Catalonia, Spain

Costa Brava by motorhome, campervan or caravan: 3, 7 or 15-day route

Coves, fishing villages and medieval towns along the coast of Girona, from Blanes to the French border.

How many days do you have?

Costa Brava in 7 days

Distance≈ 185 km
Stages7
DifficultyEasy to medium
Best timeMay–June and September

The whole coast from south to north, one area per day, with time for the coastal path and a swim each day.

Where is it?

SPAINPORTUGALFRANCEAtlantic OceanMediterranean SeaMadridBarcelonaCosta Brava

About this route

The Costa Brava is the rocky coast of Girona province in Catalonia: small coves, pine-covered headlands, fishing harbours and, a few kilometres inland, stone villages that have barely changed in centuries. Distances are short, so even a long trip is mostly about where you choose to stop. Pick the length that suits you: the 3-day version keeps to the essentials, the 7-day one covers the whole coast, and the 15-day one adds Girona, Dalí's Figueres and the inland medieval towns.

Short distances, but some coastal roads are narrow and very winding.

Updated

Route map

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Campsites, areas and parking come from OpenStreetMap. They can be incomplete or out of date: check before you go and always follow local signs.

Take this route with you

The TXT file needs an internet connection to collect the campsites and motorhome areas. Google Maps opens the stops in order (long routes are split into parts, because Google Maps allows 10 points per route). Waze only navigates to one place at a time, so each day also has its own Waze button. Routes are a guide, not a fixed plan: in most cases you can also drive them in a different direction and skip stops.

No vehicle? Rent one for this route

Day by day

Routes are a guide, not a fixed plan: in most cases you can also drive them in a different direction and skip stops.

Costa Brava in 7 days

  1. Day1 Blanes, Lloret and Tossa≈ 15 km · ≈ 20 min driving
    Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Tossa de Mar

      Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

      Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.
      • Blanes

        The Costa Brava officially starts at the Sa Palomera rock. The Marimurtra botanical garden sits on a cliff above the sea.

        What to see (5)
        • Sa Palomera rock The rock that marks the official start of the Costa Brava. Climb it for the view along the beach.
        • Marimurtra Botanical Garden Mediterranean and exotic plants on a cliff, with a small temple overlooking the sea.
        • Castle of Sant Joan The ruined castle on the hill above town, with views of the coast.
        • Fishing port Watch the fishing boats come back in the late afternoon.
        • Fireworks In late July the town hosts an international fireworks competition over the bay.
      • Lloret de Mar

        A busy resort with a long seafront. For a quieter side, visit the Santa Clotilde gardens and the coastal path towards Fenals beach.

        What to see (5)
        • Santa Clotilde Gardens Italian-style gardens with terraces and statues on a cliff above the sea.
        • Dona Marinera The bronze sailor's wife statue on the headland, looking out to sea.
        • Castle of Plaja A castle-like house built in the 1930s on the rocks at the end of the beach.
        • Coastal path Walk the Camí de Ronda to Fenals beach and Sa Caleta cove.
        • Modernist cemetery Ornate family tombs paid for by local emigrants who made their fortune in the Americas.
      • Tossa de Mar

        The Vila Vella, a walled medieval town on a headland above the beach, is one of the icons of the coast. Climb to the lighthouse for the view.

        What to see (5)
        • Vila Vella Walk the full circuit of the medieval walls and towers, then get lost in the lanes inside.
        • Lighthouse viewpoint At the top of the headland, with views over the bay and the coast.
        • Ava Gardner statue She filmed "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" here in 1951. Her statue stands inside the walls.
        • Municipal Museum Small, but it holds a painting by Marc Chagall.
        • Coves Es Codolar below the walls, and Cala Pola and Cala Giverola to the north.

        With a motorhome or caravan: The coastal road GI-682 from Tossa to Sant Feliu has hundreds of bends. With a large motorhome or a caravan, take the inland road via Llagostera instead.

      Google Maps Waze
    • Day2 Sant Feliu, S'Agaró and Palamós≈ 30 km · ≈ 40 min driving
      Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Palamós

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        Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.
        • Sant Feliu de Guíxols

          A lively seaside town with a monastery, a market and a seafront lined with modernist buildings.

          What to see (5)
          • Monastery and Porta Ferrada A very old monastery entrance gate. The monastery now houses the town history museum.
          • Ermita de Sant Elm A hilltop chapel with one of the best viewpoints on the coast.
          • Seafront The Passeig del Mar and the modernist Casino dels Nois Menuts.
          • Market The Sunday market fills the streets and the covered market hall.
          • Old railway greenway The former narrow-gauge line to Girona is now a cycling and walking path.
        • S'Agaró and Platja d'Aro

          Walk the Camí de Ronda, the old coastal path, past the villas of S'Agaró to the long beach of Platja d'Aro.

          What to see (3)
          • Camí de Ronda The coastal path from Sant Pol beach past the villas of S'Agaró to Sa Conca beach.
          • S'Agaró A garden town of early 20th-century villas built above the sea.
          • Platja d'Aro A long sandy beach, plus the small coves of Cala Rovira and Cala del Pi.
        • Palamós

          A working fishing port known for its red prawns. The Fishing Museum by the harbour explains the local fishing tradition.

          What to see (5)
          • Fishing Museum By the harbour, on the history of Mediterranean fishing.
          • Palamós red prawn Taste the local prawn, famous across Spain, in the harbour restaurants.
          • Castell beach One of the last undeveloped beaches on the coast, with an Iberian settlement on the headland.
          • Cala Estreta Wild coves north of Castell beach, reached on foot along the coastal path.
          • La Fosca A sheltered family beach with the ruins of a castle at one end.
        Google Maps Waze
      • Day3 Calella, Tamariu and Begur≈ 20 km · ≈ 25 min driving
        Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Begur and its coves

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          Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.
          • Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc

            Whitewashed fishermen's arches on the beach and a short coastal walk to Llafranc. The Cap Roig gardens are just south.

            What to see (4)
            • Les Voltes The whitewashed arches on Port Bottom beach, the postcard image of the village.
            • Cap Roig Gardens Botanical gardens with sculptures around a castle on the cliffs. A big music festival takes place here in summer.
            • Habaneres concert On the first Saturday of July, sailors' songs from Cuba are sung on the beach.
            • Walk to Llafranc About 20 minutes along the coastal path to the marina of Llafranc.

            With a motorhome or caravan: Streets are narrow and parking is tight in summer. Leave the van at the edge of town and walk in.

          • Tamariu

            A small cove village surrounded by pines, reached on foot from Llafranc via the Sant Sebastià lighthouse.

            What to see (3)
            • Sant Sebastià The lighthouse, an old watchtower, a chapel and an Iberian settlement on the cliff between Llafranc and Tamariu.
            • Aigua Xelida A tiny rocky cove north of Tamariu, reached by the coastal path.
            • Snorkelling The clear water around the rocks of the bay is ideal for a mask and snorkel.
          • Begur and its coves

            A hilltop village with a ruined castle and colonial-style houses built by emigrants who returned from the Americas. Below it: Aiguablava, Sa Tuna and Sa Riera coves.

            What to see (4)
            • Begur Castle Climb to the ruins for a 360-degree view of the coast and the plain.
            • Indianos houses Colonial-style houses built by emigrants who returned rich from Cuba. The town celebrates them with a festival in early September.
            • Coves Aiguablava, Fornells, Sa Tuna, Aiguafreda, Sa Riera and Platja Fonda, each one different.
            • Defence towers Round towers in the old town, built to protect the village from pirates.

            With a motorhome or caravan: The car parks at the coves are small and many do not allow motorhomes or caravans. Go early or walk down from Begur.

          Google Maps Waze
        • Day4 Pals, Peratallada and Ullastret≈ 20 km · ≈ 25 min driving
          Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Ullastret Iberian town

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            Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.
            • Pals

              A beautifully restored medieval quarter of stone lanes around the Torre de les Hores, with rice fields stretching towards the sea.

              What to see (4)
              • Torre de les Hores The Romanesque tower that rises above the old quarter.
              • Josep Pla viewpoint A view over the rice fields to the Medes Islands.
              • Rice fields Pals is known for its rice. Buy a bag in the village shops.
              • Pals beach A long, wide sandy beach a few kilometres away, with plenty of space.
            • Peratallada

              One of the best-preserved medieval villages in Catalonia, with streets carved into the rock and an old moat.

              What to see (4)
              • Rock-cut moat The walls and moat were dug straight into the sandstone the village stands on.
              • Castle The medieval castle and palace at the centre of the village.
              • Plaça de les Voltes An arcaded square, perfect for a coffee in the shade.
              • Palau-sator A small walled village nearby, quieter and worth a short stop.

              With a motorhome or caravan: Cars and vans are not allowed inside; use the car parks at the entrance.

            • Ullastret Iberian town

              The remains of a large Iberian settlement on a hilltop, with walls, towers and a small museum.

              What to see (3)
              • Iberian town Walls, towers and house foundations of one of the largest Iberian settlements in Catalonia.
              • Museum Finds from the excavations, in a small museum on the hilltop.
              • Old lake The flat land around the hill was once a lake, now drained.
            Google Maps Waze
          • Day5 Medes Islands and L'Escala≈ 35 km · ≈ 45 min driving
            Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of L'Escala

              Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

              Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.
              • L'Estartit and the Medes Islands

                Gateway to the Medes Islands marine reserve: glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling and diving.

                What to see (4)
                • Medes Islands Glass-bottom boat trips around the islands of the marine reserve.
                • Diving and snorkelling Among the best in the Mediterranean, with dive centres in the port.
                • Montgrí coast Hike the wild, undeveloped coastline north of the town.
                • Long beach A wide sandy beach that runs south towards the Ter river.
              • Torroella de Montgrí

                A market town at the foot of the Montgrí massif. The walk up to the castle on the hill gives wide views of the Empordà plain.

                What to see (4)
                • Montgrí Castle An unfinished castle on top of the hill, about an hour's walk up with big views.
                • Old town The arcaded main square and Gothic church.
                • Museum of the Mediterranean An interactive museum about the landscape and life of the Empordà.
                • Summer music festival Classical concerts every summer in the church and squares.
              • L'Escala

                A fishing town famous for its anchovies, with a pleasant old quarter and seafront.

                What to see (4)
                • Anchovy and Salt Museum The story of the anchovies the town is famous for. Buy a jar in the local shops.
                • Old town Narrow streets and the little fishermen's beach of Les Barques.
                • Cala Montgó A sheltered bay at the foot of the Montgrí massif.
                • Seafront promenade An easy walk along the sea to Empúries.
              Google Maps Waze
            • Day6 Empúries, the wetlands and Roses≈ 35 km · ≈ 45 min driving
              Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Roses

                Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

                Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.
                • Empúries

                  The ruins of a Greek and later Roman city right by the sea. Next door, the tiny walled village of Sant Martí d'Empúries.

                  What to see (5)
                  • Greek town Remains of the town founded by Greek traders around 2,500 years ago.
                  • Roman city The forum and houses with mosaics on the hill above.
                  • Museum Finds from the excavations, including the statue of Asclepius.
                  • Sant Martí d'Empúries A tiny walled village with a church, a square and restaurants by the beach.
                  • Greek jetty The old stone breakwater on the beach, next to the dunes.
                • Aiguamolls de l'Empordà

                  A wetland natural park with paths and bird hides. Start at the El Cortalet information centre.

                  What to see (4)
                  • El Cortalet The information centre, where the main paths begin.
                  • Bird hides Storks, herons and, depending on the season, flamingos.
                  • Mas del Matà tower An observation tower with a view over the whole wetland.
                  • Tip Bring binoculars, and insect repellent in summer.
                • Castelló d'Empúries

                  A medieval town with a huge Gothic church, often called the cathedral of the Empordà.

                  What to see (4)
                  • Basilica of Santa Maria A huge Gothic church, known as the cathedral of the Empordà.
                  • Ecomuseum-Flour Mill An old flour mill with working machinery.
                  • Old town The medieval bridge and the old Jewish quarter.
                  • Empuriabrava Next door: a town of canals that you can tour by boat.
                • Roses

                  A large bay with long beaches and the Ciutadella fortress. A practical base with all services.

                  What to see (4)
                  • Ciutadella A huge fortress enclosing the remains of the Greek town of Rhode and a monastery.
                  • Trinity Castle A star-shaped fort on the headland, with views over the bay.
                  • Coves Canyelles, Almadrava, Montjoi and Cala Murtra, along the road and the coastal path.
                  • Creu d'en Cobertella The largest dolmen in Catalonia, in the hills above town.
                Google Maps Waze
              • Day7 Cadaqués and Cap de Creus≈ 30 km · ≈ 40 min driving
                • Cadaqués

                  A whitewashed village around a rocky bay, loved by painters. Dalí's house in Portlligat is a short walk away (booking needed).

                  What to see (4)
                  • Old town Climb the cobbled lanes to the church of Santa Maria and its gilded Baroque altarpiece.
                  • Dalí House in Portlligat His home and studio, a short walk north. Book well in advance.
                  • Seafront The bay, the fishing boats and the Dalí statue on the promenade.
                  • Walk to Cala Nans An easy coastal walk south to a small lighthouse.

                  With a motorhome or caravan: The GI-614 road over the hills is narrow and winding, and parking in town is very limited. Use the large car parks at the entrance.

                • Cap de Creus

                  The easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula: a lighthouse, wind-shaped rocks and wild coves.

                  What to see (4)
                  • Lighthouse The easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, with views in all directions.
                  • Paratge de Tudela A path among wind-carved rocks that inspired Dalí.
                  • Coves Cala Culip and other wild coves, best seen from the coastal paths.
                  • Sunrise One of the first places in Spain to see the sun come up.

                  With a motorhome or caravan: In summer, private vehicle access to the cape is usually restricted and a shuttle bus runs from Cadaqués. Check the current rules.

                • El Port de la Selva

                  A quiet fishing village with a sheltered bay, at the northern edge of the Cap de Creus natural park.

                  What to see (3)
                  • Harbour A working fishing harbour and a quiet seafront.
                  • Coves Small coves and clear water along the edge of the Cap de Creus natural park.
                  • Path to Sant Pere de Rodes The old mule track up to the monastery, for a good walk.
                Google Maps Waze

              Distances and driving times are approximate, measured between stops. Use the Directions links for the exact road route.

              Tips for motorhomes, campervans and caravans

              • Overnight stays

                In Catalonia, "camping" outside campsites (awning out, chairs, levelling blocks) is not allowed, and many coastal towns also ban motorhomes from parking overnight. Sleep in campsites or motorhome areas and always follow local signs.

              • Book ahead in summer

                In July and August campsites fill up and parking is hard to find. Many campsites close between October and March, so check opening dates off-season.

              • Winding roads

                The coastal roads Tossa–Sant Feliu (GI-682) and Roses–Cadaqués (GI-614) are narrow with many bends. Drive them early in the day, or use the inland alternatives with a large vehicle.

              • Old towns on foot

                Most historic centres (Girona, Pals, Peratallada, Besalú, Begur) are pedestrian or very narrow. Park at the edge and walk in.

              • Low-emission zones

                The Barcelona area has a low-emission zone. If you arrive through Barcelona, check whether your vehicle is allowed.

              Frequently asked questions

              How many days do you need for the Costa Brava by motorhome, campervan or caravan?

              Three days are enough for the essentials: Tossa de Mar, the villages around Palafrugell, Pals and Peratallada, and Cadaqués. With seven days you can cover the whole coast from Blanes to Cap de Creus at an easy pace. Fifteen days let you add Girona, Besalú, Figueres and the inland medieval towns.

              Where can you sleep with a motorhome, campervan or caravan on the Costa Brava?

              In campsites, and with a motorhome or campervan also in motorhome areas. Caravans are usually only accepted in campsites. In Catalonia, camping outside campsites is not allowed and many coastal towns ban motorhomes from parking overnight. The route map shows the campsites, motorhome areas and parking places near every stop.

              When is the best time to visit the Costa Brava by motorhome, campervan or caravan?

              May, June and September: the weather is good and there is space in campsites. July and August are very busy, so book ahead. Many campsites close between October and March.

              Can you drive the Costa Brava route in reverse or skip stops?

              Yes. The route is a guide, not a fixed plan: you can start in the north at Llançà or Cadaqués and drive south, begin at whichever stop is closest to you, or skip the stops that interest you less. Distances between stops stay the same in both directions.

              Are the Costa Brava roads suitable for large motorhomes and caravans?

              Most of the route uses good main roads. Two coastal roads are narrow and very winding: Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols (GI-682) and Roses to Cadaqués (GI-614). Historic centres such as Pals, Peratallada and Begur are best visited on foot.