Aiguablava, Spain; a beautiful beach on the Costa Brava

Visit Aiguablava

The Cala de Aiguablava on the Costa Brava coast of Spain is close to the medieval town of Begur, about 50 kilometers east of Girona.

Explore Aiguablava

Spain This Way review: The beautiful cove and beach of Aiguablava is an idyllic spot with a sandy beach and some facilities. It is very popular and so come early.

Aiguablava

The Cala de Aiguablava is one of the most popular coves on the whole of the Costa Brava coast.

It is a beautiful cove on a particularly beautiful, rocky stretch of coast. The cove is nestled in between rocky hills which rise up on either side of the cove and in between is the sandy beach and clear blue waters of Aiguablava.

The beach is a sandy beach all the way into the water and there is a lifeguard on the beach making it a good choice for families. Plus there are toilets and showers on the beach

Aiguablava also has a ramp and an amphibious chair so that it is possible for people with reduced mobility to enter the water.

There is a beach bar on the beach and it is possible to hire a sunbed if you wish. There is also a dive centre if you wish to explore the marine life and you can hire snorkels and kyaks too.

It really is an idyllic spot. However it is not large. It is about 80 meters long by 40 meters wide and it fills up quickly. If you wish to go head there either early or late in the afternoon when it may have started to empty.

There is a car park a short walk behind the beach but this too fills up quickly. There is a good bus service from Begur to the beach and so this may be a better option, especially if you are staying in Begur.

There is a Parador hotel above the beach which is a perfect option if you wish to stay here a few days. The Parador de Aiguablava is a lovely 4 star hotel with fabulous views over the sea and coves below. It is a six minute walk from here down to the beach.

There are various restaurant options available near to the beach though it is advisable to book ahead if possible.

Aiguablava is on a particularly beautiful section of the Cami-de-Ronda a coastal path which stretches from Portbou by the French border, to Blanes.

You could start your walk at the sandy beach of Platja Fonda which has no facilities and so remains calmer than Aiguablava. There is some parking here.

From here walk south to the lovely village of Fornells, with its small port and rocky coves perfect for a quiet swim. Fornells also has some parking. These too fill up early in season.

The walk from platja Fonda or Fornells to Aiguablava is not long but there are lots of steps up and down and so wear good shoes. Totally worth it though the views are fabulous.

Alternatively walk south from Aiguablava for more super views of the coast.

Aiguablava Parador

Places to visit nearby

The small port of Fornells is a beautiful spot with a couple of pebbly beaches and a restaurant.

From Aiguablava you could also walk along the cami de ronda path to the charming coastal village of Tamariu.

The beautiful hilltop village of Begur has lots to explore including a medieval castle and is a great spot to base yourself for your Costa Brava holiday.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Catalonia guide.