The best of the Spanish region of Emporda (Begur / Palafrugell and surroundings), Spain
As in Northern Spain is on holiday, will only use the mornings, when it is still pleasant in the summer months, to go road tripping. Characterful Catalan Spain is famous for its fishing villages, vineyards and wild coves. Especially if you have your suitcases in Begur you have a perfect base in an area where one pretty coastal town rubs shoulders with another. Start in Begur and in the small bay of Sa Tuna. Here it is particularly nice to relax in the sheltered cove where small fishing boats lie drying on the side. There are some really nice shops and you can drink a good cup of coffee in one of the harbor restaurants. But there is more, and how. There you have it: the best of Begur, Spain.
Seriously: Put It On Your To Do, this one not your everyday pizza bar. Pizza bar Emporda, named after our favorite (Spanish) region and our favorite (okay: Italian) dish, is such a gem as the Amsterdam Europizza, value vibe is cool and the pizzas range from a (very good) Margarita (nice, because: kids) to creative variations with artichoke and even peach. Anyways: don't walk, RUN!
How to get into Emporda? Get your plane tickets now!
Restaurant Far Nomo Llafranc is part of Grupo Nomo and that, dear people, if you are in the area, is one to remember: actually all the things in the group are recommended, although we think - knife to the throat - Far Nomo is the nicest. The restaurant is perfectly located overlooking Llafranc beach. Inside, the rustic charm reigns supreme (Far Nomo is certainly also a tip if the weather is not so good: the terrace is nice but not buzzing with conviviality - not necessary with that view, but still). Anyway: the perfect meal near Llafranc beach? Found! It will come as no surprise that Far Nomo's menu comes from Mediterranean cuisine. Surprisingly tasty were the “Tartar de Atún” and the “Arroz Negro” (black rice), a local specialty that Far Nomo executes perfectly. The squid ink infused rice was savory and rich, with perfectly cooked seafood. Recommended? Si!
Beach here, beach there: this is how we prefer to spend our days when we are on holiday (or when the weather is nice in the Netherlands, but we sometimes miss that). One beach or bay you should definitely not forget is Port de Ses Orats. You get here by taking a walk through casa d'en Malaret (which is also beautiful): a small bay that looks like it is only a postcard is, but not true. It exists, it's beautiful and you want to see it. So, don't forget Port de Ses Orats.
Photo credits to beguresautentic
Ooow, this is one heck of an address! A warm and delicious (partly) outdoor restaurant where you get the best of Spain on your plate and the warmest Spaniards at your table. Not far from Begur Castle, the tourist attraction that you always have to visit. The restaurant serves perfectly cooked juicy steaks, entrecote and antipasti. Oh, and very good wine.
Create a vibe a la Wes Anderson (my oh my, the inspiration for home is on) and a more than warm welcome from both Carlas who run the hotel ensure that this is truly a hotel you will never forget. Or to immediately book a trip to Begur in Spain. Hotel La Bionda is perfectly located in the old center of Begur, even though the main reason for booking is the aforementioned cordiality and the beautiful interior. Every detail has been taken into account (for example, it smells so good in the hotel!) and every morning starts off with a perfect breakfast.
The tasteful pied-à-terre is both historic and oh-so-2021. There are only eight rooms, all of which were given female names (Charlotte, Carmen, Joséphine…). All different, but all eight full of color good looking details. Al is the terrace opening onto a green garden is also a good asset of the hotel, as is the roof terrace where cocktails and glasses of wine from the region's vineyards can be tasted.
Hotel (with restaurant!) Castell d'Empordà calls itself 'the best kept secret of the Emporda (that's the name of this region)... That smacks a bit of 'We from Toilet Duck', but if you blow your mind and make it happen, then that's okay. The timeless castle, converted into a hotel, exudes history, is a wedding location par excellence (but only a few weddings can take place per year - you are either a well-kept secret or you are not) and the restaurant is also a succession of culinary delights.
Oh my lord yes please: join hands in front of the beautiful Isabella's Llafranc hotel. A picture is putting it mildly. And not only that: everything is going very well. Basta. The four-star hotel is located about a five-minute drive from Cape Cap Roig, there are 25 rooms (just right, not too small, not too big) that all overlook the (beautiful) bay and parking is very easy in the private parking garage of the hotel. Do that, put that car away, because the beach is on your doorstep and the center of Llafranc can be reached within a five-minute walk. So far so good for the details, but you mainly go here for the inspiration of course: the restaurant is a real feat: 50 shades of red, earthy colors and a well-successful design piece every now and then. The surprise comes when you enter your room: it is predominantly stark white with some blue: a nice contrast!
If you're looking for an upgrade, have breakfast or brunch at Cap Sa Salt (or accommodation of course), a luxury hotel with a huge swimming pool that is officially only accessible to guests but no rooster crowing to a stowaway: it is also the small platforms for two on the rocks (with a staircase so that you can water in and out) that are best for a few hours with your nose in the sun. The hotel has several terraces and a beautiful restaurant. A bit of faded glory sometimes, but that is also the charm of the hotel.
The same goes for the one next door Hostal Sa Rascassa: if you walk from the hotel via the stairs along the cliffs (read: climb, but it is beautiful) you will automatically reach the bay of Sa Tuna.
(photo: Kerry Wheeler)
You will find a restaurant in the heart of Begur Clara, they know exactly what you need and you can go there for a drink and an aperitivo. The restaurant is located in the Aiguaclara Hotel. On the menu you will find a mix of traditional and not so traditional dishes, all with smaller portions, so it's great to try the entire menu!
The next place to go for one fancy dinner is Restaurant Turandot. The inside of the restaurant is decorated with light earth tones and beautiful chairs and accessories. The cuisine is Mediterranean but with its own twist. You will find fermented vegetables, special fish dishes and meat dishes. A chic and modern restaurant in the heart of Begur.
There is a restaurant on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava Toc al Mar to find. The specialty of this delicious place is fish, you can't get it fresher than fresh. Grilled fish or shellfish from the fishing boats in the area. Sea bream, sea bass, scorpion fish, authentic red lobster from the Cape of Begur, fresh shrimps from Palamós, mussels, razor clams, grilled rock squid, etc. All prepared on the spot. We love Mediterranean cuisine and here we know why.
In the forests of Begur Sivana Bosc to find. And really, we are so happy with this place! Everything is correct; the setting, the food, enough space for the kids, it makes us completely happy. While the kids are wandering around, you can take a closer look at the menu they have. Not the Mediterranean menu you might expect, but the food you also fancy. They have Aubergine with Tahini sauce, Bimi and Asparagus, various burgers and fish dishes. Oh and it's even more fun if there is live music, so be sure to check that in advance!
Lo and behold: we give you not one, not two but twelve (!) houses to choose from where you want to go on holiday. In the middle of the beautiful Emporda (the Emporda is a historic one). county in Catalonia with Gerona being one of the largest cities in the area, just take a look) and the Costa Brava in Spain, all not far from Begur, are they then: the Casas VIU'. How? VIU. That is the name of a holiday (house) concept created by a group of architects, designers, entrepreneurs, winemakers and families from l'Empordà. Ha! So VIU. And VIU has a number of different houses that you – yes, you too – can rent.
From restored farmhouses through modern houses to charming studios. Each accommodation is a destination in itself and added to the VIU collection because of its decoration, environment and spaces. Enjoy a getaway as a couple, or with a larger group of up to twelve people – everything is possible. Read more about Viu Emporda
Speaking of trekking, coves and satisfying breaks: Calella de Palafrugell. A small bay where the local Spaniards themselves sunbathe. With the whole family because the popular beach is very child-friendly. Behind the scene of sunbathing Spaniards, upturned fishing boats and children playing runs a white veranda-style boulevard with a small number of shops and restaurants. One of them is restaurant LaBlava, an unexpected (contemporary) gift in blue and white: it could easily have been a Greek restaurant. That's not it: the menu features classic, typical Spanish dishes that are all light and summery. Grilled white fish with barbecue cabbage, large shrimps in the paella and padrons with large grains of salt. Everything equally delicious. Also important: the service is excellent, the staff loves children and no question is too much. One of my favorite addresses on this part of the Spanish coast. When we first arrived at La Blava by chance, we were lucky and were allowed to sit down, but the restaurant is popular (and rightly so) so making a reservation is recommended.
There are a number of top spots to be found in the Center of Palafrugell Town, we have listed them for you:
- L'Arc gastro tapes: this is a lovely spot for lunch
- Kosa Bistro: for dinner and delicious Spanish tapas
- Candle: for dinner but especially nice for a drink!
- Hostal l'Estrella: for a drink in the afternoon or a drink in the evening. Sometimes there is live music or a DJ so be sure to check when that is! Always good to get into that holiday mood.
- Taranna: we love a good terrace and let Tarannà have that. You can have a great time here for lunch and dinner.
- Funky pizza: Like this as it sounds, it is; you can go here for the best pizzas town.
- Fiego: found on Port Pelegrí beach. Ideal for one break to enjoy the sun or to start the afternoon drink. Our tip: try the arròs a la cassola, you won't regret it.
- I left: dine between green and color at Salí. The delicious Mediterranean restaurant will make your stomach growl with all the delicacies that pass by. The design is beautiful, so beautiful that you secretly want it at home, but know deep down that it won't work. Well, you can always dream, and enjoy it too.
- Calau bar: always a good idea, delicious after a day at the beach or for lunch. The best tapas on the beach can be found here.
We take you to Llafranc, located next to the village of Calella de Palafrugell, on the beach. A lovely beach too, where the beach of Palafrugell is small and quaint, the beach of Llafranc is a bit more stretched and spacious (which we secretly sometimes like, otherwise you could easily run over your heads). Well, our favorite tips? Are the following:
- Chez Tomas: Best place in town when it comes to dining. You will find the well-known one on the map Calamari and burrata salad with the tastiest tomatoes.
- Hostal la Llagosta: Okay, let's get straight to the point: this restaurant is not pretty, we are very honest about that. But what we are also very honest about and what we come here for is the food. Because yes, that is just very good here. And it's also on the beach, so choose a spot with a view of the sea and you certainly won't complain.
Would this be the most beautiful beach in the area? We're not 100% sure, but that's what we do Platja d'Aiguablava Begur is in the top five is hardly different. The beautiful bay is both sheltered and easily accessible, has nice restaurants but not massively (but popular, by the way!) and has wonderfully soft sand and clear blue water.
A gem of the Costa Brava: opulent rooms in a historic and artistic setting, overlooking the clear blue sea and with a service that will scare you. We're talking about Hostal de La Gavina. You can imagine a picture, a postcard, where you can sleep. La Gavina can be found in S'Agaró, a town 40 minutes from Girona, an hour and a half drive from Barcelona and located on a cliff. This means that when you sleep at La Gavina, you are surrounded on three sides by the sea, swaying walnut trees and therefore always stunningly beautiful. picture-perfect have a view.
