La Costa Brava

La Costa Brava
Rated 4 out of 5
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Excursion Highlights:
  • Escape the bustle of Barcelona and head to the unspoiled beauty of Costa Brava's rugged coastline, coves, and pine forests.
  • Explore the charming fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, soak in the local scenery, and discover its fascinating history.
  • Journey through the smuggling routes of Camino de Ronda to Llafranc, a hike suitable for all ages with stunning views.
  • Visit the quaint, medieval town of Pals, climb its 12th-century tower, and marvel at the panoramic vistas.
  • Dive into the underwater world of El Estartit aboard the Nautilus, then indulge in the Greek-Roman ruins of Empuries.
Price: $79.00
Choose Options My Cruise Itinerary
Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Standard
Shore Excursion Type Scenic, Cultural, Historical
Shore Excursion Duration 11 Hours 30 Minutes
Activity Level ? Moderate
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? An approximately 10 to 15 minute taxi (not included, approximately 8 to 12 EUR each way) is required to reach your departure location.
Food/Beverage Provided Not Included
Recommended Dress We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes. Sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.
Restrictions Guests must be able to get in and out of transportation. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

La Costa Brava

Uncover the beauty of the Girona coast, named 100 years ago as the Costa Brava, and escape the hustle and bustle of Barcelona. The name is due to its unique rocky, rugged, and cut-shaped coastline, composed of small coves surrounded by pine forests and lapped by crystal water. Historically, the area was a point of entry, transit, and settlement for different cultures and civilizations.

Your journey begins as you drive through the highway to Calella de Palafrugell, while you discover the southern part of the Costa Brava. This beautiful fishing village retains its traditional charm, with a landscape of rocky coastline and small coves near the forest line. Experience some free time at this charming fishing village and take in the local scenery.

You'll then meet your guide and start your journey through the Camino de Ronda to Llafranc. The hike to this famous location is suitable for guests of all ages—so be sure to bring your hiking boots! Did you know the Camino de Ronda was once used to control maritime smuggling routes? Today, these paths allow visitors to explore otherwise inaccessible areas along the coast.

Head on to your next destination—a small inland town known as Pals. This quaint town is located on a hill and is almost entirely integrated into a medieval complex. Walk along its cobbled streets, admire its perfectly restored arches and stone balconies, and visit its impressive fortifications, which have stood the test of time. You'll have the opportunity to climb the 12th-century cylindrical tower and enjoy the panoramic views of the Costa Brava.

Next stop is the famous fishing village of El Estartit. This famous fishing town is known because of its diving center and proximity to the Medes Islands. Take in the local fauna and flora of this popular diving location filled with a diverse ecosystem. Grab some lunch (not included) or take a stroll around the town before boarding the Nautilus. This boat which includes submerged cabins with large windows, will give you a front row seat to the local sealife--you'll feel as if you were actually underwater! Enjoy your hour and a half of sailing as you pass the stunning cliffs of Sierra de Montrgi.

On your last stop, you'll make your way to the Greek-Roman ruins of Empúries. Your local guide will take you to the only site in Spain where the remains of an ancient Greek and Roman city coexist right off the coast. Walk through this extraordinary archaeological site and learn how these civilizations shaped the region.

As your tour ends, make sure you have taken in all the beauty the Costa Brava and surroundings can offer. Rest assured that you will leave with unforgettable memories of one of Spain’s most spectacular coastal regions.

Please Note: This tour is narrated in both English and Spanish.

1 Rating
4.0out of 5 stars
1 Review
Rated 4 out of 5
Jun 1, 2024
A pleasant break from the city
This was a pleasant day away from the city. There were about 20 people on the tour with a little more than half speaking English. One guide shepherded the English speakers, the other the Spanish speakers. Both guides were friendly and knowledgeable and both were bi-lingual.The bus ride to the first location was 1 hour and 40 minutes, but it passed swiftly as information about the region was shared as we traveled. The bus was clean and comfortable. The “fishing villages” may have originally been such, but are now resort beach towns, some for the very wealthy. The area is very picturesque. There is a walking trail along the coast that connects all the towns. We were given free time to explore at the first and last stop. Then we took the bus to another town where we were given time to have lunch before boarding the boat. The boat ride was about an hour long touring around a protected area. We saw plenty of fish when we went below, but the windows were dirty, making for less than optimal viewing. The water was somewhat choppy and I understand that kept us from going to a second location for additional viewing. Our last stop was Pals, and this was my favorite part of the trip. I felt as if I was on a movie set for a medieval period piece. Some portions of the town are original medieval walls, others are reconstructed. The ride back to Barcelona took 2 hours and many people slept on the return trip.
The major negative I have is on the restroom facilities. The public facilities at the first location were just gross. The public facilities at Pals were cleaner, but not a single stall had toilet paper. There is a lot of walking (my watch logged about 14,000 steps) up and down hills, so go prepared. There were many pleasant places to just sit and take in the view including on the beach. Bring a water bottle. The weather changes from place to place and throughout the day, so wear layers you can take off and put back on. There were times I thought the guides could have used headphones. We had an older gentleman with a bad leg who was always falling behind in our group. While the guide would wait for everyone to reach a spot for the official speech, there was a lot of casual information shared while walking that I’m sure the older gentleman missed. I liked the mix of guided tour and free time to explore on your own.
Overall I thought it was a very pleasant day and a nice break from the city.
Nadine H