Arriving into Girona is pleasantly easy if you’re coming in by train or car, and the whole first day works best on foot once you’re in the center. For the old town, base yourself around Barri Vell and start early at Girona Cathedral before the crowds and heat build. The climb up the broad stone staircase is part of the experience, and the view back over the rooftops is much better in the quiet of the morning. Budget about €3 for entry to the cathedral complex, and give yourself roughly 1.5 hours if you want to linger in the nave, cloister, and the upper areas without rushing.
From there, it’s an easy downhill wander to the Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs), one of those compact stops that looks small on the map but feels very atmospheric in person. The mixed Romanesque layout and the cool stone interior make it a nice contrast after the cathedral. It’s usually a quick visit — around 45 minutes is plenty — and admission is typically just a few euros. If you’re carrying a day bag, keep it light; the old lanes around here are narrow, uneven, and best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
After the baths, continue onto Passeig de la Muralla for the classic Girona panorama. This is the city’s best “just wander” stretch: you get the rooftops of Barri Vell, the cathedral tower, and the river curves below. The full wall circuit can take longer, but a one-hour section is ideal on a first day, especially if you want to save your energy for the afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes — the steps and ramp sections can be a little uneven — and if it’s warm, bring water, because there’s not much shade along parts of the route.
By early afternoon, head down toward Plaça de la Independència for a reset at Rocambolesc Gelateria. This is the fun, modern sweet stop from the Roca family, and it’s worth it even if you’re not usually a dessert person. Go for one of the signature cones or a playful seasonal combo; expect around €5–10 per person. It’s a good pause before lunch, and the square itself is one of the nicest places in the city to sit for ten minutes and watch Girona settle into its midday rhythm.
Lunch is an easy walk away at Casa Marieta, right on Plaça de la Independència. It’s one of those reliable places locals actually use when they want classic Catalan food in the center, without having to overthink it. The menu is broad, service is efficient, and it works well for a proper sit-down meal after a morning on your feet. Plan on about 1.5 hours and roughly €25–40 per person depending on whether you choose a set menu or go à la carte. If you can, book ahead on busier days, because central lunch spots fill up fast.
Finish with dinner at Cafè Le Bistrot, tucked near the Onyar river, where the setting is half the appeal. It’s one of the more characterful dinner spots in the old center, with a cozy, slightly bohemian feel and views that make the riverfront glow after dark. Expect around €30–50 per person, and don’t be in a rush — this is the kind of place that rewards a slow meal. After dinner, take a gentle evening stroll along the river to see the colored houses lit up from the bridges; it’s the perfect low-key way to end your first day in Girona before the trip shifts down the coast tomorrow.
Start early at Begur Castle and take the short uphill wander before the sun gets too strong; from the top you get the full sweep of the coast, the inland hills, and the little cluster of white houses below. The walk up is part of the experience, so wear proper shoes rather than beach sandals, and expect about an hour if you want to linger for photos. From there, drift back down into Plaça de l’Església, which is really the heart of town: a few small boutiques, terraces for coffee, and that easy, lived-in village feel that Begur does best. It’s compact, so you can just follow your nose; most places here open from around 10:00, and a coffee or pastry will cost roughly €3–6.
For lunch, head to Restaurant Sa Rascassa in Aiguafreda cove; it’s one of those places that feels properly Costa Brava without trying too hard. Book ahead if you can, especially on a pleasant late-September day, and expect around €35–60 pp depending on whether you go for fish, rice, and wine. After lunch, make your way to Platja Fonda, one of the lovelier coves in the area: darker sand, steep surrounding cliffs, and a slightly more tucked-away feel than the more obvious beaches. It’s best for a long swim and a slow afternoon rather than anything energetic, so bring water, a towel, and maybe shoes for the path down. Then finish the beach stretch at Cala d’Aiguablava in the Fornells area, where the water is usually clearer and the mood a bit easier for a final dip or a late sunbathe; this is the kind of beach where you can happily lose track of time for an hour or so.
Head back into Begur for an aperitif or dinner at Hotel Aiguaclara in the center, which is a nice way to ease out of a beach day without needing to go far. The terrace and bar are good for a vermouth, glass of wine, or a light dinner, and you’re looking at about €25–45 pp if you stay for a full meal. It’s an easy final stop because you can walk back through town after dark, and Begur feels especially good in the evening once the day-trippers have gone and the streets calm down.
From Begur, head over to Calella de Palafrugell after breakfast or around check-in time, because parking here is the thing that can turn a lovely arrival into a small ordeal. If you’ve got a car, aim for one of the edge-of-village lots rather than trying to force it along the narrow seafront streets; if you’re taking a taxi, let them drop you close to the center and walk the last bit. Once you’re settled, start with the Camí de Ronda to Llafranc while the light is still soft. This stretch is one of the easiest and prettiest on the coast: rocky coves, low pines, and those bright-blue views that make the path feel more like a scenic promenade than a hike. Allow about 1.5 hours at an easy pace, and wear decent shoes because the stones can be slippery in places.
Back in Sant Pere de Calella de Palafrugell, slow down in the postcard heart of the village. This is the little seafront cluster where the whitewashed facades, boats, and fishing-town feel all come together, and it’s worth lingering for photos before the midday crowds thicken. Grab a coffee or something cold nearby and just sit for a bit; the point here is not to rush. Then continue on to Restaurant El Far de Sant Sebastià up toward Cap de Sant Sebastià for lunch. This is one of those meals that becomes part of the day’s memory, so book ahead if you can, especially in September. Expect roughly €35–60 per person depending on wine and starters, and the setting is the real draw: wide-open coastal views, a proper sense of being above the sea, and enough time to linger without feeling tied to the clock.
After lunch, wander over to Far de Sant Sebastià for the viewpoint and lighthouse area. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a formal plan; just take in the coast, look back toward Llafranc, and enjoy the breeze after lunch. Give yourself about an hour here, then head down to Platja de Llafranc for the softest part of the day. This beach is broader and more relaxed than the coves earlier, with clear water and plenty of room for a swim, a book, or an unhurried sit in the shade. By mid- to late afternoon, it’s the perfect reset before dinner.
Finish the day with an easy waterfront dinner at La Blava back in Calella de Palafrugell. It’s a good choice when you want to stay by the sea without overthinking it, and the seafront setting suits a last slow evening after a day of walking, views, and beach time. Plan on about two hours and around €30–50 per person, especially if you add wine or seafood. After dinner, the nicest thing to do is simply take one more short walk along the water and let the village empty out around you.
From Calella de Palafrugell, set off early so you can be at Teatre-Museu Dalí in Figueres right when it opens; a timed ticket is worth it here, especially in September when it’s still busy but much more manageable before lunch. Plan on about 2 hours for the museum itself: the building is part of the experience, and the mix of paintings, installations, and odd little theatrical details works best if you don’t rush. It’s an easy walk from the station and the central grid of Figueres, so you can arrive, go straight in, and be back out before the mid-morning heat builds.
Continue to Castell de Sant Ferran, on the edge of town, for a very different kind of stop: wide-open, military, and almost comically huge after the density of Dalí’s world. A taxi or a short drive is the simplest link, and the grounds are much more about scale and atmosphere than anything formal, so give yourself around 90 minutes and wear comfortable shoes. If you want to snack, grab something simple in Figueres before heading south; the fortress can feel exposed on warm days, and there’s not much shade once you’re inside the walls.
On the road toward Cadaqués, Cala Jóncols makes a good detour if the timing works and you want to break the drive with a proper coastal pause rather than just a gas-station stop. This is the sort of place where lunch can easily stretch into a long swim or a slow drink, so it’s best treated as a flexible stop rather than a fixed obligation; expect roughly €30–55 per person depending on how much you order. If the day is running tighter, skip the beach pause and keep rolling so you still arrive in Cadaqués with enough daylight to enjoy the village properly.
Once you’re in Cadaqués, head into the old town and spend the late afternoon around Santa Maria de Cadaqués and the harbor lanes nearby. The church square and the surrounding whitewashed streets are the heart of the village, and the best way to enjoy them is simply to wander without an agenda: pop into the small shops, follow the slopes down toward the water, and let the maze of lanes pull you back to the seafront. For dinner, Compartir is the standout choice if you want a polished modern Mediterranean meal without losing the relaxed coastal mood; book ahead if you can, expect about €45–75 per person, and allow a couple of hours so you’re not hurrying through it. Finish with a slow walk along Passeig Marítim de Cadaqués, where the harbor lights, the boats, and the last color in the sky make the whole day feel stitched together properly before you turn in.
From Cadaqués, leave after an early breakfast and head straight into Cap de Creus National Park while the light is still soft and the roads are calm. If you’re driving, go as early as possible because the access road is narrow and parking at the viewpoints fills up once day-trippers arrive. The landscape here is all wind-carved rock, low scrub, and sudden sea views, so it’s worth taking your time at the first pull-offs rather than rushing to the end. Expect a raw, almost lunar feel — this is the Costa Brava at its most dramatic. Continue on to Far de Cap de Creus, where the final stretch feels properly remote and the cliff-edge scenery is the whole point; plan about 2 hours for the park and another hour around the lighthouse, with coffee or water in hand because there’s very little shade and September sun still bites by late morning.
Roll back into Roses for lunch at Restaurante ONA Beach Bar, which is exactly the sort of easy reset you want after a morning of rough coastline and winding roads. It’s relaxed, beach-facing, and practical if you’re in sandals and not in the mood for anything fussy; budget around €25–45 per person depending on whether you go for seafood, rice, and wine. After lunch, walk over to Ciutadella de Roses before the heat peaks too hard. The site is compact, historic, and surprisingly good for understanding how much older Roses is than the modern waterfront suggests; give yourself about an hour to wander the ruins, read the panels, and connect the dots between the archaeological layers and the town you’re standing in. Entry is usually inexpensive, and it’s an easy stop to pair with the harbor area without needing a car again.
Spend the afternoon at Platja de la Punta, either on the sand or strolling the promenade with a café stop and a swim if the water still feels inviting. This is the most low-effort part of the day, so keep it loose: a towel, a book, and a slow walk along the waterfront are enough. If you want a coffee or an ice cream, stay near the promenade rather than wandering too far inland, because the charm here is really in the seafront rhythm. For dinner, book or arrive early at La Sirena in the harbor area, where seafood is the obvious move and the mood is pleasantly unfussy after a full day out. It’s a good place to end with grilled fish, a plate of prawns, and an unhurried final look at the water before turning in.
Leave Roses early and head down toward Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar so you can reach Jardins de Santa Clotilde before the midday heat and any coach groups. The gardens are compact but very polished, with clipped hedges, sea views, staircases, and that slightly formal elegance that feels almost surprising on this coast. Plan on about an hour here; tickets are usually around €6-8, and it’s worth taking your time on the terraces rather than rushing straight through. From the garden entrance, it’s an easy continuation south toward Tossa, and this is the nicest way to break up the drive with something calm and green before the beach coves.
Next, head to Cala Giverola for a proper swim and a reset. It’s one of the prettiest coves in the area, with that classic Costa Brava mix of pine, rock, and clear water, and it works especially well in September when the sea is still warm but the crowds have thinned. If you’re driving, arrive earlier rather than later because parking and the access road can feel a bit tight; otherwise, a short taxi from Tossa de Mar saves you hassle. Give yourself around 90 minutes here so you can swim, dry off, and enjoy the view without feeling rushed. Afterward, head into the old town for lunch at Restaurante Can Pini in Tossa de Mar, a solid, well-located choice for seafood, rice dishes, and a slower sit-down meal in the historic center. Expect roughly €25-45 per person depending on how much wine or shellfish you order, and book ahead if you’re coming on a weekend.
After lunch, walk into Vila Vella de Tossa de Mar and let the afternoon unfold slowly. This is the heart of the day: the medieval walls, narrow stone lanes, little viewpoints, and the feeling that the town still leans toward the sea the way it always has. Spend about two hours wandering without a hard plan; the best bit is just drifting along the ramparts and ducking into side streets when they catch your eye. From there, continue to Torre des Codolar at the edge of the old town for one last elevated sea-and-cliff view, especially good late in the day when the light softens and the stone turns golden. It’s only about 30 minutes, but it’s the kind of stop that makes you linger for photos.
Finish with a relaxed dinner at Sa Muralla on the seafront, then take a gentle promenade stroll afterward instead of trying to do anything ambitious. This part of Tossa de Mar is made for an easy evening: a table near the water, a simple fish or seafood dinner, and a slow walk where you can still see the old walls lit up behind you. Budget around €30-50 per person, and if the weather is warm enough, ask for an outdoor table and stay a little longer than planned.
From Tossa de Mar, leave after breakfast so you can get into Platja d’Aro with enough time to park, drop bags, and still make a proper morning at Platja de Castell. If you’re driving, aim to be there before 10:00 so you can usually find the easier roadside spaces without stress; the beach itself is a short walk from the parking area, and the approach through pine and dunes is part of the charm. This is one of the coast’s best undeveloped coves, so keep it simple: swim, sit, wander, repeat. There are no big facilities to lean on, which is exactly why it feels so good after a run of busier stops—bring water, sunscreen, and something dry to sit on.
A short hop brings you to Cala S’Alguer, and it’s worth going slowly here because the little fishermen’s houses and the tucked-away cove are the whole point. Think of it as a 45-minute pause rather than a full beach stop: take your photos, walk the edge of the path, and enjoy the quieter, older Costa Brava feel before heading back toward town. For lunch, Restaurant Can Poldo in the center of Platja d’Aro is the practical choice: dependable Catalan seafood and rice dishes, good pace, and no fuss about getting a table if you arrive on the earlier side. Expect roughly €25–45 per person; if you’re coming straight from the coast, it’s an easy reset before the afternoon.
After lunch, keep the tempo low with Parc dels Estanys, which is a nice inland counterpoint to all the shoreline you’ve been chasing. It’s a relaxed one-hour stop with flat paths, open water, birds, and enough space to breathe without feeling like you’re “doing” anything too hard. From there, head toward S’Agaró for the Camí de Ronda section—this is the classic finish to the day, with polished villas, coves, and sea views that change as the light softens. If you’ve got energy, do the route at an unhurried pace; if not, just take the best stretch and enjoy the promontories and viewpoints. It’s one of those walks that feels very Costa Brava without requiring any logistics beyond comfortable shoes.
For dinner, Restaurant Aradi is a strong farewell choice: a little more polished, a little more celebratory, and ideal for a final proper sit-down meal. Book ahead if you can, especially for a good evening slot, and expect around €40–70 per person depending on how much wine and seafood you lean into. If you want to stretch the night afterward, the center of Platja d’Aro has an easy, open-late energy—more promenade than old-town romance—so it’s good for one last stroll before calling the trip done.
Assuming you come in on an early Sarfa/Moventis bus and reach central Barcelona around late morning, start at Mercat de Sant Antoni first if you want one last proper Catalan breakfast before the day gets busier. It’s a much more local-feeling stop than the tourist-heavy market, with coffee counters, bakery stalls, and easy grab-and-go things like bikini sandwiches, fruit, or tortilla. Budget about €8–15 per person, and if you arrive after the commuter rush the atmosphere is calmer and more relaxed. From there, a straightforward walk brings you into Eixample for a final sweep down Passeig de Gràcia, which is ideal for architecture without overdoing the itinerary: look up at Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and the elegant apartment façades rather than trying to squeeze in a full museum stop.
For lunch, keep it simple and central at La Boqueria on La Rambla. It’s still worth a quick visit if you accept it for what it is: a lively market with good counter food, not a slow sit-down meal. Go for a plate of seafood, a jamón bocadillo, or fresh juice, and expect roughly €15–25 per person depending on whether you snack or eat properly. After that, wander into the Barri Gòtic for an easy, compact final loop: the stone lanes around Carrer del Bisbe, Plaça Sant Jaume, and the quieter backstreets give you that last old-city atmosphere without pulling you far from your departure point. If you still have energy and your timing is generous, Aeri de Montjuïc is a lovely optional finish; the cable car and the hilltop views are a nice last look over the port and skyline, but only do it if you’re not watching the clock.
Keep your final move practical and low-stress: head for your Barcelona–El Prat Airport transfer with a buffer of at least 2.5–3 hours before your flight. In Barcelona, traffic can be annoyingly unpredictable even on a good day, and if you’re leaving from the center it’s smarter to call it early than to try to squeeze in one more café stop. If you end up with extra time, use it for a coffee near Plaça Catalunya or a quick sit-down before the airport run rather than wandering farther afield.