Costa Brava, Cataluna

Costa Brava - Overview:

The Costa Brava is one of Spain's most picturesque coasts. The Costa Brava comprises the coast of the province of Gerona and stretches from just north of Barcelona to the French border.

The Costa Brava is sometimes regarded as the birthplace of the popular package holiday, however this image is misguided. Although some areas and resorts cater for the mass market, the coastline of the Costa Brava is generally rugged and indented with small sandy coves on to which spill traditional, pretty fishing villages.

The coast of Palafrugell with its pine clad cliffs and delightful little villages like Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc is particularly attractive. Roses in the north has some of the best beaches and is a good base from which to explore the rugged coast of Cabo de Creus, Cadaques and Figueres.

Costa Brava - Coastline:

The Costa Brava (literally translated as 'wild coast') is located in the eastern corner of Spain. It is a picture-postcard area where mountains and the Mediterranean come together. Forested hills and rugged stone cliffs hug coves that shelter tiny fishing villages and crescent beaches.

Costa Brava - Villages & Towns:

The villages of the Costa Brava were first discovered in the early 1900s by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, who were intrigued by the area's natural light and the rugged landscape.

To the north, near the French border, is Dali territory. The Salvador Dali museum in Figueres, the town where he was born in 1904, not only contains some of the artist's most important works, but is itself a wacky surrealist creation. (Dali is buried in the museum's crypt).

Most of the towns along the 125-mile coastline are worth exploring. Some have medieval walls and architecture. Some of the most inviting towns are southeast of Girona.

Calella de Palafrugell embodies the appeal of the region. The main activity here is simply soaking in the beauty of the forested cliffs hugging the beach and the rock formations jutting into the azure Mediterranean. This can be done quite nicely while sunbathing on the sand or sitting in a seaside cafe. Or, for those feeling more active, a 30-minute cliff-top walk beside the sea provides panoramic views on the way to Llafranc, another scenic village.

A number of the villages in this region have historic as well as scenic attractions. At the top a hill on the way to the coast is Pals, a 12th-century walled town that has won awards for its careful restoration.

Tossa de Mar, another medieval settlement, is known for the dramatic defense towers guarding the old center of town.

Costa Brava - Climate:

The Costa Brava is bathed in Mediterrean sunshine during the summer months. Autumn and spring have mild weather without crowds, so both are ideal times to visit.

Costa Brava - Cities:

Girona, the capital city of the region, is an easy stopover on the way to the coast and should not be missed. A handsome city perched on a hilltop, it has an atmospheric old quarter and a fascinating past. Girona's foundations and old walls are relics of Roman occupation, its narrow streets and a 12th-century Arab bath reflect Moorish domination. Part of the old quarter was a medieval seat of Jewish learning.

Costa Brava - History:

Autonomous from 874, the kingdom of Cataluna experienced a Golden Age in the 14th century, when its strong navy helped to rule Mallorca and the Balearics, Valencia, the French border regions, Naples, Sicily, Sardinia and parts of Greece and Corsica.

It had become part of the kingdom of Aragon in 1137 but retained its independence until Ferdinand of Catalonia-Aragon married Isabella of Castile and Catalonia came under Castilian control. The region fiercely resisted influence from Madrid, a rivalry that continues.

Today's residents still consider themselves Catalans first, with their own language, culture and cuisine. Though the dictator Francisco Franco banned the Catalan language during his rule, it was never abandoned. All signs are in Catalan as well as Spanish, and the Catalan flag, striped red and gold, is proudly displayed throughout the city.

Festivals always feature the traditional dance of the region, the stately Sardana. Girona's old and new quarters are divided by the River Onyar, arched with bridges and lined with picturesque painted houses. The old city is dominated by the hilltop cathedral. Behind a Romanesque facade is a single Gothic nave, built in 1416, that is said to be the widest Gothic span in the world. The Cathedral Museum contains fine Romanesque paintings and statues and a remarkable tapestry, The Creation, embroidered in the 11th and 12th centuries. Its rich colors are amazingly intact.

The old Jewish quarter, the Call, lies at the foot of the cathedral. It is the most picturesque part of the old city, a warren of steep, cobblestone alleys, archways and worn, stone walls. Jews were a prominent part of the community as early as the ninth century. Girona was the birthplace of an important branch of Kabbalistic studies, a mystical intellectual movement that still thrives.

Like all of Spain, Girona expelled its Jews in 1492, and although no Jewish residents remain, the town has honored their heritage. The Bonastruc ca Porta Centre houses an institute for Jewish Studies as well as the Museum of the History of the Jews. It stands on the site of the old synagogue, telling the story of the community with many fascinating artifacts such as mezuzot - scrolls with verses from Deuteronomy enclosed in small cases - once set into the door frames of Jewish homes. They had been positioned in their niches centuries ago and then covered over, only to be rediscovered in the late 20th century.

Girona has many attractions, including the Arab baths, the art museum and the lively street life of the Rambla.

Costa Brava - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy delightful, privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations throughout Cataluna including the Costa Brava. From privately owned houses, cottages, villas, and apartments to villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.

So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking; exploring historic castles, fascinating villages, rural towns and vibrant cities; enjoy wine-tasting and gastronomy; fancy a spot of surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches; or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to the Costa Brava, ferry travel and holiday car hire.