August 31, 2021
5 day Costa Brava itinerary: the best things to do

5 day Costa Brava itinerary: the best things to do

August 31, 2021

Dali House

Just 1 hour and 40 minutes above Barcelona you can find Costa Brava, one of the most beautiful places in Spain. There are countless things to do and see around this coast bathed by the Mediterranean sea such as spectacular coves with turquoise water, quaint medieval villages, delicious food and last but not least Salvador Dali's house and museum. Driving along the coast you will get jaw-dropping views.


A road trip is the best way to explore Costa Brava and this blog post includes everything you need to plan your visit: a thoroughly planned itinerary, travel tips, restaurant and hotel recommendations, a map to take with you on your trip and finally a video that shows you the very best things to do.


Whether you are planning a family trip, romantic escape, or a solo adventure, Costa Brava is a dream summer destination.


Here’s your ultimate guide to five days in Costa Brava!

Costa Brava itinerary: Day 1

If you are a fan of Salvador Dali's work, there are three places in Costa Brava you can't miss: his museum in Figueres, his house in Portlligat and his wife's castle in Pubol. Tickets for all three places sell out fast so I recommend you buy them online before your trip. 


Spend day 1 in Figueres. The town’s main claim to fame is that it was where the artist Salvador Dalí was born and is where his main museum in Spain is located. The museum building is a large red theatre. The outside is covered in yellow pieces of bread, with white eggs on the roof and golden statues. Dalí designed it himself and wanted the museum to be a surrealist journey through his bizarre world. The museum houses one of the best Dalí collections of art in the world. Right next to the Dalí Theatre Museum is the Dalí Jewels Collection which shows a collection of jewellery made by him.

Fuigueres

Figueres

Dali Museum

Dali jewels

With the ticket to Dali's Museum you get a 30% discount to Museu del Joguet (Toy Museum) which is worth visiting as well. Afterwards go to Castle of San Fernando, the biggest fortress in Europe which dates back to the 18th century.


Where to eat: at Restaurante El Motel you can find the exquisite food and the most spectacular dessert trolley! It's pricey but worth it.

Figueres restaurant

toy museum

Toy Museum

Sant Ferran

Costa Brava itinerary: Day 2

Start your day at Cala Montjoi, the cove where the world-famous restaurant El Bulli is located. Note that the restaurant is not open anymore. Something else to take into account is that the road to the cove is closed from 10:30am to 4:30 pm.


During our trip we stayed in the coastal town of Roses. Not much to see here but the beach is really nice, there are many hotel resorts and the location is really good to travel around Costa Brava.


Where to eat: Ona is the coolest beach bar in Roses. Surf vibes surround you as soon as you walk in the hut. They serve burgers, sandwiches and healthy bowls. Ona is also a great choice for cocktails when the sun goes down. 


Where to stay: Hotel Mediterraneo Park (Roses)

Costa BravaEl Bulli

Ona beach bar

Ona beach bar

Roses

Costa Brava itinerary: Day 3

Apart from dreamy coastal towns, in Costa Brava you can find quaint medieval towns with cobblestone streets, stone houses and bougainvillea hanging from balconies. Pals and Peratallada are two of those villages that must be on your itinerary. Once you get there all you have to do is wander around the streets and find the prettiest spots. There are also amazing shops here. No tacky souvenirs, it's all good quality craftsmanship.


Where to eat: Restaurante La Roca at Peratallada has the lovieliest patio to eat al fresco. Their 23€ menu includes a starter, main course and dessert which is a great deal!

Peratallada

Peratallada

Peratallada

Pals

Pals

Costa Brava itinerary: Day 4

Cadaques is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Brava. Once the location of artists like Joan Miro or Pablo Picasso, this white washed village recieves many visitors every summer for good reason. Cadaques is a unique seaside gem that you should not miss.


Tip: the mountain road that leads to Cadaques is not for those who get car sick. If you are going to be traveling around the area, I suggest you stay somewhere else and spend a day in Cadaques


Where to eat: if you are eating in Cadaques, be sure to book a table in advance. The town is packed with tourists during the summer and it will be difficult to get a table otherwise. We had lunch at Talla and loved it. They serve Mediterranean food with a modern twist. The food quality and cooking was exceptional. Another option is Compartir, one of the most famous restaurants in Cadaques.


Where to stay: Hotel Boutique Villa Gala

Cadaques

Casa Serinyana

Cadaques

Cadaques

Salvador Dali's house in Portlligat
was one of the hightlights of our trip. Visiting the house of this amazing artist, seeing where he lived and worked and the things that inspired him felt like a privilege. Salvador Dali chose to put his house right at the waters edge on the tranquil bay in Portlligat, a place where he lived and worked from 1930 to 1982. Every single corner of the house is full of bizarre and weird things that reflect Dali's work. I promise you, you've never seen a place like this.
Dali house

Dali House

Dali House

Dali House

Cap de Creus natural park is paradise for nature lovers. Here you will find hiking trails, secluded coves and a lighthouse. You can reach the lighthouse by bus until 8pm when the road opens to the public. Since many people want to see the sunset there, it gets really busy and the road is very narrow and parking is limited. So you may consider using the bus service. You can find a restaurant with live music by the lighthouse. The experience is really cool but the food is overpriced.

Cap de Creus

Costa Brava itinerary: Day 5

Aiguablava beach -literally blue (blava) water (aigua)- is a must in Begur. It´s a small beach with crystalline waters. Its shallow waters and golden sand make it one of the most famous and beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava. Located on the Begur coastline it boasts spectacular views of the bay and the cape of Begur.


Tip: this is a very small beach and due to the pandemic access to Aiguablava beach is limited. Get there as early as you can to avoid queuing. 


Where to eat: Mar i Vent Paradores restaurant's terrace overlooks the crystalline waters of the sea and the golden sand of the beach. The amazing views combined with the quality of Paradores make this place a must.


Where to stay: Parador d'Aiguablava is a balcony over the Mediterranean Sea. If that wasn't appealing enough, this hotel also offers some of the nicest beaches, the best traditional cuisine and great views. 

Lobster paella

seafood

aiguablava parador

Aiguablava beach

Costa Brava itinerary map

This Costa Brava map includes the best towns and places to see in the area, amazing restaurants and hotels to stay in. Click on the star next to the title to save to your maps in Google and take it with you on your trip.

Shop my travel essentials

Check out the best places in Costa Brava on my YouTube channel

Liked this post? Pin it and save it for later!
Costa Brava

August 12, 2021
What is there to see and do in Galicia?

What is there to see and do in Galicia?

August 12, 2021

Combarro

What is there to see and do in Galicia? Let's take a look at the best things and attractions this region in northern Spain has to offer.


Galicia is a very different from the rest of Spain. It has its own language and culture which has shaped the way people in Galicia feel and live. The weather is also very differrent from the south, soft temperatures and frequent rain make Galicia green all year round.


In Galicia you can find anything you like: sightseeing, mountains, beaches, fantastic food, art, architecture and friendly people. Let's take a closer look at some of these things.

What is there to see and do in Galicia? The places

In the region of Galicia there's no shortage of amazing places to visit. Gorgeous mountain villages and trails, beautiful cities, lovely beaches, quaint coastal towns and much more.


Cambados is a coastal town that doesn't need a beach to be worth visting. The old town houses great examples of Galician architecture. You can find numerous "pazos" in Cambados. A pazo is a type of Galician traditional house similar to a manor house. Pazos are usually located in the countryside, as former residences royalty and nobility. Last but not least, if you are a wine enthusiast Cambados is the place for you. Cambados is the place where albariño, Galicia's most famous white wine, was born. Be sure to book some wine tours while you are there.

Cambados

cambados

Combarro is considered Galicia's most beautiful coastal town. The main attraction are the horreos at the beach. Horreos are one of Galicia's most emblematic structures. These "long-legged houses" were used as a place to store grain. They were built in wood or stone and raised from the ground by pillars to prevent access by rodents. You can find them mainly in Galicia, but also in Asturias and Northern Portugal. Wander the streets of Combarro to find one of a kind details on the old fishing houses "casas marineras".

Combarro

Combarro

Combarro

Combarro

The beautiful Island of La Toja is connected to the mainland by an 18th-century bridge. Following the discovery in the 19th century of its thermal mud and medicinal waters a spectacular spa was built, which brought with it an amazing increase in tourism. Today, you can find thermal baths, old soap and cosmetics factories, luxury hotels and a marina among other facilities. Despite the changes and years gone by the place still preserves that belle epoque feeling. 


In La Toja you can find a unique place: the only church covered in shells in the whole world. Pretty amazing, right?

La Toja

La Toja

La Toja

La Toja

La Toja church

Illa de Arousa is another island in the area. It's got a lovely marina and a vantage point with breathtaking views of the area. Walk to trail to the lighthouse before sunset. The lighthouse is now a restaurant/bar so you can sip a glass of albariño while enjoying the lovely view. 

sezane

Illa de Arousa

Pontevedra is the main city in the area known as Rias Baixas. The heritage in the old town is impressive. Walking through its historic center you will discover the history, culture and character of this city.

Pontevedra

Pontevedra

La Ruta da Auga e da Pedra: water and stone hiking trail. This stunning route runs along the Armenteira river. The most characteristic part of the path are the mills (muíños in Galician) and there are many of them. This place is very charming and it is nice to spend some time here.

Ruta da Auga e da Pedra

Albariño

The coastal town of Sanxenxo. Come summertime, Sanxenxo is bustling with activity. If you love beach vacations this is the place for you in the north of Spain. Playa de Silgar is an excellent beach, notable for the nearby promenade and multitude of cafés, ice cream parlours and restaurants.

Sanxenxo

Cies Islands are known for white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters and are just a ferry ride away from Vigo. With spectacular scenery, beaches and hiking trails for all levels, the Cíes Islands are a must if you are in the area. In order to preserve the islands, only a limited number of visitors are allowed every day. Before your trip you need to get a free permit which will allow you to buy the ferry ticket. More information here.

Cies Islands

cies islands galicia

cies islands galicia

cies islands galicia

Find more stunning places in Galicia on these blog posts


What is there to see and do in Galicia? Emblematic structures

As we've seen before horreos and pazos are among Galicia's most emblematic structures. Now we are going to talk about cruceiros. Cruceiros are stone crosses that often appear in crossroads. You can see small sculptures of Christ on the cross on one side and a Madonna and Child on the other. Although many are plain and simple, quite a few are ornately decorated and several date back to medieval times.

cruceiro

What is there to see and do in Galicia? Traditional food

What better way to explore Spain than with your tastebuds? In Galicia you will find the most delicious seafood and fish dishes. Meat is not bad either so there's something for everyone! Other traditional foods include empanada gallega -baked pastry turnover filled with savory ingredients-, lacon -a type of ham- and queso tetilla -a regional cow's-milk cheese with the shape of a small breast, hence the name-. I'll let the images speak for themselves...

Tapas
Seafood
meat
dessert

What is there to see and do in Galicia? Paradores

Some of the most beautiful Paradores that you can find in Spain are in Galicia. Some are castles, others are pazos, all of them breath history through their walls. Apart from the unique experience of staying one of them, I also recommend trying their restaurants. They offer the best selection of Galician dishes. The set menu is great value, it includes a starter (an assortment of Galician tapas), a main course (fish or meat) and dessert. The price of the set menu varies from 20-30€ depending on the Parador. If you choose dishes separately it will be more expensive: between 60-80€ per person).

These are my favorite Parador hotels in Galicia:


Parador de Cambados

Parador Cambados

parador cambados

Parador de Pontevedra

Parador Pontevedra

parador pontevedra

Parador de Monterrei

parador monterrei

parador monterrei galicia

parador monterrei galicia

Parador de Santiago de Compostela

Parador Santiago Compostela
parador reyes catolicos santiago compostela

WEAR THIS HERE

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you are planning a trip to Galicia and need some tips, don't hesitate to leave a comment below with your questions.

Liked this post? Pin it and save it for later.

best of Galicia