Medieval Villages
of El Baix Empordà
The Baix Empordà is full of picturesque and beautifully preserved medieval villages, full of local history and just waiting to be explored.
La Costa Brava & Empordà region is absolutely steeped in fascinating culture & history, easily accessible and just waiting to be explored. From medieval villages to ancient ruins and museums, and from local customs and events to discovering just why things are as they are, understanding a little of the local history and culture will help you NjOY! your time here all the more.
The Baix Empordà is full of picturesque and beautifully preserved medieval villages, full of local history and just waiting to be explored.
The Baix Empordà is full of picturesque and beautifully preserved medieval villages, full of local history and just waiting to be explored.
La Bisbal d’Empordà is the capital of El Baix Empordà county and renowned for its artisanal ceramics, and there’s lots of history there too!
Every 14 February cards, flowers & chocolates are exchanged between loved ones in the name of St. Valentine. How did these traditions begin?
Why are the Spanish obsessed with bulls? How did the bull become a symbol of Spain? What’s bullfighting all about if they love them so much?
Spanish wines are amongst the most widely consumed worldwide and certain Catalan wineries produce some of the finest wines in all the land.
The Costa Brava hinterland is full of history & charm, as is instantly evident to anyone exploring the hamlets of Peratallada & Palau-sator
What’re the 4 seasons like on La Costa Brava? When’s the best time to come? And what about the famous Tramuntana, Garbi and the other winds?
Catalans have some pretty unusual Christmas traditions not found anywhere else in Spain, or elsewhere, some of them involving poo. Yes, poo!
The spa town of Caldes de Malavella has been renowned since Roman times for its thermal springs which are believe to have healing properties
Begur is an absolute must see with its colonial Cuban ambience, the 360º vistas from the ruined castle, plus its stunning Costa Brava coves!
Palamós is a port and fishing town on La Costa Brava famous for its prawns and host to thousands of visitors annually. But what’s its story?
Pals is one of the most charming of the many amazing medieval villages dotted around the Baix Empordà countryside. If you only see one, see Pals
Charming, historic, compact and fascinating, Girona has been described as a smaller, safer, cleaner and more manageable version of Barcelona
The “Dalinian Triangle” museums (Figueres-Cadaqués-Púbol) capture the aura of Dalí, the Empurdan artist who left his mark on the region.
“La Ruta dels Volcans” (or “Volcano Route”), makes for a fantastic weekend break in the Natural Park of the Volcanic Region of the Garrotxa.
Halloween is often seen as an American custom, but where did it really originate and why is it observed around the world? And in Catalunya?
Girona Province is home to a number of spectacular castles; some medieval and some even older. Some are ruins and others perfectly preserved
Did you know the name “Empordà” comes from the ancient Greek “Emprion”? It meant the “place of trade” at St Martí d’Empúries, near L’Escala
Pirates once roamed the Mediterranean from ancient times, including La Costa Brava, whose rugged coves provided ideal hiding spots for ships
Catalan is the first language spoken on the Costa Brava, not Spanish. Spanish is spoken too, of course, but very much as the second language
FC Barcelona is a world-famous football club and a symbol of Catalan identity for many, but there are lots of other teams in Catalunya too!
Girona has been at the crossroads of history for two millennia with many cultures having left their mark. It’s a fascinating city to explore
The Feast Day of Sant Joan on 24 June is a Public Holiday in Catalunya and marks the start of the tourist season proper on the Costa Brava.
St Jordi is the patron saint of Catalunya and on his feast day on 23 April men and women exchange red roses and books as tokens of affection
Semana Santa, or Easter week, is the biggest religious event annually in Christianity and it is celebrated with particular fervour in Spain.
Adel Mechaal represents Spain in cross-country and middle and long-distance running. He is the current European 3000m indoor record-holder.
High-speed train travel from Catalunya to Spain and Europe is ever-developing, but did you know La Costa Brava had a rail service years ago?
The Empordà region was once home to an ancient Iberian tribe called the Indiketes. The ruins of their main city lie just outside Ullastret.
Xavier Hernández, known simply as Xavi, became a global superstar with FC Barcelona and one of the most recognized footballers in the world.
La siesta is a famous Spanish tradition that some foreigners living in Spain get used to quite quickly, but that others struggle to adapt to
Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey is a multilingual Barcelona-born film star whose career and popularity are on the rise on both sides of the Atlantic.
Have you ever been served the wrong coffee because you didn’t know how to order? Here’s our beginners’ guide to ordering coffee in Catalunya
Although not as renowned for cheese as its northern neighbour, Spain has over 100 types of its own, with many fascinating regional varieties
“Trencaclosques” is a free-range chicken farm near Forallac run by a Dutch couple who have been living in the Costa Brava region since 2005.
Stay Up to Date with Costa Brava News!
Subscribe for FREE now, & NjOY!
La Costa Brava’s Tuned-in Newsletter!
In Your Mailbox Every Fortnight!