Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Roser Goula

Northern Costa Brava

Starting in the north Figueres and Cadaques are the main towns of the area stretching up to France. Figueres is a beautiful Catalan town with an interesting architecture and plenty of warmth. The town is most famous for its Dali museum which is the world’s best collection of Dali’s and absolutely un-missable. Dali was born in Figueres and the museum is the most popular in the whole of Spain. Beyond the museum the ramblas are a great place to stroll and while away your afternoons while enjoying the fantastic cafes and street culture of this great town. Cadaques is also tied intimately to Dali and is a beautiful fishing village with a much more sedate and peaceful way of life for you to enjoy.

Outside of the towns the north of the Costa Brava has beautiful countryside with the area around Cap de Creus being fantastically beautiful. Inland the medieval capital of the region Girona is spectacular and a beautiful town with exceptional architecture.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Roser Goula

Central Costa Brava

The central areas of the Costa Brava are the most popular with beach tourists. The main areas between Palamos and Pals are the favourite haunt of locals from Barcelona and tourists. The central coastline is really just a tourist attractions with Costa Brava villas, hotels and luxury resorts lining most of the coastline and somewhat ruining the local atmosphere. That said there are still some places to escape the tourist crowd and some beautiful beaches. If you head a little further inland though you can enjoy the stunning scenery of this fantastic region and a much more local atmosphere.

Southern Costa Brava

The southern Costa Brava takes us further into the concrete jungle and the traditional hotel and beach villa holidays Spain has to offer. It’s much more lively this end of the Costa Brava strip with the area around Lloret de Mar being the most vibrant and boisterous. The sun, sea and sands are undoubtedly the biggest draws and there are some stunning beaches and beautiful resorts to enjoy. However, if you want local culture you will again have to head inland for the main part as the southern coast is one of the most popular tourist regions. Nevertheless this shouldn’t put you off as the area is still beautiful and it’s a lot less crowded and more beautiful than the neighbouring Costa del Sol.

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Inside Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy by Jun

Located at the waterline inside the cave, a hole in the wall of the cave that is only one and a half meters in diameter allows the sunlight into the Blue Grotto. This is also just large enough to allow a small rowboat into the cave. Below this small hole is an even larger hole which allows the light to reflect on the base of the cave beneath the water line. As a result, the water in the Blue Grotto emits this eerie blue glow.

Inside of the Blue Grotto, many marble statues were found back in the early part of the 1800s. There was also a landing spot inside of the cave which means that they Blue Grotto was well known even back in the days of the Roman Empire. Today, this cave is the symbol of the Island of Capri and is the number one reason why people make their way to the island every single year.

Entrance to Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy by Arnaud Gaillard

To enter the cave, one must transfer to a wooden boat that is oared into the Blue Grotto. Since the size of the hole is so small, when entering the cave, you will have to lay flat on your back so as to prevent hitting your head. However, the inside of the Blue Grotto is very spacious. Furthermore, if there are any trough seas, access to the caves are limited because the rowboat can barely fit through the small opening in a calm sea.

During the peak season, when the conditions are just right, it is not uncommon for traffic jams to occur as the boats take turns entering and exiting the cave. However, for those who are brave enough, in the evenings after the rowboats have gone for the day, it is possible to swim into the Blue Grotto. Special precautions must be taken so as not to get slammed into the edges of the opening by the waves.

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