Top 10 beaches of the Costa Brava

Each summer people ask us for the best coves and beaches on the Costa Brava and that’s why we have made a selection of the 10 best beaches on the Costa Brava. It’s based on our experience and love of the area and where we also explain why they are in our Top 10.

The Costa Brava is one of the most famous areas in the country and where we can still find beautiful coves to wander and enjoy their crystalline water.

As we know it’s difficult to choose just 10, we propose our selection of the best 10 beaches of the Costa Brava. Comments are open so you can add your more depending on your experience, telling us which would you recommend and why.

1. Illa Roja Beach

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most photographed beaches of the Costa Brava.
It is a cove frequented by naturists but as everywhere, in summer you can find all kinds of tissues. It is a cove with an average occupancy, golden and coarse sand and has a crystalline water that makes it unique and ideal for snorkel and scuba-diving lovers. 

It is accessible via the walkway that connects Sa Riera beach with Rincon de Pals beach, here is where you can enjoy the best the spectacular views from this beach which highlights the central rock in the middle, but the best way to access is from the Playa del Racó.

2. Castell Beach

A virgin beach in the center of Palamos and Calella. A large cove surrounded by pine trees which makes it an idyllic location. On the left side of the cove (facing the sea) we can find the original Iberian settlement from the VIth century BC.
We have placed it second because it is one of the most comfortable virgin beaches to go with children, since it’s an easy drive and there is parking right next to it (of payment in summer) and there are two bars.

We take this opportunity to tell you that from this beach (north, on the left) you can find an original Iberian settlement from the VIth century BC and can also access Cala Corb and Cala Estreta in about 30 minutes walk. Right along the coastal path you can reach and visiti the Cala S’Alguer and Cala Fosca. Both the road to the left and the right are signposted and offer spectacular views.

3. Cala Tavallera

This is for us one of the best beaches of Cap de Creus. Cala Taballera leaves you breathless when you arrive, Cap de Creus environment and a rugged landscape make it a unique cove. It’s a heavenly space and is very secluded from civilization so it’s advisable to go spend the day and enjoy nature and clear waters.

To get to this spectacular unspoilt corner you have to walk for a while. You have to leave Port de la Selva following the GR11, you can only reach there by car in a 4×4 prepared for cobbled areas. Towards the end of Port de la Selva there are markers that indicate the way, there is a crossroads indicating Cala Sant Baldiri and Cala Tavallera and both lead to the cove, although it’s advisable to follow the Sant Baldiri path to contemplate the ruins of this interesting ancient Romanesque building. They are about 2 km distance. This is one of the ends of the GR11, the route across the Pyrenees from west to east.

It is a cove without services and consists of pebbles and sand, typical cove of Cap de Creus with black and gray colors. The cove is nudist and very uncrowded even in summer. Such a remote and secluded cove that you can camp and sleep without having anyone scold you for that and if you take with you the equipment you can enjoy its seabed.

4. Cala Aiguablava

One of the most famous beaches of the charming and exclusive area of ??Begur. It is noted for its fine white sand and shallow waters that give it its characteristic turquoise. It tends to be crowded in summer, but well worth a visit.
It is easily accessible, as it has a parking lot (of payment) at the entrance and also has restaurants and showers.

5. Cadaqués

Cadaqués is much more than a village to bathe on the beach. The beaches of Cadaqués are very rocky, but near the worldwide known picturesque village we find the bay of Portlligat with the island that lies ahead and of which Salvador Dalí was its best known inhabitant. There you will discover the Dali Museum house, where he lived, surrounded by forests and vegetation, a good starting point if you want to access some beautiful beaches around like Cala Sabolla (before the lighthouse Cala Nans). It is not difficult to access and is ideal for rest and relaxation. Here you can find one of the bests “chiringuitos” of Costa Brava.

6. Gola del Ter

Located at the mouth of the River Ter, it is one of the most pristine and tranquil stretches of the Costa Brava and is formed by dunes. Very close to Estartit and the Medes Islands in the background. It has no amenities and the beach extends from the southern part of the Basses d’en Coll (Pals) to the beach of L’Estartit. To get there, take the road that starts in Torroella de Montgrí. This road is also suitable for cyclists as it is flat and often have families that come to the beach by this transport.

At the end of this beach you will find Platera beach (between Estartit Griells beach and the mouth of the river Ter), one of the 5 dog friendly beaches on the Costa Brava.

7. Cala of Sr. Ramon

Frequented by naturists but you can also see different tissues during the summer.
It is a wide beach with thick sand and turquoise waters, ideal for snorkeling and exploring the seabed. The road to reach the cove is within a private property and there is a paid parking upon arrival. If not, you can leave your car on the road and walk down to the creek.

The road to get to the cove is equally or more spectacular than this, and along the entire road there are a few viewpoints to stand for the journey and admire the views of this part of the Costa Brava.

As a small note the cove is surrounded by rocks that sometimes fall off, which is why it’s advisable to stay as far as possible from the cliffs.
It’s a little cove little frequented even in summer and worth spending all day so amortize the costs  of the € 7 parking ;-).

8. Sant Pere Beach

Another wide beach of more than 6 km long, uniform but in which we find different areas where you can also do different activities. It goes from Sant Martí de Empúries until Empuriabrava.

The easternmost part of the beach is part of the Natural Park Aiguamolls Empordà. There are 2 designated areas for Kitesurfing.
It is a very long beach so you can find areas where there is virtually no one. In the summer it usually has an average occupancy, there’s even a part of the beach where you can practice nudism.

It is a beach frequented by families (due to the proximity of the campsites, at the foot of the beach) and sports especially dedicated to Kitesurf. On the beach there are many services, there are some of the best “chiringuitos” of Costa Brava, and easy parking in front.

9. Cala Montjoi and la Pelosa

Surely, thanks to the internationally recognized chef Ferran Adrià, is one of the most famous beaches of Cap de Creus since one side of the beach is where the famous restaurant El Bulli used to be.

This beach has easy access, with usually average occupancy and thick sand and pebbles. There is a resort that sometimes makes the beach quite crowded, however, this offers a lot of services to this small beach.

Just 10 minutes by car you will find Cala Pelosa. On a personal level, it deserves special mention because I remember when we were little we woke up at 6 am to be on the beach at 7 and see the family of dolphins cruising the beach from side to side. Besides personal preference, this is a lovely cove that is sheltered from the Tramuntana, like all of Cap de Creus, still virgin, quite secluded and less touristy which is usually frequented by the locals. Special mention the familiar restaurant and snack bar with local dishes on the beach.

10. Cala Montgó

Situated on the slopes of the Massif of Montgrí, between the town of L’Escala and Torroella de Montgrí, it’s located in a privileged position and in Roman times it was a landing place. It is protected from the Tramuntana and has thin sand.

Ideal to go with children, because it has many facilities such as showers and public toilets, hammocks hire service, skates, bar, parking … It’s also a beach with access for disabled people.

These are just some of the many beaches we have on the Costa Brava. Have you visited all of them? Which other beach would you recommend?

Here you can find a map with the location of these beaches and coves: