Sea or mountain? It is not always easy to choose between these two universes, which offer an ideal setting for relaxation, the discovery of small towns of character and communion with nature during the holidays. Fortunately, there are destinations that in no time at all will take you from the pleasures of the seaside in charming seaside resorts to the joys of hiking in the middle of the peaks. Welcome to Spain, the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees of Girona. A territory that forms a single entity and which, between Mediterranean beaches and mountains, heritage, culture and gastronomy, offers a wide range of possible activities to recharge your batteries on sunny days
Sunny stopover on the Costa Brava
True to its reputation, the Costa Brava never ceases to amaze those who set foot on its land to enjoy a Mediterranean atmosphere. In the streets of a fishing village, on the terrace of a restaurant serving good local produce, strolling along steep rocks and on beaches and coves with translucent waters, the setting is idyllic for slowing down time and strolling here and there, sea salt stuck to the skin under the shining sun. No wonder that many artists, including the great Dali, a child of the country, have never ceased to praise and be inspired by it. The Costa Brava coastline has inevitably forged its fame. Here, the seaside has always attracted summer visitors for its 245 beaches and coves. On the wide beaches of the white village of Cadaqués and the Bay of Roses, in the wild coves of Palafrugell and Begur or in the peaceful coves, such as Cap Roig, lovers of refreshing swims and all kinds of water activities have a wide choice of places to put their towels. No need to wonder what to do between two sunbathing sessions, as it is easy to treat yourself to a few moments of excitement through activities such as kayaking, stand up paddle, sailing or even scuba diving. Just look at some pictures of the Medes Islands in the Montgrí Natural Park and you will instantly feel like putting on a mask and wetsuit and going to the sea bed. For those with a heart for walking, the picturesque paths of the Cap de Creus Natural Park are ideal for taking pictures of the landscape of steep rocks that flow into the sea
In the early morning and in the evening, when the temperatures are milder, the walks lead to the heart of the emblematic cities of the Costa Brava. Here you can discover the beauty of the heritage, pass through the shops and stop for a drink on the lively terrace. In the fishing village of El Port de la Selva, you can immerse yourself in the typical architecture of the Catalan villages before climbing around the superb monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes for a breathtaking view of the municipality. After a tour of the fortified village of Tossa de Mar, you will be taken to the greenery of the Santa Clotilde gardens in the nearby town of Lloret del Mar, and then you will visit the must-see monuments of the church of Sant Roma and the medieval castle of Sant Joan. Another day is the discovery of the town of L'Escala to see the ruins of Empuries, an archaeological treasure of Catalonia. A stay is rounded off very well with a stroll through the narrow streets of Cadaqués and Figueres. They are other attractive cities of the Costa Brava and seduce as much by the beauty of the buildings as by the cultural moments in various places, including those dedicated to Dali. His house in Portlligat and the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres are must-see places to plunge into the life of the artist and marvel at his works
Getaway in the Girona Pyrenees
From the maritime atmosphere of the Costa Brava, it is only a short step to the resourcing landscapes of the Pyrenees of Girona. You then connect with the mountains and find quieter areas, ideal for moments of perfect fulfilment with your family. In La Garroxta Park, you can stroll through a 15,000 hectare volcanic landscape. The beautiful panoramas are made up of volcanic cones and craters with lush and varied vegetation. You only have to hike through the Fageda d'en Jordà Nature Reserve to see it for yourself. Do you want to go a little higher? Then head for the Pyrenean valley of Núria, surrounded by peaks of almost 3,000 m in altitude. It is a paradise for hikers, with its basins, torrents and vast areas of woodland and high mountain vegetation. Walks in the woods, rafting, trekking, climbing, there are a thousand and one ways to entertain young and old alike. Greenery can also be found in the peaceful valleys of Cerdanya and Camprodon.
Between two walks, one also takes the time to stop in the mountain villages, whose historic districts reveal a beautiful medieval heritage and offer the freshness of the stones of the churches. Let's mention Camprodon itself, but also Setcases, Llanars or even Oix.
On another day, you can take a good dose of nature by walking through the En Jorda beech woods, one of the 26 nature reserves in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Nature Park with trees that are tens of thousands of years old. On foot or on a horse-drawn carriage, the numerous marked trails are a delight for those who want to breathe nature at its fullest. Finally, if you want to enjoy swimming away from the coast, you can go to the Banyoles lake, the largest lake in Catalonia. It is a perfect place to enjoy slow tourism, punctuated by cycling, fishing or boating, all of which, of course, will allow you to catch a glimpse of the seagulls, herons and other birds that populate the area
Pleasures of the table and discovery of the vineyards
The marriage of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean is also on the plate. In restaurants or at a picnic in the middle of nature, the pleasures of food and wine cannot be missed. The variety of the territory of the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees creates tasty combinations, such as the Cerdanya cold meats that can be enjoyed over a glass of beer or homemade cider. Fish is cooked finely in olive oil from the Empordà and Girona cheeses and beef are never more sublime than when accompanied by a glass of Calonge or Capamany wine. The region is suitable for the cultivation of a large quantity of foodstuffs such as rice from Pals, onions from Figueres, garlic from Banyoles, beans from Santa Pau, salt from l'Escala, which can be found in the markets, and most of the products have a Denomination of Origin and Controlled Quality. In the province of Girona there are a large number of starred restaurants in which to enjoy all its flavours, whatever the season
Returning to the drinks that are also the pride of the region, a must is to follow the Wine Route to discover all the specificities of the Empordà appellation. Between Figueres and Girona, wine tourism enthusiasts enjoy strolling through the vineyards and stopping off at passionate producers for a tasting in a winery. Here they discover all the secrets of the reds, whites and rosés of the Empordà.
The Costa Brava and the Pyrenees of Girona are a safe destination, which respects protocols and safety measures so that all travellers can enjoy their stay in the best possible conditions
More information on the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona.
