Things to do on the Costa Brava:
10 places to visit with your caravan

The northern Costa Brava is a compact area. From our yard in Vilasacra you can reach the Bay of Roses, the Cap de Creus headland and the medieval towns of the Empordà in well under an hour. There are plenty of things to do on the Costa Brava, and this is our list of the places worth your time, starting close to home and working outwards, with honest notes on which ones suit a caravan and which are better as a day trip in the car.

A general tip first: the big campsites around the Bay of Roses make an excellent base. Pitch there, unhitch, and explore the rest by car. Several of the Costa Brava towns below have narrow roads or tight parking that are no fun with a caravan behind you.

1. Figueres

Ten minutes from the yard and the capital of the Alt Empordà. The Dalí Theatre-Museum is the main draw, and it is worth booking tickets ahead in summer. Beyond the museum there is a lively town centre, a good weekly market and the large Sant Ferran castle on the edge of town. Figueres also has a high-speed rail station, useful if you want a day in Barcelona without driving.

2. Roses

About 15 minutes away, at the northern end of the bay. Roses has a long beach, a busy harbour and the Ciutadella, a walled site with Greek, Roman and later remains. Out of season it is a pleasant, working town rather than a resort. Take the car to the small coves north of the town, such as Canyelles and Almadrava; the roads are fine for cars but not for towing.

3. Empuriabrava and Castelló d’Empúries

Empuriabrava is built around a network of canals, with boats moored outside the houses. A boat trip along the canals is a relaxed way to spend an hour, and the beach is wide and sandy. Next door, the old town of Castelló d’Empúries is completely different: narrow streets and the large Gothic basilica of Santa Maria. Several campsites here are in our Zone 1 and Zone 2 for transport; see caravan storage in Empuriabrava.

4. Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park

Between Castelló d’Empúries and Sant Pere Pescador, this wetland reserve is one of the most important in Catalonia for birds. Flat walking trails and hides make it easy for all ages. Spring and autumn migration and the winter months are especially good. Bring binoculars and mosquito repellent in summer.

5. Sant Pere Pescador

A small village on the river Fluvià with some of the longest, least developed beaches on the coast. The steady wind across the bay makes it a favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Many large campsites line the beach here, which is why so many caravan owners know the area well. Our page on caravan storage in Sant Pere Pescador has more on storing near the village.

6. L’Escala and Empúries

L’Escala, about 25 minutes from the yard, is known for its anchovies and its seafront promenade. Just outside town are the ruins of Empúries, founded by Greek traders and later a Roman town, set right beside the sea. A walk from the ruins along the coastal path back into L’Escala is one of the best short walks in the region.

7. Cadaqués

A white-walled fishing village on the far side of the Cap de Creus peninsula, and a favourite of artists for over a century. Salvador Dalí’s house at Portlligat, just around the bay, can be visited by booking ahead. Do not tow here. The road over the hills from Roses is narrow and winding and parking is limited. Go by car, early in the day.

8. Cap de Creus

The rocky headland beyond Cadaqués is a natural park and the easternmost point of mainland Spain. The landscape is bare, wind-carved rock and small coves, with a lighthouse at the tip. It is a place for walking and swimming in quiet bays. On a Tramuntana day the wind can be fierce, so check the forecast.

9. Pals, Peratallada and Begur

Further south in the Baix Empordà, these three make a good day out together. Pals and Peratallada are medieval villages of honey-coloured stone, with narrow lanes and small squares. Begur sits on a hill above some of the prettiest coves on the coast, such as Sa Tuna and Aiguablava. Expect busy car parks in summer and go early. These are around an hour from the Bay of Roses by car.

10. Girona

Around 40 minutes down the motorway from the yard, and worth a full day. The old town rises in steps above the river Onyar, with the colourful houses along the water, the cathedral at the top and the city walls you can walk along. It is compact and easy on foot. Park on the edge of the centre rather than trying to drive in.

Getting around without the caravan

If you store with us, you do not have to tow your caravan to any of these. We can take it from our yard to your campsite before you arrive and collect it again when you leave, so you drive down in the car alone and start your holiday straight away. Zones and prices are on our transport services page.

If you are planning a longer trip, our guide to wintering on the Costa Brava covers what the region is like out of season, and driving to Spain with a caravan covers the journey down.

Plan your season

Tell us which campsite you are staying at and your dates, and we will have the caravan ready and waiting. Contact us through our contact page.