Costa Brava Resort Reviews and Information

Costa Brava Resort reviews

Information

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Resort suitability: Couples: Blanes, Calella & Estartit Families: Calella, Estartit, Lloret de Mar, Pineda de Mar & Tossa de Mar. Nightlife: Malgrat de Mar & Santa Susanna.

Costa Brava

The ruggedly beautiful Costa Brava holiday coast stretches for 100 miles (160km) along the shores of Catalonia in Spain’s north-eastern corner, from Port Bou on the Franco-Spanish border to Tossa del Mar, just north of Barcelona. The coast is filled with high-rise resort developments and modern marinas catering to package tourists, but retains enough green hillsides and lonely, wild cliffs, coves and caves to belie its reputation as one of Europe’s busiest holiday destinations. Holidaymakers revel in the hidden delights of the craggy coastline, many exploring in boats to seek out deserted coves redolent with pine and citrus trees, fragrant herbs and bright flowers. International resorts and marinas lie in close proximity to relatively unspoilt fishing villages and towns bearing evidence of the area’s rich history with ancient castles and fortifications. Seafood reigns supreme, from sardines to delicious lobster, but specialities also include local wild game, like boar, duck and rabbit, which can all be washed down with a variety of wines produced from the vineyards that clothe the hillsides.

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Independent Costa Brava resort reviews

Barcelona The capital of the area and Spain's second city that offers something for everybody. Some nice beaches, which do get crowded with locals at week-ends but are some of the best in the area. All Football fans will want to visit the Neu Camp stadium but do take along a Spanish translation book or you'll be left guessing what the excellent trophies are. The buildings, many of which feature the work of an eccentric genius named Gaudí, will blow you away. The art, with significant collections by Picasso and Miró, will make it a visit to remember for all art lovers. A vibrant City.

Blanes You'll find the resort of Blanes on the Costa Brava, conveniently close to Barcelona's airport. Originating from a small fishing village, the town has grown over the years and still continues to expand as a tourist area. This resort boasts five different beaches and the normal variety of budget hotels, apartments and camping sites, providing visitors with all the convenience you would expect from a modern resort. Behind the high-rise beachfront, it still has some authentic Spanish appeal, historical churches and castles, local street markets and its famous botanical gardens.

Calella: A popular summer destination, Calella on the Costa Brava offers all the facilities of a modern resort alongside the traditional features of the small fishing village it grew from. Offering the beautiful Dalmau Park, three 'blue flag' beaches, water and sporting activities and enough shops and bars to keep everyone happy, this resort has all you need for a relaxing summer holiday. The scenic coastal railway and local ferry boats makes this a good location if you wish to explore this region of Spain.

Lloret de Mar Biggest resort on the Costa Brava, and said to be the most concentrated in Spain. The original "once a small fishing village" has now become a seaside metropolis whose population is given as 18,000, bursting through the 200,000 mark in the high season, Lloret is certainly brash and busy. There is a little charm remaining in the tight grid of narrow streets just back from the main beach where many a delightful little bar and fish restaurant awaits discovery. The seafront promenade, marking the S boundary of the old town, is also pleasant for a stroll. Although there are traces of history going back 1,000 years, there is none of the rustic nostalgia evoked by its Latin name - Lauretum, the Field of Laurels. There is some peace to be had in the more recently developed sprawl to the S, where most of the apartments are situated. Daytime entertainment is beach-based, including water sports along with a go-kart track; bowling alley; riding stables; 18-hole golf course about 25 miles N at Santa Cristina de Aro (Club de Golf Costa Brava). At night the centre pulsates at all hours with music bars, usually with a non-Spanish theme. Some discos have spectacular laser shows. Casino; entertainments laid on by hotels; theme evenings and banquets. Journey time from the airport is around an hour.

Malgrat de Mar A fairly lively no-frills resort, specialising in good-value holidays. The railway is a big drawback for families with young children, as it is protected only by a low balustrade. Long stretch of coarse sand punctuated by small rocky outcrops, between which there are narrow, shelving bays. Pedestrian subways at long intervals allow access under the railway to the beach. Sunbeds, parasols and the usual water-sports offerings.

Santa Susanna This is a modern resort which has a splendid shingle beach. There's a good handful of interesting gift shops to browse around, together with a number of small restaurants and cafe-bars. A stroll along the promenade will bring you to nearby Malgrat de Mar, which offers more things to do both day and night. The old town with its cobbled streets and typical Spanish buildings is still preserved, and is quietly hidden behind the modern resort that has developed over the past few decades. This is generally a relaxed town that offers plenty of holiday accommodation, shopping, and entertainment for most visitors.

Tossa de Mar Originally an artist's colony, Its other name is blue paradise, with which it was baptised by Marc Chagall who visited and painted the town in 1933. Later other painters, writers and intellectuals arrived. Since then it has become an important international tourist centre, which does not mean that it has not managed to preserve one of the most harmonious sceneries on the coast. Of pre-Roman origin, the remains of a Roman villa with a magnificent mosaic were found in the surroundings and the Vila Vella, the 12C old part, still preserves is narrow, winding streets of medieval design and is surrounded by a curtain wall with five towers, of which only three are left. Tossa de Mar has a fine pebbled beach and offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés and shops. Evening time is fairly quiet and the resort therefore offers relaxed family holidays. Journey time from the airport is around an hour.

If you feel that any of our comments about a particular resort is unfair or needs updating then do please send us an email by clicking here. We also welcome photos of your holiday.

ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays

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