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The Costa Brava used to be defined as more or less the Catalan
coast between Barcelona and France, but the Costa del Maresme,
the coast of the county north-east of El Barcelonès,
is now being promoted in its own right, and is, in any case,
quite different in character. For our purposes, then, the
Costa Brava is the coast of the Catalan province of Girona,
the other important geographical feature of which is the Pyrenees.
Its name is often translated as "wild coast," but
"brava" carries a hint of something more than "wild,"
"savage," perhaps, even "mean."
Selected Links
Alt
Empordΰ - Costa Brava Hotel Guide
A hotel listing from the Alt Empordΰ and Girona Costa-Brava
Hotel Trade Association.
Beaches
in Girona Province (Ministry of the Environment)
Click the map or choose a town to get detailed (Spanish-only)
information on all the beaches in the province. The "Comparativa
Entre Playas" allows you to see (and compare) all the beaches
in that particular municipality.
Blanes
Blanes is too close to Barcelona to be unspoilt, but its beaches
are fine. This is a very nice little site, apparently from
the local tourist office.
Cadaquιs
Cadaquιs is a very attractive, rather chic, but not excessively
pricey little town which makes a good base for exploring the
adjacent Cap de Creus Natural Park. This is a well-made site
from an Internet advertising company.
The
Costa Brava
An entertaining, efficient, interactive map of the Costa Brava
with information on the different places. From the same Internet
advertising company, whom I wish well.
Costa
Brava Centre and Blau i Verd Hotels
This reservation service has extensive listings and a very
comfortable interactive map.
L'Estartit
- Toni Molina's homepage
Mr. Molina's page is aimed at apartment exchangers and contains
info and photos about L'Estorit and its sister town Torroella
de Montgri.
L'Estartit
and the Medas Islands
L'Estartit is a former fishing village with a good beach,
while the Medas Islands are a successful marine reserve, popular
with divers.
Figueras
Most people visit Figueras for the Dali museum, but it is
a pleasant enough place in its own right. This is a visually
appealing site from a web design outfit: unfortunately, the
English plays out very quickly.
Figueras
- the Salvador Dali Theatre Museum
There are actually three Dali museums, in Figueras, Pϊbol
and Portilligat. The one in Figueras is the oldest and most
visited. This is the web site for all three and is visually
very powerful.
Girona
If you are staying on the Costa Brava and are too sunburnt
for the beach (or even if you are not), an excursion to Girona
is a good idea .
Lloret
de Mar
It is unfortunate that Lloret is a centre of mass tourism,
as otherwise it has a certain something. If you are looking
for a good time, crowds and nightlife, Lloret is the right
place for you. Even if you are not, you could do worse.
Lloret
de Mar
A commercial portal for Lloret. Vulgar and fun, like the town.
The bikini girl seems to have disappeared, which is a shame.
Portbou
In general, the nearer France you get, the more attractive
the Costa Brava becomes. Portbou is practically on the border
and is a charming fishing village turned resort. (You might
want to turn your speakers off for this link, though - the
Midi channels are wrongly set or something.)
Roses
Although the remains of what used to be the historic town
of Roses are pretty well hidden, it makes a good base for
a beach holiday.
Tossa
de Mar
Tossa de Mar is one of Spain and Portugal for Visitors' favourite
places on the Costa Brava, lively without having completely
lost its old charm. This site describes itself as the "digital
tourist office" and has lots of images...
Tossa
de Mar Best of the Net
...whereas this is the site of the municipal tourist office
and has lots of information and images, as well as
a delightful, cartoony feel to it...
Tossa
de Mar
...while this site dedicated to Tossa, also within
tossa.com, has similar information to the tourist office and
more. I used to describe it as "oddly captivating."
Now I would call it excellent. With better English, it would
be a Best of the Net.
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