Ampurdán / Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is an invitation to experience Catalonia’s wilder side, where rugged cliffs and medieval villages meet the restless Mediterranean. This coastline is no polished cliché; it’s a place of painterly light and creative energy that has lured artists like Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall for generations.

Here, the Pyrenees stand guard inland while the green folds of Les Gavarres mountains reach towards the sea. In between, you’ll find sleepy fishing hamlets, ancient stone towers and tiny coves that feel as if they were carved by time itself. The region’s hilltop villages, such as Pals and Peratallada, are timeless treasures with cobbled streets and Romanesque churches that whisper of centuries past.

Begur stands out as a coastal jewel. Its medieval castle surveys a labyrinth of narrow lanes and colonial mansions, the colourful casas indianas, echoing the fortunes of those who ventured across the Atlantic. Each September, Begur’s “Fira d’Indians” festival blends Caribbean rhythm with Catalan pride, a celebration of its unique past. The beaches, Sa Tuna, Aiguablava, Sa Riera, promise intimate moments with the sea, away from the crowds.

The region’s culinary scene is as authentic as its landscape. In Girona, El Celler de Can Roca redefines Catalan cuisine at the highest level, while local taverns in Begur and Palafrugell plate up dishes that speak of the land and the sea. From anchovies fresh from the boats to arroz caldoso rich with the earth’s bounty, every bite celebrates a culture deeply tied to its landscape.