Travel Blog: Costa Brava

On this page I share my travel blog on the Costa Brava. This area in the North-East coast of Spain can get quite touristic, but on this page I’m sharing the more off the beaten track spots. So no clubs in Blanes or Llorret del Mar, but pretty, little, beach-side towns. And no all-inclusive hotels in Callela but small, unique, bed and breakfasts. This travel blog will show you all the highlights of the Costa Brava without too many tourists (although you can’t avoid them all). And if you’re eating vegetarian, like me, you’ve got an extra reason to bookmark this page. All restaurants in the Costa Brava that I mention here have good vegetarian options.
In this travel blog I’ll show you where to go, what to do and where to eat in the Costa Brava in Spain.

Girona

Girona is the biggest city of the Costa Brava and it’s probably where your trip will start as this is where the planes land and the trains and busses arrive. There are not that many sights in Girona, so it’s easy to see them all in one day. If you have a rental car, please note that it’s smart to park in the newer part of town (for example at the train station or between that and the water).

The must sees in Girona are:
– The Eiffel Bridge. Designed by Gustave Eiffel.
– Girona Cathedral. A white/grey Roman Cathedral.
– Old Town. The old part of Girona where you can wander around the narrow streets.
– Muralles de Girona. 9th Century city walls with lovely paths and parks.

The best restaurants in Girona if you ask me are:
– La Fabrica. A Canadian born, Girona based couple started this specialty coffee shop for cycle lovers and is great for vegetarians and vegan too.
– Federal Cafe. They also have cafes in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. Great for brunch and lunch, also with good vegetarian and vegan options.
– Martina Sweet Cakes. A lovely cake shop that sells all kinds of sweet treats. The pastries are in French and English style, very creative and visually irresistible.
– La Comuna Cafe. Perfect for coffee (to-go or to-stay) and healthy lunches.

Figueres

Figueres is a town in the North of the Costa Brava, not far from the border with France. It’s mostly known for one thing: the Dali museum. If you like the surrealistic work of Salvador Dali, it’s really worth the trip to Figueres. The Dali Theatre Museum is filled with all kinds of work from Dali. Not only paintings, but sculptures, pictures and all kinds of other things as well. The whole building and everything in it is designed by Dali himself. He’s even buried at the site! There’s a parking garage right next to the museum and several bars where you can get a drink, lunch or an ice cream in Figueres.

Cadaques

Cadaques is a beautiful coastal town, located about 45 minutes East of Figueres. It’s absolutely worth driving to, even if you’re staying further South in the Costa Brava. The white houses are lined up around a bay. It’s a very pleasant town to stroll around the old cobblestoned streets, dip your toes in the water or go for lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Sa Tuna

Sa Tuna is really small; it’s basically a beach with a handful of restaurants. But it makes a great stop if you’re on a road trip in the Costa Brava. The houses are lined up picture perfect at the beach, making it a very Instagrammable town in the Costa Brava. And lunch at one of the restaurants comes with a great view over the beach and the bay.

Palamos

Palamos is a bit of a touristic town. Not in the bad way with big clubs and drunk youth, but in the good way with many shops and restaurants. My recommendation for dinner is Txoko Donostiarra. At this restaurant you don’t have to pick from the menu, you can just sit down and the waiters will come by with plates with all kinds of tapas and pinchos. You just pick out the ones you like and save the toothpicks in a jar on the table. Or walk to the bar and pick out the tapas that you like from there. Your bill will be based on the amount of toothpicks in the jar. Txoko Donostiarra opens up at 7pm and if you want to be sure of a table, I advice you to arrive early.

Can Roquet

There are many touristic restaurants in the Costa Brava that don’t offer high quality dishes. The best restaurants of the Costa Brava are sometimes a bit tucked away. Can Roquet is no exception. Can Roquet is one of the best restaurants of the Costa Brava. Owned by a Belgian couple and specialized in seafood, you can find Can Roquet in Romanyà de la Selva, about 15 minutes from Platja d’Aro.

Platja d’Aro

Platja d’Aro is located right next to Palamos and touristic in the same nice way. Here you can get some shopping done as they’ve got all the national and international big brands. And there are also many nice restaurants in Platja d’Aro.
My favorite restaurants in Platja d’Aro are:
– La Maglia, a specialty coffee place that sells plenty of vegetarian and vegan lunch dishes and cakes
– A Vocados, tasty lunch and dinner options, and with a name like that I’m a big fan as an avocado lover
– Friends Bar, a nice beach bar for lunch, dinner or bites in between. Their nacho’s are great after a day at the beach.

We stayed at a lovely B&B with a swimming pool in Platja d’Aro, in the heart of the Costa Brava.
You can read all about this Bed and Breakfast in the Costa Brava here.