Map of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava
Before we introduce you to all eleven of our favorite beaches on the Costa Brava in detail, we’ll first show you them on a map. This will give you an immediate overview of where the best Costa Brava beaches are located.
The best Costa Brava beaches for families
Beach vacations with children are sometimes not that easy. We show you beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava for families: easily accessible, with good infrastructure and shallow water.
Aiguablava
Aiguablava is just a few minutes’ drive from the quiet, small vacation resort of Begur and is our first recommendation for a day of swimming with children on the Costa Brava. But be warned: this beach will certainly not be empty.
The entrance to the water is super shallow, the sea is calm and there are no stones hiding in the bottom. So even kids can splash around without worrying. There are showers, toilets and small beach bars on the beach where you can have a snack or an ice cream at lunchtime. If you want, you can also hire sun loungers and parasols.
How to get to Aiguablava
The nearest known town is Begur, from there it is only a few minutes by car to AIguablava. The beach is signposted and there is a large parking lot, although there is a charge in summer. However, you can also stay in the hotels within walking distance of the beach.
Our hotel tip: Hotel Aigua Blava – boutique hotel with pool and sea view
Cala de Sant Francesc
A small but fine sandy beach with lifeguards, where you will also meet many local families with their children. You can enjoy a swim here with the little ones or take a walk under the pine trees along the beach promenade. The beach has a very good infrastructure and has even been awarded the Blue Flag.
Blanes is just a five-minute drive away. The resort is widely known as the most child-friendly vacation destination on the Costa Brava.
How to get to Cala de Sant Francesc
You can get to Cala de Sant Francesc via Blanes. Just follow the signs in the village that lead to the Jardí Botanico Marimurtra. There is free parking outside the main season.
Our hotel tip: Can Terrats – large vacation home with garden in Blances
The most beautiful sandy beaches on the Costa Brava
A day at the beach without sand – not with you? No problem. Here are our top three sandy beaches on the Costa Brava – feel like you’re in the Caribbean!
Platja del Castell
This beach on the Costa Brava is particularly beautiful for two reasons! Number one: it is in the middle of nature and no hotel bunkers were allowed to be built around it. Secondly, there is a castle right next to the beach on a small hill. A wonderfully romantic view, especially at sunset.
The beach consists of several hundred meters of the finest sand – perfect for lazing around. And if you need a change of pace, you can hire a kayak from a small beach hut.
How to get to the Platja del Castell
Just drive towards Palamos on the C-31 and then take exit 328. From here, follow the signs to the Castell. You will find a free parking lot on the beach.
Playa de Sa Boadella
Sa Boadella beach is located between Blanes and the party town of Lloret de Mar. While it is loud and full of people a few kilometers further on in Lloret, you will find absolute peace and quiet in Sa Boadella. The beach is completely unspoiled and there is only one small beach bar.
Otherwise, all you see far and wide is a sandy beach with a few rough rocks in between and the wooded cliffs behind it. It really is an incredibly beautiful panorama.
How to get to Sa Boadella
From both Blanes and Lloret de Mar, take the GI-682 and follow the signs to Jardins de Santa Clotilde. There is no parking lot directly on the beach. You have to walk about 200 meters through a park.
Our hotel tip: Hotel Santa Marta – 5-star beach hotel with spa
Beaches on the Costa Brava right next to resorts
Want to stumble straight out of bed onto a beach towel? These Costa Brava beaches are right next to resorts with beautiful accommodation. By the way, our hotel tips are right on the beach.
Platja de Roses
Roses is one of the most popular vacation resorts on the Costa Brava and is relatively large. There are various beaches around Roses. The main beach, Platja de Roses, is located directly in front of the town center. Fine sandy beach, clear and clean water stretches for many hundreds of meters.
The beach is always busy, especially in summer, but people spread out well. Behind it you will find a beautiful promenade and many stores, restaurants and cafés in the front row to the sea.
How to get to the Platja de Roses
You can reach Roses via the GI-610 or the GI-614. There is free parking on the beach promenade (Avenida de Rhode). Or you can stay in a hotel right on the beach in Roses.
Our hotel tip: 1935 Hotel – beautiful boutique hotel, only 100 meters from the beach
Port Bo
Port Bo is one of the most beautiful beaches off Calella de Palafrugell. Numerous bays with sand, pebbles or stones are lined up in front of the vacation resort. The backdrop is dreamlike: whitewashed houses and rocking fishing boats – exactly how you would imagine a Mediterranean vacation.
Calella de Palafrugell itself is a smaller vacation resort. We like the fact that despite the many vacation homes and hotels, it still retains the charm of the old fishing village.
How to get to Port Bo
To get to Calella de Palafrugell, you have to drive through the larger town of Palafrugell. There are several paid parking lots in the town.
Our hotel tip: Hotel hcp – hotel with sea view, 100 m to the beach
Cala de Senyor Ramon
A beautiful long sandy beach in front of a steeply sloping rocky coast. Access is not so easy, which has the advantage that not so many people get lost here.
Cala de Senyor is one of the nudist beaches on the Costa Brava. The rule is: everything can, nothing must. So if you don’t mind a few naked people, you can lie on the beach in your swimwear without any problems.
How to get to Platja Senyor Ramon
From Tossa de Mar, take the GI-682, which leads to Sant Feliu de Guixols. The road is a little winding and leads through the mountains. The parking lot at the beach is signposted and there is a charge. From there you have to walk another 300 meters.
Our hotel tip: Casa Granados – boutique hotel in the old town of Tossa de Mar
Lonely beaches on the Costa Brava
Crowded beaches – does that annoy you too? But there are also some hidden and quiet bays on the Costa Brava. We show you our three insider tips. But pssst – top secret!
Sa Tuna
Sa Tuna is a small bay near Begur. There is only one hotel and a handful of whitewashed houses here, which are used by locals for the weekends. Otherwise, you’ll have peace and quiet here, especially if you’re not vacationing on the Costa Brava during peak season.
The water is very clear and clean and you can see lots of fish while swimming. For us, this beach is a great compromise between seclusion and easy access.
How to get to Sa Tuna
You can reach Sa Tuna by crossing Begur and staying on the GIV-6535. The beach is also signposted. You can usually find a parking space in the small village without any problems.
Our hotel tip: Hotel Sa Tuna – right on the beach, great fish restaurant
Cala Pedrosa
Cala Pedrosa really is the epitome of a hidden bay – tourists don’t just stumble across this beach. The bay is just 30 meters wide, framed by rocks and pine forests, with a long bay leading into the sea in between. You can enjoy a peaceful swim here.
There are no beach bars or toilets here. Instead, you will probably have the rocky beach to yourself and can swim undisturbed.
How to get to Cala Pedrosa
The best place to park your car is on the road between Palafrugell and Tamariu. You will then have to walk 800 meters. Simply follow the GR-92 path and be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the path is very steep in places. The bay is easier to reach by boat.
Our hotel tip: Hotel Voramar – very modern, beautifully furnished and with a sea view
Beaches on the Costa Brava for water sports enthusiasts
Diving, kayaking, snorkeling – the main thing is to spend as much time as possible in the water? If you’re looking for a Costa Brava beach for water sports, these two are a good choice.
Illes Medes
The most beautiful places for diving on the Costa Brava are undoubtedly the Illes Medes, seven small uninhabited islands off the town of L’Estartit.
The islands are known for their colorful reefs with lots of fish and corals. You can dive here with a tank or simply take a boat trip and head into the water on one of the beaches with fins and a snorkel.
How to get to the Illes Medes
You can reach the Illes Medes by boat from L’Estartit. The harbor is located at the northern end of the town. You can also simply book a guided tour, so you really don’t have to worry about anything.
From L’Estartit: Snorkeling trip to the Illes Medes
Our hotel tip: Hotel Terraverde – design hotel surrounded by greenery, with pool
Sant Pere Pescador
We have already mentioned the Gulf of Roses (#5). A little further from Roses is Sant Pere Pescador – the place for all kitesurfers, windsurfers and wingfoilers. There is plenty of wind here all year round, offering great conditions for water sports enthusiasts.
If you don’t have any experience but want to try out a water sport, you can simply take part in a course at the ION Club water sports center on the beach.
How to get to Sant Pere Pescador
Coming from the C-31, simply take the exit to Sant Pere Pescador and follow the signs. Alternatively, there is also a country road that connects Sant Pere Pescador with Roses. Parking is usually available behind the three campsites on the beach.
Our hotel tip: El Molí – very large garden with pool and children’s playground
General tips for your Costa Brava beach vacation
Finally, we would like to give you a few general tips that will hopefully make your vacation on the Costa Brava even more enjoyable.
#1 What do you need to pack for a beach vacation?
Does packing for a beach vacation always stress you out? We always feel like we’ve forgotten something. To help you avoid this, we’ve put together a packing list for your beach vacation.
This makes packing very easy: simply pack piece by piece and check it off!
To our packing list for your beach vacation
#2 Get up early!
We’re not early birds ourselves, but it’s worth it! Especially in summer, the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava are quickly overcrowded.
If you get to the beach early, you’ll not only be sure to get a spot for your towel. You can also enjoy a few hours without many people.
#3 What do the flags on the beach mean?
The sea can be tricky. To make sure nothing happens to you while swimming, we’ll briefly explain what the different flags mean.
- Green flag: Swimming in the sea is permitted and safe.
- Yellow flag: Caution! You can swim, but watch out for currents and the like.
- Red flag: Swimming is really dangerous and you are not allowed in the water.
- Blue Flag: An environmental flag. The water here is particularly clean and pure.
Unfortunately, there is no special flag for jellyfish. Whether there are jellyfish varies completely from year to year. If you are burned, you should rinse the area with salt water and consult a doctor if you experience severe pain or redness.
Do you know any other beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava?
These were our tips for the best Costa Brava beaches. Do you already know any of them? Or do you have an insider tip for us? Tell us more in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!