COSTA BRAVA

The northernmost Costa

The northernmost of Spain’s Costas, the Costa Brava is probably the prettiest of the lot. It’s made up of rugged cliffs and secluded coves, which give way to fishing villages and seaside towns. And in among it all are the long beaches that have been attracting holidaymakers here since the Fifties.

Blue Flag Beaches

Topping the list are Tossa de Mar’s two Blue Flag stretches. Lloret de Mar, meanwhile, offers up five sand-and-shingle sweeps and a waterfront lined with bars and pubs. Then there’s Calella de la Costa, where 3 kilometres of sands merge into neon-lit clubs and pubs. Family-friendly entertainment is out in force on the Costa Brava, too, in the shape of waterparks and nearby Port Aventura.

The bright lights of Barcelona

Traditional Spain shows its face along the coast, as well. Most resorts wrap around old towns of cobbled lanes, plazas and tapas bars. And inland there’s the town of Girona, where pretty, pastel-coloured buildings edge the river Onyar. But for a taste of city life, head for Barcelona. Catalonia’s trendy capital doesn’t do anything by halves, with its surreal Gaudi architecture, fashionable shops, and cobbled Gothic quarter.