Costa Brava Beach Guide

Discover a choice of stunning Blue Flag golden-sand beaches along the Costa Brava, which lie within tree-covered headlands framing idyllic coves and offer perfect conditions for swimming and snorkelling.

Here is a selection of the best Costa Brava beaches, running north from Barcelona to the French border.

Platja Lloret de Mar (Lloret de Mar) – Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this 45m-wide, 1.6km-long beach that curves around the bay. Sitting framed between two rocky headlands, the long beach is lined with hotels, bars and restaurants.

Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols and a range of water sports including windsurfing and sailing. Lloret de Mar is located 76km north of Barcelona.

Platja de Fenals (Lloret de Mar) – This 700m-long golden-sand beach nestles between bush-covered headlands and is fringed by a line of pine trees. Fenals is a quiet alternative to the main beach of Lloret de Mar and offers good swimming and snorkelling in a calm turquoise bay.

Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols, a range of water sports and nearby bars and cafes.

Platja de Santa Boadella (Lloret de Mar) – Discover this small crescent of golden sand and shingle nestling between bush-covered hills in a tranquil, unspoiled cove of turquoise water. There are no facilities here except for a kiosk selling ice cream and cold drinks. Platja de Santa Boadella is located 2.5km south of Lloret de Mar.

Platja de Santa Cristina (Lloret de Mar) – Unwind on this small, 365m-long golden-sand beach that offers a range of facilities including parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards and regular police patrols, but no water sports. Platja de Santa Cristina is around 3.5km south of Lloret de Mar.

Platja Canyelles (Lloret de Mar) – Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this crescent-shaped beach that nestles beneath pine trees and tree-covered headlands. Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols and a range of water sports as well as nearby bars and cafes. Canyelles is located 3km north of Lloret de Mar.

Cala Llevado (Santa Maria de Llorell) – Relax on this idyllic, unspoiled beach that nestles beneath low bush-covered cliffs and rocky headlands. There are no facilities on this beach. Cala Llevado is located 14km north of Lloret de Mar and 3km south of Tossa de Mar.

Platja Gran (Tossa de Mar) – Unwind on this 430m-long crescent of course golden sand that sits between a medieval castle and a rocky headland. The 60m-wide beach is edged by the town centre and offers a range of facilities including parasols and sun loungers for hire. Tossa de Mar Platja Gran is located around 103km north of Barcelona.

Platja de la Mar Menuda (Tossa de Mar) – This 180m-long, 20m-wide golden-sand beach is a less-crowded alternative to Platja Gran and offers a beautiful setting between rocky outcrops facing a turquoise bay as well as great conditions for swimming and snorkelling. With limited facilities on the beach, it’s probably best to take your own food and drink.

Platja El Codolar (Tossa de Mar) – This small beach sits beneath soaring cliffs and behind the castle walls of Tossa. With limited facilities, it’s probably best to take your own food and drink.

Platja d’Aro (Platja d’Aro) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this wide, 2km-long golden-sand beach that sits in front of a strip of bars, restaurants and high-rise hotels. To the south and north lie smaller coves fringed by crescents of golden sand, for those sunbathers craving solitude.

Cliffs and rocky outcrops at the northern end of the beach are perfect for snorkelling. Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards, regular police patrols and a range of water sports as well as nearby bars and cafes.

Inland sits Castell d'Aro, a medieval castle and fortified church located in the ancient village around 3km from the beach. Come for a day or stay longer at the Hostal de la Gavina in the nearby town of S'Agaro, home to the rich and famous. Platja d'Aro is located in the heart of the Costa Brava, around 106km north of Barcelona.

Platja de Castell (Palamós) – Unwind on this stunning crescent of golden sand that nestles between forest-covered hills facing a turquoise cove. Castell is one of just a few beaches along this part of the Costa Brava to escape development, due to local opposition.

Swim and snorkel the crystalline waters, sunbathe on the soft golden sand and explore the neighbouring coves on foot along an old smugglers' trail that winds along the coast – don’t miss the ancient Iberian settlement that sits perched on a headland on the northern tip of Platja de Castell.

As there are no facilities here except for a beachside kiosk selling cold beers and seafood, it’s probably best to take your own food and drink.

Platja de Castell is located between Palamós and Palafrugell – or a short walk from La Fosca beach at the northern edge of Palamós via Cala S'Alguer, a narrow and pretty beach fringed by 19th century fishermen's huts and facing a stunning turquoise bay. Palamós is located around 120km north of Barcelona.

Calella de Palafrugell – Discover one of the prettiest towns on the Costa Brava – a picture-perfect resort of whitewashed arches and fin-de-siècle villas that fringe a rocky coastline indented with several tiny golden-sand and shingle beaches. There are no facilities on the beach except for nearby bars, cafes and restaurants. Calella de Palafrugell lies just south of Llafranc and is around 125km north of Barcelona.

Platja de Llafranc (Llafranc) – Unwind on this crescent of golden sand that sits beneath an ancient fortified stone wall and picturesque fishing port, facing a turquoise bay framed by bush-covered headlands dotted with hillside villas. Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire and a string of beachfront bars and restaurants. Llafranc is located 7km north of Palamós.

Platja de Tamariu (Tamariu) – Sunbathe on the soft golden sand of this gorgeous beach that shelves into a picture-perfect cove fringed by forest-covered headlands. Swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters, stroll along the promenade lined with tamarind trees and relax with a cold drink and fresh seafood in one of the beachfront bars and restaurants.

Facilities at this relatively quiet beach include parasols and sun loungers for hire, and kayaks, pedalos (small pedal boats) and sailing boats during the summer season. Tamariu is located 4km north of Llafranc.

Platja d’Aigua Blava (d’Aigua Blava) – Choose from two gorgeous golden-sand beaches that lie on either side of a soaring pine tree-covered promontory sitting at the end of a picturesque bay framed in turn by a string of craggy headlands. This region is the perfect escape from the crowded beaches further south.

Sunbathe on the soft sand, swim and snorkel in crystalline waters and stay at the Parador de Aiguablava, which sits atop the craggy headland between the two beaches. Platja d’Aigua Blava is located 1km south of the exclusive residential enclave of Fornells and 18km north of Palamós.

Platja de Sa Riera (Sa Riera) – Relax on this golden-sand beach that faces an idyllic cove framed by cliffs and forest-covered hills. Go swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters or stroll coastal paths. Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire and nearby bars and restaurants in the small village of Sa Riera. Platja de Sa Riera stretches just to the south of Platja de Pals.

Platja de Pals (Pals) – Escape the crowds on this 3.5km-long, 40m-wide golden-sand beach fringed by an 18-hole golf course and forest-covered hills. On a coast mainly characterised by secluded rocky coves, Platja de Pals is a long strand perfect for families, with a range of facilities and water sports available.

There is also a clothing-optional section of the beach. When the Levante or Tramontana winds are blowing, go surfing, windsurfing or kite surfing.

Play volleyball and soccer on the beach, book a boat and diving trip to the nearby Isles Medes (known for good scuba diving) or explore rocky headlands to find charming golden-sand beaches further south.

Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire, plus several beach bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Platja de Pals is around 3km from Pals village, around 45km east of Girona and 135km north of Barcelona.