Costa Brava Tourist Information
Spain's Costa Brava ("rugged coast") stretches from the French border to
Blanes some 60km north of Barcelona in the province of Girona.
Along with the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol it is one of the Spanish
mainland's three main areas of mass package tourism. Lloret de Mar with its
excellent beaches and varied entertainment has traditionally been the focal
point for mainly British tourists looking for the stereotypical sangria and
chips summer holiday.
Other less tacky resorts such as l'Estartit and Tossa de Mar are firm
favourites with foreigners and Spaniards alike whilst a drive down from Roses to
Tossa de Mar will reveal some attractive little towns such as Pals, Begur,
Tamariu, Calella, Llafranc, and Aigua Blava which are a far cry from the big
resorts. Recognition of the natural beauty of the Costa Brava and the cultural
attractions of the area is growing rapidly as the region seeks to redefine its
mass tourism image. Girona airport has grown rapidly in recent times and now
receives several flights a day from the UK and other northern European
destinations.
The medieval city of Girona has long been overlooked by tourists yet it was
recently chosen by El País newspaper as the city with the highest quality of
life in Spain. With a population of some 78,000 it is the largest city in the
north of Catalunya with plenty attractions for visitors and some fine
accommodation options. Ideal for a short break especially when combined with a
visit to Figueres which is particularly popular as the home of the world famous
Salvador Dali Museum. Dali actually lived in the quaint seaside village of
Cadaques which to this day is an artist's paradise and is well worth a visit.
Gourmet diners who are well organised will welcome the chance to dine in one of
the world's finest restaurants, El Bulli in Roses, but make sure you book a year
in advance! Scuba divers can enjoy the coast with some first class diving sites
around the Illes Medes just off L'Estartit where there is reckoned to be the
most diverse sea life of the whole Spanish coastline. Opportunities abound
inland for walkers and cyclists, indeed this was the main training area for the
seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and his US Postal Team. And
for skiers, Spain's finest slopes are just a few kilometers away from the Costa
Brava in the mountains of the Pyrenees.
Some of the main places of interest include: Blanes, Calella De La Costa,
Estartit, La Seu d'Urgell, Llafranc, Llagostera, Llofriu, Lloret de Mar, Malgrat
de Mar, Palafrugell, Pineda de Mar, Platja d'Aro, Playa de Pals, Santa Susanna,
Tamariu, Torrent and Tossa de Mar.
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