TOSSA DE MAR – To help readers plan their vacations, travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller regularly asks readers to vote for the best hotel, resort, airline, and national or international holiday destination.
This time, the magazine wanted to know what the best national destination in Spain is. With its beautiful coves, beautiful beaches, varied coastal paths, the Mediterranean light, the medieval villages with a unique character, this year the Costa Brava has been chosen as the best national destination. In addition, the gastronomy and historical heritage that exists in the area are praised.
Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is the area from Blanes to Portbou on the border with France. Here, medieval towns and fishing villages nestle in quiet coves surrounded by rugged cliffs, offering travellers the best of the interior and the Mediterranean coast.
This rugged yet peaceful stretch of coastline fascinated the world-famous Spanish painter Salvador Dalí himself. The artist took refuge in Cadaqués until the death of his wife Gala. Furthermore, his house is now a museum for lovers of his painting.
Spiritual Retreat
Like Dalí, countless people have become fascinated by the beauty of the area. In addition to the quiet towns, the hidden coves are the perfect paradise for those who want to make a more spiritual retreat outside the high season, or who want to intensely enjoy the sand, water and atmosphere of the beach bars in mid-summer where fresh fish and shellfish are served.
Beautiful towns
Furthermore, among the towns of the Costa Brava are Calella de Palafrugell with narrow streets and typical fishermen’s houses; the medieval town of Peratallada where time seems to stand still; the small town of Púbol with the well-preserved castle in which Gala lived; or Sant Pere Pescador where you can still feel the maritime atmosphere of yesteryear. Visit these places and surrender to their charms.
Also read: Costa Brava, Catalan interior and Costa de la Luz popular in Spain
The sun not only warms the beach lovers, but also the vineyards where the red Garnacha is grown, which is typical of this area. This grape is used to make a sweet wine that is delicious with desserts.
Traces from the past
Furthermore, in addition to Iberian, Greek and Roman archaeological remains, such as Ullastret or Empúries, well-preserved medieval remains can be visited along the Costa Brava, such as the Perelada Castle or the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery.
Also read: Costa Brava tourism sector sets recovery in 2022
In addition, in this north-eastern corner of Spain, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful natural parks in the country, such as the Medes Islands, Cap de Creus or the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà.
Other winners of the Premios Condé Nast Traveller 2021 were:
- Spain’s Best Urban Hotel: Serras (Barcelona)
- Spain’s Best Hotel Getaway: A Quinta da Auga (Santiago de Compostela)
- Best Resort in Spain: Jumeirah Port Soller (Mallorca)
- Spain’s best health, sport and wellness hotel: Es Racó d’Artà (Mallorca)
- Best Gastronomic Hotel: Hotel Único, Madrid, with Chef Ramón Freixa
- The best New Hotel: Four Seasons Madrid
- Best Design Hotel: La Bionda (Begur, Girona)
- The best National Destination: Costa Brava (Girona)
- Best Condé Nast Traveler Sustainable & Eco: La Donaira (Serranía de Ronda, Málaga)
- The best Airline: Iberia / Iberia Express
- Price Cruise Lines: Baleària
