Spain is a country with incredible places and some of them are also found in the best coves of the Costa Brava, some more hidden than others but all with the ability to amaze those who come to them.
In order to talk and tell you which are the coves and beaches of the Costa Brava that you have to visit on your next visit, it is first necessary to give you a brief presentation of this Spanish region. It is located in the northeastern part of Spain and extends for 214 kilometers. It is a charming place both for its landscapes, for the activities that can be carried out there, for the history and culture and for having some of the most beautiful towns in the whole country.
It is a region in which we can find hidden places in each of the towns that make it up and among them are the best coves in the Costa Brava, of course. Some are easier to find than others, but all offer the pleasure of enjoying the Mediterranean Sea climate by the water.
Vicky Pirata / Arxiu PTCBG
It should be noted that these coves or beaches of the Costa Brava are located in towns with are popular for different reasons, either because they have been the refuge of an artist like Salvador Dalí for many years or because it is the town easternmost of Spain, the first time at sunrise, as is Cadaqués.
Next we tell you which are the best coves in Spain in the region that stretches from Blanes to Portbou.
Best coves on the Costa Brava
Before going on to tell you which are some of the best coves on the Costa Brava, it seems pertinent to clarify what we mean when we talk about coves.
In general, the expression “beaches” and “coves” are used as synonyms when talking about places on the Costa Brava, but there is a subtle difference. The second term is the one used to refer to inlets, that is, those bays in which the sea takes space on the land and are not as accessible as the typical beaches, although of course there are exceptions. Bearing this in mind, in this note when we talk about the best coves on the Costa Brava and the best beaches on the Costa Brava we will be referring to the same thing.
Now, we present you some of the best coves on the Costa Brava.
1. Cala Culip
This cove is one of the quietest on the Costa Brava. It is located in Cadaqués, a town known as the pearl of the region, a treasure that falls in love with those who visit it both for its culture and for the landscapes it offers.
If we speak in numerical terms, this cove occupies a space of 15 meters and is only 8 kilometers from the urban sector of the town. It is this small size that guarantees its tranquility and In addition, it cannot be accessed by land vehicle. The only way to get there is on foot or by boat, from the sea.
In any case, people who do not want to walk the 8 kilometers from Cadaqués can take the road to Cap de Creus, do about five kilometers and leave the vehicle in the parking lot. Then yes, the remaining section will have to be covered on foot along the path.
It is completely made up of stones and rocks, and is one of the places in the region that have inspired the odd work of the artist Salvador Dalí. It is also there where ships of different cultures have been found, both Phoenician, Greek and Roman.
Image by José Luis via Flickr
One thing to keep in mind is that it is not only one of the best coves on the Costa Brava but it is also one of those that allows nudism.
2. Cala s’Alguer
Cala s’Alguer is considered one of the most beautiful in this region of Spain. We can find it a few kilometers from Palamós, Girona, between Castell and La Fosca beaches, and it has an incredible landscape. The image offered by this place is the cove surrounded by fishermen’s houses and small boats on the shore, as if it were a postcard that comes to life.
It is on the list of sites declared as cultural assets of natural interest of the Gene ralitat of Catalonia, and it had also previously been named as a place of scenic interest. Its size is about 4 meters wide and 30 meters long, and is less than three kilometers from the center of Palamós.
In terms of access, the way to get there is on foot or by bicycle, although in the summer season it is usually visited by so many people that it is advisable to walk along the path. Another option is to arrive by sea, by boat directly. It is not the most accessible to get to, but this hidden place is not only one of the best coves on the Costa Brava but also, for all it has to offer in landscape terms, it is usually one of the most chosen by tourists.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting it is that does not have services.
3. Cala Estreta
Also located near the town of Palamós, the Estreta cove is other places on the Costa Brava that amaze us with its beauty. It is a small place, in fact its name refers to how narrow it is, and it is surrounded by pine trees and cliffs.
The distance from the town is 8 kilometers and one of the ways to access it is by walking directly from Es Castell Beach. The delay time depends on the pace of each person but can be around 20 minutes. Another option is arriving by boat.
One of the most popular attractions of the cove, in addition to its landscapes, is a fisherman’s hut that was recovered by the town hall and can be rented to spend the day. In addition, it is one of the beaches of the Costa Brava that has a lifeguard service, although not continuously but only on the weekends of July and August, during the Spanish summer.
Image via VisitPalamos
Cala Estreta, one of the best coves on the Costa Brava, is little more than 100 meters long, takes the shape of a half moon and is one of those that allows nudism.
4. Cala del Senyor Ramon
In this case, one of the best coves on the Costa Brava which, although it belongs to the municipality of Santa Cristina d ‘Aro, is located between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols, in the province of Girona. In fact, it is possible to access it through the route that connects these two towns, and the vehicle can be left in the cove’s own parking lot, which is private. Although the route has many curves, the views it offers of the Mediterranean Sea are worth it.
Although its official name is Cala del Senyor Ramon, it is also known as “ la Corcollada”. It is about 350 meters long, surrounded by cliffs of up to 800 meters and completely isolated from the everyday noise of the city. Although it has enough space to receive a large number of people, due to its difficult access it is not as crowded.
To the north of this cove there is a group of islets known as “Escollos de Canyet” and in the southern part is the “Caleta dels Concagats”. In this case you can go from one to the other but it can be dangerous, it is advisable to do it by boat.
It should be noted that this is one of the coves that does not have services and that allows nudism.
5. Cala Calís
This cove is located about eight kilometers from the town of Roses, one of the most beautiful places on the Costa Brava, and from Cap de Norfeu it can be reached in about 11 minutes by vehicle. The access mode is on foot and it is usually visited by hikers.
It is a space surrounded by vegetation and with the turquoise sea. In fact, it is one of the few coves that has the EMAS and ISO 14001 Quality distinction. In the first case, it is an environmental management instrument that assesses the impact, and how to improve the environment in qualitative and quantitative terms. In the second case, it is the international standard to put an environmental management system that is effective.
Image via Visit Roses
In this case we are talking about one of the best coves on the Costa Brava in terms of disconnecting from the urban rhythm. If you decide to visit it, you have to bear in mind that it does not have services and it is one of the nudist coves in the region.
6. Cala de Sa Tuna
Located just three kilometers from the urban center of Begur, in Girona, is the cove of Sa Tuna. It is one of the most popular on the coast of this region, possibly because it is not only one of the best beaches on the Costa Brava but, unlike many other coves in the area, it can be accessed entirely by vehicle.
It is characterized by having a rocky profile, turquoise waters that seem taken from a painting and, in addition, it is surrounded by vegetation on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Regarding services, has a bar, showers and a parking space where vehicles can be left. It also has access ramps and walkways for people with reduced mobility.
Despite not being one of the largest coves, it is a favorite among visitors during the summer months.
These are 6 of the best coves on the Costa Brava. Each of them offers an ideal natural space to disconnect from the noise of the city and everyday life, and allow you to enjoy landscapes that seem to come out of a work of art.
As we mentioned before, this Spanish region is a place that exceptionally combines natural landscapes with history and culture, so if you need a break from nature you can always get closer to the towns to learn more about their history and, if it is the other way around, the coves of the Costa Brava will always await you.
