The Best Beaches in Costa Brava to Enjoy your Spain Holiday
If you’ve got a holiday in Spain planned on the horizon, here’s a breakdown of the best beaches in Costa Brava. As you might imagine, there are some stunning beaches in this region to be enjoyed.
The beauty of the Costa Brava is that everyone has a different opinion about best beaches on the Costa Brava, and they're all a little bit right. There's just no shortage of remarkable beaches on the Costa Brava, and the region represents this perfect middle ground between natural beauty and development.
That is to say, the views are out of this world, but so are the hotels.
Where is the Costa Brava, Anyhow?
Cadaqués, Spain on the Costa Brava is not a bad place to rest those weary legs.
Before we talk about the best beaches on the Costa Brava, we ought to talk about what the Costa Brava actually is, as well as where it is.
The Costa Brava is a little stretch of paradise (not shockingly on the coast), that stretches roughly from 50 or so kilometres northeast of Barcelona all the way to the French border. Costa Brava roughly translates to “wild coast” and it is characterized by picturesque rocky cliffs, charming fishing villages, and stunning beaches.
Essentially, about 70 years ago the Spanish Government woke up to what they really had on their hands with the Costa Brava, and they decided it was development time. It was branded as the ideal holiday location for those living in the surrounding countries at first, but has since gained worldwide acclaim.
It's safe to say their plan worked in spades, but it certainly doesn't hurt that the Costa Brava is one of the top places to enjoy a holiday in Europe, especially a luxury holiday in Europe.
With the Costa Brava, you've got some top-notch amenities, but also brilliant nature and beaches galore, which is why I’m writing this post - to help you find the best beaches in Costa Brava. Most beaches, as it were, are connected to lovely towns, or resorts, so there is really something for everyone.
All that to say, the best beaches of northern Spain are right at your fingertips.
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means we may get a small commission for some of our recommendations at no extra cost to you.
The Best Beaches on the Costa Brava
For the same reason you've come to this article, you're going to Costa Brava - for the beaches, so let's get to work.
Platja de Tamariu
With Platja de Tamariu, you've got one of the best beaches in Costa Brava, and that's largely because it's both family friendly and beautiful. It's not a large beach that extends as far as the eye can see, complete with a multitude of tourists pouring out of Costa Brava villas. No, it's horseshoe shaped and relatively private, but still has restaurants and shops galore.
It's a solid bet, and nearby Tamariu is also a charming resort town.
Platja de l'Estartit
Platja de l'Estartit offers a 3.5 km long sandbank with gently shelving access to the sea. It’s the perfect spot for families with small children and a good place to learn how to scuba or snorkel. The beach divided into three different sections.
Platja Larga o Central is the largest, an urban portion of the beach nestled next to L’Estartitand, offering plenty of places to eat and drink. This portion of the beach has watch towers, lounger and umbrella rentals, washroom amenities and disabled access.
Adjacent Platja Els Griells is 500 m long and offers a nice break from the busy Platja Larga, while still offering parking and washroom facilities.
Platja de la Pletera is the quietest section of the strip, offering more natural beauty. Whether you choose to stay at one or hike all three, you’ll enjoy the stunning vistas from Platja de l’Estartit.
Platja de Treumal
Just think. This Costa Brava beach isn't all that far from bustling Barcelona!
What makes this beach so alluring is that it isn't all that far from the town of Blanes (in fact, less than 5 minutes), but it feels world's away from the stress of your everyday life. What makes Platja de Treumal so popular is that it checks all the standard boxes for a paradise beach.
Platja de Treumal has postcard blues for days.
Platja de Castell
You might gather that, at this beach, you won't be far from the Costa Brava's historic town of Castell. In fact, it's not all that many metres from town to beach, and this one is an absolute beauty.
What people are constantly wowed by with Platja de Castell (and what makes it one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava) is the sand, which is soft as warm butter.
Its shallow swim area also makes it worth the stop. This beach lives up to the hype, period.
Platja de l'Illa Roja
Platja de l'Illa Roja is named for a red island just off the coast. The beach is one of the smaller beaches on this list, and has no amenities, but its natural beauty makes it worth a mention. This quiet cove beach is surrounded by rocks and pines, and offers stunning panoramic views of the coastline.
Located close to the road in the Girona region, it’s easy to get to, but be prepared - Platja de l'Illa Roja is clothing optional.
Platja del Canadell
The sand might be a bit coarser, but my oh my is Platja del Canadell ever picturesque. On the beach you've also got kayaks for rent and a sailing school. It's not far from Calella de Palafrugell (in fact, it's just a short walk), and what's unique about Platja del Canadell is the striking array of pine trees that just tend to spruce things up a bit.
Platja de Sant Pol
This is probably the beach to take kids to, as there is a children's play area, as well as a kid's club at Platja de Sant Pol. You've also got all the amenities you could need nearby including rentals and cabins galore.
You've got that crystal clear blue that you're looking for, and its shallow waters make it very appealing to swimmers and bathers alike.
Platja Sa Tuna
Platja Sa Tuna is located near Begur, a tiny town in the Girona Region. This rugged, natural pebble beach is home to some of the most beautiful coves in Costa Brava.
This beach offers a wonderful view of the beachside whitewashed cottages with splashes of colour on their terraces and doors. The winding road to get there might be a bit intimidating, but it’s definitely worth the trip.
Platja Fonda
This is one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava, largely because many people don't know about it. It's a secluded cove not far from Aiguablava, and it's perfect for people who aren't keen to be on crowded beaches which only have shallow waters to offer.
The water is just as pretty, but it's much deeper, and strong swimmers will love it here.
Platja Cala Senyor Ramón
This secluded beach is a hidden gem for those who enjoy a quieter vibe. It is a popular spot with nudists and couples. It isn’t as easy to get to as some other beaches in Costa Brava, but the upside is that it is seldom overcrowded even in summer.
Cala Senyor Ramón is about 11km from the town of Santa Cristina d'Aro.
Platja Cala Pola
Platja Cala Pola is located between two cliffs 4 km from the town of Tossa de Mar. There is a beautiful coral reef for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Amenities include showers, a beach bar, and a restaurant. Parking is a bit of a distance, but it’s worth the walk to see the crystal-clear water and golden sand.
Platja Cala Aiguablava
Aiguablava is a great beach for families in Costa Brava. Its fine sand and shallow, clear waters are suitable for the whole family, and its convenient location ensures that restaurants, shops, and other services are just steps away.
Platja d’es Codolar
A lovely little cove, this stunning beach is near the old town of Tossa de Mar. Es Codolar is a great place for a refreshing dip while sightseeing, or a leisurely laze in the sunshine for the day.
There’s a snack bar if you get the munchies, or restaurants serving more substantial meals just up the hill from the beach. Bring snorkelling gear so that you can view the abundance of fish up close.
Platja de Llafranc
Popular with film stars and jet-setters throughout the 20th century, Llafrance is a charming resort town where you can easily while away a week.
The splendid beach is perfect for a coastal hike, or the proverbial long walk on a beach.
Platja de Pals
Two miles of golden sand await you at Pals. Once the site of radio towers during the Cold War, Pals now boasts loads of seaside activities.
It can be a terrific beach for surfing, windsurfing or kiteboarding in Costa Brava if the winds are blowing. Pals has loads of room for beach volleyball and any other game you fancy.
Platja Cala del Crit
You can only reach Cala del Crit by foot or by boat, and there are no amenities, but if you prefer quite nature instead of a busy urban beach, this is a good bet.
Located in the town of Mont-ras, between Palamós and Calella de Palafrugell, this beach’s scenic surroundings are stunning, and far away from any urban centre. The cove is only about 150 metres long and is mainly gravel and coarse sand.
It bears mentioning that given the secluded nature of the beach, it’s also clothing optional.
Costa Brava Accommodation
There are is no shortage of property on the Costa Brava which services tourists, but it's important to find the right one for you. Frankly, deciding where to stay in Costa Brava can be overwhelming.
You've got Costa Brava villas, Costa Brava hotels, Costa Brava hostels, Costa Brava resorts, Costa Brava guesthouses, and everything in between.
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What to Pack for the Costa Brava
Costa Brava Pocket Guide: These nifty pocket guides by Marco Polo are a life saver when you’re trying to figure out exactly where you are, and where you should be going. I almost always use apps and so forth to navigate, but this was really useful because I had a fair bit of information at my fingertips for the Costa Brava, and it definitely enhanced my experience.
An enormous beach bag: If you’ve got a rental car, this bad boy will be absolutely perfect. Although it fits a lot, it actually folds down pretty well, so you don’t have to worry about it taking up too, too much room. It’s great for couples because you can fit both your towels, sunscreen, water bottles, snacks and everything in between. You’ll be Costa Brava ready with this guy.
A Spain Lonely Planet: When you find yourself on the Costa Brava living it up, you might all of a sudden decide that you need to extend your trip to Spain, and that’s where a Spain Lonely Planet guidebook is going to come in handy. I always like to have a Lonely Planet to allow myself that extra room for spontaneity. I mean, why not just throw it in your new beach bag, right?
A water bottle that will actually stay cold: Make no mistake, Costa Brava is hot, and you’re going to want to stay hydrated. But who wants to drink lukewarm water that’s been in the bottle for far too long. Problem solved with these guys, they stay cold longer than stays reasonable and they’re perfect for chasing beaches on the Costa Brava.
A large microfibre towel: A microfibre towel like this is a lifesaver on the Costa Brava or any beach trip, and that’s because they dry very quickly. There’s nothing worse than having to put a still wet towel in your luggage, but you really won’t have to worry about that with these towels. They’re great, seriously.
Wherever you end up, I can only hope it’s a wonderful visit. The best part about Costa Brava beach hopping is that it’s very unlikely you’ll be unhappy anywhere. Enjoy!