If you have a few days in Catalonia, the city of Girona and the Costa Brava certainly deserve to be visited. A mixture of nature, history and gastronomy. The Costa Brava is 100 kilometres of coastline, ready to be explored. Here you will find just a small sample of it.

L’Escala & archaeological site of Empúries, day excursion

Explore Empuries, the only ancient Greek remains in Spain; a sleepy medieval town, and the charm of Costa Brava coastline.

The quaint, historically rich towns of Sant Martí d’Empúries and L’Escala are truly unspoilt gems at the heart of the Costa Brava. This tour will let you in on some of Catalonia’s best-kept secrets! Discover the remains of the Ancient Greek colony of Emporion, which dates back to 600 BC. The site is also home to the most important Hellenistic sculpture on this side of the Mediterranean, which depicts Asclepius, the God of medicine.

While the Roman Empire expanded through the Iberian Peninsula, Emporion was their entrance harbour. They built some beautiful mosaics at the Domus, the Forum and the Roman walls can also be visited, which you can spot alongside the classical Greek features. The settlement was abandoned somewhere around 300 ACE, and lay forgotten until 1900! Excavations are still ongoing today: plenty of these marvellous ancient treasures remain underground…

Following, the medieval town of Sant Martí d’Empúries is a perfect place for a peaceful lunch, with sweeping ocean views that complement the deliciously fresh and locally sourced food. Some of my favourites include Hostal Empúries and La Terrassa d’Empúries. And finally, our tour ends with a visit to the ancient fishing village of L’Escala and a charming seaside walk. A tasty gelato always seems to hit the spot when admiring Roses Bay!

“Each morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure – that of being Salvador Dalí.”

Salvador Dalí

Have you ever met Dalí? His bizarre mind created a unique world of symbols and landscapes worth exploring through his museums. Get surreal! He is one of the most celebrated Catalan artists and his three museums can be visited in the Empordà-Costa Brava area, north of Barcelona, rather close to the French border. Figueres, Theater-museum Dalí; Cadaqués, Salvador Dalí House; Púbol, Gala Dalí Castle. 

Teatre-Museu Dalí

The Teatre-Museu Dalí is not a museum in the traditional sense of the word. Set in the town’s reconstructed theatre that held Dalí’s very first exhibition as a teenager, the museum is one that is bound to leave an imprint. It is a space that has been uniquely adapted for Dalí’s own artistic creations, one in which you are the actor in his surreal show. Are you ready for something out of this world? This is an astounding and memorable first-person experience and a unique opportunity to enter the minds of one of the world’s most renowned (and bizarre!) artists. Know anything about Salvador Dalí? Even better! A visit to his museum is quite the experience whatever your interests. If you are already acquainted with Dalí this experience will only heighten your appreciation for the master of Surrealism!

Casa Salvador Dalí -Portlligat

If you want to get even more surreal his home by the sea at Cadaqués is a great spot to visit and stay. If you are staying somewhere in Costa Brava it can be a day excursion but it is also a great area to stay one o two nights. Indeed it is quite an isolated spot and we suggest you take one day to also explore Cap de Creus National Park and the charming village of Cadaqués. 

Castell Gala Dalí -Púbol

This Castle was a gift from Dalí to his wife and muse Gala, the artistic name of Elena Ivanovna Diakonova. Exploring this surreal home is also a short trip to the unusual relationship between Gala and Salvador Dalí. The castle in Púbol is only 30 minutes away from Girona town and it offers a great combination of surreal art with medieval charm.

to combine with the dalí Triangle museums

If you stay a few days in Girona or any Costa Brava town there are many natural parks to visit like Parc Natural del Cap de Creus or Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, a bird reserve in Roses Gulf. Also, if you are a hiker, the Camins de Ronda are easygoing tracks along the seashore to discover the most hidden gems of this brave coast!

It is good to know this area is boasting of seafood restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs.

One particular spot we are very fond of and we would like you to know about it and visit it if you have the occasion is this now-abandoned old romanesque monastery on a high spot in a hill and with astonishing views over the Mediterranean sea: Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes and the town of El Port de la Selva.