Beach season is in full swing at this point in the summer, so there’s no better time than now to venture beyond Barcelona and check out some of the surrounding beaches of the beautiful Costa Brava. Heading north up the coast from Barcelona you will find precious villages with even more impressive coastlines along the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. So pack your cooler and your umbrella and hit the beach!
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Roses
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The town of Roses is known not only for its great beaches but also as a unique historical site. Believed to have been founded by the Greeks sometime between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, this town contains remains from not only this period but the Roman one as well. You can see ancient churches, a necropolis, and the old city walls before heading to the boardwalk and the beach. Along the boardwalk you will find small shops and restaurants and once you cross the street you arrive at the golden sand. The beach stretches on throughout the length of the town so you should have no problem finding a place to set up your umbrella and throw down your towel. While the beaches remain relatively calm most of the year, the can become quite active with tourists and vacationers during July and August. Roses is close to other tourist towns like Cadaqués and Figueres, so it is a perfect way to see a little bit of everything in one trip!
Begur
During the year, about 4000 people live in Begur, but during the summer that number reaches about 40,000! People come from all over to enjoy the beaches which are different from other typical beach towns. Here you won’t find stretches of sand but rather cliffs covered in pines overlooking coves with sparkling turquoise water. Begur has eight coves that have different characteristics. For example, one of the largest and most popular is Sa Riera, bustling with people and activity. The Illa Roja beach is famous for being a nude beach while Sa Tuna is known for its walking paths. Depending on the kind of beach experience you are looking for, you can visit the different coves to see which one fits you the best. All of the beaches offer crystal-clean water perfect for swimming and cooling off.
Related article: Most charming villages in La Costa Brava
Blanes
Photo credit: Albert T M via Visual Hunt
Known as the “Gateway to the Costa Brava,” Blanes is the closest beach of the Costa Brava to Barcelona as it marks the beginning of the stretch of beaches leading up to France. July is the perfect time to visit Blanes since the 22nd-26th is the Festa Major de Blanes in which there is an international fireworks competition. This popular tourist town has several beaches including S’Abanell, one of the longest beaches on the Costa Brava. The beach is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as summer homes for rent nearby. For a more relaxed experience, you can hop on over the cove of Sant Francesc, which is a bit quieter and not as industrialized. You can reach Blanes on the R1 Rodalies line in about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sants train station in Barcelona, so it couldn’t be easier to enjoy the Costa Brava!
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