The Costa Brava is a privileged territory for its landscapes, not only of wild beaches and coves, but also of mountains with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, cliffs by the sea, lush forests, and wetlands rich in fauna. In this post, we discover the most spectacular natural areas of the Costa Brava.
On the north of the Costa Brava, between Roses and Llançà (in the Alt Empordà region), the Cap de Creus Natural Park is one of the most unique in the entire Iberian Peninsula, with a singular geological formation, dominated by cliffs, originated by the sea erosion and the tramontana (north wind).
The diversity of its vegetation and the presence of numerous unique species stand out, some of which are endemic. It is a privileged place in terms of bird watching, especially in the spring and autumn seasons, when migratory movements happen.
Some urban centers located in the Cap de Creus area keep their seafaring essence, such as Cadaqués, Port de la Selva or Portlligat (where the Salvador Dalí House-Museum is located). Other places worth visiting are the Cap de Creus Lighthouse and the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery.
The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park ("Empordà wetlands") is located on the Costa Brava north, between the Castelló d’Empúries and Sant Pere Pescador villages (both in the Alt Empordà region).
It is a set of wetlands with a surface area of 4,722 hectares generated by the course of the Muga, Fluviá, Ter and Daró rivers, constituting the second most important humid area in Catalonia, after the Ebro Delta.
This natural park is home to a large number of animal species, although the ornithological fauna stands out, especially migratory birds. More than 320 species of birds have been observed, among which the storks, the mallard, the gray heron and the coot stand out.
In the past, wetlands occupied the entire coastline of the Roses Gulf and the lower part of the Ter. Due to the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming, the Muga River channelling and the construction of the Boadella, Sau, Susqueda and Pasteral reservoirs, six small lagoons and a larger one with the name "Castelló pond" disappeared.
We recommend you take advantage of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park visit to go to Roses city or the ruins of Empúries.
Located in the Baix Empordà region, in the heart of the Costa Brava, the Montgrí Natural Park, the Medas Islands and the Lower Ter encompasses the Montgrí mountainous massif, the Medes Islands archipelago and the wetlands that form the Ter River when flow into the Pals Bay.
The Montgrí massif is a large calcareous formation that works as a natural border between the Lower and Upper Empordà. It is made up of three mountains that exceed three hundred meters in height: the Ullà mountain (or Mount Anill), the Montgrí mountain and the Montplà.
The Medes Islands archipelago is located one kilometer off the coast of L'Estartit village. It is made up of seven islets: the Meda Gran, the Meda Xica, the Carall Bernat, the Tascons Grossos, the Tascons Petits, the Medellot and the Ferrenelles.
It is the only marine reserve in Spain, with a seabed of precious ecological value where the variety of algae, posidonia meadows, corals and various fish species, crabs and starfish, among others, stand out.
The Low Ter wetlands (“Aiguamolls del Baix Ter” in Catalan) are a group of wetlands located on the Pals Bay coast, between the Montgrí massif and the Begur Mountains. They form an important set of habitats with great richness and biodiversity.
The Cadiretes massif (also known as massif de l'Ardenya or Ardenya mountain chaine) is a formation in the north of the coastal mountain range, next to the Mediterranean Sea, between the municipalities of Tossa de Mar, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Llagostera.
Its highest point is the Puig de Cadiretes, right on the border between the Gironés and La Selva regions. At 519 meters high, this peak offers unbeatable views of the Costa Brava and its surroundings. An easy excursion for families, surrounded by the blue sea and the green of the Mediterranean forests.
At its eastern end, on the edge of the sea, the mountain range falls steeply forming cliffs and coves along the coast between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Cala Pola, Cala Giverola or Cala del Senyor Ramon are just some of the spectacular coves that you will find between these two towns that you cannot miss.
The Gavarres massif is a mountainous formation located in the Gironés and Baix Empordà regions. Together with the Begur Mountains, it forms the Catalan coastal mountain range northern end.
The highest points are Puig de la Gavarra and Puig d'Arques, 1,056 and 533 meters respectively. Other outstanding peaks are the Virgin Angels (485 m), Montigalà (467 m), Santa Pellaia (353 m), Puig Cargol (363 m) and Montnegre (285 m).
The landscape of this area is basically forest, formed by holm oak forests and, in some areas, cork oaks, and the fauna is typical of Mediterranean environments.
Its historical heritage from the megalithic era features many funerary monuments. In the area, stand out the medieval defensive constructions and the religious buildings of the pre-Romanesque and Romanesque style.
Although the Costa Brava has a multitude of areas and natural parks, other places that can be visited relatively close to it are the Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park, located in the eastern Pyrenees, in the Garrotxa region; the Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area, in the province of Barcelona, specifically in the Osona region, or the Montseny Natural Park, between the provinces of Barcelona and Gerona, in the regions of Osona, Vallés Oriental and La Selva.
If you want to be in contact with nature and visit any of these natural areas, Rosamar Hotels has hotels in Lloret de Mar, one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa Brava.
The Rosamar & Spa hotel is located on the seafront, in front of Lloret de Mar Beach. It has a multitude of services such as the Vitality Spa, swimming pools, a fitness area and restaurants, among many others.
The Rosamar Es Blau hotel, located a few meters from the Lloret de Mar beach, is an adults only hotel (+16). It has the Vitality Spa, gym and outdoor pool, as well as a wide range of bars and restaurants.
Come and enjoy the nature of the Costa Brava with Rosamar Hotels!