Paradise-like beaches surround us, and I’m not talking about your laptop wallpaper but about a very special beach, Cala Giverola, one of the most mesmerizing places in the Catalan Costa Brava. Its golden-white sand could be easily misplaced for the Caribbean’s, its turquoise waters remind you of those seen in Hawaii and the stunning and typically Mediterranean landscape surrounding it looks almost Greek. If you ever dreamed of spending a day in any of these places, don’t spend any more time dreaming and come to Cala Giverola!
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 04, 2024.
Enjoy the sun, the sand, the limpid waters
Sunbathing is always a good idea in Cala Giverola: the temperature is usually around 30°C (86°F) or hotter in July and August after 11 AM, so don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, particularly if you are light-skinned. Nonetheless, what makes this beach so special amongst all its neighbors in the Costa Brava are its crystal-clear waters; make sure you get yourself a glide mask and give snorkeling a try… or two! You will find yourself surrounded by all kinds of fishes and seaweed and probably lose track of time while exploring this submarine paradise (hence the heads up for the sunscreen).
Another lovely alternative activity is to get a kayak or a canoe (the Giverola Resort, located 5 minutes away from the seaside, has a renting service for kayaks and canoes) and row all the way to Cala Giverola’s neighbors: Cala Pola and Cala Futadera; they both come close to Cala Giverola in terms of water quality and their unspoiled state.
Dazzling colors and landscapes 24/7!
It’s best to avoid the busiest hours (which, during summer means any time after 11 AM and before 7 PM) to get the best out of the beach: since it faces east directly, the Sun rises just over the horizon and the lightshow it will offer you, presenting you with shades of blue and turquoise you never even imagined existed, is absolutely stunning.
The sunset is not directly visible because the mountain covers the Sun after 6:00 PM but its light stays in the sky for some more hours, eventually fading in a continuous transition from clear pink to blossom-like orange and red. Maybe the best idea is to spend a whole day in the seafront: if you wake up early enough to get there before sunrise and have the energy to stay until dusk, your experience will be complete!
A superb accommodation near the beach (from USD 552)
The Giverola Resort is a top-notch option for those who want to spend a night nearby this palette of colors or those who don’t want to wake up too early to watch the sunrise.
Located barely 5 minutes away from the seaside, offers beautiful studios facing the beach with a capacity for up to 6 people. The Resort also organizes excursions around the beach, tours to the cities nearby and live music and a selection of shows.
The variety of activities offered, the stunning views from its studios and the quality of all the services make the Resort a perfect option for families who want to stay some days in the Costa Brava as well as elderly people, since the space is amazingly quiet. Needless to say, the natural environment into which the studios of the Resort are very graciously embedded is perfect for hikers, cyclists, scuba divers, swimmers and sport lovers in general.
Zel Costa Brava
Address: Carretera Tossa de Mar a Sant Feliu, km. 4 17320 Costa Brava
2.61 km (1.7 mi) from muralles de la Vila Vella
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Hike along the “camins de ronda”
Besides enjoying Cala Giverola, you can also hike along the so-called “camins de ronda”, a series of little paths that connect Blanes and Portbou, near the French border. These used to be followed by the Spanish policemen in order to discover smugglers and they have now been adapted for all kinds of hikers.
There are basically two options: to take the path connecting Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Begur, which is about 43 km (27 mi.) long and can be completed in 2 or 3 days, or to take a circular tour connecting different cities of the coast with Girona, which is 140 km (87 mi.) long, and can be completed in 6 to 8 days. The choice is all yours; both options are great as they provide a different view of the beach and its surroundings.
Arguably the best beach to go to if you’re visiting Barcelona!
Located barely 3 km (2 mi.) away from Tossa de Mar, Cala Giverola is surprisingly accessible. The best option to get to the beach is to go by car: it is a 90-minute drive from Barcelona and a 50-minute drive from Girona. Make sure you take a GPS with you, or else you will probably get lost since the driveway leading to the seaside is a bit hidden. Cala Giverola, as many other beaches in the Costa Brava, sits at the bottom of a rather sheer cliff, which protects it from the wind, the erosion and, most importantly, makes the process of building somewhat complicated, helping thus to preserve the natural environment surrounding the beach.
It’s a must to see the whole beach from its top: believe me, this view alone is worth the whole trip. Afterwards, one can get to the seafront either by car or by walking down the dirt track that leads to the beach. Bear in mind that the access is not adapted for the physically challenged, so you’ll have to drive if you’re going there with a handicapped person.
A beach that offers much more than just sand and sea
Overall, Cala Giverola offers everything anyone could ever want from a beach: clean sand and water, an accessible yet hidden location and a stunning landscape surrounding it. If you’re visiting Tossa or Girona make sure you come see this privileged place; if you’re staying in Barcelona don’t make the mistake of settling for the Barceloneta, which is 20 times as busy and doesn’t come any close to Cala Giverola’s almost supernatural colors. Maybe at the end of the day your laptop wallpaper will be a picture taken by you of this little paradise that Catalan people call Cala Giverola.
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