The most beautiful villages in l’Empordà and the Costa Brava

Villages with white houses, peaceful turquoise-water coves, and pine-clad hills create a postcard-perfect scene, dazzling visitors and making the Girona region one of the Mediterranean’s most photogenic spots. It’s not surprising that the charm of l’Empordà and the Costa Brava inspires numerous artists every year to come and paint, film, or draw inspiration from the idyllic scenery of this part of eastern Catalonia.

If the people of Girona should be proud of one thing, it’s how well the Mediterranean landscape has been protected given the potential influx of hotels and million-dollar palaces. Quite the contrary; the Girona region has not only managed to keep the surrounding natural area practically intact, but the local villages – still growing today – follow standards that combine perfectly with the Mediterranean environment.

Girona Campsites is delighted with the efforts made to maintain the region’s traditional charm and beauty. Therefore, we want to create a list of the towns considered the most beautiful in the Costa Brava and l’Empordà, so you can enjoy them too.

Cadaqués: if a local from the Girona region were asked which town best defines the Costa Brava and the Empordà, Cadaqués would be the most probable answer. The perfect representation of all the traits that best define the local environment: calm turquoise water coves, photogenic white houses, narrow labyrinthine alleys, and magical snapshots of Mediterranean colour. A summer night’s stroll in Cadaqués? Difficult to beat!

Madremanya: the village revolves around the church square, and is full of narrow alleys of thick stone, where visitors can easily get lost (don’t worry, you won’t take long to get your bearings – the village is tiny!). This stone, dating back over a thousand years and used in the construction of the village’s houses, cools the alleys, meaning the town offers a pleasant escape from high summer temperatures. Madremanya is also an excellent starting point for numerous excursions on foot and by bicycle.

El Port de la Selva: a little further north of Cap de Creus lies another quintessential Costa Brava fishing village with only 1,000 inhabitants. Port de la Selva is also home to one of the most historic Romanesque remains in Catalonia, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes (dating from the 9th century). The church offers stunning views of l’Empordà and the Costa Brava. You can visit on foot or by bike from Port de la Selva – but you’ll need to get in some training first!

Monells: a tiny village representing Girona’s most medieval side. The village square is home to numerous bars, offering the ideal spot to enjoy a drink surrounded by so much history. A stream also passes through Monells, and the multiple bridges provide perfect vantage points for an excellent photo.

Begur: moving on to another of the Empordà’s idyllic coastal villages. Begur is a fine example of the beauty of this secluded part of the Mediterranean. Begur also offers visitors sweeping green hills, which combine to create stunning scenery, as well as traditional white houses featuring floral decoration and dreamlike coves. 

While dressing in all white might not be your standard look for most of the year, it’s a must during the Indians Fair, which celebrates the strong connection between Cuba and Begur that dates to the large numbers of local people who emigrated to the island in the 19th century.

Pals: the beautiful village of Pals lies between Estartit and Begur. An old town that takes visitors back to medieval times, which the kids will love too. This town is also famous for the rice grown locally, in fields irrigated by the Ter River, which flows nearby. A paella with rice from Pals is not to be missed if you’re staying at a campsite nearby.

Empúries: once one of the most important capitals in the Greek and Roman Empire, it remains today a wonderful place to stroll and soak up history. Empúries preserves a vast archaeological site, where visitors can marvel at the Iberian Peninsula’s Greek and Roman heritage. The Empúries ruins showcase a whole city that was a key location for both empires and teaches visitors about their traditions and culture. We have inherited a lot from them!

Now you’ve got an idea of the towns you’ll encounter along the Costa Brava and l’Empordà, maybe you’ll feel inspired to choose the campsite options nearby! If you want to learn more about the local campsites in the areas we’ve described above, click here and explore!
INSPIRA’T would again like to thank you for reading. Follow us on social media for further information!

Many thanks and see you soon,

INSPIRA’T