Map of the Costa Brava in Spain

The Costa Brava is an ideal destination, if you are a lover of culture, gastronomy and nature. Its geographical location allows you to enjoy a diversity of landscapes and many entertaining activities throughout the year. So where is the Costa Brava on the map of Spain, and what does it have to offer? Our estate agency, Immo 365, offers answers to these questions to learn more about the geolocation of the Costa Brava and its geographical areas in Spain.

Where is the Costa Brava located on the map of Spain?

The Costa Brava, as its name suggests, is a coastal region of Spain. It is located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Mediterranean coast in Catalonia, in the province of Girona. The Costa Brava is bordered to the north by the Côte Vermeille in France and to the south by the Costa del Maresme in the province of Barcelona. It stretches for 160km from Portbou near the border between Spain and France to Blanes.

The latter is a municipality located 60 km from the city of Barcelona, at the mouth of the river Tordera. The coastline is made up of a rocky, jagged coastline, hence the name "Costa Brava", which means "steep coast" in Catalan. If you're looking for somewhere to buy on the Costa Brava, this is a tourist region where the weather is fine all year round.

It has a great reputation in Spain and even Europe for its varied landscapes and cultural heritage. On the Costa Brava you'll find numerous fine sand or pebble beaches, rocky coves, not to mention its impressive picturesque villages.

The different compositions of the Costa Brava in Spain

There are several geographical areas in the Costa Brava region. Each of them has characteristics that are specific to them. Among these geographical zones, we can distinguish the northern zone, the central zone and the southern zone.

The northern zone

This is the area that stretches from the French border to the town of Llançà. It is characterised by the Pyrenean mountains that flow into the sea forming capes and bays. The north of the Costa Brava is an urbanised area and there are also protected natural areas. These include the Cap de Creus Natural Park and the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park. The main towns in this area are Portbou, Cadaqués, El port de la Selva, Colera and Llançà.

The central zone

The central zone runs from Llançà to Sant Feliu de Guíxols. It is characterised by alternating beaches and coves, often lined with pine trees and rocks. This is a more touristy area, with seaside resorts such as Roses, Empuriabrava, L'Escala, L'Estartit, Pals, Begur and Llafranc. There are also historic sites such as the Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries, the medieval castle of Peralada...

The southern zone

On the map of the Costa Brava in Spain, the southern zone is the one that runs from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Blanes. It is dominated by the Montseny massif, which offers a contrast between the greenery of the forests and the blue of the sea. This is a more urban area, with towns such as Platja d'Aro, Sant Antoni de Calonge, Palamós, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Tossa de Mar. There are also attractions such as the Marimurtra botanical garden, the Aquadiver water park and the Dalí museum in Figueres.

What to do in Costa Brava

Are you planning to visit the towns or most beautiful villages on the Costa brava, on your own, with your family or with friends? This beautiful Spanish coast offers a multitude of activities for all ages and interests. You'll have the chance to enjoy its many beaches, practice water sports... Here are just some of the activities you can do on the Costa Brava.

The beaches of the Costa Brava

There are more than 200 beaches on Spain's Costa Brava offering different landscapes. You'll find beaches with fine sand or pebbles. In some places the sea is calm and in others it is rough. This allows you to swim, sunbathe, kayak or snorkel on the beach of your choice according to your preferences.

Examples include the large beach at Palamos, located near the town's port, or Port Bo beach in Calella de Palafrugell. There's also Platja d'es Codolar in Tossa de Mar, Santa Anna beach in Blanes or Taballera beach located in El Port de la Selva.

Enjoy water sports on the Costa Brava

If you're a water sports lover, the Costa Brava is, on the map of Spain, the ideal destination for your next holiday. You can surf, dive, kitesurf, sail... You'll find clubs and schools on this beautiful Spanish coast where you can train or hire sports equipment. You can also take a boat trip with friends to see the coast from the sea. This will give you a better view than what is drawn on the map of the Costa Brave in Spain.

Explore the historical and cultural heritage of the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava has a rich historical and cultural heritage, bearing witness to its history and identity. There are several monuments to tourist sites to visit if you take a trip there. These include:

• the port of Blanes,
• the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in El port de la Selva,
• the castle of Tossa de Mar,
• the cinema museum in Girona...

You can also take part in festivals, such as the circus festival in La Bisbal d'Empordà or the theatre festival in Cadaqués.

Discover the gastronomy of the Costa Brava

Spain is renowned for its rich gastronomy. The same applies to its magnificent Costa Brava coast. Here you have the chance to sample traditional specialities from the region such as paella, suquet or anchovies from l'Escala. These dishes are available on the streets or in the great restaurants of the coast, where they are cooked by Michelin-starred chefs. On the Costa Brava, you can also try wines and cavas (sparkling wines), produced in its many wine-growing regions.

This makes the Costa Brava a must-see place that you should mark on your map if you're planning a trip to Spain. Between land, sea and culture, you'll have plenty to do on this magnificent Spanish coast.