Costa Brava breaks promise spectacular seascapes, coast-hugging trails, culture-stuffed cities, and siesta-sleepy villages. And all this just a short hop from the UK? We’ll pack our bags! But before you go, check out our top 10 things to do in this fun-for-all slice of Spain.

1. Relax on the beautiful beaches

When it comes to beaches, the Costa Brava more than delivers. The coastline spans for more than 130 miles, offering up everything from secluded spots to family-friendly stretches. Beautiful Blanes is the gateway to them all, boasting one of the coast’s longest beaches, S’Abanell. Tossa de Mar’s Blue Flag stretches are perfect for lazy days in the rays while Lloret de Mar’s sand-and-shingle sweeps showcase snuggled-away coves and exciting water sports.

2. Explore on two wheels

Getting out on a bike is a great way to explore the Costa Brava countryside, and it’s even got the professionals seal of approval! There are more than 140 kilometres of vies verdes ‘greenways’ that provide tranquil, traffic-free cycling. When it comes to cycling in the city, Girona’s perfect for pedalling, with its diverse terrain of country lanes and challenging climbs. Whether you’re looking for an easy-going ride or more of a thigh-burning trek, there’s something for everyone.

3. Try tasty treats

The Costa Brava countryside is carpeted in rolling vineyards that everyone from seasoned sommeliers to casual sippers will love. The Empordà wine region is steeped in a rich wine-making history as it’s one of the oldest wine producing areas in Spain. There are more than 400 growers producing tasty tipples and many offer tours, so book onto one and start sampling! The region’s a foodie’s haven too, sprinkled with everything from high-end eateries to family-run restaurants, all serving up flavour-packed dishes. When it comes to fine dining, the province of Girona takes the crown, with 18 Michelin stars to its name.

4. Discover marine life

The Costa Brava’s captivating coastline is best experienced by water. Escape the hustle and bustle of the resorts and spend the day snorkelling in the crystal-clear Mediterranean. One of the best spots is the Medes Islands, a small cluster of islets where fishing is prohibited. There’s a colourful world of flora, fauna and marine life to discover here. Aquatic adventures are top of the agenda in Cap de Creus too. You might spot an octopus tucked away near the surface, an electric ray swirling the seabed, or a bottlenose dolphin swimming nearby.

5. Reconnect with nature

Nature and the Costa Brava, go together like Spain and tapas. Its natural beauty is so diverse, that over a third of the province of Girona is protected. If you like hiking and walking, Cap de Creus Natural Park is a must-visit. Wind your way across forests and meadows, along cliffs and coves and through time-warp towns. To the northwest of Girona, you’ll come across a surprising sight – volcanoes! The Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is home to 40 of them, creating a fascinating landscape of forested domes and mist-cloaked valleys. At Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, days are spent wildlife watching. The scenic walking trails are sure to be a camera roll-filler and don’t forget to look out for flamingos and herons from the bird-watching observatories.

6. Admire the botanical gardens

Why not swap sun-searching at the beach for zen-seeking in a lush garden? Marimurtra Botanical Garden is a plant paradise, with more than 4,000 species from five continents. The garden’s Greek-style temple frames a blow-your-mind view over the coasts cascading cliffs. The Santa Clotilde Gardens are another green oasis, tucked away between Boadella Cove and Fenals Beach. At the Cap Roig Botanical Garden, nature-lovers will discover a peaceful plot overlooking the golden sands of El Golfet beach. During the months of July and August, the grounds are brought to life with the sounds of saxophones as it hosts the Costa Brava Jazz Festival.

7. Take a coastal walk

This Costa knows a thing or two about scenic strolls, so if it’s fresh-air and fantastic views you’re after then you’re in luck! Although the Caminos de Ronda stretches across 200km of coastline from Blanes to the French border at Portbou, you can slice and dice it as you’d like. From Tossa de Mar, the trail winds you through pine-lined forests and secluded coves. If you follow it north, you’ll arrive in Sant Feliu de Guíxols while the southern route will guide you to Lloret de Mar. Another popular hour-long hike sets off from Platja de Pals, through Aiguafreda, finishing at the charming fishing village of Sa Tuna.

8. Check out Girona

Gothic Girona is a delight for culture-vultures, stuffed with museums, galleries and churches. It’s best explored on foot, ambling along the 11 puentes that criss-cross the Onyar River, connecting the lollipop-red and mustard-yellow riverside houses. Game of Thrones fans will recognise the medieval streets as the setting for the mythical city of Braavos, and there’s lots of other filming locations dotted throughout. Walking the city walls is a real treat for the eyes. Catch a peek of the Pyrenees and explore spiral staircases that lead to hidden watchtowers and secret gardens. The city’s star attraction though, is the colossal cathedral, adorned with vivid stained-glass windows which create a spectacular light show. The building itself is a patchwork of periods with a gothic nave, a Romanesque tower, and a Baroque façade.

9. Discover Dalí

Many artists have been inspired by the Costa Brava’s rugged charm, and none so more than Salvador Dalí. Art aficionados can visit a trio of sights across the region to get their dose of Dalí. First up, it’s the Dalí Theatre-Museum in the artists hometown of Figueres. Here, his surrealist style is clear to see, from the castle-like building topped with giant eggs to the collection of wacky works showcased inside. In Portilligat, you’ll find the Salvador Dalí House-Museum. From the outside, this whitewashed villa looks completely ordinary, but inside, it’s anything but, speckled with his signature stamp. There’s a cluster of curiosities to see like a taxidermy polar bear. Finally, it’s on to the Gala Dalí Castle House-Museum in Púbol, a celebration of the love between Dalí and his Russian wife Gala. It’s full of lavish tapestries, grand pianos and painted ceilings. There’s a sprinkling of strange too (it is Dalí after all). Head for the gardens and you’ll see elephant statues with legs shaped like mosquitos.

10. Try a round of golf

The Costa Brava is emerging as one of Europe’s top golfing destinations, boasting eight courses, where everyone from seasoned pros to novices can test their handicap. PGA Catalunya is one of the best, where the Stadium Course separates the professionals from the amateurs, scattered with bunkers and ball-disappearing lakes. The tour course on the other hand has forgiving greens and fairways which will give you the confidence to play like the pros. Even if golf’s not your cup of tea, the views from these courses are sublime. At Club Golf d’Aro for example, you can tee-off against a backdrop of rugged mountains.

Main image: Lloret Turisme, Arxiu Imatges.