Costa Brava Day Trips from Barcelona
Beaches, fairytale villages and exquisite gastronomy: are you already convinced? Set off to discover the picturesque Costa Brava.
Costa Brava | ©Jorge Salvador
The Costa Brava is the ideal place to disconnect during a trip, where the Mediterranean is shown in all its fullness between cliffs sculpted by the Tramontana wind, in turquoise coves hidden like treasures among the vegetation and fishing villages whose beauty inspired artists like Salvador Dalí or Truman Capote.
A magical place in the province of Girona that stretches for 214 kilometres between Blanes and Portbou and looks like a little piece of paradise on Earth. A trip to the Costa Brava is a great plan not to be missed, and I'll tell you about the best options!
Girona and Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona
Discover the most beautiful villages of Girona and the Costa Brava with this day trip with a local guide.
Perfect for getting to know the most authentic side of the Costa Brava and spending a day in the open air, visiting fishing villages, archaeological sites and sailing along the Mediterranean.
This day trip around Girona and the Costa Brava will allow you to discover by land and by sea one of the most beautiful spots in Spain, which combines its rugged coastline with picturesque villages with a seafaring soul and a rugged landscape where the blue sea is the absolute protagonist.
You will depart early from the centre of Barcelona, around 8:30 AM, to take the bus to Girona to visit its old town, the city walls and the Cathedral. But the trip then continues to the Costa Brava. Accompanied by a guide you will visit beautiful coastal villages such as Calella de Palafrugell or Llafranc as well as the medieval village of Pals, famous for its spectacular viewpoint from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Baix Empordà.
You will also visit l'Estartit, a pretty fishing village with views of the Medes Islands. It is a unique place in the Mediterranean, highly valued by diving enthusiasts, as its seabed has a great natural wealth.
During your visit to l'Estartit you will have free time to have lunch and explore the town at your leisure before boarding the Nautilus ship to get a closer look at this archipelago, declared a Protected National Natural Park. During the 1 hour and 30 minute boat trip you will see the colony of yellow-legged gulls and the impressive cliffs of the Montgrí mountain range, one of the best preserved unspoilt areas of the Costa Brava and only accessible by sea.
The last stop on this excursion along the Costa Brava is Empuries, an important archaeological site located in a privileged setting facing the sea, where Greek and Roman remains coexist. Visiting it is like taking an exciting journey back in time to what was the gateway to Spain for these two civilisations.
Why I like this option... It's a super complete tour of the Costa Brava for a very reasonable price. Not only will you explore some of the most beautiful villages in the province on foot, where you'll have a great time taking photos, but you'll also visit a very important archaeological site thousands of years old and you'll even take a boat trip on the Mediterranean.
Recommended if... you want to get to know the most authentic side of the Costa Brava, its history and landscapes, and you have enough time for a day trip outside Barcelona.
Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona
Discover the waters of the Costa Brava, its gastronomy and its villages with a seafaring soul with this half-day excursion.
The excursion with the best value for money if you want to make a quick getaway to discover the Costa Brava.
If during your trip to Barcelona you would like to get away from the city but you don't have much time, this half-day excursion along the Costa Brava is the perfect option.
In just 8 hours you can discover Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar, two of the villages that best represent the essence of the Costa Brava, by land and sea, as the walking tour of both towns is accompanied by a boat trip along the Girona coastline to enjoy this unique landscape in Spain, dotted with huge cliffs shaped by the Tramontana wind, where wild vegetation grows and contrasts with the turquoise blue of the Mediterranean. A wonderful place that will stay in your memory forever!
This guided tour of the Costa Brava starts early, at around 8:30 AM, when you board the bus that will take you to Lloret de Mar, the first stop on the tour and one of the most traditional family destinations in Catalonia.
During the visit you will be able to enjoy the magnificent views of its beaches and coves from the promenade, Sa Caleta being one of the most photogenic. You can also enjoy its beautiful old town full of monumental buildings in the Indian and modernist style.
Then you will board the Dofijets boat to sail to Tossa de Mar, a neighbouring town known as "the pearl of the Costa Brava". On the trip you will contemplate an amazing landscape of cliffs, caves, coves and beaches that the force of the sea and the wind have sculpted little by little over the centuries.
Finally, you'll disembark on the beach at Tossa de Mar to start a guided tour of this town that Ava Garner herself fell in love with and which boasts the best-preserved medieval walled enclosure on the Catalan coast.
During the visit, if you prefer, you'll have free time to explore the streets of the Vila Vella at your leisure, stroll through the fishing district of Sa Roqueta, buy some souvenirs or have lunch in a charming restaurant to sample local specialities before returning to Barcelona.
Why I like this option... This half-day excursion along the Costa Brava is excellent value for money and will take you to discover two emblematic places on the Girona coastline by land and sea. A real treat!
Recommended if... you're travelling to Barcelona with your family, as it's a peaceful way to enjoy the beauty of the sea on board a boat, the Mediterranean landscapes and the charming villages that dot the coast.
Kayak and Snorkel Day Trip to Costa Brava from Barcelona
With this excursion to Barcelona from the Costa Brava with water activities you will have a great day out.
Get to know the Costa Brava from the inside by enjoying a snorkelling or kayaking trip. The coves of the Catalan coastline offer you plenty of water activities to explore it in a unique experience.
Starting from a central point in Barcelona itself, if you choose the option of this snorkelling and kayaking excursion along the Costa Brava, not only will you get to know the most beautiful villages of the Catalan coast, but you will also be able to enjoy these water activities while you get to know its fantastic white sandy beaches.
A professional guide will give you the necessary explanations so that you won't have any problems when you dive into the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. During the 8 hours that this excursion lasts, everything will be adventure and enjoyment along the beautiful Costa Brava.
Why I like this option... this excursion will allow you to put the perfect finishing touch to your holiday on the Costa Brava.
Recommended if... you like adventure and want to enjoy the possibilities that the Catalan coast has for activities such as snorkelling and kayaking.
We compare the 3 excursions
Discover the most beautiful villages of Girona and the Costa Brava with this day trip.
Perfect for getting to know the most authentic side of the Costa Brava and spending a day in the open air, visiting fishing villages, archaeological sites and sailing along the Mediterranean.
Discover the waters of the Costa Brava, its gastronomy and its villages with a seafaring soul with this half-day excursion.
The excursion with the best value for money if you want to make a quick getaway to discover the Costa Brava.
With this excursion to Barcelona from the Costa Brava with water activities you will have a great day out.
Get to know the Costa Brava from the inside by enjoying a snorkelling or kayaking trip. The coves of the Catalan coastline offer you plenty of water activities to explore it in a unique experience.
How to book an excursion on the Costa Brava from Barcelona?
The easiest way is to do it online. The Costa Brava is one of the top destinations in Spain, especially during the summer when demand is very high. To get your place on one of these excursions, you can check availability, prices and timetables on Hellotickets.
Choose the date, the number of passengers, the timetable and book your excursion. You will have to pay at the time of booking to secure your place.
My advice is to book well in advance, as soon as you have your plane tickets so you don't run out of room on board, although you can also do it in the first days of your trip in Barcelona.
How long does an excursion on the Costa Brava last?
If you are planning an excursion on the Costa Brava you can choose the duration. These excursions are usually full-day (the price is around €86) or half-day (around €56).
Other excursions in Barcelona that might interest you
Barcelona is one of the most important cities in Spain and has a lot to offer to the traveller (history, art, culture, beaches, gastronomy...) but its surroundings are also a beautiful and very interesting place with attractions for all tastes.
What other excursions can you do from Barcelona? Let me show you some of the best ones in the post Excursions from Barcelona in Barcelona!
And if you want to get to know Barcelona in more depth, check out all the cool tours you can do during your stay in the article City Tours in Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions
What can you see on the Costa Brava?
The Costa Brava is a coastal region close to Barcelona with popular destinations such as Blanes, Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, where you can visit the beach, enjoy the local food, explore coves along the coast, or visit Girona, Figueres and the Salvador Dalí Museum.
What should I know before visiting Costa Brava?
It is a very popular area in summer, both for foreign and local tourists. Luckily, there are plenty of quiet towns and villages along the coast, as well as small beaches empty of visitors. You won't hear too much Spanish, as Catalan is the official language of Catalonia and is the language used by its inhabitants on a daily basis.
Is snorkelling dangerous on the Costa Brava?
No, Costa Brava is a fairly safe place for diving enthusiasts, who will find jewels in the depths of numerous coves in places such as Tamariu, Aigua Xelida or Calella de Palafrugell.