Dog friendly beaches on the Costa Brava

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The Costa Brava is split into two zones; The Northern section (Alt Emporda) and the Southern section Baix Emporda). The Alt Emporda is considerably more dog-friendly than the Baix Emporda when it comes to dog-friendly beaches. As a result this is perhaps one consideration to take into mind when planning a family holiday on the Costa Brava with your pet dog.

Dog friendly beaches Costa Brava
Dog friendly beaches Costa Brava

Costa Brava dog friendly beaches.

Here is a list of dog friendly beaches on the Costa Brava during the summer months. Starting from the Northernmost:

Platja de les Portes, Colera. This is the main beach of the village and a section of the beach is deemed dog-friendly.

Platja de Sant Jordi, Llanca. Located to the northern section of the town this is a nice sandy beach easily accessible by foot on the Cami de Ronda.

Platja la Ribera is located in the centre of the town of Llanca.

Platja el Port de la Vall, Llanca. Located to the south of Llanca and in between Llanca and Port de la Selva.

Platja de la Rubina, Empuriabrava. Located on a long stretch of sandy beach between Empuriabrava and Roses.

Platja del Rec del Moli, L’Escala. Located between the north of the town of L’Escala and the coastal village of Sant Marti d’Empuries.

Platja Els Griells, L’Estartit. Located on a long sandy stretch of beach to the south of Estartit.

The Begur and Palafrugell Town Halls told me that officially, dogs are not allowed on any of the beaches in the Begur/Palafrugell region at any time of the year. However I have seen plenty of images on Instagram of people on these beaches with their dogs in the low season so expect it is not strictly policed.

Browse our selection of Costa Brava pet-friendly villas and farmhouses.

The following map shows the location of the above mentioned pet-friendly beaches:

More information about travelling in Catalonia with pets can be found on the Catalunya.com page.

Barcelona Luxury Villas

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Luxury Barcelona vacation rentals

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer a selection of luxury villas, farmhouses and apartments close to Barcelona. Locally based we provide a free concierge service to all of our clients and can help arrange bespoke extra services, activities and excursions. Established for over 15 years Charming Villas Catalonia are pioneers in the Barcelona and Costa Brava luxury villa sector. Other agencies have copied our format, our properties and some have even unashamedly copied our text yet we strive to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Modern Barcelona villa
Luxury villa close to Barcelona

Family vacation rentals Barcelona

Planning a family reunion in Spain? Let us guide you through our Barcelona family vacation apartments and Beachfront villa rentals close to Barcelona. We have a selection of luxury Barcelona villas for every taste and need.

Barcelona wedding venues

Thinking of getting married in Barcelona? We have a large selection of luxury wedding and event venues close to Barcelona and Sitges. Our dedicated wedding planner can help craft the perfect wedding from venue selection right down to the last detail.

We select only the very best properties and we inspect each property before for adding to our site. From modern design villas to historic country farmhouses we have a selection for all tastes and occasions.

Cuatro Torres Alella
Luxury Barcelona villas
Luxury villas close to Barcelona
Luxury seafront villa Barcelona
Barcelona seafront villa
Barcelona Masia
Luxury Masia close to Barcelona

Barcelona corporate getaways

Barcelona is the perfect location for weekend getaways and corporate retreats. The options of activities are almost endless. With a pleasant year round climate, an amazing gastronomic tradition and a whole range of Barcelona corporate escapes to choose from let us help you plan the perfect package for your company team building trip.

At Charming Villas Catalonia we pride ourselves on our reputation for high standard customer service and selecting only the very best rental properties on the Costa Brava, Girona and Barcelona. We can be contacted at enquiries@charmingvillas.net

We would be delighted to hear from you and help you in your villa selection process and to help plan a memorable vacation in Catalonia.

Cadaques supermarkets

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Cadaques is a small compact town with a handful of small supermarkets and grocery stores. Access for cars within the town is restricted which means grocery shopping in the town can be quite tricky. This is especially an issue if you are staying in a vacation villa away from the center of town.

We normally recommend to our clients to stop off at Roses, on the way to Cadaques, to buy your “big first shop”. Here in these supermarkets you have a bigger selection, easy parking and slightly better prices.

  • Biosana Cadaques
    Biosana Cadaques
  • Biosana Cadaques
    Cadaques groceries
  • Biosana Cadaques
    Biosana Cadaques

Supermarkets in Roses

Probably the two best options are “Carrefour Market” 75C2+F6 La Garriga and Esclat supermarket before Roses at; Carrer La Closa dels Frares. These two stores are recommended for two reasons: They have a wide selection of good, fresh products and the stores are located on the road to Cadaques meaning no long detours in to the center of Roses.

Supermarkets in Cadaques

Once in Cadaques you have a selection of smaller supermarkets to choose from including;

Spar 77QG+QP Cadaqués

Condis Life 77QG+WV Cadaqués

Novavenda 77RF+2P Cadaqués

Biosana organic food store 77QH+W2 Cadaqués

Supermarcado Ca La Mama 77RJ+JX Cadaqués

Spar offer free home delivery if you spend 60€ or more.

Vacation villas Cadaques

Charming Villas Catalonia offers a varied selection of vacation rental villas in Cadaques. Please browse our portfolio and let us know if you have any questions about our Cadaques vacation villas.

Skiing in Catalonia

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With four well equipped and very different resorts why not try skiing in Catalonia? The Catalan Pyrenees make a refreshing alternative to the traditional European getaways and is easily accessible from Barcelona and Girona airports.

Vallter 2000
Vallter 2000 ski resort, Catalonia. Photo credit of Vallter 2000

Skiing holidays in Catalonia

Choosing your next Skiing holiday in Catalonia not only gives fresh new pistes to explore but also some beautiful scenery and backdrops. Not to mention exquisite Catalan cuisine and the famed Costa Brava beaches on the doorstep.

Here is a list of each resort:

La Molina has 68 Km’s of ski runs and a daily pass is 38€

Masella has 74 Km’s of ski runs and a daily pass is 43€ https://www.masella.com/en/home

Vallter 2000 has 19 Km’s of ski runs and a daily pass is 25€

Vall de Nuria has 7.6 Km’s of ski runs and a daily pass is 12€

Here is a map showing the locations of the Ski resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees

Costa Brava holiday villas

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer a selection of hand picked luxury villas on the Costa Brava. Browse our portfolio of luxury Costa Brava vacation rentals and Barcelona beachfront homes.

Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. Our goal is to make sure that our clients make the most out of their time while in Catalonia. We can help plan fun day-trips to the Costa Brava and all kinds of activities and extra services. From tables at the number one restaurant in Spain, El Celler de Can Roca to dining on a pier with fishermen. Let us know how we can help plan the perfect vacation and we will do the rest.

Girona cycling holidays

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Girona cycling vacations

The province of Girona is well known as a cyclists Mecca and today around 80 professional cyclists are based here full time. Girona is where Lance Armstrong moved to in 2000 when he was in his prime and won seven consecutive Tours from 1999 (now struck-off since his doping revelations). Cycling holidays in Girona are now well catered for and there’s many companies offering different packages.

Cycling holidays Catalonia
Girona cycling holidays (image copyright of Bikecat)

What makes Girona so popular with cyclists? The answer is a number of factors including the favourable climate and varied terrain. Other factors are the geographical location close to the Pyrenees, the Costa Brava, Barcelona and the French border. Also the excellent logistics and infrastructure of all things cycle related which has grown and flourished over the years.

Professional and amateur cyclists in Girona

Since 2016 the largest cycling event in Europe, the Sea Otter festival, has taken place in Girona. https://www.seaottereurope.com/ This is where all the major brands and cycling companies showcase their new bikes and apparel.

But it is not just professional cyclists that Girona is about. Amateurs and members of leisure cycling clubs from all around the world come to Girona. Not only to rub shoulders with the pro-cyclists but also to combine the trip with a vacation taking advantage of staying in a Charming Villa on the Costa Brava. When not in the saddle there’s a whole load of other stuff to do in the region. We can help arrange sampling the famed local cuisine, tasting the local wines and visiting farmers markets and for art lovers there’s the Dali triangle in Cadaques, Figueres and Pubol.

Girona cycling holidays
Girona cycling tours (image copyright of Bikecat)

At Charming Villas Catalonia we help our clients select the best property for their Girona cycling holidays based on cycling criteria and can also help set up bike rentals and guides. Below is a list of alternative local cycling holiday companies and also bike rental companies.

Girona cycling holiday companies

Bikecat https://bikecat.com/

Cycle Tourism https://www.cicloturisme.com/giro/

Bike Breaks https://www.gironacyclecentre.com/

Trek and Ride http://www.trekandride.com/

Happy Bikes Girona https://www.happybikesgirona.com/

Cicles JK http://www.ciclesjk.com/

Burricleta https://burricleta.com/ca

Charming Villas Catalonia specialize in the rental of high standard vacation rentals on the Costa Brava, Girona and Barcelona. Locally based we offer a free tailor made concierge service to all our customers. We work with you on all aspects of your vacation from initial villa selection right down to the last detail. Drop us a message and let us help you plan the perfect vacation in Catalonia.

Private chefs and caterers on the Costa Brava

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One of the most frequent requests from our clients is for a private chef to come and cook a special meal at their Costa Brava vacation villa on at least one occasion during their stay. We work with a number of different chefs from Michelin star rated chefs right down to cooks who offer more homely local dishes.

Below is a video from when Dave & Deb from the Planet D had Chef Lee prepare a paella at Can Puig in Cadaques

Choosing which Costa Brava chef to go with

I give our clients a list of our trusted chefs on the Costa Brava and What i suggest is to take a look at each of their websites. Then depending on which chefs appeal we can reach out and contact each one to ask more information about menus, rates and availability.

Having a private chef and their staff cook, serve and clear away afterwards at your villa is a fun experience. Some clients choose different chefs for different days. For example we know chefs who specializes in paellas. Another may specialize in a different aspect such as fine dining and pastries. The choice is yours!

Private chefs Costa Brava
Costa Brava private chefs

Private chef or catering company?

Usually a private chef is the better option for smaller, more intimate family groups at a villa vacation rental. However some of our private chefs have cooked at some of our Corporate getaway venues and also smaller, more intimate weddings on the Costa Brava. A professional caterer is generally your better option for larger events such as weddings.

We also know a number of cooks who do not have websites and we would be delighted to put you in contact with them. If you have any questions please contact us at catalonia@charmingvillas.net or take a look at our extra services/activities page.

Port Lligat Fisherman’s lunch

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Port Lligat is a small bay right next to Cadaques famous for being where Salvador Dali lived for many years of his life. His wonderful sprawling amalgamation of fisherman’s houses is now a museum and open to the public. Read on how to book a Port Lligat fisherman lunch.

Portlligat fisherman lunch

Not quite so well known is that the last remaining fishermen of Portlligat offer an informal lunch and dinner service. Right on the pier meters away from the water, it is not a restaurant and you will not find it on Tripadvisor. Think of it as a “pop-up” table run by two fishermen who like to cook. Several journalists and even food critics have over the years tried to publish but the fishermen always refuse. It is a combination of this “anti-marketing”, the unique location on the water and the freshness and quality of the food which make this a sought after and favorite of our clients.

Portlligat Cadaques
Portlligat, Cadaques (image credit www.visitcostabrava.com)

Tables for this Port Lligat fisherman lunch are limited. Only one group for lunch and one group for dinner is catered for. Bookings are for a minimum of 10 people and maximum 16 people. Less than 10 people and you pay the price for 10. Places should be reserved as far in advance as possible, especially for summer where they are often fully booked six months in advance.

Charming Villas Catalonia offer a selection of luxury Costa Brava villas and Barcelona vacation rentals. We offer our clients a free Costa Brava concierge service where we can arrange activities and extra services such as a table with the Port Lligat fisherman for lunch or dinner. We can help create a bespoke day trip to Cadaques combining the fisherman lunch with other activities. Check out our earlier blog post, What to do in Cadaques.

Please contact us for more information about menus and how to reserve a table. catalonia@charmingvillas.net

Where to stay on the Costa Brava?

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This blog post is designed for those who are planning on visiting Catalonia and the Costa Brava for the first time. This is also for people who are seeking information about where to stay and what to do in the region. Below is a basic map highlighting the Costa Brava and the Maresme coastlines.

The Maresme coastline starts from Barcelona and finishes at Blanes. From Blanes the Costa Brava ends over 200 kilometers later at the French border. The Costa Brava can be split into three rough sections; Northern, central and Southern sections. Blanes to Palamos is the southern section. The middle section from Palafrugell to L’Estartit and the northern section from L’Escala to Portbou.

The middle and Northern sections

Middle and Northern sections of the Costa Brava are somewhat less developed (with one or two exceptions). These are also more family orientated and this is where the vast majority of our properties are located.

Popular locations are Begur (and it’s beaches of Sa Riera, Sa Tuna, Aiguablava). The beaches of Palafrugell – Tamariu, Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell. Cadaques is the jewel of the Northern section of the Costa Brava.

For first time visitors to the Costa Brava i normally recommend the area around Begur/Tamariu. There’s a lot to see and do in a compact area and day-trips to explore the north or south of the Costa Brava are doable. Here is a map showing the main coves and beaches of the Begur/Palafrugell area;

Begur beaches
The beaches of Begur and Palafrugell

Cadaques, the pearl of the Costa Brava

Cadaques in the north is probably our favorite coastal town on the whole of the Costa Brava. There’s only one road in and out of town and it is a windy mountain road which can take up to 30 minutes’ from the neighboring town of Roses. Once you finally descend into Cadaques the mountain road adventure is quickly forgotten. The town has a unique charm and ambiance which has been preserved down the centuries. This is in part thanks to it’s relative isolation from the rest of the Costa Brava located on the end of the Cap de Creus peninsula.

Cadaques has seen many artists staying over the years including Picasso, Man Ray, Duchamp, Joan Miro. Most famously of all Salvador Dali who lived a large part of his life in the neighboring Port Lligat. This link to the rich history of Cadaques is tangible today in the many local artists galleries you will find among the narrow cobbled streets of the town. The town has a somewhat Bohemian atmosphere and a wonderful selection of good quality restaurants.

However i am always cautious on recommending Cadaques to first time visitors to the region because of it’s isolated location. If travelling around visiting other towns/beaches is an important factor this can be quite a tiresome experience driving over the mountain road every day. For people who like to explore other areas i recommend finding a base in the Begur/Tamariu area and then taking a day trip to Cadaques during your holiday.

Costa Brava vacation villas

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer a selection of luxury Costa Brava holiday villas with pools and villas with heated pools. Let us know your important criteria and we will help you find the perfect vacation rental in Catalonia.

This post is just a rough guide and with our clients we go into much more detail not only with location and villa selection but also, if needed, advice and help planning activities and day trip itineraries. Please contact Sara or Richard at catalonia@charmingvillas.net for more information.

Costa Brava Concierge Services

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Looking for concierge services on the Costa Brava? Then look no further than Sara and Richard from Charming Villas Catalonia. Locally based we are here to help our clients with every aspect of your vacation, all at no extra cost.

First things first – Choosing the right property

This all starts during your luxury Costa Brava villa selection process where we offer comprehensive and un-biased advice on all of our properties and locations. We listen to your important criteria and suggest suitable properties based on what we think would be a good fit. We have a varied selection of vacation rentals for all tastes and needs.

Planning your activities in Catalonia

Once we have nailed down your chosen vacation rental the next stage is to start planning excursions and activities. Whether that be a day trip to Barcelona or Cadaques or a table at the number one restaurant in Spain, El Celler de Can Roca. Things that normally need to be booked way in advance include tables at Can Roca, private chefs and boat hire. Further fine tuning can be planned closer to arrival but it is wise to get these important reservations out of the way early on. Other things we can help with include hire cars delivered to your villa, airport transfers, guides and sommeliers. These are just some of the Costa Brava concierge services we offer our clients.

Charming Villas Catalonia is a family business ran by Sara and Richard

We love making sure that our clients make the most out of their time while in Catalonia so take great pleasure in arranging bespoke itineraries. Some of our favorite authentic and off the beaten track restaurants often make it in to our clients plans! Or how about a picnic at one of our favorite secluded coves on the Costa Brava? We also keep an eye on local festivities and festivals (cultural and culinary) and give our clients a list of things that are going on locally. Two examples; watching some Castellers human towers or visiting a cheese and olive oil farmers market in a medieval village.

Catalonia specialists

All of our properties which we list on our website are located in Catalonia, predominantly on the Costa Brava, Girona and Barcelona. This means we focus all of our energies on this one concentrated corner of Spain. We have a huge database of local knowledge to share with our guests and believe we have more to offer than other agencies who spread their portfolios (and depth of local knowledge) over various regions within Spain or even multiple countries.

Whatever your needs or special requests we are here for you and nothing gives us greater pleasure than a satisfied group of clients.

Please contact us at catalonia@charmingvillas.net if you have any questions?

Hospitals and Medical centres on the Costa Brava

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Costa Brava hospitals

There’s three main hospitals in the Costa Brava area, one in Girona, one in Figueres and the other in Palamos. Then each large town has a CAP which are usually open 24 hours for emergencies. Then smaller towns have what is called “Consultorari local” which is like a smaller version of a CAP and have limited opening hours. 

Girona hospital
Josep Trueta Hospital Girona

Download Apps to your phone

The emergency number is 112 and there is also an App which you can download to your phone. If you have an emergency you call 112 through the App and the operator knows your exact address so saves time and avoids language misunderstanding. 

112 is the emergency number for all emergencies, Police, fire and medical.

061 is the emergency number purely for medical emergencies and there is also an App for your phone 

I have never used this App but it seems that you can upload medical history so that when you make a call the operator has your medical details on file.

Hospital and CAP addresses

Here is a list of the hospitals and main CAP Medical centers giving address, telephone number, opening hours and GPS coordinates;

Hospital de Palamos
Carrer Hospital, 36
Palamós 17230
Tel. 972 600 160
Open 24hr
Coordinates: 41.852581, 3.131450

Hospital de Girona Josep Trueta
Avenida França, S/N
Girona 17007
Tel. 972 940 200
Open 24hr
Coordinates: 41.997542, 2.819743

 CAP La Bisbal
Carrer Marcel Ralló, 10
La Bisbal d’Empordà (17100)
Tel. 972 643 808
Open 24hrs
Coordinates: 41.962792, 3.035273

CAP Palafrugell
CR ÀNGEL GUIMERÀ, 6
Palafrugell (17200)
Tel. 972 610 607
Open Monday – Friday 08.00am – 8.00pm and 24hr for emergencies.
Coordinates: 41.912563, 3.165446

CAP Torroella de Montgrí
Carrer Dr. Molinas, 1
Torroella de Montgrí (17257)
Tel. 972 761 101
Open 24hrs.
Coordinates: 42.037844, 3.126720

CAP L’Escala
CR MOSSÈN SALVADOR JUÉ I PUJOLAR, 1
L’Escala (17130)
Tel. 972 772 089
Open 24hrs.
Coordinates: 42.121865, 3.136989

CAP Cadaques
CR NOU, 6-10
Cadaques 17488
Tel. 972 258 807
Open every day 08.00am to 8.00pm.
Coordinates: 42.287478, 3.275181

Cap Roses
CT DE MAS OLIVA, 23
Roses 17480
Tel. 972 153 759
Open 24hrs.
Coordinates: 42.267486, 3.178824

Consultori local Begur
CR FORGAS I ELIAS, 3, 
Begur (17255)
Tel. 972 622 025
Open Monday, Tuesday and Friday 08.00am – 1.00pm
Wednesday and Thursday 4.00pm – 8.00pm
Coordinates: 41.954416, 3.206750