In a nutshell
- Looking for the best Costa Brava accommodation but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered — here are our top hotel picks for every travel style.
- We love combining a city trip and a beach vacation on the Costa Brava: a few days in Barcelona, then a few days relaxing on the beach.
- Our top hotel pick for Barcelona is the Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella — prime location in the hip El Born neighborhood at a super reasonable price.
- For a beach stay, we recommend the Ses Negres near Begur — right on the water, with a cool Mediterranean vibe and seriously good food.
Staying in a city on the Costa Brava
How about a little mix of beach vacation and city trip on the Costa Brava? You definitely know at least one city there: Barcelona! We’ll show you the coolest hotels for staying in a city on the Costa Brava. If you’re still unsure which base is right for you, check out our guide to the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava first.
Our hotel picks for Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the top city-trip destinations in Europe — hip, young, and seriously exciting. Shop along Las Ramblas, check out the Sagrada Família and other jaw-dropping architecture, and work your way through countless cool tapas spots. Barcelona truly delivers on every level.
Our top 3 hotels for Barcelona
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Our hotel picks for Girona
Besides Barcelona, Girona is the only larger city on the Costa Brava — though far less well-known. That said, Girona lets you discover the real Spain, and hotels as well as restaurants are considerably cheaper.
Our top 3 hotels for Girona
Hotels right on the beach on the Costa Brava
Are you head over heels for the beaches of the Costa Brava and would love nothing more than to have breakfast with your feet in the sand? No problem — here are three truly beautiful beachfront hotels on the Costa Brava.
Hotel Maritim
It doesn’t get more sea-forward than the Hotel Maritim — the hotel sits right on the water and many rooms even have a balcony facing the sea. You’ll wake up to the sound of the waves and the sun rising over the water.
During the day you can relax on the terrace among the palm trees and cool off in the pool whenever you feel like it. You also have direct beach access. And when hunger strikes, the bar serves delicious tapas — yum!
By the way, the town of Roses is one of the most popular resort towns on the Costa Brava. You’re just a few minutes’ walk from the center, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops.
Hotel Ses Negres
Ses Negres is exactly our style: not overdone, but stylish and natural. This small boutique hotel sits picturesquely in an old fishing cove, just 100 meters from the beach.
What we especially love is that in the morning you can have breakfast in a glass pavilion right on the beach. In the evening, restaurant Sa Terrassa serves fresh fish and locally sourced vegetables — paired with a gorgeous sea view.
The area around the Sa Riera cove is perfect for beautiful coastal walks. The nearest larger town, Begur, is just a six-minute drive away.
Hotel Spa Empúries
The best thing about Hotel Empúries is its fantastic location: one side faces directly onto the beach, the other looks out over an enchanting pine forest. There are no other hotels around, so you truly have the cove all to yourself!
There are two restaurants: a gourmet restaurant serving elevated Mediterranean cuisine, and another with a more relaxed, laid-back vibe. Both are delicious and offer top-notch service!
And then of course there’s the spa area — so if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can always spend a day enjoying the pool and sauna.
Boutique hotels on the Costa Brava
Location isn’t your top priority, but your hotel absolutely has to be something special? Then these three boutique hotels on the Costa Brava are just right for you!
La Bionda Hotel
We’re usually hopeless when it comes to art, but even we think the pieces at La Bionda are really well chosen. Young, boho style, and with a whole lot of attention to detail — the décor at La Bionda has totally won us over!
You’ll be welcomed by the two owners, Clara and Clara. They’re there to help with anything you need, happy to make restaurant reservations, and full of personal excursion tips for the best sights on the Costa Brava.
One special note: La Bionda is an adults-only hotel. Planning a girls’ trip or a romantic weekend for two? This boutique hotel on the Costa Brava is perfect for exactly that.
Hotel Villa Gala
Villa Gala is a small hotel with only 14 rooms in the picturesque town of Cadaqués. The entire hotel is decorated in a nautical style, and fittingly, you’ll enjoy sea views throughout.
The highlights definitely include the outdoor pool. Every room also has its own private balcony or terrace where you can retreat for some privacy. And for even more relaxation, there’s a small but excellent spa area where you can treat yourself to a massage.
Cadaqués is truly one of the most picturesque towns on the coast — bobbing boats, whitewashed houses, exactly what you picture when you think of a Mediterranean vacation. Both the town center and several sandy beaches are just a few minutes’ walk away.
Boutique Hotel Casa Granados
At Casa Granados you stay in a renovated manor house from the 19th century. The walls are made of beautiful natural stone, and there’s a romantic atmosphere — as if the house were telling stories from decades gone by.
The restaurant is set in a conservatory surrounded by lush greenery — so even on cooler evenings, you can dine indoors and still feel like you’re outside.
You’ll also find two wellness perks: an outdoor saltwater pool with views over Tossa de Mar, as well as a small sauna.
To Boutique Hotel Casa Granados
Family hotels on the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is a fantastic destination for families with kids. All you need now is a suitable family-friendly hotel on the Costa Brava — here are three great options.
Hotel Mas del Sol
The Mas del Sol is a country house located about ten minutes from the sea. The property features plenty of green space for the kids to run around, and a pool for splashing. And since there are no other buildings nearby, it’s totally fine if things get a little noisy.
The family room sleeps four people and has a generously sized bed, so a little visitor can sneak in at night. Children also don’t pay the full overnight rate until they’re 18.
You definitely won’t be short on activities at Mas del Sol either. The surrounding area is great for bike rides and hikes.
Arrels d'Emporda
Hotel or vacation rental? Both have pros and cons for families. For us, an aparthotel like the Arrels d’Emporda hits the sweet spot.
The apartments are spacious and offer sleeping arrangements for up to five people. There’s also a kitchen where you can cook for yourself. The hotel also has an outdoor pool with a children’s pool, where you can splash around with the kids and soak up the sun during the day.
The town center of Palafrugell is just five minutes on foot. If you’re arriving by car, parking is available.
Aparthotel Ciutat de Palol
At the Aparthotel Ciutat you get your own apartment with a living room, kitchen for self-catering, and a large balcony with outdoor furniture. If you’re traveling with young children, a crib and baby bathtub are also available. There are suites that accommodate up to six people.
A soccer field, children’s pool, mini disco, and a playground — the kids definitely won’t be bored here. Activities like craft workshops and kids’ cooking classes are also offered. The beach is just 200 meters away.
You’re just a few minutes from the center of the resort town of Platja d’Aro, where you can find everything a family needs on vacation. If you’re arriving by car, a parking spot is available as well.
Staying affordably inland on the Costa Brava
Hotel Boutique Niu de Sol
We’d recommend the Niu del Sol if you feel like taking lots of day trips.
You’ll be staying right in the stunning Cap de Creus nature park — perfect for hiking. The beaches of Roses, Figueres, and Cadaqués are just a few minutes away by car. The surrounding area also has wineries, castles, and old fishing villages to explore.
The property itself is a boutique hotel decorated with a great deal of attention to detail. The highlight is the rooftop terrace, where you sit under lights and leaves and soak in the views over the nature park.
Hotel Castell d'Emporda
The Castell d’Emporda is one of those hotels so beautiful that you won’t want to leave during your Costa Brava vacation.
Someone simply went ahead and set up a super modern 4-star design hotel inside an old castle — we love the combination! There are unique rooms, such as one in the castle tower or others styled after the famous artist Dalí.
There are two restaurants serving exquisite dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients. You can also chill out on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the views over the hills. When you need to cool down, just jump in the pool.
To Castell d’Emporda
The Castell d’Emporda no longer focuses on individual hotel bookings — it now specializes in larger events. You can book the hotel for groups of 20 or more and use it as an event venue. That’s a shame if you’re looking for a place to stay on your vacation, but pretty cool if you’re planning something special like a wedding on the Costa Brava.
Hotel Mas Rauric
What you’re after most on your vacation is peace and relaxation? Then the Mas Rauric is exactly the right place to stay on the Costa Brava for you.
You’ll be staying at a Mediterranean finca on a truly expansive estate with lush greenery and a pool. The surrounding area is largely undeveloped — you can really switch off and unwind!
From the inside, you’d think it was the home of an artist. Abstract artworks hang everywhere and the architecture is incredibly creative, with lots of natural light, natural materials, and freestanding bathtubs.
Luxury hotels on the Costa Brava
Hotel und Spa Sant Pere del Bosc
Ever stayed in a castle before? No? Then it’s about time! Sant Pere del Bosc looks from the outside like a miniature Disney castle, while inside it’s a modern wellness hotel with an oriental garden, pools, and fantastic views.
You do have to pay a small surcharge for the spa area, but in our opinion you get more for your money than at most hotels — think beauty treatments, yoga, and Ayurveda. If you prefer to unwind in private, your room also comes with a freestanding bathtub.
And the location is seriously hard to beat: the hotel sits peacefully surrounded by nature, yet you’re just 15 minutes by car from the resort towns of Lloret de Mar and Blanes — both right on the sea.
To Sant Pere del Bosc Hotel and Spa
Hotel Cala del Pi
At Cala del Pi you get the full package you’d expect from a swanky 5-star luxury hotel: a sauna, indoor and outdoor pools, a steam bath, and — hard to believe — an ice fountain and small waterfalls.
You wake up in the morning to the sound of the sea and have direct beach access right from the hotel. If you feel like going out, the town center of Platja d’Aro is also just a few minutes’ walk away.
No loud kids screaming at the pool at Cala del Pi — it’s a strictly adults-only hotel for guests 18 and up.
Hotel Malcontenta
Want to live like the rich and famous for once? Then head to the Malcontenta! This isn’t just any luxury hotel — you’ll be staying on a vast estate with a gorgeous 19th-century manor house. There are just 14 suites — all incredibly spacious with unbelievably comfortable beds!
The hotel restaurant cooks with the freshest local ingredients. Be sure to make a reservation though, as the restaurant is so popular locally that it fills up quickly.
During the day you can relax in the garden or by the pool. You’ll definitely have peace and quiet there, as the Malcontenta is located in the middle of a nature park, far from sprawling hotel complexes. You can also book yoga sessions and massages at the hotel.
