COSTA BRAVA is the name given to the stretch of the Catalan coast between the town of Portbou near the French border, down to Blanes.

Along the Costa Brava a series of mountain ranges run headlong into the sea forming the rocky crags which give the area its name – Costa Brava means rugged coast. Between the headlands are small secluded coves and beaches with stands of pine reaching down to the water's edge.

However, we are concentrating principally on the area known as the Baix Empordà.

SANT FELIU DE GUIXOLS

Located on the Mediterranean, Sant Feliu enjoys idyllic weather almost all of the year. The coastline of Sant Feliu spreads over ten kilometres and also includes many little bays and coves with coarse or fine sandy beaches, surrounded by pines. The beaches are cleaned daily and a modern water treatment system prevents waste water from entering the sea. The town is sourrounded by hills and forests of pine, oak and cork. Sant Feliu is famous for its 'fiestas' and especially its annual Carnival which is one of the best in the area. The Porta Ferrada International Festival of music, dance and theatre, is celebrated in the summer in the town's Benedictine monastery, first refererred to in the year 961.

S'AGARÓ

S'Agaró is an upmarket resort on the Costa Brava between Sant Feliu de Guixols and Platja d'Aro. In the early 1920s, Josep Ensesa Gubert, the son of a successful Girona industrialist, persuaded his father to buy the land between the bay at Sant Pol and the long beach at Sa Conca, north of Sant Feliu de Guixols. The area didn't even have a name so the family chose to call it after the Agaró stream that ran through it. Inhabited by squirrels and lizards, the treeless scrub offered little but a gentle climate, splendid isolation and dazzling views. Not to mention the intoxicating scent of pine trees mixed with aniseed plants that grow wild even to this day. Josep Ensesa was (thankfully) determined that the mystic spirit of the place was not to be sacrificed to the demands of property development. The promontory contains about 60 exclusive houses with part of the coastal path following S'Agaró´s coastline in its entirety. Many famous movie stars, such as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart, have stayed at the world famous Hostal de la Gavina which dominates the view from Sant Pol beach.

SANTA CRISTINA D'ARO

For many people from outside Santa Cristina d'Aro, this is an island village with no access to the sea. However, the coastal part of this municipality is one of the prettiest spots on the whole of the Costa Brava. In order to reach the beaches and coves of Santa Cristina we have to go via Sant Feliu de Guixols. Here you will find Canyet Bay, Senyor Ramon Bay and Vallpresona Bay.

The former “Carrilet” station in Santa Cristina is currently being used as a Tourist Office. The “Carrilet” was a narrow gauge train which joined Sant Feliu de Guixols with Girona. It stopped working in April, 1969 after 77 years in service beginning in 1892. At the time, it was a vital communication point between the villages on the coast and the provincial capital.

CLUB DE GOLF COSTA BRAVA, SANTA CRISTINA D'ARO
Built in 1968 - 18 holes and 9 under construction

PLATJA D'ARO

Platja d'Aro was originally a small fishermen's town that with the passing of time has become one of the main tourist resorts on the Costa Brava located on a large 2 km long beach. Platja d'Aro is synomymous with leisure, packed with daytime and night-time activities in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Shop for luxury goods in the many sophisticated boutiques on the palm-treed main street. Take your pick from the varied restaurants offering quality cuisine of all types.

CLUB GOLF D'ARO – MAS NOU
Built in 1990 - 18 holes par 72 + 9 holes par 3

CASTELL D'ARO

Castell d'Aro and Platja d'Aro are located in the heart of the Costa Brava, occupying the eastern end of the Vall d'Aro, a narrow plain drained by the River Ridaura and between the mountain ranges of Cadiretes and southern end of the Gavarres. Castell d'Aro is the ancient town 3 kms inland, built around a medieval castle and fortified church on the road from Platja d'Aro to Santa Cristina d'Aro.

CALONGE

Calonge comprises two parts, a medieval hill village and modern seaside resort. The main urban centre and original village is about 4 km inland from the Bay of Sant Antoni. The towers and walls of Calonge Castle date from the 13th century. Calonge has an old food tradition combining country and sea products. This village, placed between the sea and the mountain range of the Gavarres, offers a wide range of natural products. In order to offer them to the general public, three seasonal dishes are designed every year; the prawn dish, the bay dish and the fish casserole dish. These gastronomical events are organized by the Restaurant Association of the “Plat Blau” Bay.

SANT ANTONI DE CALONGE

Sant Antoni is situated on the coast just south of Calonge. It boasts a wide, traffic-free promenade and numerous beaches all with Blue Flag as well as European Union Certificates for its quality beaches and clean sea water.

PALAMÓS

Palamos was founded and recognised as a village on 3rd December, 1279 by Pere el Gran, Count of Barcelona. He wanted to found a new port as the previous royal port at Torroella de Montgrí, to the north, had silted up. Palamós is situated at the northern end of a large bay which is popular for swimming, sailing and windsurfing. The town is a major port with one of the last remaining fishing fleets on this part of the Mediterranean coast. It is famous for its locally caught prawns. The town's major economic activities until the second half of the 20th century were fishing and cork manufacturing. In the sixties, however, the town saw a rapid growth in tourism. The town's nightlife is centred in the old port area which is surrounded by bars and restaurants.

PALAFRUGELL ( LLAFRANC, CALELLA AND TAMARIU)

This medieval town was once fortified but is no longer. Narow streets emanate from the Plaça Nova, a large central square, with many bars, restaurants and boutiques. The local government (Ajuntament) sponsors activities such as concerts and dances in the square which take place in the evening in summer,including the traditional Catalan dance, the Sardana. Palafrugell was well-known for its cork manufacturing in the 18th and 19th centuries and there is now a small museum commemorating this industry.

LLAFRANC

Llafranc is one of the three coastal towns which come under the municipality of Palafrugell, the other two being Calella and Tamariu. A visit to this corner of the Costa Brava offers more than just a beach or promenade. Some call Llafranc the “Laguna Beach” of Spain, due to the rich, beautiful people and amazing homes you will find here. The tasteful boutiques and open-air bars and restaurants all add to the charm of this idyllic spot. The Hotel Llafranc dominates the main sea promenade and was popular with artists such as Salvador Dalí and Ernest Hemingway. The English writer, Tom Sharpe, has made his home here. The lighthouse at “El Far” is located on a steep hill overlooking the beach and town in a forest of pine trees.

CALELLA

Calella de Palafrugell has an excellent setting and, whilst busy in the summer season, it does not have the large hotels and mass tourism of other Costa Brava resorts. The coastline of the town stretches some 2 km south to the El Golfet Beach – part of the Cap Roig headland where the beautiful Cap Roig Botanical Gardens are situated. Calella has a number of small coves linked to Llafranc by a coastal walk. The first of the beaches is “Canadell” where you will find the Tragamar restaurant on the beach open all year round. Port Bo and Les Voltes are also very popular small beaches.

TAMARIU

Tamariu is typical of the many small coves set amongst rugged pine-covered cliffs cascading down to meet the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean which have made this area famous for its outstanding beauty. Originally a small fishing village, Tamariu has not been over-developed and has retained its individuality and charm. Tamariu is south facing onto one of the most sheltered beaches on the Costa Brava. There are three small hotels and some good seafood restaurants, cafes and bars. The crystal clear water is ideal for swimming as the beach, especially on the right hand side, shelves at a fairly gentle angle. It is also popular as a dive site as there are many caves to explore. This area consists of a huge geological mass dropping down to the sea in vertical cliffs and, because of the height of the mountains and the density of the pine tree cover, the whole area has immense natural beauty.

BEGUR

Despite its touristic character, Begur has important historical remains that go back in early history. The castle of Begur was constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Begur also boasts houses built in traditional style as well as mansions built by returning residents of the American colonies (Los Indianos). Wander around the winding streets, explore the boutiques, bars and restaurants of this magical resort. The municipality of Begur also includes Esclanyà (with a Roman town centre), Aiguablava, Fornells, Sa Riera and Sa Tuna. Some of the most prestigious beaches of the Costa Brava can be found here.

AIGUA BLAVA, AIGUFREDA, SA RIERA, SA TUNA, FORNELLS

Just a short distance from Begur, and nestling along the shore in their own sheltered coves, lie these tiny picturesque fishing villages, each with a charm of its own. Walk the coastal path, sample a delicious seafood paella or sip a cool drink at one of the patio cafes. There are a significant number of foreign homeowners in the area. A mixture of French, Dutch, Scandinavian and some British. The Begur area is still relatively undiscovered by the masses.

PALS

Amid the marshy zone where the Ter flows into the sea, and situated on a hill surrounded by plains, is the medieval town of Pals. It has a Romanesque tower built between the 11th and 13th centuries, known as the Torre de les Hores (Tower of the Hours). The Gothic Quarter of the town with its church has been substantially restored and there are cobbled streets interrupted by semicircular arches, façades with pointed arched windows and stone balconies. The countryside is dotted with typical stone Catalan houses (masías).

PLATJA DE PALS

On a coast characterised by rocky coves, Playa de Pals (Pals Beach) is a stretch of fine golden sand more than two miles long and around 40 yards wide. Ideal for water sports of all kinds. The massive aerials of Radio Liberty which were used to broadcast propaganda during the Cold War, have now been dismantled and the area has regained its wild beauty.

GOLF PLATJA DE PALS
Built 1966. 18 holes. Considered one of the 100 best courses in Europe. (Golf World)

GOLF SERRES DE PALS
Built 2000. 18 holes, 3 practice areas

EMPORDÀ GOLF, GUALTA
Built 1990. 36 holes