Spain costa dorada or brava. Brava, Dorado! Compare Spanish resorts. Canary Islands Spain

Comparison of the coasts of the Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol
Choosing Spain for a beach holiday
for the first time, for an independent tourist, a reasonable question arises - where
exactly to go to rest on the sea in Spain? Where would be good to relax with
children? Where are the beaches suitable for them? Where is a reasonable combination of cost and
rest quality?
And what is the difference between the beaches of the coasts, whose names are so often
flicker in discussions on forums or in the offers of travel agencies - Costa
Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol?
Let's figure it out.
The Mediterranean coast of Spain can be divided into 4 parts:
Costa Brava - translated as "wild, bold coast",
Costa Dorada (Costa Dorada) - "golden coast",
Costa Blanca (Costa Blanka) - "white coast",
Costa del Sol (Sunny Beach).
Between them are small coasts, for example, the Costa de Valencia, but the main ones are all
the four mentioned above are considered the same.
Spain is rightfully proud of having the largest number of
blue flags for the cleanliness of the beaches. (Greece is second.)
All beaches in Spain are municipal, that is, public and free. At
there are no hotels on their own beaches. Even if the hotel is located on the first line and
it has access to the sea, on its beach anyone can actually relax
whatever.
Costa Brava
Costa Brava (Costa Brava) Stretches from Barcelona up to the French
borders.
The coast got its name Wild Coast because of its rocky shores and
secluded coves. The coast here is mountainous, the sea is deep - long shallow
few beaches.
But there are many small pools in which children can splash like in
swimming pools, so it's great to relax with kids on the Costa Brava. Water
here it is crystal clear, turquoise, perfectly transparent. Large sand
easily shaken off the body.
The climate here is mild, the water warms up well, the swimming season starts at
May. But it is on the Costa Brava that the swimming season ends earlier than
on other coasts, it lasts a maximum until the end of September. IN
velvet season may already be fresh (usually it depends on the season,
what a summer it was.
Costa Brava is considered a budget resort. Students have chosen local
the towns of Lloret de Mar (where there are many discos and bars), Blanes.
But this does not mean that there is no place for a quiet family
recreation. For example, the city of Tossa del Mar is cozy, old and very cute.
a town where ancient and modern buildings are combined. Darling
walking area for all tourists - a fortress located in the center
Tossa del Mar. This town is loved by filmmakers: back in the early 20
movies were filmed here for centuries, it has long been a city of bohemia, where they loved
rest artists and poets. They say that this place was very fond of Greta
Garbo and recommended him to friends. Although there are discos in it
enough.
Resting on the Costa Brava, it is convenient to go on excursions to Girona, as well as to
Figueres - the birthplace of Salvador Dali, where he made his own from the theater building
museum where he is buried.
And of course, the main treasure of the Costa Brava is Barcelona, ​​which
a must visit! If you come to Barcelona for just
a day or two, then a quick way to see all the most interesting -
tourist bus. But it is better to live here for at least 3-4 days, so that
explore the city more closely, it deserves it. Moreover, as in
The city itself has normal beaches where you can sunbathe and swim.
Costa Dorada
Costa Dorada beach photoThe Golden Coast, whose beaches are famous for their gold
sand. Unlike the Costa Brava, where the depth is almost immediate, here is a gentle
entrance to the sea. Therefore, it is the Costa Dorada that is most often chosen for recreation.
with children in Spain. And the second good reason - it is here that
everyone's favorite amusement park Port Aventura.
The summer season here is shorter than at the southern tip.
Spain, maximum until mid-October
Popular seaside resorts of the Costa Dorada:
salou,
La Pineda (also loved by young people - here are the biggest discos),
Tarragona (a very interesting city, with the ruins of a Roman amphitheater and
good beaches).
Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca beach photo As the name suggests, here are the whitest beaches
Spanish Mediterranean.
The coast is quite gentle, convenient for swimming. The season starts here
earlier due to warm currents - it is believed that swimming on the Costa Blanca
available from the end of April.
The region of Valencia and Murcia is considered almost the most ecological place
not only in Spain, but also in Southern Europe. Here is the most developed
tourism infrastructure in Spain.
The largest and most modern resort is Benidorm. The city looks
like a little New York, with tall buildings and a wide beach,
equipped with everything you need (the beach, we repeat - free, as in
throughout Spain. Sunbeds and umbrellas for a fee). Benidorm can be called
the "English" resort of Spain, they buy real estate here and love
rest the British.
The center of the Costa Blanca - the beauty of Valencia, where you should definitely go
for an excursion. For convenience of inspection, use the Bus Touristik bus.
For children, there is a modern science city with an aquarium and
planetarium.
Russian-speaking citizens who buy apartments here also chose Costa
Blanco - do not be surprised by Russian signs and speeches in the cities of Alicante and
Torrevieja.
Costa del Sol
The sunniest coast, the "frying pan" of Spain. The rain here is extremely
rare, the temperature even in winter does not fall below 14 degrees.
costa del sol beach photofeatures of the costa del sol:
- there is no natural sand on the beaches, it is replaced by imported
crushed granite chips. The beaches are bulky, grayish in color. However
this does not spoil them - the beaches are clean, have a blue flag. However, crushed
minerals are even more healing than ordinary sand.
- in summer it is very hot here, it seems that the sun bakes more than in
the rest of Spain. However
Due to its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, cold
currents. And you can get in such a way that even in summer the water can cool down to 18-20
degrees. Imagine - it's incredibly hot on the shore, and the water in the sea is like in
sports pool.
Costa del Sol - the most fashionable place in Spain, many rich people
have villas in the Marbella area. However, in general, the resort does not produce
the impression of pretentious and super expensive. More than affordable prices
Almere is not such a popular resort.
You can choose other old towns for recreation: in more detail
see a series of articles about holidays with children on the Costa del Sol.
As a result, we can say that on the Mediterranean coast of Spain
There is sure to be a resort for every taste and budget. Choose!

Most of the Russian-speaking tourists prefer to relax in Spain at the resorts of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. But these two tourist regions are seriously different from each other, as they offer completely different holidays.

Holidays in the Costa Brava will appeal to those who can not sit still. Museums, natural views, architectural monuments, proximity to the sights of Barcelona - you can't get around everything in a week!

Costa Dorada, on the contrary, is focused on the "lazy" tourist and young parents. The latter will definitely like the gentle entrance to the sea and the proximity of one of the largest amusement parks in the world, PortAventura.

Content

Comparison of pros and cons

The location of the coasts on the map

Costa Brava

Main resorts:

Costa Brava (translated from Spanish means "wild rocky coast") is part of the coast of the Balearic Sea to the north of Barcelona. It is officially considered that its borders start from the city of Blanes and end with the Spanish-French border.

The only "own" airport of the Costa Brava is located in Girona, but 98% of tourists fly to Barcelona and get to the resorts using public transport or transfers.

Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada is located in the province of Tarragona, in the northeastern part of Spain. The "Gold Coast", as this coast is often called due to the golden color of the sand, stretches from Tarragona to Barcelona.

Main resorts:

Climatic features

Costa Brava

Lloret, Blanes and Tossa de Mar are always a couple of degrees cooler. The influence of the mountains and the cold current that comes here from Gibraltar affects. The water warms up a little longer, so the swimming season begins only at the end of June and ends at the end of September.

Majestic cliffs, densely overgrown with mighty pines and firs, secluded bays and snow-white beaches. You will not find anything like this in other regions, so we recommend that lovers of beautiful views and hiking to stay in the north.

Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada has a slightly milder and warmer climate. Due to its southern location, it rains less frequently from the Pyrenees. The swimming season here starts earlier and ends a little later. Therefore, in June and October it is better to relax in Salou or Tarragona.

Since the entrance to the sea is shallow, the water also warms up much better than in the resorts of the Costa Brava. And the sand here is finer, so it sticks better and kids like it. There is so much entertainment here that neither kids nor lovers of outdoor activities and thrills will be bored.

The infrastructure of the resorts is growing and improving every year. There are many more hotels with animation and food that our tourist is used to. The same applies to nightclubs, noisy discos and entertainment centers.

Main resorts

Costa Brava

Perhaps the brightest and busiest resort in the region is the former trading port, now a paradise for vacationers -. Nightclubs and discos for every taste, British bars, beach attractions and noisy party life - everything is created for a carefree youth holiday.

It is an excellent vacation spot. A 3-kilometer golden beach, picturesque bays, medieval buildings, botanical gardens and marvelous nature create an atmosphere of comfort. Trains to Barcelona also run from here.

From the northern resorts within easy reach to the southern coast of France. By renting a car, you can easily reach Nice and the Principality of Monaco in 6 hours. And good transport links to Barcelona will give you the opportunity to get to know this beautiful city and its sights.

Costa Dorada

The Cathedral of Tarragona is a majestic building built in the 12th century. In the temple you can see sculptures of 12 apostles, Jesus Christ and the Virgin. The cathedral is active, therefore, in addition to architecture, it is also notable for the fact that it allows you to plunge into the local religion.

Excursions to the Roman amphitheater, to the castles of Vilavortuni, Miravet, Siurana and others will be not only informative, but also very interesting for both children and adults.

The main place of entertainment and an outstanding attraction of the entire Spanish coast is considered to be a real city of attractions, large-scale colorful shows, celebration and joy.

Why is the Costa Dorada more expensive than the Costa Brava?

There are several reasons for slightly higher prices:

1. More food chain hotels
2. Higher demand for the same supply
3. Weather

Spain as a tourist destination is experiencing a rebirth. A few years ago, after the introduction of the euro, the tourist wave suddenly receded - the difference in prices seemed too shocking. But then it became obvious that resting in the dollar zone...

Spain as a tourist destination is experiencing a rebirth. A few years ago, after the introduction of the euro, the tourist wave suddenly receded - the difference in prices seemed too shocking. But then it became obvious that rest in the dollar zone for a circle is not cheaper, and Europe, although it switched to a new currency, has not lost its modest bourgeois charm. Spain continues to be one of the most easily accessible, inexpensive and friendly countries in the European community.

There are many Russian tourists in Spain on almost all coasts from north to south. However, the most popular resorts are still the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, which seem to be neighbors (about 200 kilometers apart), but strikingly different from each other.

Costa Brava(in translation - Rocky Coast) is somewhat similar to our mountainous Crimea. Mountains covered with pine trees come close to the sea, in small bays with narrow sandy beaches there are towns or individual hotels. It's easy to feel away from the world here: there are no factories, mines, or steamships here, the roads resemble country roads, and the motorway is noisy away from the coast. From it, like appendixes, narrow paths go to resort villages. Lie down on the beach in a secluded bay during the day, and in the evening go to some town, for example, to the tourist center of the Costa Brava - Lloret de Mar, a city that lives under the motto "There is no time to sleep!". How charming and simple everything is here! Can I eat crumbly colorful paella, get drunk in a small bar with the French or British, dance in a disco. By the way, there are a lot of discos and small bars in the town: young people from all over Europe rest on the Costa Brava. She is attracted by freedom, some wildness of rest and of course low prices. They are really 20-25 percent lower here than in the neighboring Dorada. But there are no luxury hotels either: the coast is built up with old two-three-star hotels. Their territories are small, the rooms too, and you won’t surprise anyone here with a rooftop pool and a continental breakfast. What other mini-clubs, tennis courts, jacuzzi and other innovations?

The farther south, the more noticeably the character of the coast changes. The mountains recede into the depths of the mainland, and a wide, flat valley opens up to the eye - Costa Dorada, Gold Coast, if you speak Russian. This is a populated region with a developed industry, a strong transport network and fairly large cities such as Salou, Cambrils and La Pineda, literally crawling one on top of the other. But the coast is still given to tourists. Here, in a row, there are large modern hotels, mostly high-quality three-four-star hotels, with a full range of fashionable services: there are various sports, and children's clubs, and tennis courts, and always good buffet food. Hotels tend to have nice pools and are large and clean, though not as green as the Costa Brava. True, the prices here are almost a quarter higher than in the neighboring resort. Yes, and tourists on the Costa Dorada are different - families with kids, middle-aged couples. They are attracted by the opportunity to visit small lively towns, excellent shopping in neighboring Tarragona and Reus and of course the entertainment infrastructure.

Every parent considers it their duty to take their child to the famous amusement park. Port Aventura. This wonderful Spanish Disneyland is divided into five zones, symbolizing the Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico and the Wild West, each of which has many attractions that amaze the imagination of inventors and all kinds of colorful shows. The best Spanish water park also works on the Costa Dorada, Aquapolis, where you can not only ride all kinds of water slides, but even swim in the pool with fur seals!

And of course, the Costa Dorada is attractive for its sightseeing opportunities. The history of the most beautiful Tarragona goes back centuries, and it is safe to say that everyone has visited Tarragona - the Franks, Iberians, Celts, merchants of Ancient Greece and Carthage, Romans, Visigoths, Franks, Arabs. Christians replaced Muslims here, and they all left a piece of their culture in the city. Not far from Tarragona, an hour's drive away, is the town of Tortosa with impressive old fortifications, famous for its medieval cathedral and outdoor sculpture museum.

As you can see, these two Coasts - Brava and Dorada - only have a common language. So choose your place in Spain, but hurry up - the beach season on the coast is already open!

Choosing Spain for a beach holiday for the first time, an independent tourist has a reasonable question - where exactly to go to rest on the sea in Spain? Where will it be good to relax with children? Where are the beaches suitable for them? Where is a reasonable combination of cost and quality of rest?
And what is the difference between the beaches of the coasts, whose names so often flash in discussions on forums or in the offers of travel agencies - Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol?
Let's figure it out.

The Mediterranean coast of Spain can be divided into 4 parts:
- translates as "wild, bold coast",
Costa Dorada- "Golden shore",
Costa Blanca- "white coast"
Costa del Sol- "sunny Beach".
Between them are small coasts, such as the Costa de Valencia, but the four mentioned above are still considered the main ones.

Spain is justifiably proud of the fact that it has the largest number of blue flags for the cleanliness of its beaches. (Greece is second.)
All beaches in Spain are municipal, that is, public and free. The hotels do not have their own beaches. Even if the hotel is located on the first line and it has access to the sea, anyone can actually relax on its beach.

Costa Brava

Stretches from Barcelona up to the French border.
The coast got its name Wild Coast because of its rocky shores and secluded bays. The coast here is mountainous, the sea is deep - there are few long shallow beaches.
But there are many small backwaters in which children can splash like in pools, so it’s great to relax with kids on the Costa Brava. The water here is crystal clear, turquoise, perfectly clear. Large sand is easily shaken off the body.

The climate here is mild, the water warms up well, the swimming season begins in May. But it is on the Costa Brava that the swimming season ends earlier than on other coasts, it lasts a maximum until the end of September. In the velvet season it may already be fresh (usually it depends on the season, what was the summer).

The Costa Brava is considered budget resort. Students have chosen the local towns of Lloret de Mar (where there are many discos and bars), Blanes.
But this does not mean that there is no place for a relaxing family holiday. For example, the city of Tossa del Mar is a cozy, old and very cute town, where ancient and modern buildings are combined. A favorite walking area for all tourists is the fortress, located in the center of Tossa del Mar. This town is loved by filmmakers: at the beginning of the 20th century, films were shot here, it has long been a bohemian city, where artists and poets loved to relax. They say that Greta Garbo loved this place very much and recommended it to her friends. Although there are enough discos in it.

Resting on the Costa Brava, it is convenient to go on excursions to Girona, as well as to Figueras, the birthplace of Salvador Dali, where he made his museum out of the theater building, he is buried right there.

And of course, the main treasure of the Costa Brava is Barcelona, ​​which you must visit! If you are only in Barcelona for a day or two, the quickest way to see all the fun is the tourist bus. But it is better to live here for at least 3-4 days to explore the city more closely, it deserves it. Moreover, in the city itself there are normal beaches where you can sunbathe and swim.

Costa Dorada

The Golden Coast, whose beaches are famous for their golden sand. Unlike the Costa Brava, where the depth is almost immediate, there is a gentle entrance to the sea. Therefore, it is the Costa Dorada that is most often chosen for families with children in Spain. And the second good reason - this is where everyone's favorite is located.
The summer season here is shorter than at the southern tip of Spain, with a maximum until mid-October.

Popular seaside resorts of the Costa Dorada:
salou,
(also loved by young people - here are the biggest discos),
Tarragona (a very interesting city, with the ruins of a Roman amphitheater and good beaches).

Costa Blanca

As the name suggests, it has the whitest beaches in the Spanish Mediterranean.
The coast is quite gentle, convenient for swimming. The season starts earlier here due to warm currents - it is believed that you can swim on the Costa Blanca from the end of April.

Region Valencia and Murcia is considered almost the most ecological place not only in Spain, but also in Southern Europe. Here is the most developed tourism infrastructure in Spain.
The largest and most modern resort - Benidorm(Benidorm). The city looks like a small New York, with high-rise buildings and a wide beach equipped with everything you need (the beach, we repeat, is free, like in all of Spain. Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid). Benidorm can be called the "English" resort of Spain, here they buy real estate and the British love to relax.

The center of the Costa Blanca is the beauty of Valencia, where you should definitely go on an excursion. For convenience of inspection, use the Bus Touristik bus. For children, there is a modern science city with an oceanarium and a planetarium.

Russian-speaking citizens who buy apartments here have also chosen the Costa Blanca - do not be surprised by Russian signs and speeches in the cities of Alicante and Torrevieja.

Costa del Sol

The sunniest coast, the "frying pan" of Spain. Rains are extremely rare here, the temperature even in winter does not fall below 14 degrees.

Features of the Costa del Sol:
- there is no natural sand on the beaches, it is replaced by crushed granite chips brought in. The beaches are bulky, grayish in color. However, this does not spoil them - the beaches are clean, have a blue flag. However, crushed minerals are even more healing than ordinary sand.

- in summer it is very hot here, it seems that the sun bakes more than in the rest of Spain. However
Due to the proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, cold currents sometimes come here. And you can get so that even in summer the water can cool down to 18-20 degrees. Imagine - it's incredibly hot on the shore, and the water in the sea is like in a sports pool.

As a result, we can say that on the Mediterranean coast of Spain there is sure to be a resort for every taste and budget. Choose!

Perhaps the most popular question among tourists going on vacation to Catalonia for the first time is just choice between Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. Where to go - tourists think. Where is better? What is the difference between these, so similar in name, regions of Spain.

The most common answer to this question, which tourists often hear from travel agency managers, is that the Costa Brava is more of a youth resort, while the Costa Dorada is a great family vacation destination.

But in fact, not everything is so categorical. This division of resorts is very conditional. Both in the Costa Dorada and in the Costa Brava you can find excellent conditions for various types of recreation. It's all about the right choice of a particular resort, and often even a particular hotel.

Let's look at everything in more detail. According to several criteria for comparing the regions of the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada.

1. Transport accessibility

Both regions are equidistant from El Prat International Airport. At the same time, the Costa Dorada also has its own airport, which, in addition to domestic flights, accepts international charters serving the coast - this is Reus. And in the Costa Brava, the Girona airport performs the same function. So, according to this criterion, both coasts are absolutely equivalent.

At the same time, the cities of the Costa Brava are more conveniently located in relation to the main attractions of the region. Moreover, from here you can even go to Andorra or France for a couple of days - very close. Well, the "Dali triangle" (Figueres, Pubola and Port Lligate) is located here.

Costa Dorada is more suitable for a beach holiday. Going somewhere far away from here is not a very good idea. Maximum, a couple of trips to Barcelona, ​​for example.

1. Climatic features and weather

The Costa Brava is located a little north of the Costa Dorada. As a result, the water here warms up longer and reaches a comfortable temperature later. And some resorts are located so that they are open to "all winds". And the coastline here is also different - most resorts are in rocky bays, and the depth begins almost immediately after entering the sea.

The Costa Dorada, unlike the Costa Brava, is warmer. The water here warms up earlier, and the beaches are sandy and shallow, just perfect for families with children.

1. Entertainment and attractions

As already mentioned, the Costa Brava is an excellent combination of beach and sightseeing holidays. There will be enough museums and sightseeing routes just for a vacation, and there will even be more left.

But in the Costa Brava, entertainment is more family-oriented. There are many water parks, amusement parks (one Port Aventura is worth something), etc.

1. Hotels, inns, villas

The Costa Brava by this criterion goes far ahead of the Costa Dorada. Being a conditional continuation of the French "Côte d'Azur", the region offers a huge selection of a wide variety of housing: from villas to hotels. Although, the price tag is higher here. But there are also a decent number of 5-star hotels, which are so few in the Costa Dorada. There are plenty to choose from.

But at the same time, Costa Dorada hotels are more modern, more familiar (especially for fans of Turkey and Egypt), more spacious rooms.

Summing up, all of the above, we can designate the Costa Brava, with its awake Lloret de Mar, romantic Tossa de Mar, family Blanes, not crowded Playa de Aro, shamelessly expensive Sagaro and windy Roses - a great option for an active beach holiday, successfully diluted with trips along surrounding cities, excursions to local attractions and parties all night long.

A vacation in the Costa Dorada is an option for those who are annoyed by the language barrier (in most hotels there are Russian-speaking staff). For those who like to spend time on modern attractions, with or without family. And in the evening - have fun in one of the local clubs. For those who enjoy the flavor of Spanish cities and are ready to appreciate the full dynamics of the festivals that take place in Tarragona in a continuous series. For real gourmets who will not miss the opportunity to enjoy the cuisine of Cambrils fish restaurants. And even for those who are looking for a nice relaxing atmosphere - we are talking about Sitges, which is especially popular as a gay tourism destination.