Girona & Costa Brava

Along with the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, the Costa Brava is one of Spain's infamous holiday coasts. Though it has lots of concrete, beautiful hidden corners remain such as the coves, beaches, and transparent waters of the rocky coastline around Begur and Tamariu. The Costa Brava also offers excellent snorkeling and diving around the the Illes Medes. Farther north is the surreal landscape of Cadaqués that so inspired Salvador Dalí. Not-to-be-missed is the Teatre-Museu Dalí in the nearby town of Figueres. Created by Dalí himself, this museum exhibits much of his work: be prepared for surprises. The costa's ...

Along with the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, the Costa Brava is one of Spain's infamous holiday coasts. Though it has lots of concrete, beautiful hidden corners remain such as the coves, beaches, and transparent waters of the rocky coastline around Begur and Tamariu. The Costa Brava also offers excellent snorkeling and diving around the the Illes Medes. Farther north is the surreal landscape of Cadaqués that so inspired Salvador Dalí. Not-to-be-missed is the Teatre-Museu Dalí in the nearby town of Figueres. Created by Dalí himself, this museum exhibits much of his work: be prepared for surprises. The costa's hinterland, hilly and green for much of its extent though drier in the north, is dotted with stone villages and towns, like Pal, with old medieval hearts. Capital of the district is Girona, a sizeable town which was occupied by Romans, Muslims and Franks and then dominated by Barcelona. Girona is rich in Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The cathedral, and the Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants, include fine examples of the Romanesque style.

About the Expert

John Noble is a coauthor of Lonely Planet's Spain, Andalucia, and Mexico as well as many other LP titles from Indonesia to Belize to Brazil.