Why the Costa Brava Should Be Your Next Luxury Escape and the Hotel Making It Unmissable
The Costa Brava has always been one of Spain's best-kept secrets. While the Costa del Sol attracts the crowds and the Balearics dominate the Instagram feeds, this stretch of rugged, pine-fringed coastline in the far north-east of Catalonia quietly gets on with being one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.
Unlike the more developed stretches of the Spanish coast, the Costa Brava has retained a remarkable sense of character and authenticity, pine forests running right to the cliff edge, tiny coves accessible only by boat, medieval villages perched on hilltops that have barely changed in centuries, and one of the finest food cultures in Spain. It is a destination that consistently rewards those who approach it with curiosity and a little local knowledge.
To start planning your Costa Brava holiday, get in touch with Sarah.
Costa Brava views
Where to Stay: Zel Hotel Costa Brava
There is a new name redefining luxury on the Costa Brava and it is already turning heads across the travel world.
Zel Costa Brava sits on a dramatic hillside between the coves of Cala Pola and Cala Giverola, near Tossa de Mar, with views across the Mediterranean that are quite simply spectacular. Co-owned by Rafa Nadal, it is a hotel that reflects his philosophy entirely, active, vibrant, deeply committed to wellbeing, and set in a natural environment that feels like an extension of the landscape itself.
Accommodation ranges from junior suites to three-bedroom duplex apartments, all with sea and mountain views and many with fully equipped kitchens making this an exceptional choice for families or those planning a longer stay. Three restaurants celebrate locally sourced Mediterranean cuisine, from long lazy lunches at PARDA Beach Club by the water to buffet breakfasts and dinner at El Mercat. The wellness offering is exceptional with over 46 activities including court sports, yoga, gym classes and outdoor exploration, alongside a spa with indoor heated pool, sauna and hammam. A funicular railway links the hillside property to the beach which is a charming touch.
Zel is part of the Meliá Hotels International group, which means guests can earn MeliáRewards points on their stay and here is something worth knowing: when you book through me, you still earn your points exactly as you would booking direct. The difference is everything else. Rather than navigating the booking yourself, you have a travel advisor who knows the property, can request the best room, arrange personal touches ahead of arrival and be on hand if anything needs sorting. The same points. A significantly better experience.
Get in touch with Sarah to book Zel with the personal service that makes the difference.
The Beaches
The Costa Brava is defined by its coves, small, rocky-fringed pockets of impossibly clear turquoise water, each with its own character. Cala Pola and Cala Giverola sit either side of the hotel. Further afield, Cala Futadera is one of the most secluded on the coast, accessible only by foot or boat. Sa Riera and Sa Tuna near Begur are utterly picturesque with restaurants right on the waterfront, and Cadaqués, further north, is the most iconic town on the coast, with a whitewashed bay beloved by artists for generations.
The best way to explore is by boat. A half-day rental unlocks coves and sea caves impossible to reach from land, and the perspective of the coastline from the water is breathtaking.
Food and Drink
This region was once home to El Bulli, rated at its peak as the best restaurant in the world and the food culture here remains extraordinary. Simple, flavour-driven Catalan cooking built on the finest local produce: freshly grilled prawns, rice dishes of every kind, sardines on the grill and the hearty local fish stew suquet de peix.
My favourite places to eat in the region:
El Petit, Tossa de Mar — a wonderful little restaurant in the heart of Tossa de Mar, just down the road from Zel. Intimate, unpretentious and thoroughly charming, with service that is warm and genuinely attentive and food that is exceptional. Order the paella, it is one of the best I have had anywhere on the Costa Brava, and reason enough to go back a second time
Casa Alma, Cala Salions — a beautiful Mediterranean restaurant just minutes from the sea, sitting in the tranquil urbanisation of Cala Salions, only 15 minutes from Tossa de Mar. The setting is wonderfully relaxed and the menu celebrates the best of the coast, fresh seafood, traditional rice dishes cooked in the Mediterranean style and meats from the grill. The kind of spot that feels like a genuine local discovery rather than somewhere you'd stumble across on a tourist map
El Celler de Can Roca, Girona — three Michelin stars; book months ahead and consider it unmissable
Compartir, Cadaqués — effortless, joyful Mediterranean cooking right by the water
Toc al Mar, Begur — the quintessential beachside lunch; book ahead
Tragamar, Calella de Palafrugell — a classic seafront favourite with exceptional seafood
Things to Do
The Dalí Triangle — the Theatre-Museum in Figueres, his house at Portlligat and the castle at Púbol form one of the most extraordinary cultural circuits in Europe
Girona — medieval walls, a magnificent Gothic cathedral and one of the best food scenes in Spain, just 40 minutes from the coast
Kayaking and water sports — the clarity of the water makes this coastline exceptional for kayaking, snorkelling and paddleboarding
Medieval villages — Pals and Peratallada are among the most beautiful in Catalonia, perfect for a warm afternoon wander
When to Go and How Long to Stay
The honest answer is that the Costa Brava is wonderful at any time of year. I visited in July and the weather was absolutely fabulous. Warm, sunny and, contrary to what you might expect, not overwhelmingly crowded. The Zel's hillside setting and private cove access means you always feel removed from the busier parts of the coast, whatever the month.
That said, late spring (May to mid-June) and early autumn (September to October) offer a particularly relaxed pace, uncrowded beaches, perfect sea temperatures and the restaurants at their best. If you are travelling in peak July and August, simply book ahead and you will not be disappointed.
Seven nights is my minimum recommendation. The Costa Brava rewards depth over rushing A week gives you the coves, Girona, the Dalí sites and still time to do nothing at all. It also pairs beautifully with Barcelona as a twin-centre itinerary.
Why Book Through a Trusted Advisor
The difference between a good Costa Brava trip and an exceptional one comes down to details: the right room at Zel, the boat hire that finds the coves most visitors never see, the El Celler de Can Roca reservation that requires planning months ahead. As a luxury travel advisor with first-hand experience of this region, I bring that knowledge to every itinerary I plan.
To start planning your Costa Brava holiday, get in touch with Sarah today.