Costa Brava: Hidden Coves & Medieval Villages
Spain's most dramatic coastline — from Barcelona to the French border
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Embarkation
- Barcelona (OneOcean Port Vell)
- Disembarkation
- Roses (Marina de Roses)
- Best season
- May – October
- Total distance
- 110 NM
Overview
The Costa Brava — 'Wild Coast' — is Spain's most dramatic stretch of Mediterranean coastline, where pine-clad cliffs plunge into turquoise coves, medieval villages perch on rocky headlands, and the legacy of Salvador Dalí infuses everything with surreal beauty.
Highlights
- Tossa de Mar medieval walls
- Cap de Creus natural park
- Cadaqués — Dalí's village
- Empúries Greek & Roman ruins
- Medes Islands marine reserve
- El Bulli legacy restaurants
Day by day
Day 1: Barcelona — Departure
Barcelona
Morning: Board at OneOcean Port Vell. Champagne welcome with views of the Gothic Quarter.
Afternoon: Final Barcelona exploration — La Boqueria market, Gothic Quarter, or beach time at Barceloneta.
Evening: Dinner at Tickets, Albert Adrià's tapas bar, or at the Michelin-starred ABaC.
Day 2: Tossa de Mar — Medieval Gem
Barcelona → Tossa de Mar · 35 nm
Morning: Cruise north along the Costa Brava. The coastline becomes increasingly dramatic as you leave Barcelona.
Afternoon: Anchor at Tossa de Mar and explore the Vila Vella — the only fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast. Swim in the turquoise coves below the castle.
Evening: Dinner at La Cuina de Can Simón, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the old town.
Day 3: Palamós — Prawn Capital
Tossa de Mar → Palamós · 15 nm
Morning: Cruise to Palamós, famous for its red prawns — considered the finest in the Mediterranean.
Afternoon: Visit the Fishing Museum and watch the afternoon fish auction at the port. Swim at the hidden coves of Cala S'Alguer.
Evening: Dinner featuring Palamós prawns at La Gamba, the town's legendary seafood restaurant.
Day 4: Medes Islands — Marine Reserve
Palamós → L'Estartit · 12 nm
Morning: Cruise to L'Estartit and the Medes Islands, one of the Mediterranean's most important marine reserves.
Afternoon: Snorkel or dive the Medes Islands — the underwater visibility is exceptional, with grouper, octopus, and colourful corals. Visit the Empúries archaeological site — Greek and Roman ruins on the beach.
Evening: Dinner aboard anchored off the Medes Islands, with the medieval village of Torroella de Montgrí visible on the hilltop.
Day 5: Cadaqués — Dalí's Paradise
L'Estartit → Cadaqués · 18 nm
Morning: Cruise to Cadaqués, the whitewashed village that captivated Salvador Dalí, Picasso, and Man Ray.
Afternoon: Visit the Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat, the artist's home and studio for over 40 years. Explore the village's galleries, boutiques, and waterfront cafés.
Evening: Dinner at Compartir, a restaurant by the former chefs of El Bulli, serving creative Mediterranean cuisine.
Day 6: Cap de Creus — Wild Peninsula
Cadaqués → Cap de Creus · 5 nm
Morning: Cruise around Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. The wind-sculpted rocks inspired many of Dalí's paintings.
Afternoon: Anchor in one of the hidden coves of the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Snorkel the pristine waters and explore the dramatic rock formations by tender.
Evening: Dinner aboard watching the sunset from the most easterly point of Spain — the last light touches these rocks before anywhere else on the peninsula.
Day 7: Roses — El Bulli Legacy
Cap de Creus → Roses · 8 nm
Morning: Cruise to Roses, the town that was home to El Bulli, the world's most famous restaurant. Visit the El Bulli Foundation (advance booking required).
Afternoon: Explore the Ciutadella de Roses, a massive 16th-century fortress. Final swim in the bay of Roses.
Evening: Farewell dinner at Els Brancs, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the beach. Disembark the following morning.
Foodies · Couples · Divers · Culture Lovers