What are the must-see heritage sites on the Costa Brava ?

        Natural heritage highlights on the Costa Brava
 

The Costa Brava region is home to some exceptional natural landscapes! The Costa Brava is a veritable open-air garden, with mountain ranges and reliefs, fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear coves, nature parks and lush green countryside! If you're a nature lover or just looking for a change of scenery, a trip to some of the main natural spots during your holiday could be ideal. Here are some of the Costa Brava's natural spots to visit during your stay:

Cap de Creus Natural Park

Located not far from Cadaquès, the Cap de Creus nature park is home to an unparalleled wealth of biodiversity. Covering almost 14,000 hectares, it is both a maritime and a terrestrial park, boasting a remarkable array of flora and fauna. There are many ways to explore this park, from hiking in the mountains to discover breathtaking viewpoints, to diving into the translucent water on a kayak trip! As you can see, this park is a natural paradise where you can discover a whole host of different landscapes!

La Garrotxa Natural Park

This time we're heading for the Garrotxa Natural Park. This volcanic area is home to some forty dormant volcanoes, creating a magnificent atmosphere and landscape. In fact, it's one of the best-known parks in Spain and even Europe! It's a great place to go on excursions and walks with family and friends.

 The Costa Brava also boasts many small, picturesque, and charming villages. Some of them conceal beautiful landscapes where a change of scenery and tranquility are the perfect definition.

This is particularly true of the village of Blanes, in the south of the Costa Brava. Renowned for its exceptional natural setting, the village of Blanes is the perfect place for a relaxing day out. With its cliffs, pine forests, beaches with turquoise waters and botanical gardens, Blanes offers you a timeless moment in a natural setting that will amaze you!

This is also true of the town of Lloret de mar. Well-known for its nightlife, with its many bars and nightclubs, Lloret de mar is also a green destination where sublime beaches and hiking trails through pine forests combine perfectly to create a resplendent setting! The Santa Clotilde Garden is a must on your list of excursions when you visit Lloret de mar. What's more, there are plenty of water sports on offer. From kayaking along the bay and its translucent waters to catamaran cruises and scuba diving, there's something for everyone to enjoy when you are in Lloret de mar!

Finally, the Cami de Ronda (Round Path) will appeal to hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This is the Costa Brava's not-to-be-missed hiking trail, covering some 200 kilometers, and taking in all the region's hidden natural wonders. With forests, cliffs above the sea, small fishing villages, paths that sometimes take you right into the water and secret coves, it's a veritable explosion of natural diversity before your very eyes! All along your walk, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the wilderness in harmony, so that you can make the most of a truly magical time!

                Cultural heritage highlights on the Costa Brava
 

But there is more to the Costa Brava than its natural landscapes and endless greenery. Behind its natural beauty, the region is also home to a rich cultural heritage. Numerous medieval and historic villages embody the very essence of the region's cultural concept, as do castles, ruins from Roman and Greek times and some very old monasteries! As you can see, your stay on the Costa Brava can be rich in cultural discoveries!

Let's take a look at some of these cultural sites, starting with some of the region's must-see heritage villages:

The village of Pals

Head for the small village of Pals, with its charm and authentic atmosphere. Discover this small medieval village on the Costa Brava by wandering through its picturesque little streets and discovering all its charm. The golden age of Pals was between the 9th and 10th centuries, when many of its historic buildings were built. Visit the church of Sant Pere, the large Romanesque tower known as ‘Torre de las Horas’ or the typically medieval castle and its great walls to immerse yourself in the culture and atmosphere of this small village with its medieval feel!

The village of Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is a historic village par excellence. In fact, it has inherited a number of historic monuments, creating an incredible contrast between its historic centre and its beautiful surrounding countryside. Tossa de Mar was once a fishing village, and you can visit its picturesque old centre by wandering its narrow medieval streets and discovering its many cultural heritage sites. The old town, known as the ‘Vila Vella’, is surrounded by a great wall, which houses the magnificent castle known as the ‘Castillo de Tossa de Mar’.

The archaeological site of the ruins of Empuries

Near Girona lies the archaeological site of the ruins of Empuries, the main Greco-Roman archaeological site in Catalonia. Here you can plunge into the heart of an ancient town built around 580 BC by the Greek civilisation that occupied it until it was inhabited by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. These remains and ruins symbolize an extremely ancient period in history, and bear witness to the importance of this site in terms of the cultural wealth it possesses. Don't miss out on a visit to this exceptional site, which will transport you back in time to an era far removed from our own!

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a Benedictine monastery in the province of Girona, overlooking the bay of Port de la Selva. It was built at the end of the 9th century on the side of an imposing mountain. The origins of the monastery are somewhat mysterious, giving rise to the legend that monks came here with the remains of Saint Peter to protect them from the barbaric acts of the Romans. Today, it is one of the most important historic sites on the Costa Brava. Don't miss out on a visit, with its 10th-century church, its two cloisters dating from the 9th and 12th centuries, its cells and impressive cellars, and its breathtaking views over the whole bay thanks to its spectacular location!