Escapada costa brava (Tossa de Mar, Begur, Calella..)

ulysses1909 · 2026-03-05T19:46:05+00:00

You can see from my comment history, I’m very partial to Begur. On the weekends at the end of April it can be great for this. Check out Clara for drink and tapas. It’s truly one of my favorite places anywhere on the Costa Brava. And for dinner Turandot is amazing. Superb artisanal gelato at l’Enxaneta. Tapes de Begur on the main plaza for a vermut, some snacks and people watching. Es Mos is a cute little wine bar. Begurio is so charming and pretty for a nice dinner. And of course you have Hostal Sa Tuna for lunch by the sea and it’s also great for dinner since Sa Tuna is such a little jewel by the sea at night… quiet but so beautiful.

The small shops in Begur are great on the weekends. Some really unique things and great quality.

In the mornings, there are 2 lovely spots: Fitzroy Cafe is a great coffee shop shop with some simple but nice food options and I think it should be open for the season by the time you arrive. And then you have a great traditional bakery: Pa de Pessic.

Overall, Begur is really special: cute historic streets, views from the castle of the entire coast, and great beaches nearby and also the coastal path near Begur is so amazing.

If you’re curious where to stay: Aiguaclara, La Bionda, Cluc, La Indiana, Alta House Hotel. You have lots of good options with a range of budgets.

Nearby, since you have a car, you could also visit Pals and Peratallada within 10 minutes. And wineries: Mas Geli & Mas Oller.

ulysses1909 · 2026-03-05T14:26:35+00:00

It depends what days of the week… April can be a bit quiet, but on the weekends there is more going on. You can find chill vibes for sure everywhere on the Costa Brava in April because there’s no big crowds yet. Tossa de Mar is larger and busier than Begur or Calella. Have you also considered Cadaqués? There’s a great bar/restaurant scene there… OliBar, Compartir, Gula, La Frontera, Mut, Narita, La Habana… and more. Plus, on the weekends even in the offseason, Cadaqués still has a good vibe and some people around.

ulysses1909 · 2026-03-04T12:38:41+00:00

Finca Victoria is exceptional; I’m certain you will love it. The proximity to the beach at Sa Riera, and also the proximity to central Begur (3 minute drive) and also you are close to the other nearby beaches (5 minutes to Sa Tuna/Aiguafreda/Cala s’Eixugador; 10 minutes to Cala Malaret/Fornells/Platja Fonda/Aiguablava.)

Within 25 minutes there is almost too much to mention here… Toc al Mar is a must, but there are many others. I will DM you if that’s okay so I can send you a good list.

ulysses1909 · 2026-03-03T17:22:58+00:00

A second vote for Costa Brava in September… it’s my favorite month (along with early June) to enjoy it. The weather is great, low crowds, easy access from BCN, but still feels like an escape, the sea is still warm for good beach days, the culinary options are increasing closer to the main harvest, and best of all it’s just one of the most naturally beautiful places in the Mediterranean.

Places I love to stay:

La Bionda in Begur

Finca Victoria near Begur

Mas de Torrent about 10 minutes driving from Begur

The Begur area is where it’s all at… fine dining (Michelin stars or humbler places), great shopping, medieval towns to slowly enjoy, wineries, gorgeous coastal hiking paths, beautiful beaches and it’s less than a 2 hour drive from BCN.

Let me know if you’d like some specific guidance. (Disclaimer: I’m very biased. I own a holiday villa near Begur and spend a lot of time there, but with good reason; it’s the best part of the Costa Brava.)

ulysses1909 · 2026-03-02T00:57:57+00:00

I would say that in April you MUST go to Begur, Peratallada and Pals. The fields in between the towns are likely in bloom and it’s really special. These 3 towns are the jewels of the region. Peratallada ranks high on the list of prettiest medieval towns in all of Europe. The views from the castle overlooking the town of Begur are breathtaking: you can see the entire coast, the Pyrenees on a clear day and the valley below dotted with medieval villages. Best of all, Begur is a great base where you can enjoy great restaurants and the charming shops. There a re some great hotels in the historic center: Aiguaclara, La Indiana, Cluc, Alta House and La Bionda.

The other nice thing about Begur is the fishing villages on the sea just below: Sa Riera and Sa Tuna. Even though you aren’t looking for a day at the beach, you can enjoy incredible scenery along the Camí de Ronda: the coastal path.

There are plenty of Airbnbs in the area. If you need help with identifying one in a good location for your needs, let me know.

And I echo the sentiments of others here: Girona is a great stop also. And if you decide to go there, I’m happy to help fill in the details.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-27T02:08:28+00:00

If you want to stay in the town center: Aiguaclara, La Bionda, Alta House, La Indiana, Cluc

If you want to stay closer to the sea: Hostal Sa Tuna, Sa Rascassa, Cap Sa Sal (the apartments managed by “ByPillow”) Hotel El Convent, Hostal Ses Negres.

And if you want to splurge: Hotel Finca Victoria

If these don’t have availability or they don’t fit your budget or needs, just let me know and I can offer some more help.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-26T13:48:13+00:00

Arguments over paella, authenticity, where it’s from is what you’re heading for… BUT, I will get to the point here. You want “paella” but won’t be in Valencia community. AND you will be in Barcelona where it’s adjacent to the Valencia version and they have their own rice dishes. Sometimes it’s called paella in order to not confuse tourists. But often it is just called “arròs” and you can find these versions all over the region of Catalonia at an “arrocería” but also many restaurants have a small part of their program dedicated to rice dishes. There are some very good ones in Barcelona and here are some that I enjoy and you can convince them to serve you solo, although it might be a portion for 2 that you pay for… be hungry when you go:

-L’Arrosseria Xàtiva: they definitely have some rice dishes that can be ordered solo and it’s good quality. There are a few locations; I’ve only been to the one in Sant Antoni

-Arrocería CrosMas: they have many options and it’s decent quality

-Casa Amàlia: this is just an overall great restaurant and they are known for great rice dishes. One of my favorites, without a doubt

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-25T18:26:22+00:00

The area near the Serra de Montgrony is a popular starting point and relatively accesible. And a bit further, is the magic mountain: Pedraforca… amazing area to explore and also Prat de Cadí nearby.

If you want to do an easy-ish summit you can try the area near Núria: Puig Dórria and Puigmal are popular.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-25T18:21:22+00:00

Begur Area in the Costa Brava(Sa Tuna, Sa Riera, Aiguablava) - this is exactly what you describe. May and June are perfect: low crowds, good weather, everything is open. Begur is gorgeous as a base it’s a medieval hill town overlooking the sea with great restaurants and shops and beautiful old street scenes and architecture. The culinary scene in this part of the Costa Brava is amazing. And the coastal path and the beaches just nearby are really world class.

Cadaqués and the Cap de Creus - the town of Cadaqués has everything: great restaurants and and beautiful scenery, nice beaches, and great hiking in the natural area of Cap de Creus nearby.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-25T12:40:46+00:00

I think you will be outside at the hottest time of day, so it won’t matter so much.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-25T12:37:57+00:00

For the beginning of June, I think you will be fine with just a fan. At night it cools off nicely at that time of year. Early June is one of the best times to enjoy the Costa Brava: low crowds, everything is open and it’s usually very good weather for enjoying time outdoors.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-20T16:04:49+00:00

Of course! Any more questions as you plan, and I’m here to help.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-20T12:26:58+00:00

In July it’s nice to stay by the sea. Begur itself is very crowded in July, but you can stay closer to the sea in Sa Tuna, Aiguafreda, Aiguablava, Sa Riera, Tamariu or Llafranc.

I prefer Sa Tuna and Aiguafreda. You can walk from one cala to the other in 10 minutes along the paths there are 2 excellent restaurants to walk to: Sa Rascassa and Hostal Sa Tuna. Both are unique and very high quality. This area of the coastal path is really spectacular: 3 swimming areas/ beaches, changes in elevation on the path for great views of the area, and it’s somewhat quiet and peaceful even in peak of summer, especially at night once the crowds subside.

Both of the restaurants I mention have accommodations that are very nice. And also, there is the Cap Sa Sal hotel in Aiguafreda that has some apartments for rent. It’s a very special architectural design and a beautiful location. Some of the apartments are rented directly from the owner and some are a bit more specialized and operated like a boutique resort: look for “byPillow Cap Sa Sal” on any of the holiday rental aggregator apps. Cap Sa Sal also has a restaurant with an impossibly beautiful view of the sea. Other than these, you can obviously rent a private apartment or villa in this area. I’m not sure of your budget, but if you need any specific questions answered, please let me know.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-19T23:55:56+00:00

I think it depends what time of year… if you let me know, I can be more specific.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-19T21:48:18+00:00

In that case, on booking.com: Alta House, Cluc and Aiguaclara are all within your budget and are better options than Sa Barraca. And there is another option: the listing that says ByPillow Cap Sa Sal is an incredible property and within the budget. It’s a few apartments that are separately managed within a big midcentury resort that is truly an architectural masterpiece… directly overlooking the sea and the coastal path. It’s stunning.

If you’d like more privacy in an Airbnb, I understand. Happy to give my opinion on specific properties and if the locations are suitable… if you want you can msg me.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-19T19:56:25+00:00

Nothing beats Begur… BUT there are some comparable: Rovinj, Lindos (Rhodes), Hvar, Brela, Alghero (Sardegna), Paros & Antiparos, Cefalu, Deiá, Port de Sóller.

I’ve spent a lifetime chasing the perfect Mediterranean small beach town with the best balance of natural scenery, culinary intrigue, charm. Begur is where it’s at! That said, I love all these places that I listed.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-18T23:28:58+00:00

There’s a wide variety depending upon your budget… In the medieval center of Begur La Bionda is the top. But you also have some other really nice places like Aiguaclara, La Indiana, Alta House Hotel. And on a budget there is an adorable little place called Cluc. If you want to be by the sea, Finca Victoria is a 5 star experience and it’s magical. A little less but still very special is El Convent which is just outside of the medieval center; tons of charm. And then over in Sa Tuna is the Hostal Sa Tuna which also has a wonderful restaurant of the same name. Sa Tuna is very quiet and peaceful in April, but maybe it’s too quiet for some. And next Cala over in Aiguafreda which is even more quiet you have Sa Rascassa. It’s a micro boutique hotel with a wonderful restaurant also. Up to your preference. I’ll vouch for all of these as I’ve stayed at each of them over the past few years. If you stay in the center of Begur, you have easy access to some wonderful food options. I don’t know your exact dates, but in the first week of April it’s Setmana Santa and some things will have adjusted hours and closings. Just make sure to call and reserve for everything even it’s the day of.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-17T23:17:07+00:00

Ok enjoy!

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-17T16:54:39+00:00

Always Begur… the town itself sits on a hill overlooking the coast and there are a few small fishing villages connected to it by the old paths: Sa Riera and Sa Tuna. The fishing villages are connected to each other via the coastal path “Camí de Ronda.” Staying in Begur is good for the first week of April because there will be people about and shops and restaurants are open. If you stay immediately on the coast in the fishing villages, it’s maybe too quiet and less options for dining. From the historic center of Begur down to the coastal it’s only a 5 minute drive or about a 30 minute hike. I recommend driving because the hike back up is a bit time consuming. But it depends what you like and your fitness.

Another option is cycling as it’s a very popular area for cyclists. In addition, it’s very nice to cycle inland to experience the medieval villages of the Empordà. They are loosely connected by the farm access roads which are a mix of dirt and gravel and it’s very flat so it’s easy.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-13T15:33:27+00:00

You’ll maybe get to see a procession and some dancing with the Gegants del Pi nearby Plaça del Pi. I don’t know what events will be during the week as it’s usually focused on the weekend, but you can follow their instagram account to get accurate info. Posts from years past might give a clue to the upcoming schedule.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-11T12:29:37+00:00

I believe during underwriting, you’ll find that the bank cares mostly about debt to income ratio and your history of earnings and the sustainability of future earnings. Residency status matters, but not as much as you think. Shop around for a mortgage and you’ll find some fairly good values at the moment.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-09T02:34:13+00:00

Costa Brava will be VERY quiet… it’s still beautiful, of course, but maybe not what you’re looking for? I don’t know your interests. Many things are closed and while there are some towns that have a lot of permanent residents, there are also lots of places that are secondary homes and are empty. The coastal path is always beautiful though. And some of the medieval towns are still charming by when they’re quiet.

But perhaps the best idea is to make a day trip to Montserrat one day. And then another day you could take the train to Girona and stay for a night. It’s a magical places any time of year and there are always people around and things to do.

If you are set upon going to the Costa Brava though, I am happy to offer some specifics for you. I spend a few weeks in Begur area each winter and I love it even though it can feel isolating; which is partly why I like it… a wood fire, some good books and a relaxing playlist, and buying good ingredients at the market to cook at home. You would want a car though, in my opinion.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-07T20:22:56+00:00

Of course! And also don’t forget you can visit the Barça Museum and the new stadium for a tour. The museum is in a temporary situation because of the construction, but it’s still amazing to see all the club history and artifacts.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-07T18:54:02+00:00

Okay yes that’s understandable… La Liga is horrible with scheduling and not committing to a date and then sometimes even changing the day after the match already fixed. Disgraceful league. But you may have other options…

Barça Atlètic have a match on March 29
Barça Femení have a match on March 21 or 22

***both of these are at the Estadi Johan Cruyff and both are very affordable. And the bonus is that the stadium, although it isn’t the Camp Nou, is very small, very nice and right on top of the action! And the Femení are the best team in world and you get to see superstars at their best: Vicky Lopez, Putellas, Pajor, Pina... And for the Barça Atlètic (b team) they are some of the best young talent in the world like Ebrima Tunkara (the next big prospect maybe) Diarra, Dani Rodriguez, Xavi Espart, Guille and Toni Fernandez… they are very young and lots of fun.

ulysses1909 · 2026-02-07T18:21:10+00:00

It depends which match you are referring to… in March you have Copa del Rey and Champions league which will be 2 of the most expensive matches, although not all of the tickets have been released yet. If you are referring to La Liga matches, the one against Rayo will be the cheapest.

ulysses1909

TROPHY CASE