A friend of mine sent me a picture of him reading by the beach in Barcelona today, and my response was a shot of the snow outside my window. Sure, I appreciate a little white around Christmastime, but the truth is that I’d much rather be sunning myself somewhere warm. My stint back to the east coast of the USA has been delightful, but I’m ready for sun and sea. That picture of my buddy (curse him!) has sent me into a bit of a tailspin reliving my glory days of Spanish beaches and cheap cervezas. So to help dull the pain (or perhaps to amplify it in a ridiculous bout of masochism,) here’s my list of the three best beaches along the Spanish Costa Brava. For better or worse (better,) this list is compiled from extensive research.
Best of Costa Brava: Palamos
Palamos is a fantastic Costa Brava town for a whole host of reasons, but the biggest and best can be summed up in a single word: gambas. Gambas, (shrimp) are a specialty in Palamos, and the chance to sample them is worth the trip alone. It’s ironic, because I don’t think Palamos boasts some of the most impressive beaches along the Costa Brava (the bar has been set ridiculously high though, so that’s not to say they’re anything less than spectacular.) But the town is walkable and offers a variety of shops and restaurants, sprawling out from the beach area with winding cobblestone streets and little hills. Hit the beach, then take a stroll, but don’t forget the gambas. There’s even a fresh fish and seafood market that opens up to the public in the evening on weekends. You can buy your own raw shrimp there to cook at home or head to one of the myriad restaurants around town to get some expertly prepared by the locals.
Best of Costa Brava: Platja d’Aro
Just up the road (alright, perhaps an hour up the road) from Palamos is Platja d’Aro, a tiny bit of Costa Brava beach belonging to the greater Girona province. Platja d’Aro is small but boasts some of the richest and most impressive summer homes in the area. Surrounded by rocky crags and forest trees, the beach seems to be a tiny pocket of civilization set in a more wild area. But the mansions that dot the landscape reveal a more cultivated history. Platja d’Aro makes my list for two main reasons. Firstly, the beach itself and surrounding views just can’t be beat. They boast some of the best that Costa Brava has to offer. But also, the trail that can be walked along this area will take you past some of these larger-than-life homes, and they too are worth a visit. Just imagining myself staying in one of these places (generally belonging to the wealthiest of celebrities, socialites and politicians) is enough to make my mouth water.
Best of Costa Brava: Cadaqués
I know Cadaqués is kind of the cliche and obvious choice on a list of the best Costa Brava beaches, but it’s earned its place on the list. The town is a smattering of small rocky pockets of beach peppered through a town full of Catalan culture and history. Salvador Dalí’s summer home is in Cadaqués, now a museum that is definitely worth a tour while you’re there. And the ports along the coast, filled with the tinkling of sailboat masts and the sparkle of the sun along the Mediterranean water, are incomparably beautiful. I’m pretty sure if I had to pick one place to live out the rest of my days in exile (because so many people who go through that get to pick,) I’d choose Cadaqués.
Photo Credit: Pierre-Selim