The Spanish coasts provide popular holiday destinations for anyone looking for a blend of warm climate, stunning scenery and exciting places to visit. When you choose a villa in Costa Brava or Costa Blanca, you can look forward to making memories and exploring the very best that Spain has to offer. Discover top activities near your prestige villa.
Whether your ideal holiday involves sun-soaked days at the beach, or you want to spend your time building unforgettable and energetic experiences, the choice is yours.
When you book a Spanish villa with Prestige Villas Spain, you can customise your holiday around all your favourite activities. See historical landmarks, go on picturesque coastal hikes or try exhilarating watersports on crystal clear waters, plan your holiday, just the way you like it.
Here are our top recommendations for activities to try when staying at one of our villas:
Costa Brava: Spectacular coastlines and historic towns
Costa Brava is famous for its beautiful beaches and dramatic, cliff-lined coast. In this popular Spanish region, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – seek a tranquil stay in a quieter area or head into the more vibrant locations for a huge choice of fun activities.
From sandy, hidden beaches to beaches with a party atmosphere and every type of watersport you could fancy – Costa Brava has everything you need, for every type of holiday!
Secluded beaches and hidden coves
Along the Costa Brava coastline lies hidden coves, unspoiled beaches and secluded sunbathing spots. If you’re looking for a getaway to fully relax and recharge, you’ll find the perfect beach to hide away from the world in stunning scenery.
If you want to have a more high-energy beach day, you also have the option of many vibrant beaches with watersports from jet skiing to scuba diving.
Our recommended beaches in Costa Brava:
- Cala Sa Boadella, Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar has a great choice of beaches but we think Cala Sa Boadella just edges it. With picturesque views, Sa Boadella is an unspoilt cove with golden sand that is accessed through a pine grove.
- Cala Aigua Xelida, Tamariu
Another beautiful cove in Costa Brava is Cala Aigua Xelida in Tamariu. The cove is surrounded by rocky cliffs and pine trees and is usually less crowded than most other local beaches. The cove is a popular location for snorkelling due to the stunning, clear waters and marine life.
- Platja de Castell, Palamós
This unspoilt beach is located around 3km from Palamós and is the ideal place if you want to relax in undisturbed tranquillity. There are also some fantastic hiking trails in the area near the beach, providing wonderful views of the coastline.
Historic towns and medieval villages
Costa Brava has much more to offer than picturesque beaches, and we think you’ll love the quaint towns and enchanting villages. There are many medieval towns in Costa Brava where you can visit ruins and gain insights into the fascinating heritage. These are some of the historic highlights to visit:
· Begur
The medieval town of Begur is home to the Castell de Begur, which dates back to the 11th century. The town also has a 16th century Gothic church, the Església de Sant Pere, which offers another glimpse into the heritage of the region.
- Pals
The medieval village of Pals dates back to the 9th century and is one of the most well-preserved historic villages to visit in Costa Brava. With Gothic architecture and cobbled streets, you can spend an exciting day wandering around this beautiful town.
- Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar has a medieval walled town called Vila Vella, with stone houses, cobbled streets and castle ruins. As well as the historic significance of the town, it is a great holiday destination for beach lovers who can choose between the sandy Platja Gran or a more secluded cove like Cala Futadera.
Scenic hikes and outdoor adventures
Costa Brava is an amazing location for exploring the breathtaking landscapes. Costal hikes with stunning views and watersports are key attractions for the outdoor adventurers and the options for these activities are limitless in Costa Brava.
Outdoor activities in Costa Brava:
- Cycling through Empordà
For cyclists, there are routes to suit all preferences. From quiet and flatter areas of Baix Empordà through the countryside and past vineyards, to the more challenging hills of Alt Empordà.
- Hiking the Camí de Ronda:
Hiking enthusiasts choose Costa Brava for the spectacular coastal pathway the Cami de Ronda, where hilly climbs are rewarded with mesmerising views over the water. There are also a number of mountains for a more challenging hike.
- Kayaking in the Medes Islands
The calm coves around the Costa Brava coastline are perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding but many kayakers say the best location to try is the Medes Islands, which is also popular for scuba diving.
Delicious local cuisine and wine
In addition to the huge list of activities you can do in Costa Brava, another reason to visit is for the amazing local cuisine and wine. If your ideal holiday involves sampling excellent food and local wines, you’ll love Costa Brava.
These are some of our recommendations:
- Can Roca, Girona: For an authentic Catalan culinary experience, head to Can Roca in Girona for a delicious menu made from locally produced ingredients. The nearby El Celler de Can Roca (3 Michelin stars) is also highly recommended at the higher end of the price range.
- Restaurant Miramar, Llançà: For a gastronomy experience like no other, the two-Michelin-star Restaurant Miramar is the best place for fine dining, serving Mediterranean cuisine.
- Wine Tasting in Empordà: Wine enthusiasts won’t want to miss the opportunity to try wines from the Empordà region and a vineyard wine tasting experience is the best way to enjoy the local wines.
Costa Blanca: Stunning beaches and vibrant life
Scenic beaches
The Costa Blanca coastline boasts long, sandy beaches and smaller, secluded coves to spend a day in the sun.Whether you want to besomewhere lively or fancy a quiet beach day to relax in tranquil surroundings, there are some beautiful beaches to choose from.
These are some of our favourite beaches in Costa Blanca:
- Cala del Moraig, Benitachell: A popular destination for snorkelling, Cala del Moraig has unique caves to explore, with the dramatic cliffs providing a stunning backdrop.
- Playa de la Fossa, Calpe: For families, this beach is a great choice with golden sands and amazing views of the Peñón de Ifach (limestone rock).
- Playa de San Juan, Alicante: One of the most well-known and larger beaches in Alicante, Playa de San Juan is ideal for a fun beach day and watersports.
Exciting watersports
In the summer months, Costa Blanca’s sea temperatures are perfect for enjoying a range of exciting watersports activities. Whether you want to try scuba diving for the first time or the high-adrenaline rush of jet-skiing, this is the place to enjoy watersports in a picturesque location.
These are just a few of the watersports options in Costa Blanca:
- Scuba Diving in Jávea: There are plenty of places to explore the marine life in Costa Blanca but we think Jávea has some of the best diving sites to try.
- Jet skiing in Benidorm: Go full throttle and take to the waves on jet skis, with Benidorm offering all types of watersports including jet skiing.
- Sailing in Altea: You can hire your own boat or take a boat tour to explore the magnificent coastline from the water in Altea.
Visit historic sites and quaint villages
Away from the busy tourist hotspots, Costa Blanca alsooffers cultural experiences and the chance to visit historic sites.
Historic sites to visit:
- Altea – Renownedfor cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, Altea has many buildings of historical significance, including the impressive Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, a blue-domed church in the old town.
- Elche – The UNESCO heritage palm grove has over 200,000 palm trees and offers a unique experience just 10 km from Benidorm.
- Guadalest – Regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in the Costa Blanca, Guadalest is home to the Guadalest Castle and the old town is a great place for a day of wandering around shops and cafes.
Outdoor activities
There are so many outdoor activities on your doorstep when you visit Costa Blanca. From picturesque hiking trails to adventurous mountain climbs, outdoor explorers enjoy getting out into the diverse landscapes.
We think outdoor adventurers will love:
- The Canelobre Caves: This unique underground cave system is not to be missed, with 70 metre high ceilings and stalactites resembling the design of a Gothic cathedral.
- Sierra de Bernia: A hikers’ paradise, the Sierra de Bernia is a mountain range offering breathtaking coastal views.
- Peñón de Ifach: The ultimate climb in Costa Blanca awaits you at Peñón de Ifach, one of the most famous landmarks in the area. This challenging climb is for the more experienced climbers with good fitness levels.
Delicious cuisine
When in Costa Blanca, sampling the excellent cuisine and delicacies is a must. There are some amazing restaurants to try local tapas and fresh seafood, or you can pick up your own local produce from the markets to cook in the luxury of your own Spanish villa.
We highly recommend a visit to these fantastic restaurants:
- Casa Pepa, Ondara: For delicious Mediterranean dishes, the Michelin-starred Casa Pepe in Ondara is sure to impress the foodies.
- Nou Manolín, Alicante: Specialising in authentic seafood dishes, the Nou Manolín is one of the best places to try squid, shrimp and mussels. There is a tapas bar downstairs and a fine dining restaurant upstairs.
We also recommend heading to Dénia, which is renowned for its selection of exquisite seafood restaurants – the area is famous for red prawns, so a seafood paella is a good choice.
Book Your Villa in Costa Blanca or Costa Brava
Renting a villa in Costa Blanca or Costa Brava through Prestige Villas Spain provides you with the ideal base for discovering all of these wondrous activities and experiences. Staying in a luxury Spanish villa will ensure that your holiday is everything you want it to be, from taking time to relax in your own private oasis to being close to all the activities that you love the most.
Book your Prestige Villa in Spain for the perfect holiday in Costa Brava or Costa Blanca, tailored to your preferences.