COSTA BRAVA
The coastline of Costa Brava is extensive, that is why seeing it all in a couple of days is not an easy thing to do. The best thing is to get to know it little by little, by stopping off at spots like Tossa de Mar while we travel around the south, a coastal town that keeps its original essence of a small fishing village. It is worth visiting some other localities like Blanes, Santa Susana, Calella and Pineda de Mar, and so on.
One more recommendation would be visiting the Medes Islands Natural Reserve, made up of seven islands, with access by boat from L’Estartit port. Here you can find amazing wildlife, both flora and fauna.
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Do not miss
Blanes Botanical Garden
Blanes Botanical Garden, called Marimurtra, has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya). Built by the German entrepreneur Carl Faust nearly 90 years ago, it is considered to be one of the most important gardens in Europe as far as landscaping is concerned. Throughout its 4 hectares, visitors will nearly find 3,000 different plant species, and some are rare species and can hardly found in other gardens.
Museu Obert of Lloret (MOLL)
Lloret de Mar takes pride in having a rich cultural and natural heritage, it is a small treasure waiting to be discovered and the main objective of this museum is to introduce all of this to the visitor. This is a new concept of museum that puts together all the cultural, historical and natural highlights of the municipality, making an appealing choice to the likes of everyone. Besides this, one of its main attractions is the fact of being an open-air museum in constant motion and transformation, where you can walk around, visit museums and historical buildings, etc.
Santa Clotilde Gardens
Santa Clotilde Gardens in Lloret de Mar are located in a beautiful spot on a cliff with stunning sea views. They were built following the Italian Renaissance model: terraced gardens, extraordinary views to the outside and native vegetation in ordered harmony. Indeed, they are the ultimate expression of the nineteenth-century movement in Catalonia.
Sant Joan Castle
Sant Joan Castle was built in the eleventh century and, in those days, the fief of Lloret was under its jurisdiction. The chapel was dedicated in 1079 and, up until the present day, only the foundations of torre del homenaje tower can be found, together with the east side of the wall and some remains on the south side, as well as several silos excavated in the subsoil. Since the thirteenth century, it has been under the authority of the Seo (cathedral) of Girona. In 1356 it was attacked by the Genoese fleet, which affected the structure together with the impact that the earthquakes between 1427 and 1428 could have had on it. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries it was employed as a coastal watchtower, and was refurbished acquiring its current appearance. It is worth a visit to enjoy the wonderful view from the torre del homenaje tower.
Salvador Dalí House & Museum
Cadaqués is a very well-known town, no doubt because it hosts the Salvador Dalí House & Museum. In 1930, the painter moved to a fishing cabin in Portlligat, in a wonderful environment, which gave wings to the artist’s creativity. Little by little, he made his home out of the little hut and gave it the form of a labyrinth, turning it into a very special and original building. Nowadays, the rooms of the house where he lived and used to work up until 1982 are open to the public.
Waterparks
If you feel like spending a memorable day with your family, you can’t miss the great variety of waterparks that are waiting for you in Costa Brava:
Marineland
This is a great place for those who want to enjoy a pleasant swim while spending a very special day with the family; this water park and zoo offers dolphin, parrot and sea lions shows along with the excitement of a waterpark.
Water Worldorld
This is an aquatic world, with room for everyone who wants to have great fun in the midst of nature, with exciting attractions such as kamikazes, slides, a wave pool, amazing water roller coasters like the X-treme Mountain, the Rafting River and the Water Mountain, the Storm with its swirl and for the little ones the Kiddie Island and the Family Lagoon.
Aquadiver
Come and enjoy like never before with the wave pools, rapids, kamikazes and the thrilling pistas blancas (whitetracks), which are great both for adults and children.
Illa Fantasia
For those who are looking for fun and excitement, Illa Fantasia is a safe choice, offering up to 22 water rides and 3 mega swimming pools. This year, a new space has been opened to the public, El Jardin de las Delicias, with amazing waterfalls and light combinations.
Eating out
Restaurant El Ventall
This restaurant is located half way between Blanes and Lloret de Mar and is a must for those who enjoy the Mediterranean cuisine.
It is a sailor-styled refurbished country house where you can enjoy the most traditional Mediterranean cuisine, combining both the most classic with seasonal dishes.
Restaurant El Trull
Restaurant El Trull in Lloret de Mar offers a varied menu of Mediterranean cuisine. You can chose between a “menu del día” fixed price menu or an exclusive tasting menu. Summer nights (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) are enlivened with music played on a grand piano.
Restaurant-Pizzeria Lluís
This restaurant in Tossa de Mar is very traditional, decorated with many antiques: old scales, wagon wheels, oil lamps, etc. There is also a large terrace where you can taste their specialties: paella, pizzas and sangria. It also offers other dishes like fideuas, arroz negro (black rice), cod or baked prawns.
Restaurant Es Baluard
One of the attractions of this restaurant in Cadaqués is its unbeatable location in the heart of the town, as integral part of the ancient wall, boasting breathtaking views over the bay. This family owned restaurant offers market cuisine where the highlight is the variety of local fish dishes available, such as the delicious suquet de pescado.
Restaurant Mas Lledoner
This restaurant is found in an old country house in the Catalan town Roses, in the stunning surroundings of Cabo de Creus. Michel and Christoph, who came up with the idea and run the place, offer Catalan & French market cuisine with delicious homemade desserts, plus a varied wine list.
Out shopping
Blanes Market
The Blanes Market is a good choice to get fresh quality products at reasonable prices. It opens Monday to Friday, with plenty of stalls where they mainly sell fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, fish and meat.
Lloret Antiques Market
Every second Sunday of the month, hundreds of people come to Lloret de Mar to visit the antiques, crafts and collectibles market. The amount of people drawn by these kinds of curiosities is incredible.
Shopping in Tossa de Mar
The commercial area in Tossa de Mar will please shop-a-holics with its wide range of shops. Here you can find from sports stores or jewellery shops to clothing and leather shops or souvenirs.
S’Agaró Avenue in Playa de Aro
Playa de Aro offers a complete and diverse range of shops, and one of the most interesting shopping areas is found on S’Agaró Avenue. It is one of the main streets of the town as well as one of the busiest. By walking along the shopping mall, one can find all kinds of shops: clothing stores, shoe stores, restaurants, etc.
Weekly markets
Most of the towns in the Costa Brava hold a weekly market where you can find a great variety of products. Here are some of the most popular markets:
Torroella de Montgrí. Monday morning on the main streets.
Roses. Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Palafrugell. Sunday morning.
Begur. Every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Plaza de l’Esglèsia
Blanes. Daily craft market during the months of June, July, August and September, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Paseo de la Marina.
Cadaqués. Every Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in La Riera. El Port de la Selva. Friday morning. In winter, it is located on Avenida Josep Vicenç Foix and in summer, it moves to the “parking dels Horts”.
Lloret de Mar. Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Calle dels Mestres.
Nightlife
Carmen’s Café
If you want to go out for drinks in Lloret de Mar, Carmen’s is a classic. It is a fairly quiet place in a great location right on the Paseo Marítimo in Lloret.
Just Marlés Avenue
Nightlife on this street in Lloret de Mar and its surroundings is really busy. There are plenty of pubs, bars and nightclubs. Eventually, concerts and performances from the biggest DJ’s in the scene take place here.
Golden Gloves
The most funky people will find their place in Golden Gloves in Calella. This is the perfect place to escape from the noisy environment of fashionable spots to enjoy good music and get to know locals. Sometimes there is live music.
Medieval Night – show & restaurant
Enjoy a classic medieval dinner and have fun with the battle of the knights, tournaments and jousts on horseback. Watch the flamenco show & dancing and let yourself be amazed.
Masia La Siesta
Find the perfect setting for an unforgettable show & restaurant experience in Costa Brava by visiting this old Catalan masia(country house) from the seventeenth century. Enjoy live music, fun, interaction, dance… such a grand finale party for a great night.
Nightclubs
If you are a party animal then you can spend all night dancing and enjoying music in any one of the many nightclubs in Costa Brava. Here are just some of them:
Tropics Disco
St. Trop Disco
Bumper’s Discotheque
Public events
Santa Cristina Patron Saint Celebrations
A parade on July the 23rd is the way that Lloret de Mar welcomes its patron saint celebrations. Many events are held until the 26th, such as the Maritime Procession of Santa Cristina on the 24th; the procession starts at the Parish Church of Lloret and moves to the beach where the relics of the saint are carried by boat. In the afternoon you can attend the traditional “Ball d’Almorratxes”, a dance based on an ancient legend that tells the story of a noble Arab who gave a pitcher (almorratxa) to a Christian girl to show his love; she rejected the gift by throwing it away, and that’s what is represented in this dance. Also, over these days there is a traditional handicraft market, sardana dance… people dancing in the main square and more.
Roses International Guitar Festival
This guitar festival is held every year in the Santa Maria de la Ciutadella Church in Roses. It is a unique opportunity to hear the best guitar players in the world set in an exceptional scenery.
“Cim-i-Tomba”Gastronomy Fair
For those interested in cuisine and eating well, we propose the “Cim-i-Tomba” Gastronomy Fair, which takes place in the town of Tossa de Mar during September. It is the perfect occasion to enjoy this traditional dish “Cim-i-Tomba” from the Tossa’s fishermen, which is based on fish, potatoes, alioli (garlic mayonnaise) and vegetables.
Tourist Information Offices
Get further information from the tourist offices in Costa Brava.
Tourism office Girona
Tourism office Lloret de mar
Oficina De Turisme Avinguda Alegries
You can see pictures and comments about nice places in Costa Brava in the website of Latitude91. Here is a link: http://www.latitud91.com/#!mp_lat=41.749129817305$mp_lon=2.8539123023407$mp_z=11$p_last=1
Caroline
on July 12th, 2011