02 Sep Explore The Costa Brava With Kids
The Costa Brava is a 160 km (100 miles) stretch of beautiful, rugged coastline in the region of Catalonia (North East corner of Spain). Its great weather all year long makes it a wonderful holiday destination for families at any time. The Costa Brava with kids has everything you are looking for when it’s time to plan the once in a lifetime family trip: lovely beaches and coves, unspoilt nature, vibrant fiestas and traditions, historical sites and villages, ancient castles and picturesque towns. The list goes on…
The 12 best plans to explore the Costa Brava with kids
We’ve made a selection of our 12 top favourites to ensure that you and your family have the most enjoyable stay possible from cultural to outdoor and gastronomic experiences. ¡Enjoy the Costa Brava with children!
Dive into Dali
Surrealist artist Salvador Dali lived and worked in Port Lligat (just outside Cadaques) from 1930-1982. His house, now a museum, is a good place for a first stop and introduction to his work. It’s easy to see why the artist chose this picturesque spot. The grounds here will pique kids interest before the second stop at the Dali Museum in Figueres. Dali captures kids’ imaginations, as they have to puzzle out what they are looking at and what the artist is conveying. The thought-provoking, sometimes outrageous artworks, combined with an exceptional kid-focused museum guide prepared with different types of lenses, magnifying glasses and other props, let’s them view Dali’s work in ways they could have never imagined.
Visit Marimurtra Botanical Gardens
Blanes is known for being the village which officially marks the start of the ‘Costa Brava’ with kids. One of the most popular places to visit in Blanes is the Marimurtra Botanical Gardens. These gardens are home to over 3000 exotic species which are split into three zones (subtropical, temperate and Mediterranean). The gardens were built over 80 years ago by German Carl Faust, who was passionate about constructing a centre of botanical scientific investigation. These gardens are renowned within Europe and are located only a short walk beyond the end of the Blanes promenade.
Get on Board the Roses Express
This ‘road train’ will takes you up high into the Cap de Creus Natural Park. You have a choice of different routes, to Puig Rom, Falconera, Puig Alt or Jóncols depending on how long you have and what you’re interested in seeing. It might be a bit bumpy and breezy but it’s a unique way to admire the hills and the dramatic landscape of this part of Catalonia. ¡One of the best plans to discover the Costa Brava with children!
E-bike Tour
In Spain, kids as young as eight can ride an e-bike, which, in the Costa Brava is fondly called a burricleta. The word is a cross between “bike” and “burro” (donky). Like a burro, the e-bike has saddlebags to carry gear. You can rent e-bikes in various locations close to country paths to explore the medieval towns of Fontanilles, Palau-Sator and Peratallada. You have the choice to do it by yourself with a GPS and a map or to follow your private guide and enjoy a nice local picnic along the way.
TIP: This excursion is best for 10 years and older, as the combination of rocky dirt paths and the electric bike does require some concentration.
Nordic Walking in Lloret de Mar
If you are feeling active and certainly motivated to exercise during your family holiday, this is a must! Enjoy this sport that was invented in Finland in 1997 by Marko Kantaneva and which has since become a worldwide phenomenon. The lovely trail that snakes around Lloret del Mar offers some amazing photo stops to admire the most breathtaking scenery along the route. This is a wonderful way to burn some of those holiday calories whilst appreciating the rugged landscape of the Costa Brava with kids at the same time.
Via Ferrata in Sant Feliu De Guixols
Surely one of the most exhilarating way to discover Costa Brava with kids: Enjoy a hike on this protected climbing route which dates back to the early 19th century (the First World War!), when several were built to aid the movement of troops. The Via Ferrata in Sant Feliu de Guíxols is the only one in Europe that skirts the sea, making your climb that much exciting with the Mediterranean crashing below you. It’s free to do but it’s essential that you have the correct equipment and experience. The route is divided into two stages, easy and medium difficulty. We will arrange a local guide to provide you with the equipment needed and to help you find the best route for you and your family.
Snorkelling in The Medes Islands
Made up of 7 craggy islands and a few islets, the Medes Islands archipelago is one of the most beautiful marine reserves in western Mediterranean. Protected for over 30 years, it is home to exceptional underwater flora and fauna, which can be discovered by snorkeling tours from L’Estartit. Here you can swim through hundreds of fish, including common dentex, gilt-head sea bream, sargo and sometimes small dusky groupers.
All equipment and full instruction will be provided by your local guide. The clear, warm waters of this region makes this a truly magical experience for all ages… ¡One of the best plans to discover the Costa Brava with children!
Go Ornitokayaking…
Do you want to discover the birds in the park whilst sailing quietly on a river? Ornitokayak is a unique ornithological activity in the Costa Brava with kids that combines bird watching and kayaking. Along with your guide, you will paddle and observe the most characteristic bird species of the riparian forest, the dune áreas and the coastline inside the Aiguamolls Natural Park. ¡One of the best plans to discover the Costa Brava with children!
Water Parks
There’s no better way to enjoy the summer heat than in the water. If you add the entertainment of dozens of water slides and theme pools, then you have all the ingredients for a fun family day out and some unforgettable moments with your children. There are several waterparks on the Costa Brava which are renowned for their safety, comfort and quality.
Here are three of our recommendations: Aqua Diver in Platja d’Aro, Aqua Brava in Roses and Water World in Lloret de Mar.
Visit a Dairy Farm
Learn everything there is to know about dairy farming and have fun feeding the cows with fresh grass as well as seeing bunnies and chickens. This is a great way for the kids to connect with nature and breath the outdoors for a day. End this exciting and educational trip with a tasting of the farms own yogurts and cheese!
Take a Family Cooking Class
If you enjoy cooking or want to get your kids learning new skills, you should not miss the opportunity of attending a cooking class in Girona. You’ll not only learn all about regional food but also how to make authentic Catalan tapas, all paired with delicious local wines and amazing juices (for the kids!).
All about Fish in Palamós
Palamós is a fishing port with a proud history and a lively fish auction and maritime museum. The fishing boats arrive between 4:30pm and 6:00pm every day and the fish is immediately brought to the auction floor, which has a viewing window for visitors. For most kids, the fish market, with its deep-sea creatures and famous bright red Palamos shrimp, is an interesting experience filled with locals buying the day’s fresh catch. Your guide will explain how the selling works, have fun trying to guess was price the fish would sell for! To complete this fishy experience in Palamós, we highly recommend taking a show-cooking class in the evening. This is a great way to educate kids and adults alike on cooking and eating different types of fish.
Either in Spring, Summer or Fall, the Costa Brava is a beautiful part of Catalonia that you should not miss on your next trip to Spain. We will be happy to tailor make the trip that best suits your needs, preferences and budget. Link here for our tailor made service. ¡Enjoy the Costa Brava with Kids!
