Costa Brava: beaches, history, and art
Costa Brava Apartments: discover its beaches, and its Iberian, Greek and Roman civilizations
Costa Brava, between the Mediterranenan and the Pyrenees, is the popularly accepted name of the littoral of the province of Girona. The modern tourist infrastructure of the area has turned Costa Brava into one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. If you still haven’t been there … what are you waiting for?
Traces of Iberian, Greek and Roman civilizations can still be seen today around the counties of Girona. A visit to these ancient settlements and cities is a must for the visitor. The Romanesque monasteries of Santa Maria de Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses, situated in Ripollès county in Girona Pyrenees, played a major role in the shaping of Catalonia. These mountainous lands gave rise to many legends.
The nature, climate and history of the Costa Brava create a setting of odd, haunting beauty that is hard to grasp, but that never fails to seduce, with its lush vegetation propped against the blue and green immensity of the sea. Out of the way Costa Brava beaches surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, and little coves tucked away among green pine trees … just waiting for you to sit there and let your thoughts drift out over the sea. Over 30% of the Girona region is a special protected natural area.
The 16ºC of average annual temperature, with moderate rainfall, and the 2,500 hours of sunshine that illuminate the historic-artistic vestiges, recalling the existence of a notable past, are only the visible aspects of a reality that has a hidden pulse waiting to be discovered. Its 214 kilometres of coastline stretch between Blanes in the south, surrounded by El Maresme and El Montseny, and Portbou in the north, on the French border. Beaches, coves, cliffs and woods sit among renowned places like S’Agaró, Tossa de Mar, Begur, Cadaques and Portlligat.
Destinations
The list of destinations included here are not as popular as Girona, Cadaqués or Lloret de Mar, but they are very special towns that you should visit if you go to the Costa Brava.
Begur
Set in the heart of the Empordà, the town and municipal district of Begur make up one of the most wonderful parts of the Costa Brava. Nestling between the Gavarres hills and the most beautiful part of this coastline, the village of Esclanyà and the small coves of Begur make up an unequalled physical setting.
There runs from Sa Riera towards Pals beach a coastal path that leads to Illa Roja bay and, further on, to the Racó beach. Platja del Racó is the last beach belonging to Begur municipality. An atmosphere of stillness and calm reigns over it, making it very well-suited for those seeking sunshine and relaxation. It is a beach some 300 metres long and with an average width of 65 metres. Occupying an area of 12,000 m2, it makes a pleasant zone of repose. The beach borders to the east with the municipal district de Pals. Following the coastline towards the west, and already within Begur municipality, we come to Illa Roja bay, an internationally renowned nudist beach. The beach borders to the east with the municipal district de Pals. Following the coastline towards the west, and already within Begur municipality, we come to Illa Roja bay, an internationally renowned nudist beach.
L’Escala-Empúries
L’Escala is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Empordà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the Costa Brava, located between the southern end of the Gulf of Roses and Cala (bay) Montgó. It is an important fishing port and tourist centre, and has a festival dedicated to its famous anchovies. The GE-513 road runs inland from the town. The Alfolí de la Sal, also known as the Pòsit Vell, is a seventeenth century warehouse formerly used to store the salt necessary to preserve fish landed at the port: it is now a protected historic-artistic monument. The ruins of Empúries are located on the territory of the municipality, with Phoenicean and Roman remains dating from 580 BC. L’Escala is the village of Victor Català (pseudonym of Caterina Albert, 1869-1966) a famous novel writer.
Fine sand beaches, shallow waters and hidden coves are other assets of L’Escala. You can go scuba diving here, and explore hidden treasures such as the Kim Caves, 12 metres underwater, or the sunken boat “Marmoler”, at 42 metres. Anchovies are the most prized local product. In October there is a festival dedicated to this delicacy.
Palafrugell
Palafrugell is a municipality in the Mediterranean Costa Brava, located near Palamós in the comarca of Baix Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. With 21,412 inhabitants it is the largest city of its comarca. Three coastal towns (Llafranc, Calella de Palafrugell, and Tamariu) belong to this city.
The combination of a good summer climate and beautiful beaches has been exploited for both domestic and international tourism. Tourists have come from a wide range of countries, especially the Netherlands, England, France, and more recently, America. It also serves as a summer holiday town for residents of cities such as Barcelona and Girona.
This medieval town was once fortified but is no longer. Many narrow streets emanate from Plaça Nova -a large square with bars, restaurants and boutiques. The local government (Ajuntament) sponsors activities such as concerts and dances including the traditional sardana. St. Martí’s church was built in the late 11th century and is close to Plaça Nova.
There is a new bus station beloning to Grup SARBUS whose local division is known as Sarfa. The station has a regular bus service, servicing the Costa Brava region (including Llafranc, Calella de Palafrugell, and Tamariu) as well as Barcelona.
Palafrugell was reputed for its cork manufacturing in the 18th and 19th centuries. The largest factory was owned by the American company Armstrong and employed hundreds of locals. Its closing in the 1970’s led to a severe unemployment situation. The factory’s tower still stands. There is now a small museum commemorating the cork industry just below it.
