the narrow road (if you’re lucky to find a spot)—But I can guarantee that the hassle is absolutely worth it, as you’ll be rewarded with one of the most special, beautiful little beaches you’ll ever see.
14. Cala del Pi, Platja d’Aro
Cala del Pi is a cove with turquoise-blue waters and a stretch of golden sand that’s just big enough to provide enough space to all its visitors. Its name literally means “cove of the pine tree”, because this pretty little beach is surrounded by centuries-old pine trees. The shore is made of sand only, then it gradually becomes rocky. Cala del Pi is one of the most beautful beaches in Costa Brava, and it’s ideal for snorkeling and diving.
How to get to Cala del Pi? This beach is located 1 km north of Platja d’Aro’s center, along the Camí de Ronda hiking trail. It can be reached either from the road leaving Platja d’Aro towards S’Agaró, or hiking, from Camí de Ronda.
15. Santa Cristina, Lloret de Mar
Santa Cristina is located between Lloret de Mar and Blanes, sheltered between two hills and overlooked by the beautiful Santa Cristina hermit. Santa Cristina beach has lots of sand and shallow waters, and it’s a also a serviced beach. This makes it an ideal beach for families, swimming, and snorkeling.
Getting to Santa Cristina beach is very easy: there’s a big open parking area (paid) only a 5 minute-walk away from the beach. Walking from Lloret de Mar to Santa Cristina beach is not a great option, as it takes almost one hour.
16. Platja de Castell, Palamos
Platja de Castell beach has been called Costa Brava’s most virgin beach, which has been intensely protected by the area’s residents. Located a few steps away from the Iberian village remains of Castell de la Fosca, dating back to the 6th century B.C.—so you can combine culture and relaxing on the beach!
The beach at Platja de Castell is sandy and quite wide, and it’s surrounded by a lot of green, fields, and pine tree forests, dotted here and there by olive trees. Near Platja de Castell beach you can also find Dali’s painting studio and painter Josep Maria Sert’s house. You can get to Platja de Castell beach very easily, as there’s a (dirt) road leading to it and a big, open air parking (paid).
17. Platja de Treumal, Lloret de Mar
Next to Santa Cristina beach and the Pinya de Rosa botanical garden you’ll find Platja de Treumal, a no-so-small cove with lots of white sand and clear waters. The beach of Treumal is ideal for families, as it’s shallow and the sand is perfect for children to play.
Cala de Treumal is a blue flag beach, and it offers services such as showers, beach bars, sunbed rental, and lifeguard services. It’s separated from Santa Cristina beach only by a big rock, so it’s easy to hop between one beach and the other.
18. Es Codolar, Tossa de Mar
Es Codolar beach offers one of the most beautiful postcards of beaches in Costa Brava, located right below Tossa de Mar’s old castle walls. This small cove is one of the three city beaches in Tossa de Mar, so it tends to get pretty crowded in the summer. It used to be used by local fishermen, and you can still find some of their boats resting on the sand.
This picturesque cove is sheltered from the wind by rock walls, but keep in mind that the water gets deep very quickly here. The beach is made of sand, which makes it comfortable to lay down and play with children. You can get to Es Codolar beach after a fascinating walk through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Tossa de Mar’s town center.
19. Sa Conca, Platja d’Aro
This wide cove is located in S’Agaró and offers a wide stretch of golden sand, surrounded by green vegetation and bathed by calm turquoise waters. It’s ideal for families and it offers many services—because of this, it’s visited by many people in the high season.
Cala Sa Conca can be accessed from the Camí de Ronda hiking trail, but it can also be reached by car and there’s a big open-air parking (paid), right next to the beach.
20. Cala Rovira, Platja d’Aro
Cala Rovira is a big cove, 237 meters long to be exact. This beach offers a lot of thick, golden sand, and beautiful blue waters. The shore at Cala Rovira is quite a steep slope, so it’s not ideal for small children unattended. Cala Rovira is a blue flag beach and it offers all the services you need for a perfect day on the beach!
You can get to Cala Rovira easily by car, and you can park the car on the many streets near the beach. Keep in mind that there are no parking lots in the area, so it can be hard to find a parking spot when the beach is busy. A few minutes’ walk away from Cala Rovira you can find Pla de Palol, an old Roman villa which is open to the public.
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