Costa Brava

The province of Girona is within Catalonia, it covers an area of 5,885 square kilometres and is situated in the extreme northeast part of the Iberian Peninsula, between 41°40′ and 42°30′ latitude and 5°27′ and 7° longitude east. The western border is a broken line that separates it from the province of Barcelona. The coastal strip is its eastern border, which extends along 158 linear kilometres (85 nautical miles) or 256 kilometres of the intricate profile of the Costa Brava.

The Generalitat de Catalunya defines the Costa Brava as the coastal region that stretches from the Franco-Spanish border to the mouth of the River Tordera, marking the border of the provinces of Girona and Barcelona. Portbou is the closest town to the border while its Blanes marks its southernmost point.[7] The Costa Brava Girona Tourism Board, a body of the tourism industry of the Province of Girona, promotes the brand name Costa Brava as an area of 5,885 square kilometres (2,272 sq mi). By this definition, Costa Brava includes the coastal comarques of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Selva and the inland comarques of Pla de l'Estany and Gironès.[8][9]

The Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.

The northernmost part of the Costa Brava belongs to the comarca of Alt Empordà, and is marked by the Albera Massif and Cap de Creus, the easternmost prolongation of the Pyrenees. This area near the frontier is marked by rough terrain and cliffs, with small bays along the coast, in contrast with the large plains of the Alt Empordà region, where its capital Figueres is located. The first town from the border with France is Portbou, which grew around the railway station. A little down the coast are the seafaring villages of Colera and Llançà. North of the Cap de Creus lies the town of El Port de la Selva, while on its south lie the towns of Cadaqués and Roses. To the south of the Cap de Creus is found the Gulf of Roses, which stretches for fifteen kilometres with beaches and marshlands formed by the Muga and Fluvià rivers, with the protected areas of the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà along the coast. Empuriabrava, part of the municipality of Castelló d'Empúries, is one of the largest marinas in the world, built in the 1960s on the marshlands of the River Muga. Further south lies the town of Sant Pere Pescador and the coastal town of L'Escala. Between this two towns is the village of Sant Martí d'Empúries, which lies near the ruins of the ancient Greek colony of Empúries, founded in 575 BC.[7]

The bay of La Fosca, near Palamós, and the castle that dominates the beach.

The central part of the Costa Brava belongs to the comarca of Baix Empordà, whose capital is La Bisbal d'Empordà, with the Montgrí Massif extending on its north, from L'Escala to the village of L'Estartit, part of the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí. The River Ter pours its water at this point, near a small archipelago known as Medes Islands. Further south, following a stretch of beach and marshlands, are the towns of Pals, Begur and Palafrugell. At this point the Gavarres Massif meets the sea, with a coast marked by rugged cliffs, small bays and beaches amid coastal villages such as Aiguafreda, Fornells, Tamariu, Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc. The town of Palamós, further south, is a major commercial and fishing port. At this point the coast forms a bay between Palamós and Sant Antoni de Calonge, part of the town of Calonge. South of it lies the town of Castell-Platja d'Aro, including Platja d'Aro, a large tourist resort which has grown along a wide beach. Situated to the south are S'Agaró and the town of Sant Feliu de Guixols, which lies to the north-east of the Ardenya Massif.[7]

The beach of Blanes and the mouth of the River Tordera in the background.

Calella de Palafrugell

The southernmost part of the Costa Brava belongs to the comarca of Selva, whose capital is Santa Coloma de Farners, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the Mediterranean Sea. Tossa de Mar is located to the north of the coastline, with several resorts and small bays along the littoral. Lloret de Mar, located to the south of Tossa, is the largest resort on the Costa Brava, with a population of over 200,000 at its peak during the summer. Blanes is the southernmost town on the Costa Brava and is the third most populous municipality of the Province of Girona.[7]

In the middle of the Costa Brava, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) inland from the Mediterranean Sea, lies Girona, the capital of the comarca of Gironès and the Province of Girona. The city has a population of almost 100,000 and lies at the confluence of the Onyar, Güell, Galligants and Ter rivers. Ten kilometres north of Girona is Banyoles, the capital of the comarca of the Pla de l'Estany, on the shore of the Lake of Banyoles. Both the Gironès and the Pla de l'Estany are the inland comarques of the Costa Brava.[7]

The main rivers that pour their waters into the Costa Brava are:[10]

• Muga, which pours its waters at Empuriabrava, Castelló d'Empúries.
• Fluvià, which pours its waters near Sant Pere Pescador.
• Ter, which pours its waters near L'Estartit, Torroella de Montgrí.
• Tordera, which pours its waters near Blanes, marking the southernmost part of the Costa Brava.

Costa Brava has a typical Mediterranean climate, mild and temperate, characterised by hot, dry summers and moderately cold winters. The annual average temperature ranges from 7 to 28 °C, while the highest temperatures are recorded in the months of July and August.[11]

The great artistic collection is a set of nearly fifty museums and collections listed among the five counties that make up the name of the Costa Brava. From north to south:

Torre Galatea in Figueres

Basilica of Castelló d'Empúries

Iberian village of Ullastret

Empúries, mosaic floor

Sant Pere de Rodes

Catalonia has two official languages, Catalan and Spanish. Most of the local population habitually speak Catalan, and all the population understand and can express themselves perfectly well in Spanish.

With the creation of the single European currency, the euro has been in effect since January 1, 2002.

As in most European countries, in winter the time is an hour ahead of GMT and two hours ahead in the summer.

The working day usually starts between 08.00 and 09.00 and lasts until 14.00. In the afternoon, companies usually open from 16.00 to 19.00.

Lunch is usually eaten between 13.30 and 15.00 and dinner between 20.30 and 22.00. At weekends, these times are usually slightly later. Most restaurants adapt to the customs of tourists.

Opening times of bars are long and varied. The law permits bars to open until 2.30 from the night of Monday/Tuesday to the night of Thursday/Friday and until 3.00 from the night of Friday/Saturday to Sunday/Monday and on bank holidays. However, each bar adapts its opening times to the area in which it is found and the characteristics of the premises. Whilst cafeterias cover needs during the working day, night time bars usually open from 17.00 and stay open for as long as they are allowed to.

Opening times of businesses vary according to their function and size. Small shops normally open between 09.00 and 10.00 and close between 20.00 and 21.00. On the other hand, the large department stores and hypermarkets open continuously from 10.00 to 22.00. On Sundays, businesses are shut, except at certain times of the year (over the Christmas holidays and at sales time). Sometimes smaller establishments close for an extra half day, often a Monday morning.

Banks are usually open from 8.30 to 14.00 Monday to Friday. Banks also open on Saturday mornings from 08.30 to 13.00, except in the summer. From October to June, savings banks open on Thursday afternoons from 16.30 to 19.45.

Official administrations and town councils usually work straight through from 08.00 to 15.00, Monday to Friday.

• 1 January (New Year's Day)
• 1 May (Labour Day)
• 24 June (Saint John's Day)
• 15 August (The Holy Assumption)
• 11 September (Catalan National Festival)
• 1 November (All Saint's Day)
• 6 December (Day of the Spanish Constitution)
• 8 December (Day of the Blessed Virgin)
• 25 December (Christmas Day)
• 26 December (Saint Stephen's Day)

In addition to these, and through an order from the Ministry of Employment, there will be two local festivals, to be paid and not recoverable, at the proposal of the respective municipalities.

• Cap Roig Gardens Festival: Calella de Palafrugell in the auditorium of the Botanical Garden, located in a particularly unique place, the sea, is the seat of this summer festival is open to different stage disciplines. Early July to mid August.
• Music Festival in Torroella de Montgrí: Torroella de Montgrí at the Festival began in 1980 and has always called the Western classical music as a centrepiece of its programming, but over time it has been introducing extra musical elements and other types of samples and cultures. Late July to mid August.
• International Music Festival of Peralada Castle: a Peralada, held continuously since 1987 in July and August in the monumental Peralada Castle.
• Festival Porta Ferrada: Sant Feliu de Guixols, Catalonia is the oldest, was born in 1958 at the Monastery of Sant Feliu de Guixols and its name responds to the oldest part of this monumental. Mid July to mid August.
• International Music Festival of Cadaques: Cadaques in the first week of August. Festival has sought to reflect the eclectic art of the town that inspired countless artists. Its programming covers a wide range of musical genres, from jazz to classical music or even pop and rock, always committed to good music and keeping their uniqueness.
• Music Festival Calonge: Calonge is the oldest festival in the Costa Brava (since 1968). Classical, folk, flamenco, jazz and soul. August.
• Musicant: Campllong a festival that is committed to spreading the musical repertoire Catalan for all time. Late August and early September.
• Schubertíada: a Vilabertran, where festival include Schubert recitals of lieder, but also programmed works by other composers, especially of his contemporaries. Mid-August to first week of September.
• Acústica Festival: Figueres, below the acoustic or unplugged, there are both emerging and established artists. First week of September.
• Black Music Festival: Salt, Catalan black music festival. In mid March to mid April.
• Guitar Festival Girona in different locations in the province of Girona. Last half of July until the first week of September.
• Festival of the Voice (a) phònica: Banyoles, explores the possibilities of this element is visible but not everyone has joined. Around 24 June.

Over 2,500 restaurants throughout the counties of Girona welcome diners with a cuisine based on a combination of quality seafood and the best produce of the land.

By the beginning of the 21st century, Girona province had become one of the main centres of gastronomic pilgrimage in the world. It is no secret that the creation and transmission centre of avant-garde cuisine is now El Bulli restaurant on Cap de Creus, on the northern stretch of the Costa Brava. Cap de Creus was formerly a centre of surrealism in the days when Salvador Dalí resided in the nearby coastal locality of Portlligat. The innovative cuisine at El Bulli first influenced Catalonia, then the rest of Europe, and finally the whole world. At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, El Bulli decided to reinvent itself as elBulliFoundation with the aim of perpetuating the legacy of Ferran Adrià. Starting in 2014, introduction to Girona Cuisine the new foundation will disseminate the skills, research, innovation and all future developments coming out of the sanctuary of creativity in the heart of today's Cap de Creus Nature Park. Girona province has always been home to good cooking: such pioneering cuisine could not have arisen without a historical background, local products and raw materials coming from local agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, olive production, stockbreeding, fishing and sausage-making expertise. Nothing was missing. It just took one small step forward to reinvent our traditions. And the Roca brothers exemplify an evolutive fusion between avant-garde world cuisine and their hundred-year-old family tradition at El Celler de Can Roca, a restaurant that has made major contributions to technological innovation and to culinary and gastronomic techniques. All this goes to prove that Girona province is and has always been a powerful focus of gastronomic creation.

El Bulli makes its last appearance in 2011 Red Michelin Guide, when in the province of Girona lists 20 Michelin stars for 14 restaurants. In the same year the World's 50 Best Restaurants list El Bulli (Cala Montjoi) and El Celler de Can Roca (Girona) in the top five. At 2012, 11 restaurants with 15 Michelin stars: five restaurants with six stars are found along the Costa Brava. And in 2012, El Celler de Can Roca is second in the World's 50 Best Restaurants.

Three Parks are present in the geography of the Costa Brava.

Natural Park of Cap de Creus

Aiguamolls de l'Empordà

Protection law in this area becomes the Cap de Creus Natural Park, located north of the Costa Brava, in Port de la Selva, one of the most unusual in the Iberian Peninsula. Determined as protected areas the municipalities of El Port de la Selva, La Selva de Mar, Roses, Cadaqués, Palau Saverdera, Pau and Vilajuïga, with an area of 13,886 hectares spread over 10,813 hectares of land and 3,073 of maritime space.

Located in north of the Costa Brava, between the towns of Castelló d'Empúries-Empuriabrava, Sant Pere Pescador and Roses, this park is the second largest of its kind in Catalonia, as a great number of native species flora and fauna. It is divided into two areas, north and south of the River Muga, comprising the characteristic elements of the landscape of the Alt Empordà.

Located in the interior of the southern part of the Costa Brava, in Arbúcies (Selva), Montseny Massif is the largest and highest part of the Catalan pre-coastal mountain range, straddling the provinces of Barcelona and Girona. One of the main values of the massif lies in the extreme variability of environments presents significant result of altitudinal gradients and vegetation and the diversity of its relief. Oak and pine forests, forests of cork oaks, oaks and beech trees are some of the shape almost a forest landscape while serving as a refuge for many animal species typical of environmental contexts of higher latitude.

More than 30% of the total surface of Girona consist of protected areas of special natural interest:

Lake of Banyoles

Medes Islands

Guilleries Montseny

Declared area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, includes the towns of La Jonquera, Rabós d'Empordà, Espolla, Cantallops, Vilamaniscle, Garriguella, Mollet de Peralada and Sant Climent Sescebes. The landscape presents with one of the largest concentrations of megalithic monuments in Catalonia, with small Romanesque churches that make this area one of the most rich heritage and history of the surrounding region of the Alt Empordà. And the Albera Massif presents transition vegetation between the species of the Pyrenean mountains and the Mediterranean, as well as fauna, characterised by great diversity, between the mountain areas and the wetland Catalonia.

This area of great landscapes and geology covers the whole of the coast called the Lake of Banyoles, which separates the plains of the Empordà and the Transversal mountain in the region of Garrotxa. Lake of Banyoles, with an area of 107 hectares and a feature-eight, is one of the largest in the Iberian Peninsula. The most important lakes of this system are its origin and source of the feed water through seepage of rain in some parts of the Garrotxa through subterranean flows caused his departure abroad. Lake of Banyoles and the collection of small ponds, present throughout the year and chemical processes of thermal stratification. In addition to these features, concentrated around the lake a wide variety of flora and fauna lake.

The small archipelago of the Medes, located in the heart of the Costa Brava, in the town of Torroella de Montgrí (Baix Empordà) and close to the mountain of the same name, is composed of seven islands that are characterised by rich its marine ecosystem. The proximity of the coast and the River Ter these islands provide a great amount of organic matter, allowing the variety of flora and fauna typical of the Medes. Some examples of this variety are the colony of gulls, the peculiar terrestrial vegetation, algae or coralline seabed, where you can go diving so regulated.

Located between the districts of Alt and Baix Empordà, this limestone massif separates the bays of Roses and Ter, and provides interesting elements of ecological diversity to the landscape. This wild and inhospitable nature makes an exception of the area of the Costa Brava. This area is occupied mainly by pine trees and weeds, in addition to the vegetation that appears not only in forested environments, but throughout the eastern fringe of the mountain, the sea. In this regard include Ferriol and Pedrosa coves, among others.

The Marine Reserve of Ses Negres, located in Begur, in the middle of the Costa Brava stretches over 1,300 metres of coastline, including beaches of Sa Riera and Aiguafreda. It has a total area of 80 hectares, which includes the cliffs that surround the mountains of Begur. Buoys and beacons define the protected area and also indicate a navigation channel of limited speed. In the bathing area and apnea, respectful and activities compatible with conservation of the environment, there is a recovery of marine life, years after being declared the reserve.

Massive features typically Mediterranean. Located between the counties of Girona and Baix Empordà, is the northernmost of the Catalan coastal mountains. The landscape of this area is mainly forest. The nature of Mediterranean forest gives ample importance to the overall bulk comprised mainly holm and cork oaks. The fauna is typical of Mediterranean environments and forest. With regard to heritage, from the days with abundance of megalithic funerary monuments, in addition, the area also includes the medieval defensive buildings and religious buildings pre-Romanesque and Romanesque style.

The island of River Ter is a natural area of great ecological value for its biodiversity and for its potential as a setting for environmental education, both for students and for all those who love nature people who visit, where it is favoured because of its proximity to the city of Girona. The area is protected by municipal regulations and by the condition Wildlife Refuge. Presented botanical species of interest, the bell winter woods and some in excellent condition as they have been free from human interference natural setting of the island from the confluence the rivers Ter and Onyar. This fauna, include the otter, genet and various species of butterflies typical of aquatic environments, and a variety of birds such as night heron, the kingfisher and lesser spotted woodpecker, among others. In total, about 200 species have been observed.

The Cadiretes Massif (or the bulk of Ardenya) is a natural area that occupies almost the whole town of Tossa de Mar and part of Sant Feliu, Santa Cristina d'Aro, Llagostera, Vidreres, Caldes de Malavella and Lloret de Mar. It is a mountainous terrain, granitic between the sea and the plains of the forest, the highest point of which is Puig Cadiretes (519 metres). The depressions are irrigated by mountain streams typically Mediterranean regime. However, the nature of the terrain makes it create upwelling of water throughout the year, along with humidity and precipitation caused by the screen effect of the mountains before the winds making the bulk elements converge of botanical and faunal clear Atlantic. The coast, with more than six kilometres protected is particularly abrupt, which has facilitated the establishment of several important species which have found an ideal retreat.

The bulk of Guilleries is located at the northern end of the ridge just behind and beyond the Montseny, the town of Sant Hilari Sacalm is the capital. The massive mountain range old and worn, covered with thick vegetation, has a total area of 12,500 hectares and is located within the Plan of Natural Interest (PEIN). A succession of peaks, form a unique landscape, thick, quiet and wild. The highest point is St. Michael the Ants, with 1,204 metres.

• In Portbou: Port Bou Beach and El Pi, and the coves of Les Freses, El Clapé and Les Tres Platgetes.
• In Colera: the Beach of Garbet, of Colera and the Borró / Assutzenes, and the coves Rovellada and Cala Morts/d'en Goixa.
• In Llançà: the Beaches Rastell, d'en Cros, Bramant, El Cau del Llop, El Port, La Farella, Grifeu, La Gota, Canyelles, Les Carboneres and Les Tonyines. Cove Tavallera.
• In El Port de la Selva: the Beaches de l'Erola, Pas, Ribera, of El Port de la Selva and Port de la Vall. Coves Tavellera, Tamariua, Fornells, Cativa, Galladera and Prona.
• In Cadaqués: the Beaches Portal, Port Lligat, Ses Oliveres, Gran, Caials, Es Poal, Llané Gran and Port-Alguer. Coves S'Alqueria, Bona, Sa Conca, Ros, Fredosa, Culip, Guillola and Jugadora.
• In Roses: the Beaches Salatar, Santa Margarida, La Nova, La Punta, Almadrava, Canyelles, El Rastrell and Palangrers. Coves Jòncols, Montjoi, Murtra, Pelosa, Bonifaci, Calís, Calitjàs, Canadell and Rustella.
• In Empuriabrava-Castelló d'Empúries: the Beaches la Rubina, Empuriabrava and Can Comes.
• In Sant Pere Pescador : the Beaches Sant Pere, La Gola, La Txarraca and Les Dunes.
• In L'Escala: the Beaches Riells, Riuet, Sant Martí d'Empúries, L'Escala, Moll Grec, Les Muscleres, Rec del Molí, Port d'en Perris, and Portitxol. Coves of Mateua Island, Montgó and La Creu.

Sa Riera Beach

Tamariu Beach

• In L'Estartit-Torroella de Montgrí: the Beaches L'Estartit and La Fonollera, between La Gola and La Pletera.
• In Pals: the Large Beach of Pals and Grau Beach.
• In Begur: the Beaches of Racó, Fona, Aiguablava and Sa Riera. Coves Sa Tuna, Aiguafreda, l'Illa Roja and Fornells.
• In Tamariu-Palafrugell: the Beach of Lliris and Coves Tamariu, Aigua Dolça, Aigua Xelida, Marquesa and Pedrosa.
• In Mont-ras: the Coves Vedell, del Crit and Font Morisca.
• In Llafranc: the Beach of Llafranc and the Cove El Cau.
• In Calella de Palafrugell-Palafrugell: the beaches of Sant Roc/dels Canyers, Canadell, Calau, Platgeta, Port de la Mala Espina and Port Pelegrí. The coves the Russian Bath/Massoni, Golfet and Port Bo.
• In Palamós: the Beaches Remendon, La Fosca, Castell, cap de Planes, the Large Beach of Palamós and the little Beach Sa Tamardia. Coves S'Alguer, Canyers, Pots, Roca Bona, Corbs, Sa Corbetera, Caleta del Morró del Vedell, Estreta, Sanià and Margarida.
• In Calonge: the Beach of Torre Valentina, Es Monestri, Can Cristus/Ses Torretes, Sant Antoni and Les Torretes. Coves Roques Planes, Cap Roig, Comtat Sant Jordi and Belladona.
• In Platja d'Aro-Castell Platja d'Aro: the Large Beach and Bays Rovira, El Pi, Canyers and Sa Cova.
• In Santa Cristina d'Aro: Coves Vallpresona, Caleta de Cuncagats, La Font, de El Senyor Ramon and Joana.
• In S'Agaró-Castell Platja d'Aro: the Beach of S'Agaró and the Coves s Sa Conca and Pedrosa.
• In Sant Feliu de Guíxols: the Beaches Port Salvi, Can Dell, Canyerets, de Saint Feliu and Saint Pol. Coves Sa Caleta, Ametller, Urgell, Vigatà, Jonca, Maset and Peix.

• In Tossa de Mar: the Beaches of Santa Maria de Llorell, El Reig, the large Beach of Tossa de Mar and Mar Menuda. Coves Porto Pi, Figuera, Carles, D'es Codolar, Bona, Salions, Futadera, Giverola, Llevadó, Morisca and Pola.
• In Lloret de Mar: the Beaches Sa Boadella, Treumal, Fenals, Cala Canyelles, Santa Cristina and the Beach of Lloret de Mar.
• In Blanes: the Beaches S'Abanell, Blanes, Punta de Santa Anna and Treumal. Bay Saint Francis.

In Calella de Palafrugell (Palafrugell, Baix Empordà), the species most characteristic of the Mediterranean mixed with trees and plants from five continents in this botanical garden, one of the most varied of Catalonia. During the summer, the botanical garden hosts a variety of activities such as exhibitions and cultural performances.

The Santa Clotilde Gardens are in a beautiful landscape on a cliff with views of the sea in Lloret de Mar (Selva). This botanical garden was designed in 1919 by Nicolau Maria Rubió Tudurí, and is characterised by the Italian influence and the formal coherence between the garden and the architectural surroundings. The gardens host several marble sculptures and are characterised by the absence of flowers, contrasting sharply with the wide variety of plants.

In Blanes (Selva), Ferdinand Rivière Caralt created in 1954 this botanical garden that has the peculiarity of having adapted to the Mediterranean and tropical vegetation characteristics. Plants and trees, such as cactus, Opuntia species or aloes, live in a context rich in native vegetation.

This botanical garden, located in the south-eastern slope of Mount Sant Joan de Blanes, on the cliffs, was created in 1921 by German scientist Karl Faust. Years later, Marimurtra became one of the most important biological stations in the Mediterranean. The Marimurtra Botanical Garden meets not only native plants and trees, but plant species from around the world, such as Chile palms, bamboos and trees characteristic of Africa and Mexico, among others.