Spain's rugged and cliff-edged Costa Brava features some of the best beaches in Spain.
Discover a choice of stunning Blue Flag golden-sand beaches along the Costa Brava, which lie within tree-covered headlands framing idyllic coves and offer perfect conditions for swimming and snorkelling.
The best Costa Brava beaches, running north from Barcelona to the French border, include…
(Lloret de Mar) – Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this 45m-wide, 1.6km-long beach that curves around the bay.
Sitting framed between two rocky headlands, the long beach is lined with hotels, bars and restaurants.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols and a range of water sports including windsurfing and sailing. Lloret de Mar is located 76km north of Barcelona.
(Lloret de Mar) – This 700m-long golden-sand beach nestles between bush-covered headlands and is fringed by a line of pine trees.
Fenals is a quiet alternative to the main beach of Lloret de Mar and offers good swimming and snorkelling in a calm turquoise bay.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols, a range of water sports and nearby bars and cafes.
(Lloret de Mar) – Discover this small crescent of golden sand and shingle nestling between bush-covered hills in a tranquil, unspoiled cove of turquoise water.
There are no facilities here except for a kiosk selling ice cream and cold drinks. Playa de Santa Boadella is located 2.5km south of Lloret de Mar.
(Lloret de Mar) – Unwind on this small, 365m-long golden-sand beach that offers a range of facilities including parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards and regular police patrols, but no water sports.
Playa de Santa Cristina is around 3.5km south of Lloret de Mar.
(Lloret de Mar) – Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this crescent-shaped beach that nestles beneath pine trees and tree-covered headlands.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols and a range of water sports as well as nearby bars and cafes. Canyelles is located 3km north of Lloret de Mar.
(Santa Maria de Llorell) – Relax on this idyllic, unspoiled beach that nestles beneath low bush-covered cliffs and rocky headlands.
There are no facilities on this beach. Cala Llevado is located 14km north of Lloret de Mar and 3km south of Tossa de Mar.
(Tossa de Mar) – Unwind on this 430m-long crescent of course golden sand that sits between a medieval castle and a rocky headland.
The 60m-wide beach is edged by the town centre and offers a range of facilities including parasols and sun loungers for hire. Tossa de Mar Playa Gran is located around 103km north of Barcelona.
(Tossa de Mar) – This 180m-long, 20m-wide golden-sand beach is a less-crowded alternative to Playa Gran and offers a beautiful setting between rocky outcrops facing a turquoise bay as well as great conditions for swimming and snorkelling.
With limited facilities on the beach, it’s probably best to take your own food and drink.
(Tossa de Mar) – This small, golden-sand beach sits beneath soaring cliffs and the castle walls of Tossa de Mar.
With limited facilities, it’s probably best to take your own food and drink.
(Playa d’Aro) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this wide, 2km-long golden-sand beach that sits in front of a strip of bars, restaurants and high-rise hotels.
To the south and north lie smaller coves fringed by crescents of golden sand, for those sunbathers craving solitude.
Cliffs and rocky outcrops at the northern end of the beach are perfect for snorkelling.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols and a range of water sports as well as nearby bars and cafes.
Inland sits Castell d'Aro, a medieval castle and fortified church located in the ancient village around 3km from the beach.
Come for a day or stay longer at the Hostal de la Gavina in the nearby town of S'Agaro, home to the rich and famous. Playa d'Aro is located in the heart of the Costa Brava, around 106km north of Barcelona.
(Palamós) – Unwind on this stunning crescent of golden sand that nestles between forest-covered hills facing a turquoise cove.
Swim and snorkel the crystalline waters, sunbathe on the soft golden sand and explore the neighbouring coves on foot along an old smugglers' trail that winds along the coast – don’t miss the ancient Iberian settlement that sits perched on a headland on the northern tip of Playa de Castell.
As there are no facilities here except for a beachside kiosk selling cold beers and seafood, it’s probably best to take your own food and drink.
Playa de Castell is located between Palamós and Palafrugell – or a short walk from La Fosca beach at the northern edge of Palamós via Cala S'Alguer, a narrow and pretty beach fringed by 19th century fishermen's huts and facing a stunning turquoise bay. Palamós is located around 120km north of Barcelona.
Discover one of the prettiest towns on the Costa Brava – a picture-perfect resort of whitewashed arches and fin-de-siècle villas that fringe a rocky coastline indented with several tiny golden-sand and shingle beaches.
While there are no facilities on the beach nearby bars, cafes and restaurants should cater for all your needs. Calella de Palafrugell lies just south of Llafranc and is around 125km north of Barcelona.
(Llafranc) – Unwind on this crescent of golden sand that sits beneath an ancient fortified stone wall and picturesque fishing port.
Llafranc beach faces a turquoise bay framed by bush-covered headlands dotted with hillside villas.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire and a string of beachfront bars and restaurants. Llafranc is located 7km north of Palamós.
(Tamariu) – Sunbathe on the soft golden sand of this gorgeous beach that shelves into a picture-perfect cove fringed by forest-covered headlands.
Swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters, stroll along the promenade lined with tamarind trees and relax with a cold drink and fresh seafood in one of the beachfront bars and restaurants.
Facilities at this relatively quiet beach include parasols and sun loungers for hire, and kayaks, pedalos (small pedal boats) and sailing boats during the summer season. Tamariu is located 4km north of Llafranc.
(d’Aiguablava) – Choose from two gorgeous golden-sand beaches that lie on either side of a soaring pine tree-covered promontory sitting at the end of a picturesque bay framed in turn by a string of craggy headlands. This region is the perfect escape from the crowded beaches further south.
Sunbathe on the soft sand, swim and snorkel in crystalline waters and stay at the Parador de Aiguablava, which sits atop the craggy headland between the two beaches. Playa d’Aiguablava is located 1km south of the exclusive residential enclave of Fornells and 18km north of Palamós.
(Sa Riera) – Relax on this golden-sand beach that faces an idyllic cove framed by cliffs and forest-covered hills.
Swim and snorkel in the clear waters or stroll coastal paths. Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire and nearby bars and restaurants in the small village of Sa Riera.
Playa de Sa Riera stretches just to the south of Playa de Pals.
(Pals) – Escape the crowds on this 3.5km-long, 40m-wide golden-sand beach fringed by an 18-hole golf course and forest-covered hills.
On a coast mainly characterised by secluded rocky coves, Playa de Pals is a long strand perfect for families, with a range of facilities and water sports available.
There is also a clothing-optional section of the beach. When the Levante or Tramontana winds are blowing, go surfing, windsurfing or kite surfing.
Play volleyball and soccer on the beach, book a boat and diving trip to the nearby Isles Medes (known for good scuba diving) or explore rocky headlands to find charming golden-sand beaches further south.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, plus several beach bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Playa de Pals is around 3km from Pals village, around 45km east of Girona and 135km north of Barcelona.
Indented with soaring cliffs and picturesque pine-fringed coves edged by golden-sand beaches and crystalline turquoise water, the Costa Brava offers perfect conditions for swimming and snorkelling as well as for experiencing a range of activities in several distinct holiday resorts.
Discover the vibrant party town of Lloret de Mar, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and packed with bars and dance clubs – perfect for fun-loving honeymoon couples.
Or visit the less crowded and very beautiful medieval walled town of Tossa de Mar, blessed with golden-sand beaches, bustling Playa d’Aro and its range of nightlife options, and unspoiled Playa de Palamós, which leads to the stunning Palafrugell coastline and its idyllic coves of Llafranc, Tamariu and d’Aigua Blava.
The Costa Brava's most popular beach resorts, include…
This popular holiday resort is well known for its huge range of hotels, bars, discos and nightclubs, as well as for its five golden-sand beaches that lie within easy reach of the town centre and fringe picturesque coves set between tree-covered headlands to the north and south of the town.
Away from the beach, Lloret de Mar offers several theme parks featuring a giant catapult at Skyrider, which shoots passengers some 70m into the air, a choice of white-knuckle rides and chutes at Water World and go-karts at nearby Karting Formula – perfect for thrill-seeking honeymoon couples.
Read more about Lloret de Mar…
The picturesque and historic town sits behind a golden-sand beach and offers a quiet alternative to the more commercial resort of Lloret de Mar.
Unwind on a choice of pristine beaches then stroll around the Old Quarter (or Vila Vella), which was built on the site of a 1st century AD Roman villa and surrounded by ancient medieval walls and turrets.
Discover narrow and twisting cobblestoned streets lined with whitewashed houses dating back to the 12th century.
Read more about Tossa de Mar…
Discover Spain's easternmost town – an unspoiled and remote picture-perfect fishing village that sprawls across several small coves surrounding a beautiful inlet.
Wander narrow twisting streets lined with old whitewashed houses topped with red roofs and overlooked by the charming 16th century Església de Santa María (church), which sits perched on a hilltop overlooking the village and its small golden-sand and shingle beach.
Cadaques sits beneath the dramatic Cap de Creus mountain range and is easily reached by bus or car along a winding mountain road from the nearby town of Rosas. Or hike the coastal path from Rosas, which stretches for 15km and passes several bays and beaches along the way.
Latest update: Best Beaches in Costa Brava: 25 January, 2023
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