Barcelona & The Costa Brava

At 11:00AM your guides will meet you in Barcelona for a private transfer to Figueres, Salvador Dalí's hometown, where we marvel at the surrealist’s Theater Museum, considered Salvador Dalí’s last great work. Conceived and designed by the artist, it offers a unique experience for visitors, who will enjoy a special journey via Dalí's works. Afterwards, we head to our hotel in the tranquil countryside and enjoy our first night's feast, a dinner based on local seasonal products. (L, D)

After breakfast, we lace up our boots and prepare ourselves for some kilometers! The bus will take us to the popular Garbet beach to begin our coastal walk along the Camino de Ronda. Here we get our first views of the Mediterranean Sea as we work our way to Llançà and eventually, to the white-washed village of Port de La Selva, one of the important fishing ports along the Costa Brava. Afterwards, we return to our lovely accommodation in the quiet countryside. (B, L, D)

This morning, a scenic drive will take us to the 9th century Romanesque Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes located on top of Verdera Mountain. A very historical site and a center of pilgrimage, as legend has it, the relics belonging to Saint Peter were hidden here in the 7th century. After learning about the history of the monastery, our driver will take us to the magnificent fishing village of Cadaqués, one of today's iconic places on the Costa Brava. In the evening, after freshening up, we go out for dinner to enjoy the local gastronomy that has made Catalunya world famous. (B, L, D)

Today we delve into Dalí's territory. A beautiful road will take us to the lighthouse at Cap de Creus, the westernmost point on the Iberian Peninsula and the reason for the connection between Cadaqués and Finisterre. We will visit the Paratge de Tudela to admire the amazing rock formations shaped by the local wind (Tramuntana) and the Mediterranean, truly a source of inspiration for the genius Salvador Dalí. Look for the rocks depicted in Dalí's paintings! We finish with a visit to his house before we walk back to our hotel. (B, L)

This morning we enjoy a pleasant walk across the wetlands of the Aiguamolls Natural Park, home to several migrating birds and a great place for a relaxed walk and a chance to enjoy good views of the plains of the Empordà region, situated between mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. After the park visit, the trail leads us through rural country finishing by the beach in Sant Martí d'Empúries. (B, L, D)

Today we have a meeting with history. We go back to Sant Martí d'Empúries to visit the amazing and well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins in Empúries. The Greeks came in the 3rd century BC and settled here, and the Romans took over the site three centuries later. After the visit, we visit L'Escala, the fishing village famous for its local anchovies. They taste excellent on top of a slice of bread with tomato! After lunch, our scenic walk along the sea takes us from Pals to Sa Tuna Beach to admire one of the most beautiful stretches of the Costa Brava. (B, L, D)

Taking advantage of our hotel's location, we set off today to explore the area, and find beautiful and wonderfully preserved medieval villages. The pre-Romanesque church in Canapost, the ancient streets, gates and moats of Peratallada, the medieval tower of Palau Sator and the well-preserved village of Pal will surely amaze us along this trail which is known as the Tuscany of L'Empordà. (B, D)

This morning, we drive down to Llafranc to start our hike towards La Fosca, a large beach known for the enormous rock in its center, and where we will have lunch before heading towards Girona. In the afternoon, we enjoy this lovely town and a wonderful farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, our local historian meets us at our hotel for a tour of medieval Girona and its Jewish Quarter of cobblestone alleyways, filled with old mansions and beautiful gardens which have been used as one of Game of Thrones settings! We will cross the famous bridges over the Onyar River, see the 14th century Gothic style St. Felix Church, the 12th century Romanesque Monastery of St. Pere de Galligants and the old city walls, among other things. After the tour, we sadly say “Adéu!” (Goodbye!). We hope you had a great time discovering this unique part of Spain. (B)

* Please note: This itinerary is subject to slight modifications due to hotel availability, weather, festivals and other occurrences.

On the Road
Getting There & Back
Before You Go / Preparing
Miscellaneous

On the Road

What is the weather like on the Costa Brava Tour?

The weather in Costa Brava is typically Mediterranean: from mild sunny winters to hot and dry summers. In general, average temperatures are pleasant throughout the year and mostly sunny which makes it great for outdoor activities especially in spring (April to June) and fall (September to November).

For current and monthly average temperatures of Girona, please click: Girona

What is a typical day like on the Costa Brava Tour?

After breakfast, we lace up and get the blood going with a walk for a couple hours, where we will do a check point to make sure that everything is OK. You then continue along the trail for another 1-2 hours where you will come across a complete gourmet picnic prepared with the all the freshest local ingredients. On some days, we continue for 1-2 hours more after lunch to burn off dessert. Moreover, other days, there will also be some cultural visits before we hit the trail to learn about the art and history of this region.

In the afternoon, we go to our hotels, where we take a shower, siesta and just relax! We finish our day with a glass of tinto and a feast of the local gastronomy. We then retire for the night and get ready to do it again! 

Does the group stop for breaks on the Costa Brava Tour?

The scenic trail along the Mediterranean Sea will offer several resting spots to admire the blue water just off the coast. There will also be checkpoints to fill up our water bottles and get some snacks to fuel us up on our way.

At some points we will also be able to have a break and enjoy a drink in cafes with our toes literally sunk into the beach sand.

What is the terrain like on Costa Brava Tour?

The trail follows the coast profile with its short climbs and descents as well as flat sections along the beaches. The terrain itself is a combination of dirt trails, a bit rocky at times, and some compact dirt footpaths.

What is the change in elevation on Costa Brava Tour?

We will be walking along the Mediterranean coast, climbing up short cliffs and down to secluded beaches. The elevation varies between sea level and a maximum of 230 meters.

How many kilometers are walked each day on Costa Brava Tour?

The amount of km's scheduled for each day varies from 7 km to 18 km. There will always be the chance to shorten the walk using our support vehicle which will be available at every checkpoint.

How can we sleep in the same hotel for 2 nights and still walk different sections of the coastal trail?

Since the distances that we walk during the day on Costa Brava Tour can be covered quickly in the van, we take advantage of this and stay in the same hotel for 2 nights on multiple occasions. We believe that the time (and energy) saved packing and unpacking everyday makes these shuttles a great convenience for everyone.

Will I have access to WiFi?

Yes, but sometimes you will be walking on low ground, at sea level, so mobile telephone service may be a bit difficult or slow in certain locations. Nonetheless, the hotels where we are staying also offer Wi-Fi as do some cafes we will find on our way, so you'll have several opportunities to be online. Finally, remember that one of the greatest joys of the Costa Brava Tour is to simply use your phone to take photos and admire the beautiful landscape around.

Getting There & Back

How do I get to the Costa Brava Tour starting point?

Barcelona is the official starting point of the Costa Brava Tour and has an international airport. If travelling from Madrid, you can always take a high-speed train (RENFE) which takes about 3 hours.

For a sample of 2019 prices and timetables, please see: Sample Train Schedule - Madrid to Barcelona

If you need assistance with these travel arrangements, we will be happy to help.

How do I get from Girona back to Barcelona, Madrid and other cities?

There are now RENFE trains that will get you from Girona to Barcelona in 45 minutes and to Madrid in less than 4 hours.

While routes and availability may vary upon time of booking, click here for a sample timetable:
Sample Train Schedule Girona to Barcelona
Sample Train Schedule Girona to Madrid

Can you help with purchasing online train tickets?

Unfortunately, the RENFE website can be a bit temperamental and is not very user friendly. However, all is not lost! If you are having difficulties, we like the Rail Europe website for purchasing tickets. Keep in mind that train tickets cannot be purchased until 60 days prior to departure. Routes and availability are subject to vary based on maintenance needs.

How do I get from the Barcelona Airport to the City Centre?

If your flight arrives at Barcelona's Terminal 2, you have a local Rodalies train that will get you from the airport to the Barcelona Sants train station in 20 minutes. These trains depart from the T2 station more or less every 30 minutes. For more information, please see: Commuter Train – Airport to Barcelona Sants Station

Additionally, there are various transportation service options from all the terminals at the airport with Plaça d'Espanya and Plaça Catalunya.

How do I get to and from the Airport?

The national organization of airports in Spain (AENA) has a great website that explains how to get to and from the major city for your airport of choice. It also has information regarding the routes serviced, the corresponding airlines, terminal information, and much more. You may have to re-click the "English" tab at the top once you have chosen your airport.

Before You Go / Preparing

What type of boots do I need for the Costa Brava Tour?

Footwear is a very personal question - depending on how active you are and how much support you will need. Since we will be walking on a daily basis along the Costa Brava, I believe that comfort is key - you do not want to get blisters.

The trail can easily be walked in light trail walkers or running shoes, however in some sections there are little loose stones up and downhill, so if you think you need full ankle support high boots will be helpful.

Very important: Make sure that whichever shoes you bring are well broken in!

What sort of conditioning do I need to undertake for the Costa Brava Tour?

We encourage you to walk before and be prepared for your own enjoyment. However, this is your vacation and not boot camp! During your walk, one of the two guides will be on the trail with the group to keep an eye that all is well. Also, we have planned check points along the way with our support van to make sure you have plenty of water, if you need a change of shoes, or just feel like taking a break. In most cases, you will see the van at a minimum every couple of hours.

How do I purchase travel insurance?

If you are interested in travel insurance, we like TravelInsurance.com, which allows you to compare various policies across the top Insurance Providers. With the current situation, make sure to review their section regarding "Coronavirus Information" to select a policy that fits your needs.

Miscellaneous

Where do Fresco Tour clients come from?

We are very fortunate to have had clients join us from around the world giving us a wonderful mix of diversity. The internet allows us access to the world, and since 2006 we have had travelers from the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, the United Kingdom (England & Scotland), Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China, India, South Africa, Namibia and even Egypt! It truly is a small world after all!

When do most people walk the Costa Brava trail?

July and August are the most popular months to hike this coastal trail because tourism is at its height. Temperatures are also high this time of the year. Any time of the year is suitable for this hike as temperatures are mild all year round. We recommend the months of April, May, late September and October. These months have cooler temperatures, beaches are emptier and there are no crowds around.