Travel Spain – Discover Girona and Costa Brava in Catalonia

Travel Spain – Discover Girona and Costa Brava in Catalonia

 

A Land of Fascinating History, Diverse Culture, Spectacular Scenery & Friendly Locals

 

By WAVEJourney

Have you visited a place for a short period of time, found yourself completely smitten, and not wanted to leave? We have, a few times. Our most recent smitten-bitten episode was during a visit to the Girona/Costa Brava region in Catalonia, Spain. Twelve days of exploring the area just wasn’t long enough. We didn’t want to leave, and both declared that if we decided to move to Europe, this would be our base.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT CATALONIA, GIRONA AND COSTA BRAVA:

CATALONIA FACTS:

The country of Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities (meaning each part has its own executive power, legislative power and judicial power established in conjunction with the Spanish Constitution on December 18, 1979).

Catalonia, one of the autonomous communities of Spain, is divided into 4 provinces (Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona), and is located in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

The Pyrenees mountains divide Catalonia from France and Andorra, with the Mediterranean Sea lies to the east. The population is approximately 7.5 million. This area covers 32,091 sq. kms/12,390 sq. miles. The official language is Catalan (not Spanish).

 

GIRONA FACTS:

Girona is the northeastern province, and was formed from parts of Catalonia in 1883. Girona province has a population of approximately 757,000, an area of 5,910 sq. kms/2,282 sq. miles, and a spectacular coastline – the Costa Brava.

The capital of the province is the city of Girona (known as “City of the Four Rivers” because it lies at the confluence of four rivers), which is divided by the Onyar River. The city is only 100 km/60 miles from Barcelona, 65 km/40 miles from the French border, and has a population of approximately 98,000.

 

COSTA BRAVA FACTS:

The Costa Brava is the coastal region of Catalonia that runs along the Mediterranean Sea from Blanes (60 km/40 miles northeast of Barcelona) to the French border (near Portbou). In Spanish and Catalan, Costa means coast, while Brava translates to wild or rugged.

The rugged coast of the Costa Brava is aptly named and clearly evident by the landscape along the 300 km/200 mile stretch, with white-washed buildings being predominant in this area.

 

GETTING THERE:

We arrived in Barcelona via a transatlantic cruise that originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From the cruise terminal we took a taxi to pick up a rental car that we had arranged through Auto Europe for the 10 days we wanted to explore Girona and the Costa Brava.

Having a car to get around made it much easier for us to have a flexible schedule and itinerary, and allowed us to be spontaneous with the places we visited.

For those that don’t want to drive, it is possible to fly into either Barcelona or Girona and take public transportation – although it means you are totally on the schedule of the bus or train companies.

Our departure was from the Girona-Costa Brava Airport, a 20-minute taxi ride from our hotel in the city of Girona. The airport is not too large, but very efficient, and has many budget flights on various airlines to various parts of Europe.

 

WHY GO?

The province of Girona has it all going on… from secluded coves and beaches along the Costa Brava and the spectacular mountain scenery of the Pyrenees, to the medieval fortified city of Girona rooted in over 2,000 years of history  featuring both Medieval and Jewish quarters. Complemented by regional culinary specialties, delicious gastronomy, the eccentric artistic influence of Salvador Dali, the cobbled streets and Romanesque bridge across the Fluvia River in Besalu, the province of Girona has something for everyone. It’s a fantastic destination for a few days, a few weeks or much longer. We can’t wait to return and explore this destination further.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Girona Costa Brava Tourism

Girona-Costa Brava Airport

 

STAY AT:

There are plenty of excellent accommodation choices in Girona and Costa Brava to suit every style and budget. We recommend the following:

• • Mas Talaia Luxury Spanish Villa with pool in the countryside northeast of the city of Girona.

• • Charming Villas Catalonia for luxury holiday villas throughout Catalonia, Costa Brava and Barcelona.

• • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Girona – walkable location to the heart of the historic old town and sightseeing.

• • Compartir Apartments in Cadaques.

• • Apartments Can Claudi in Tossa de Mar – located in the old town within a few minutes walk of the beach. Simple and very clean apartments in a good location.