If Barcelona is on your mind, make sure to keep aside a day to explore the most stunning stretch of Catalonia’s coastline, the Costa Brava. Set against a scenic backdrop from the French border in the north to the town of Blanes in the south, the Spanish region of Costa Brava is the perfect option for a sun-kissed getaway from Barcelona.
In Spanish, Costa Brava means “wild or rough coast.” As the name suggests, this sparkling Mediterranean coastline is characterized by calming mountain tops, charming seaside villages, stunning beaches and rugged rocky coastlines. Travelers flock to this picturesque region for it makes a perfect base for a day trip from Barcelona Spain. Walk right into a real-life postcard with a day trip to this hidden gem of the Catalonia Region.
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Barcelona To Costa Brava Day Tour At A Glance
Distance from Barcelona, Spain: 146 km (via C-32 and AP-7)
Travel Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Duration Of Day Tour: 10 to 12 hours
Best Time To Visit: Months of May, June, September, October
How To Get There: Train, Bus, Car
What To Expect: You’ll spend your day basking in the Mediterranean sunshine, exploring medieval coastal towns, enjoying the many activities and relishing some local delicacies.
Best Costa Brava Day Trip From Barcelona
Extend your Barcelona trip by a day to visit the beautiful Costa Brava. Enjoy the untouched nature of this rugged coastline with some stunning tours. You can choose between a full day tour, half day tour or private excursion tour with a guide. Here are some of the most popular tours to consider during your visit.
Tour Of Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar also known as “blue paradise” is a beautiful coastal town that provides panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. There are several guided tours to choose from: you can go on a relaxed tour by exploring the medieval streets while enjoying authentic local foods from the area. For adventure seekers there are options to combine a sightseeing tour with a Kayaking and snorkeling trip, Scuba diving trip or a hiking trip. Either way you are going to love this tour, so book your tickets now.
Cycling Tour Of The Medieval Villages
The charming and well-preserved medieval villages of Costa Brava Barcelona is something you just cannot miss while here. There are specially designated cycling routes that take you through three of the most beautiful medieval villages, Pals, Gualta, and Peratallada. One can either opt for a guide or go on a self-guided tour. Best time to discover this place with a cycling adventure is during the months of May, June, September, and October.
Dalí Themed Tour
If you are a lover of art then the Dali Themed Tour is what you should be looking for. The famous surrealist artist Salvador Dali was born and spent many years here. This tour basically takes you to the Dalí Theatre Museum in Figueres and his house in Port Lligat. The museum, full of works from Dalí, is dedicated to the artist himself. On the other hand a tour of his house will amaze you with the quirky sculptures, its unique interiors and exteriors.
All Inclusive Multi Adventure Trip
If you are looking to explore in an adventurous way, this multi adventure tour is much more than what one can ask for. Be ready for an action-packed day as you will be hiking the Camí de Ronda, kayaking in Sant Pol de s’Agaró, snorkeling and cliff jumping all in one day. You don’t need to worry about food, equipment or transportation as this tour is inclusive of all.
Combined Tour Of Girona and Costa Brava
Girona, the popular Game of Thrones filming location, is another incredible historical center to discover. What better way to do it than experience both places on a day trip. Spend the morning in the coastal area and after lunch move to Girona to discover the city. The best way to do it is by joining a guided tour for a wholesome experience.
Wine Tasting Tour
How about combining a Costa Brava tour with a wine tasting tour. This is a fun filled experience as you get to see this beautiful place and also get an in-depth knowledge of how wine is produced here. This half-day excursion includes understanding the boutique winery’s history, tasting a variety of high-quality wines and a stroll through the vineyards. The wine yards are not as big as the ones in Spain but they do stretch from the Figueres town all the way to the French border.
Best Things To Do And See On A Day Trip To Costa Brava
Here’s a compiled list of things to do and see to help you experience this region to its fullest.
Visit The Game Of Thrones Location – Not many people know that the famous Game of Thrones series was shot in the charming capital of Costa Brava. You will be surprised to see that nothing much about the place was changed for the shoot. Most part of the city was filmed as it is since the medieval architecture was a perfect location for the show. It’s enchanting to see people still living here and going about their day to day chores in this historic place.
Sun Bathe In The Stunning Beaches – Costa Brava has become a hot tourist spot not just because of its quiet fishing villages but also because of the splendid beaches. This place is blessed with stunning beaches like Illa Roja Beach, Castell Beach, Cala Tavallera Beach and many more. Hidden gems like El Crit in Mont-ras need a lot of walking to get there, but the efforts are totally worth it.
Indulge In Some Adventure Activities – Costa Brava’s rugged landscape and wild sea makes it a perfect spot for some exciting outdoor adventure. Costa Brava activities like bungee Jumping, kayaking, Sea swimming, Canyoning, hiking, hot air ballooning, Costa Brava scuba diving, snorkeling and an adrenaline trip to Sant Feliu de Guíxols is sure to delight the whole family.
Explore La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park – Between the Pyrenees & the beautiful Costa Brava lies a unique site, La Garrotxa. With 40 inactive volcanoes that are 10,000 and 700,000 years old, this natural park is one of the best preserved volcanic landscapes in Europe. You can even walk over the craters and lava flows which are inactive but not extinct.
Admire The Architecture At Girona Cathedral – Also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona, the Girona Cathedral is an iconic symbol and a must-see on your Costa Brava day trip. This masterpiece is the highlight of the beautiful city of Girona as it stands tall in the center as a crowning glory. Admire the Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque architecture while exploring the inner and outer beauty of this majestic Cathedral.
Key Things To Know Before You Go
- Costa Brava is an enormous place, so to see the best of the Costa Brava in a day it’s ideal to hire a car.
- This place is not just about villages but it is loaded with mountains, valleys and large natural parks.
- The locals here mostly speak Catalan rather than Spanish, however most restaurants have menus in both languages and if lucky, in English too.
- It is an all year round destination but avoid the summer months of July and August as during this time the place is scorching hot and the prices for accommodation are high.
- This place is a family friendly place, however note that there are many Costa Brava beaches where clothing is optional.
- Dress modestly while visiting religious places like churches and temples.
- There will be a lot of walking and hiking during your tour, so come prepared with comfortable walking shoes and sunglasses.
- Tour participants who are aged 6 and below can join the tour for free of charge.
Suggested Reads: My Guide To Barcelona For Solo Female Travellers
Final Thoughts On Costa Brava Day Trips
Picturesque Costa Brava is a place where one day is not enough to experience it all. But for travelers who are short of time, a day trip is an excellent option. Set off to discover this incredibly photogenic place with a day trip from Barcelona. Which is your pick: dramatic seascapes, medieval villages, multi-adventures or exquisite gastronomy tours? Do comment below.
FAQ’s On The Beautiful Costa Brava
Iconic landscapes, stunning beaches, secluded rocky coves, medieval villages, vibrant culture, historic hotspots and delicious Costa Brava food. Ever imagined experiencing all of this in a day? Yes, this is why it is a must visit on your Barcelona vacation.
The easiest and fastest way to book your tour is through online. You can also ask your tour operator to add this day trip to your Barcelona itinerary. Make sure that all reservations are done well in advance to avoid last minute disappointments.
Your first stop on the way to Costa Brava will be Girona which is one of the many medieval towns and cities in Costa Brava. The coastal roads, scenic Catalan countryside, olive groves and picturesque towns will be your view as you zip through the winding roads.
Though Costa Brava is just a short drive from Barcelona, once here it gives a feeling of being in another world. It’s totally worth your time and money.
I enjoyed reading your article about Costa Brava. You have captured the beauty and charm of this region very well. I especially liked the photos of the beaches and the medieval village. Thank you for sharing your experience and recommendations.