Where to Stay in Costa Brava, Spain
Are you wondering where to stay in Costa Brava, Spain?
Keep reading for the best towns and hotels in Costa Brava for the perfect vacation!
Costa Brava is a region of Spain located along the coast of Catalonia, in the northeastern part of the country. It’s known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches and charming coastal towns. There are also many other sites in this region, like the medieval city of Girona, which is located about 45 minutes inland.
The region begins with Blanes, Spain, and stretches up to Portbou, Spain, just south of the border with France. It’s a popular beach destination during the summer months, but with many different towns to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out where to base yourself. Read on for my top recommendations!
Getting to Costa Brava
Getting to Costa Brava is pretty easy. The closest major city to Costa Brava is Barcelona. Most Costa Brava towns are just a one- to two-hour drive from Barcelona. You can also reach many towns by train or bus.
There is also an international airport in Girona, which is about one hour by car from most Costa Brava towns. However, there are more flight connections into Barcelona, and they are typically cheaper.
For maximum flexibility, I recommend renting a car to explore Costa Brava, especially if you want to go between towns. However, it’s also possible to plan a trip just relying on public transportation.
How many days should I spend in Costa Brava? I recommend spending at least three days in Costa Brava. This will give you time to base yourself in one town and enjoy all that it has to offer while exploring other towns in the region on a day trip. Of course, the more time you have in Costa Brava, the better!
⏰ Short on time? I highly recommend this full-day tour from Barcelona. It includes a visit to Girona, the medieval village of Pals, and the beautiful beach town of Calella de Palafrugell.
Best Towns in Costa Brava
There are more than a dozen towns and even more small villages along the Costa Brava. So it can be difficult to know where to base yourself, especially if you have limited time in the region.
These are the top towns I recommend for first-time visitors:
- Calella de Palafrugell: A quintessential Costa Brava town that retains its whitewashed charm. Once a traditional fishing village, it has now become a bustling tourist hotspot.
- Tossa de Mar: One of the most popular towns along the Costa Brava for tourists. There are plenty of things to do, and this is one of the best towns to stay in for families with young children.
- Cadaqués: If you’re looking for a beautiful and historic coastal town with a bohemian vibe, Cadaqués is the perfect place to stay. This is also a smaller town that is a bit less touristy.
- Lloret de Mar: This is the biggest and liveliest town along the Costa Brava that is very popular with tourists, particularly those from the UK. If you’re looking for a major party vibe, you’ll find it here.
- Roses: Another one of the major resort towns along the Costa Brava, Roses is known for its great sandy beaches. Being located so close to France, lots of French tourists come here.
Now let’s get into more info about each of these towns, and why I recommend them.
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Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is one of the best Costa Brava towns to stay in for a first-time visitor. If you are looking for a classic Costa Brava town that retains its charm as a fishing village while still having plenty of restaurants and hotels and services for tourists, this is the perfect place to stay.
This town is located about 1.5 hours from Barcelona by car. It’s also possible to get here via public transit from Barcelona (train to Girona, followed by a bus), but I recommend renting a car.
Where to Stay: Hotel Alga
Hotel Alga is one of the best places to stay in Calella de Palafrugell. Located in the heart of town, Hotel Alga is just a couple of minutes’ walking distance from the beach, restaurants, bars, and more.
Guests staying at this hotel will enjoy comfortable, modern rooms and amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, and free breakfast each morning of your stay.
Tossa de Mar
If you’re looking for a bustling resort town with great beaches and lots of things to do, Tossa de Mar is a good choice. This town is popular with families as well as couples and groups of adults.
To get to Tossa de Mar, you can take a direct bus from Barcelona in about 1.5 hours. You can also drive in an hour and 15 minutes to Tossa de Mar, it being one of the nearest Costa Brava towns.
Where to Stay: Gran Hotel Reymar
For the perfect place to stay in Tossa de Mar, look no further than Gran Hotel Reymar. This beachfront hotel is located in the center of town, so you are close to absolutely everything in Tossa de Mar. You can walk right outside and enjoy sunbathing on the beach or try your hand at snorkeling or paddleboarding.
The hotel boasts amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and tennis courts. All rooms have a private balcony, and breakfast is included each morning during your stay here.
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is a picturesque town along the Costa Brava that is also great for first-time visitors. It has a romantic, relaxed atmosphere and is not quite as built-up as some of the more touristy towns.
The location of Cadaqués is a bit further north compared to the other towns on this list. It’s just over two hours from Barcelona by car, or between 2.5 and three hours by public transportation.
Where to Stay: Hotel Sol Ixent
Hotel Sol Ixent is one of the top-rated hotels in Cadaqués. Located on the beautiful Cap de Creus, this hotel is outside the main town but still within walking distance to restaurants and shops.
It’s the perfect secluded retreat on the Costa Brava. The hotel is just steps away from the beach, and guests can enjoy amenities like an outdoor swimming pool and a daily included breakfast.
Lloret de Mar
If you’re looking for nightlife and a major party atmosphere, Lloret de Mar is the place to stay. It’s the largest town along the Costa Brava, so there are tons of options when it comes to hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs. It also has great beaches. Being the biggest town, Lloret de Mar can get lively and crowded.
Getting to Lloret de Mar is easy. If you have a rental car, it’s just a one-hour drive from Barcelona. There are also plenty of direct buses to Lloret de Mar that take about one hour and 15 minutes.
Where to Stay: Casa Coco Boutique Hotel
Lloret de Mar is known for its larger resorts that are packed with families and groups of vacationers, but Casa Coco Boutique Hotel could not be further away from that. This adults-only hotel and spa is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for a relaxing, peaceful retreat in Lloret de Mar.
Although it’s slightly outside of town, you are still within a 10-minute walk to the best beaches, restaurants, and nightlife. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, and free breakfast.
Roses
Finally, Roses is one of the best Costa Brava towns for sandy beaches. It’s one of the first towns along the Costa Brava from the north close to France, meaning that it’s popular with French tourists.
To get to Roses, you can drive if you have your own car in about two hours from Barcelona. While it’s possible to reach Roses by public transportation, it requires multiple transfers, so it’s not recommended.
Where to Stay: Hotel Maritim
One of the best places to stay in Roses is Hotel Maritim. This hotel has an unbeatable location right on the beach in Roses, so you can step right outside the door and take a dip in the Mediterranean.
The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from the center of town, where you can find plenty of restaurants and bars. All rooms at this hotel have a private balcony, and there’s an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the beach. Breakfast is also included each morning during your stay at this hotel.
Where to Stay in Costa Brava
This guide showed you where to stay in Costa Brava, Spain.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Calella de Palafrugell: Hotel Alga
- Tossa de Mar: Gran Hotel Reymar
- Cadaqués: Hotel Sol Ixent
- Lloret de Mar: Casa Coco Boutique Hotel
- Roses: Hotel Maritim
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Costa Brava!
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