Barcelona day trips using Public transport

Posted on 22 February 2021 by Richard Calvin

Planning day trips from Barcelona

Staying in Barcelona and interested taking a day trip to explore what else Catalonia has to offer? There’s three ways how to take a day trip from Barcelona:

Hire a car and drive wherever takes your fancy
Sign up for an organised day out with a local tour operator
Hop on a bus or train

In this blog post we are focusing on Barcelona day trips using public transport.

Day trips from Barcelona on public transport

There’s many blog posts out there with suggestions of day trips from Barcelona. Among the usual suspects which often crop up are Montserrat, Sitges, Girona and the Dali museum at Figueres. All these are wonderful and certainly worth a visit. However the aim of this post is to focus on a few perhaps lesser known “off the beaten track” itineraries.

Costa Brava Cami de Ronda – Colera to Llanca

The Cami de Ronda is a series of coastal paths stretching the whole length of the Costa Brava. Hiking the 150+ kilometers of the Cami de Ronda in its entirety will take around 10 days but for a day trip we suggest this one short stretch. Public transport from Barcelona to the Costa Brava is not great but for this particular trip the train works well.

Day trips from Barcelona — Port de Joan, Garbet. On the Cami de Ronda between Colera and Llanca

From Barcelona El Clot – Arago train station take the R11 train to Colera. This can take between two and three hours depending on which train you get. For example the 07.25 train takes two and a half hours and arrives in Colera at 09.55. Barcelona to Colera timetable here. An alternative option would be to take the high speed AVE train from Barcelona to Girona. The 08.15 train from Barcelona Sants station arrives in Girona at 08.53. This would give you 5 minutes to catch the R11 train which departs Girona at 08.55 and arrives in Colera at 09.55.Barcelona to Girona AVE timetable here.

This northern stretch of the Costa Brava is among the least populated and has some of the most stunning scenery.

Day trips from Barcelona using public transport — Colera to Llanca along the Cami de Ronda

The walk from Colera to Llanca takes around three hours. Perfect timing to arrive in Llanca for a nice lunch before taking the train back to Barcelona in the afternoon. A longer walk would be to stay on the train until the last stop at Portbou and walk to Llanca from there. This would increase walking time to around five or six hours. More information about the Costa Brava Cami de Ronda can be found here.

Barcelona day trip to Banyoles and Besalu

Wednesday is a good day to take this trip because it is market day in Banyoles. Even if you have no intention of buying anything it is still enjoyable to wander the streets taking in the sights and sounds of the busy market. The main draw of Banyoles is undoubtedly its lake. With a circumference of around 7 kilometres and great for a mid-morning stroll.

A view of Banyoles lake along a jetty — Banyoles lake just after sunrise

After a morning stroll around Banyoles lake and market it is time to continue the journey to the Medieval village of Besalu.

The bus company Teisa operate the route between Barcelona and Besalu and the timetable can be found here. The first bus leaves Barcelona at 09.30 arriving in Banyoles at 11.11am. Buses from Banyoles to Besalu are every hour at 45 minutes past the hour. The last bus back to Barcelona departs Besalu at 16.55 arriving in Barcelona 18.55. (Limited service at time of writing due to Covid-19).

More to follow.

Day trips from Barcelona

Posted on 9 February 2021 by Richard Calvin

A selection of some of the best day trips from Barcelona

Spending some time in Barcelona but would also like to explore what Catalonia has to offer away the capitol city? Here we share a selection of our favorite places and things to do outside of the city. Please note that these suggestions are based on using a car. If you are using public transport please refer to our Barcelona day trips by public transport post.

Day trips to the Costa Brava

Located to the North of Barcelona the Costa Brava contains some wonderful beaches and fishing villages. There’s loads of different sections of the Costa Brava to choose from and all offer different facets to the traveler.

If i were to list all the places to visit on the Costa Brava this would turn in to a long essay so i will give just two suggestions here. Cadaques at the end of the Cap de Creus peninsula is one of our favourite places in the whole of Catalonia. Two hours by car from Barcelona the town is a wonderful place to spend a day. More details about what to do in Cadaques and surrounding area can be found here.

The second part of the Costa Brava is the area around Begur and Palafrugell, around 90 minutes from Barcelona. Here there’s a whole host of beaches to choose from many of which have restaurants where to dine on or close to the beach. More information about what to do in Begur can be found here.

Costa Brava Medieval villages

The province of Girona is not only about the beaches of the Costa Brava. There’s many interesting medieval villages in the region to explore. If history, interesting architecture and wandering around ancient cobbled streets is your thing then read more in our Costa Brava Medieval villages blog post.

Medieval bridge of Besalu — The medieval bridge of Besalu

Visit a Vineyard

Probably not the best idea of a day trip if you are driving however there’s a wide range of Barcelona based tour agencies offering wine tours close to Barcelona. Another option would be to hire a driver for the day and this is something Charming Villas can help arrange.

Catalonia contains no less than 10 distinct wine growing regions each offering its own unique growing conditions and varieties of grape. I don’t have enough space here to list each region in detail but more information on the Emporda wine growing region can be found here.

Day trip to Montserrat

A classic day trip from Barcelona and one which is advertised online by many Barcelona based tour agencies such as visitarmontserrat.com. Montserrat is a beautiful and oddly shaped mountain range which reaches a height of 1236m above sea level. Among the hills is a famous Abbey which was founded in the year 1025. If driving to Montserrat please do not leave any valuables inside the car when you park up. We once had some clients whose hire car was broken in to and valuables were stolen.

Barcelona day trip Montserrat — The Montserrat mountain range close to Barcelona (image credit www.visitarmontserrat.com )

Visit Girona and Figueres

This is a trip which can also be made by train from Barcelona. The high speed AVE train connects to Girona in 35 minutes and Figueres in just under an hour. The main draw of Figueres is without doubt the Dali museum. This world class museum could fill up a whole day just by itself. When i am helping my clients plan day trips i always stress that if the museum is on the list of things to do then this should be the main focus of the day. Unless you are planning a very early start and late finish then i do not advise multiple destinations in the same day.

Girona, bigger than Figueres, is arguably a more interesting and picturesque city to spend a day. Whereas Figueres is all about the Dali museum Girona has more variety of things to see and do. The Cathedral has been made famous since it was chosen as a filming location for the HBO series “Games of Thrones”. A number of locally based tour operators offer guided visits of the city exploring the various filming locations within the city.

Girona also has a wide range of shops and artisan markets to browse as well as its very own Las Ramblas. Not as big or famous as Barcelona’s Ramblas nonetheless it is a pleasant place to stroll or sit and watch the world pass by.

Barcelona day trip ideas — The Eiffel bridge Girona (photo credit www.holeinthedonut.com)

Vacation homes on the Costa Brava and Barcelona

Charming Villas Catalonia offer a hand-picked selection of high standard vacation rentals on the Costa Brava and Barcelona. We offer our clients a free Costa Brava concierge service and help plan activities, day trips and extra services. Let us guide you through the villa selection process helping you choose the best property for your needs.

Costa Brava Medieval villages

Posted on 9 February 2021 by Richard Calvin

The most beautiful villages on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is rightly famed for its unspoiled coastal towns and villages but just a short distance inland from the coast there’s many Medieval villages waiting to be discovered. In this blog post we explore some of the most beautiful Costa Brava Medieval villages.

Costa Brava Medieval villages — The Medieval village of Beget (photo credit: www.femturisme.cat)

Medieval villages in the Baix Emporda

The Baix Emporda region of Girona is where some of the best beaches on the Costa Brava are to be found. The beaches of Begur and Palafrugell include Sa Riera, Sa Tuna, Aiguablava, Tamariu and Llafranc among others. Just a few kilometres inland from this stretch of coastline we find the well preserved villages of:

Peratallada, Pals, Monells and Palau Sator

These four villages are all located within the Baix Emporda “Golden Triangle”. Peratallada is the largest of the four and certainly one of the prettiest. With many cobbled streets to explore this village also has a good selection of restaurants open for lunches and dinners.

Like Pereatallada Pals also has a labyrinth of small streets and alleyways to explore and restaurants where to dine. Monells and Palau Sator are a little smaller but by no means less pretty and are equally worth a visit.

These well preserved Medieval villages on the Costa Brava are not far from each other and can be visited in one day. The architecture, the history and the narrow cobbled streets offer the traveler a glimpse of Medieval times gone by.

Medieval villages of La Garrotxa

La Garrotxa is a County a little further inland from the Costa Brava famed mainly for its extinct volcanoes. La Garrotxa also boasts beautiful Beech forests and of course Medieval villages. Perhaps the most well-known village in this region is Besalu. Famed for its photogenic 12th Century Romanic bridge the village was an important Medieval seat of power.

Also within the County of La Garrotxa is the Medieval village of Santa Pau. Santa Pau is located in the middle of the volcanic region and the beautiful Fageda Beech forest. Thanks to its fertile soil Santa Pau is famed for growing “mongetes” beans which are a staple in Catalan gastronomy.

Beget is a small village located further to the North in the neighboring County of Ripoles. This beautiful village is dominated by the Romanic San Cristóbal church and has a permanent population of only around 20 people.

Other Costa Brava Medieval villages

Further afield from the Costa Brava and worth a day-trip are the Medieval villages of Rupit and Tavertet. Tavertet sits on top of an escarpment enjoying breathtaking views of the Panta de Sau reservoir. The two villages are only 12 kilometres apart and a wonderful walk through forested countryside.

For more information about the Medieval villages of Girona and the Costa Brava take a look at the official Costa Brava website.

Costa Brava filming locations

Posted on 4 February 2021 by Richard Calvin

A brief history of the Costa Brava filming locations

The Costa Brava has long been a popular location for Movie and TV Shoots. The first recorded production was entitled “Amor de Pescadora” by Eduard Marquina and was shot in Tossa de Mar in 1914. It is easy to find Costa Brava filming locations all along this stretch of coastline and below i outline some of the major movies to be shot here.

Movies shot on the Costa Brava during the 1950’s

Perhaps the Golden age of Movies shot on the Costa Brava with some of the biggest names in Hollywood filming here.

1951 Pandora and the Flying Dutchman staring Ava Gardner and James Mason. This was the first big North American movie to be filmed on the Costa Brava. Filmed entirely on location including the coastal towns of Tossa de Mar, Palamos, S’Agaro and Platja d’Aro. 1951 was the year that Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra married.

1952 Decameron Nights shot in Cala Francesc, Blanes starred Joan Fontaine and a young Joan Collins.

1956 The Spanish Gardener filmed in various locations along the Costa Brava including Palamos, Sant Feliu de Guxols, S’Agaro and Tossa de Mar. Dirk Bogarde was supported in the main role by Jon Whiteley and Cyril Cusack among others.

1958 Sea Fury filmed in Begur and staring Stanley Baker.

1959 Suddenly Last Summer was a blockbuster movie staring big name stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine Hepburn. Filmed in various locations including Pals, Begur and Sant Feliu de Guixols.

Costa Brava filming locations from the 1960’s onwards

Notable movies shot on the Costa Brava from the 1960’s onwards include:

1960 The three worlds of Gulliver Staring Kerwin Mathews.

1961 Mysterious Island staring Michael Craig and Herbert Lom

1968 Some Girls Do staring Richard Johnson

1970 The light at the edge of the World staring Yul Brynner and Kirk Douglas

1971 Nicholas and Alexandra staring a long list of stars including Tom Baker, Laurence Olivier, Fiona Fullerton and Michael Redgrave.

1977 Valentino staring Rudolf Nureyev, Felicity Kendal

1992 1492: Conquest of Paradise Directed by Ridley Scott and staring Sigourney Weaver and Gerard Depardieu

Game of Thrones and Westworld filming location

More recently Girona was selected as a filming location for the celebrated series Game of Thrones. Visiting Girona to see the GoT filming locations is a popular day trip from the Costa Brava.

Part of the Westworld Series 2 was filmed in the medieval village of Besalu which was turned into a WW11 movie set for a couple of weeks.

Commercial shooting locations Spain

Over the years Charming Villas Catalonia has provided locations for numerous TV commercial and product catalog shoots. We have also worked with production companies from all over the world and provided Catalonia location shooting for the following shows:

Linnan tähdet from Finland, Playing it Straight from the UK, Ocho apellidos Catalanes from Spain and Red Light from the Netherlands.

Luxury villas on the Costa Brava

At Charming Villas Catalonia we have an extensive portfolio of high standard vacation homes in and around Tamariu. Please browse our selection of luxury Costa Brava villas and farmhouses. We have visited all of the properties on our website on multiple occasions. Our aim is to offer un-biased opinions on each property and help our clients choose the best property for their needs.

Locally based we offer a free Costa Brava concierge service to all our clients and can help arrange extra services and activities. We can give suggestions of day-trips and put together bespoke days out including some of our off the beaten track favorites.

Medieval village of Besalu

Posted on 25 January 2021 by Richard Calvin

Where is Besalu?

The medieval village of Besalu is located in the province of La Garrotxa, inland from Girona and the Costa Brava. The nearest beach is Sant Marti d’Empuries at 45 minutes. Cadaques and Begur are both one hour by car from Besalu.

The history of the medieval village of Besalu

In medieval times Besalu was an important capitol with far reaching powers. From around 1300 the importance of the town slowly diminished. Many important buildings still remain including the church of St Pere which was consecrated in the year 1003.

Today the 12th century Romanesque bridge is perhaps the most prominent focal point of the village. Spanning the river Fluvia, the bridge was constructed on top natural rock formations and as a consequence the bridge is angled rather than straight.

The first mention of the bridge is in a document dating 1075. The bridge has been repaired and modified over the centuries most recently during the Spanish Civil war when fascist troops of General Franco blew up two sections of the bridge. It was repaired again in 1965.

Curiously the population 1000 years ago was roughly the same as what it is today (around 2500 people).

What to do in Besalu

Even though Besalu is a small compact village there’s still plenty of things to see and do. The village is a worthwhile day trip from Barcelona or the Costa Brava. Besalu has two Squares; Placa Major (main Square) in the heart of the village and the nearby Placa St Pere. Placa St Pere is actually the bigger Square of the two and is where the church of St Pere is located.

The village has many connections to it’s Jewish past heritage including the 12th century purification baths or Miqvé. One of only three Miqvés in Europe it can be visited with a guide from the Besalu Tourist office.

On one side of Placa St Pere one finds Circus Land – a museum showcasing the history of Circuses throughout the ages.

Besalu was also one of the filming locations for the second series of the popular HBO show Westworld.

Both Squares have a good selection of bars and restaurants serving lunch and dinner meals.

Getting to Besalu

The village is located on the C66 coming from Girona and the N260 coming from the direction of Figueres. The nearest beaches are St Pere Pescador and Sant Marti d’Empuries which are both around 45 minutes by car. Cadaques is one hour by car as is Begur.

Barcelona Besalu bus timetable

Besalu is also connected by bus to Barcelona, Girona and Figueres. The Barcelona Besalu bus timetable can be found on the Teisa website.

Besalu villa rentals

At Charming Villas Catalonia we have a wide selection of villas and farmhouses for all tastes. Please browse our portfolio of luxury Costa Brava villas and farmhouses for rent close to Besalu.

We have visited all of the properties on our website on multiple occasions. Our aim is to offer un-biased opinions on each property and help our clients choose the best property for their needs.

Where is Tamariu?

Posted on 24 January 2021 by Richard Calvin

Tamariu Costa Brava

Tamariu is a small coastal town on the Costa Brava. One of three coastal towns within the municipality of the larger town Palafrugell which is located a few kilometres inland. The other two towns are Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell.

Where is Tamariu? — Tamariu on the Costa Brava

Things to do in Tamariu

Tamariu is pretty small and in 20 minutes you will have walked all the streets and seen everything in the town. However this does not mean that it is boring, not by any stretch of the imagination. Of course the main feature is the beach itself. Along this stretch of the Costa Brava beaches are mainly small coves and bays. At around 200m in length it is one of the biggest sandy beaches in this region.

The promenade of Tamariu has a good selection of restaurants, great for family meals on balmy summer evenings. There’s also a small supermarket, good for picking up essentials however we recommend our clients to do their main grocery shopping in Palafrugell.

The Cami de Ronda

The Cami de Ronda is the name for the coastal path which runs the whole length of the Costa Brava. The Tamariu section of the coastal path is a little hilly so probably not ideal for little children. To the north the beach of Aiguablava is a 45 minute walk and to the south the little hidden bay of Cala Pedrosa is again around 45 minutes. The small bay of Aigua Gelida (sometimes spelt Aiga Xelida) close to Tamariu is another beautiful beach worth a visit. Read about the Costa Brava coastal path in more detail on our blog.

Aigua Gelida beach — The cove of Aigua Gelida

The area around Tamariu

With the exception of the bays and coves, the general geography of the area is rugged pine covered cliffs. The contrast between the deep blues of the ocean and the verdant greens of the pines is breathtaking. However this also means that a lot of the Tamariu holiday villas and vacation rentals in the area are built into the coastal cliffs. For families with young children some of the villas in the area may not be ideal due to the nature of the terrain.

Costa Brava holiday villas

For more information about Tamariu and the surrounding area please visit the Visit Palafrugell website.

What to do in Begur?

Posted on 31 December 2020 by Richard Calvin

Where is Begur?

Begur is a small town located on the Costa Brava coastline with Barcelona approximately 80 miles to the south and the French border approximately 50 miles to the north. Sitting in the county of the “Emporda”, more specifically the “Baix Emporda” which means the “lower Emporda”. The cosmopolitan city of Girona is just 35 miles inland.

The closest beaches

The town of Begur sits in an elevated position two miles inland from its beaches. Each beach is quite different and has it’s own characteristics. Pals has the longest sandy beach and a few chiringuitos where to buy refreshments. Illa Roja is a small sandy beach dominated by the huge red rock from where the beach gets it’s name. This is also a nudist beach. Sa Riera beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area and benefits from a number of restaurants on the beachfront. Aiguafreda is more of a cove and does not have a sandy beach but great for swimming and kayaking. Sa Tuna is a pretty picture postcard small bay with a pebble beach. Platja Fonda is untouched and free of restaurants or shops. Aiguablava beach is possibly the most beautiful beach in the area with it’s turquoise waters.

The history of Begur

The town is steeped in history and the area has been inhabited since Pre-Roman times. Today the oldest remaining link to it’s ancient history are the foundations of the 11th century Castle which sits in a strategic high point overlooking the town and coastline. During the 16th and 17th centuries the town was fortified to protect itself against marauding pirates. Today parts of the perimeter defensive wall and no less than five watchtowers still exist.

The 1950’s saw the dawn of mass-tourism and the Costa Brava was the first Costa in Spain to open up to tourism. The 1960’s and 70’s saw a boom in tourism and the consequent development of accommodation along the coastline in Spain. Some parts of the coast were spoiled by short-sighted over-development however this part of the coastline was largely left untouched. Today it is this factor of well preserved beaches and villages which attract both local Catalans and foreigners to spend holidays in Begur and it’s surrounding beaches.

Things to do in the area

As we have already seen this region has some of the prettiest and unspoiled beaches on the whole Costa Brava. However there’s more to Begur than just it’s beaches and the town of Begur itself has a lot to offer the traveler. The center of town is dominated by the 16th century church and it’s surrounding plaza and restaurants. There’s a good selection of boutique shops selling everything from clothing to home decor as well as bakeries, butchers and grocery stores.

Begur is also great for outdoor pursuits especially walking and cycling. The GR 92 coastal path (Cami de Ronda) stretches the whole length of the Costa Brava coastline and some of the nicest sections are in the Begur region.

The beach of AiguaBlava, Begur — AiguaBlava, Begur

Where to stay in Begur

At Charming Villas Catalonia we offer a selection of luxury villas in Begur from beachfront vacation rentals to a choice of countryside cottages and farmhouses a few miles inland from the Costa Brava coast. Let us know your most important criteria and we can give you unbiased suggestions which best fit your needs.

More information about Begur and it’s surroundings can be found at the official website Visit Begur

Barcelona Luxury Villas

Featured

Posted on 19 October 2020 by Richard Calvin

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.

Luxury Barcelona villas — Cuatro Torres Alella

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.

Skiing in Catalonia

Posted on 11 May 2020 by Richard Calvin

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 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.

Where to stay on the Costa Brava?

Posted on 22 April 2020 by Richard Calvin

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.