Looking for the best beaches on the Catalan coast? And what’s better: the Costa Brava or Costa Dorada? Is that even a fair question? No, not at all. Choosing the first over the second one, or the contrary, wouldn’t do any justice to the rich variety of beautiful beach corners that Catalonia has to offer.
On this blog post you’ll find…
– Things to keep in mind
– Getting There
– Cute Towns, Beaches, And Coves In Costa Brava
– Cute Towns, Beaches, And Coves In Costa Dorada
It’s all about personal taste and preferences when it comes to the perfect beach choice along the Catalan coast. The Costa Dorada, true to its name, is indeed famous for its long beaches where the waves bathe the golden sand. They’re also very popular among families, as these beaches are more shallow, definitely easier to reach, wider and with better infrastructure for those traveling with little ones.
When it comes to the Costa Brava, all I can think of are its coves of turquoise waters framed by the green leaves and the smell of pine trees. Definitely the best place for a romantic escapade including long days on the beach, good food and picturesque walks in one of the many cute little towns in the area.
So when I had the chance to jump in on this journey along the Catalan coast with Centauro Rent a Car to explore the best of both worlds, or coasts, I was absolutely excited. I researched online, on travel blogs, forums, and everywhere where I could find honest opinions, and came up with a small list of beaches to see for myself on these four days on the road.
My personal favorite? Read on to find out!
Things To Keep In Mind When Planning Your Perfect Trip to the Catalan Coast
- The key to parking: patience. Be ready to spend some time looking for a spot to park your car, to leave it quite far from the beach and, of course, to pay what it takes to spend a day in paradise. Unfortunately, that’s one of the downsides of visiting the Catalan coast in July and August.
- In any case you’re gonna have to walk and sometimes climb up and down in order to reach the coves – no room for lazy feet! It’s also important to keep in mind if you’re not able to walk and/or climb a lot.
- Make sure you protect yourself from the sun and heat since you’ll probably be spending long hours on these beaches: carry a beach umbrella with you and enough water.
Getting There: How to Reach the Beaches on the Catalan Coast
The easiest, most comfortable and fun way to get there and move around is definitely by car. Especially in the Costa Brava, public transportation is not very practical. It’s not that hard to get to the main towns from Barcelona by bus, but reaching the different beaches can be very impractical.
Thanks to Centauro Rent a Car we had the perfect road companion to explore the coast. We have always liked Centauro for their value for money and smooth pick up and return process – click here to book your own! Use code ISASS15 for a special discount.
Cute Towns, Beaches, And Coves In Costa Brava
Tossa de Mar
Since I moved to Barcelona, I’ve always been fascinated by Tossa de Mar, this cute little town with a picturesque castle standing sublimely over the Mediterranean. Stopping for a late afternoon walk here, exploring its cobblestone streets up and down the castle and enjoying a sunset dinner with sea views is definitely an excellent idea before you head on to to further explore the region.
Cala Giverola
When I first discovered this cove I was speechless. How can such a place, a paradise of turquoise water, exist hiding under the rocky cliffs and risk being passed by, unnoticed?
Calella de Palafrugell 
Calella de Palafrugell
We made a stop at Calella de Palafrugell at midday to enjoy a walk between the blue sea and the blinding-white houses, as well as a delicious lunch right in front of the sea at the restaurant Tragamar.
The town’s beach is so pretty you can just relax and enjoy a beach afternoon here, or walk a bit further to Cala El Golfet for more breathtaking, blue waters.
Begur
Honestly, I don’t know why I had not been to Begur before. I guess I always went for the beaches, and how wrong was I not to stop at this beautiful medieval village. Stone houses and buildings, stone mixed with roses and beiges, flowers, sunsets and amazing food… I found all this made this place pretty magical. The accommodation where we stayed definitely helped, too – it was such a pleasant surprise to get to stay in this recently opened guesthouse, where attention to detail was evident and we couldn’t have asked for a better view to enjoy the sunset with some glasses of wine.
Sa Tuna
Only a 15-minute drive from Begur you’ll find Sa Tuna, a beautiful cove where the water is not much different than that of a pool, except you’ll be surrounded by the green vegetation of the mountains and the old, white fishermen houses which are still standing peacefully, undisturbed, next to the sea.
Aiguablava
Aiguablava is the absolute favorite beach for many, so definitely a must-visit. Proof of this is the fact it was featured on various films and ads, such as Estrella Damm’s short film/ad dedicated to Mediterranean summer.
Cadaqués
Apart from these, Cadaqués is also an all-time favorite for me. Click here to read about more about Cadaques. Here you can also read my restaurant and boutique recommendations for Cadaqués.
Booking.com
Cute Towns, Beaches, And Coves in Costa Dorada
Tamarit
We spent a day on the beach of Tamarit, famous for its small castle overlooking the sea. While at the beach, we noticed a wedding was taking place up there. How romantic is that? The beach is very wide so you can be sure to find a spot on the first row, in front of the water. Although the water itself was not as clean as in the previous beaches, I did enjoy the fact it was a bit more wavy and the castle gives it a very special touch.
Cambrils
Just outside Tarragona, Cambrils (and the whole area) is somehow more peaceful, not packed even in a busy weekend of July. The water here is clean and crystalline, the beach wide and can be easily reached from the city center.
I know, I know, there’s still a lot to explore. Wherever you’re heading this summer along the Catalan coast, I hope you’ll find these tips useful. I would love to hear your thoughts and your favorite beach. Curious to hear about mine? That has to be Sa Tuna, I think I’ll be definitely going back as soon as I can!
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