Costa Brava
Cruise & Stay
Welcome to Costa Brava
Cruise Nation are delighted to bring you our great range of Costa Brava Cruise & Stay Holidays. These packages all feature a cruise sailing from Barcelona which is one of the biggest cruise ports in the Mediterranean. This means that Cruise Nation bring you massive choice on cruise lines to sail with throughout the year. Our Costa Brava Smart Packages feature FREE stays in one of many handpicked hotels which are all centrally located in Salou providing you with the ideal base from which to explore all that this exciting destination has to offer.
With our Costa Brava Cruise & Stay packages, your flights will always be included. We also offer flights from a number of regional airports throughout the UK giving you much greater flexibility and making your holiday experience as smooth as possible.
If you’ve been dreaming of a relaxing sun-soaked holiday, the Costa Brava is the place for you. With a bountiful choice of wide sandy beaches and secluded coves to choose from (226 to be exact), there really is too much choice. They range from the Illa Roja (an internationally renowned nudist beach) to Aiguablava with its calm shallow waters and nearby restaurants and shops, making it a popular choice for families.
Whilst getting a tan there’s also the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of Spanish culture with a visit to the Dali Theatre-Museum, a place to embrace and enjoy the works of Salvador Dali. Located in Figueres, you can see his priceless surrealist collection, whilst in Portlligat there is the Salvador Dali House-Museum. Finally complete the Dali ‘triangle’ with a visit to Gala Dali Castle House-Museum in Pubol. A majestic building which Dali bought for Gala to fulfil his promise of making her queen of a castle.
If you’re into adventure over art, then why not try the extensive adrenaline filled excursions which populate the area. There are numerous locations to give sailing, snorkelling or diving a try. They’ll have you heading to the water in a heartbeat.
Weather in The Mediterranean
The Costa Brava is also a highly acclaimed destination for Enogastronomy – food and wine tourism. There are wine tours to follow, vineyards to be sampled, Michelin star restaurants to impress you and a whole host of local boutique restaurants, cafes and bars to satisfy your taste for Catalan food.
There’s something for everyone in Costa Brava, and it’s time you discovered its charm. Take a look at our Costa Brava cruise and stay packages below to find your perfect holiday here.
Things to do in Costa Brava
Salvador Dali House Museum
Just outside of Cadaqués is a charming complex of whitewashed fishermen’s cottages…
Salvador Dali House Museum
This is where Salvador Dali lived for 50 years. The home is as ‘unique’ as you’d probably expect, there’s a giant stuffed bear at the entrance with a flash photo camera in its paw and in the garden there’s a Mongolian tent and a model of Michaelango’s David wearing a fencing mask.
Aqua Brava Water Park
The Aqua Brava Water Park offers pure fun for the whole family…
Aqua Brava Water Park
There’s a variety of swimming pools in all shapes, sizes and depths. The young (and the young at heart) will have hours of enjoyment trying out all of the slides and other rides such as the climbing frames on Tropic Island.
Cap Roig Botanical Gardens
These stunning gardens are located just below the hilltop castle in Palafrugell…
Cap Roig Botanical Gardens
The gardens have been developed all the way down the hill to where they meet the beach. It’s worth visiting the cactus garden in particular, as it offers fantastic coastal views in a prickly surrounding.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Located at Platja Gran, Tossa de Mar’s main beach, experience the wonders of the deep with glass bottom boat tours…
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Discover the creatures that live off the shores of Costa Brava in an air-conditioned boat whilst having a drink at the bar. It’s the way to dive into the ocean without getting your hair wet.
Begur
Head to Begur to see one of the prettiest medieval towns on the Costa Brava…
Begur
Situated on a hilltop, the town is completely pedestrianised so you can enjoy your visit at a more relaxed pace. Venture to the very top of the hill here and you’ll be rewarded with the crumbling ruins of an ancient castle and spectacular views out across the town and landscape.
Snorkelling
If you want to get your hair wet, then the Costa Brava caters to that too…
Snorkelling
Located just along the coast from Platja Gran, the only thing you’ll need for a wonderful day in the sun is a snorkel.
Castillo de Tossa de Mar
This imposing castle is perched ominously on the coast of Tossa de Mar…
Castillo de Tossa de Mar
It’s wonderful architecture and roaming pavements make it a sight to behold. Its winding streets lead to the top where you can look over the town, and if you don’t fancy walking there’s a train available to take you to the top.
Restaurants in Costa Brava
Galena Mas Comengau
This converted old farmhouse can be found in Begur. It’s wonderfully rustic and the two dining rooms feature vaulted ceilings, rough stone walls and a beautiful open terrace. The menu here offers some much-loved favourites such as seafood paella and tapas but there is an ever-changing assortment of specials that will really make your mouth water. At the weekend you can even enjoy dinner with live Jazz music.
Sa Racassa
If you’re dining with your significant other and happen to be in the Girona area, this restaurant which is set in a romantic walled garden is the perfect place to go. The focus is on contemporary Catalan food and you’ll get to taste deliciously fresh fish thanks to Sa Racassa’s close proximity to the coast.
El Celler de Can Roca
El Celler is a 3-star Michelin restaurant and a truly perfect place for special occasion dining. The tasting menu, which is 5 courses and two puddings, is around £170pp, but it really is something of a gastronomic experience. El Celler has been voted in the ‘World’s Top 50 Restaurants’ and has even made an appearance on Masterchef in 2011. Expect Catalan dishes with a contemporary twist and a hint of the wizardry of El Bulli molecular gastronomy.
Sa Lola
A creative treat awaits you in this gastronomic bar located in Girona. Its tapas are talked about through out the city. You can mix sweet with savoury and get as creative as you want with an unusual menu which encourages you to mix and match.
El Balconet
Situated in Cadaques, this restaurant serves up the freshest fish. Brought to you before cooked you can guarantee that it’s one of the best locations for fish in the town. With its cosy dining room set up and great location just off the main promenade in the town, it’s a wonderful gem waiting to be found.
Costa Brava Nightlife
Hotel Llafranch
When it first opened in 1958, Hotel Llafranch was something of a playground for the rich and famous with celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren staying there. The hotel is situated in a prime location and as a result it has mesmerising views over the bay, making it the ideal place to enjoy a glass of fine wine and watch the sunset.
C-roack
This cosy establishment can be found tucked away in one of Begur’s many alleys. Its terrace is warmly lit and inviting, making it the perfect place for a nightcap. Welcoming in night owls of all ages, it’s a perfect place to end your busy day in Costa Brava.
La Luna
La Luna is also located in Begur and it has become something of an institution. The bar come nightclub is sprawled over interconnecting rooms on each floor of an old townhouse. Each room offers a different vibe and style of music that attracts revellers of all ages looking to let loose and have a good time.
Disco Tropics
If you’re looking for more of a busy night out, with a capacity of just under 2000 people it’s the hustle and bustle you’ve been looking for. Situated in Lloret de Mar, its name is known across the world with such famous acts as Steve Aoki, Sean Paul and Snoop Dogg gracing their stage. Why not pop in, you never know who you might see.
Romantic Bar Tossa de Mar
Located in its namesake, this bar gives the illusion of seclusion with its colourful umbrellas protecting you from the sun and its shrubbery sectioning it off from its neighbours. Its original and innovative set up makes it a great find in Tossa de Mar.
Events in Costa Brava
Cap Roig Gardens Music Festival at Calella de Palafrugell
This annual music event takes place in the beautiful setting of Cap Roig Gardens. Major international names have performed here over the years including Jamie Cullum and Katie Melua. The event takes place early July to mid-August.
Sant Narcis Fair and Festival
During Autumn the city of Girona becomes a hive of activity as this main event, Sant Narcis Fair and Festival, takes over. The buzz of excitement around Girona is palpable as residents prepare giant papier mache figures for parades and practice in their teams for the diada castellera (day of human towers) which is a spectacle to behold. In addition to these activities there is also a fire run (correfoc), sardana dancing and an immense fairground is set up in La Devesa Park.
Girona Flower Festival
The flower festival takes place every year in May when the narrow, winding streets of Girona’s old town are decorated with fresh flower displays in every shape and size so that the town is filled with fresh floral scents.