10 Cool Castles
of La Costa Brava
Girona Province is home to a number of spectacular castles; some medieval and some even older. Some are ruins and others perfectly preserved
Medieval towns, ancient sites, museums and pirate tales fill La Costa Brava with history and culture. Discover castles, traditions and identity shaped by the past. Understanding the stories behind what you see makes every visit more rewarding.
Girona Province is home to a number of spectacular castles; some medieval and some even older. Some are ruins and others perfectly preserved
Girona Province is home to a number of spectacular castles; some medieval and some even older. Some are ruins and others perfectly preserved
Begur is an absolute must see with its colonial Cuban ambience, the 360º vistas from the ruined castle, plus its stunning Costa Brava coves!
Catalan is the primary language of daily life on the Costa Brava. Spanish is spoken too, of course, but in most places it tends to come second in everyday use.
Palamós is a fishing and port town on the Costa Brava, famous for its prawns and visited by thousands each year. 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
Spanish wines are amongst the most widely consumed worldwide and certain Catalan wineries produce some of the finest wines in all the land.
Step inside Dalí’s triangle (Figueres-Cadaqués-Púbol) and explore the unique surreal world of the Empordà artist who left his mark on the region.
From mighty Barça to coastal underdogs, football in Catalunya is always full of surprises. Who knows, you might just catch the next big star in action!
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
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.
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
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
Charming, historic, compact and fascinating, Girona has been described as a smaller, safer, cleaner and more manageable version of Barcelona
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!
The Costa Brava hinterland is full of history & charm, as is instantly evident to anyone exploring the hamlets of Peratallada & Palau-sator
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.
“La Ruta dels Volcans” (or “Volcano Route”), makes for a fantastic weekend break in the Natural Park of the Volcanic Region of the Garrotxa.
The Baix Empordà is full of picturesque and beautifully preserved medieval villages, full of local history and just waiting to be explored.
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?
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
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?
Pirates once roamed the Mediterranean from ancient times, including La Costa Brava, whose rugged coves provided ideal hiding spots for ships
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.
The “official” mojito recipe with the story of how this classic Caribbean cocktail became one of the most popular drinks around the world today.
Are there any Catalan creatures that are dangerous to us humans? Wild boar can be a danger on the roads, but what about the creepy crawlies?
“Last call for alcohol!” Closing time in Spain can vary by region, day of the week, the season, or whether you’re in a city or a small town.