Last updated on March 1st, 2025 at 06:20 pm
Adventure, beauty, relationship…basic human desires. Spain’s Costa Brava (Wild Coast) fulfilled them all. Between Barcelona and Jimmy Buffett’s Coast of Marseilles, I snorkeled in open waters, biked through Medieval hill towns, and laughed over meals and a pottery wheel with bloggers from Canada, the US, and Europe. I’m a romantic. I’ve always loved the Middle Ages and the sea. My first fling in Spain in 2009 made me a Gaudi Girl, but I later fell in love with the country’s beaches. I also value independence, freedom. So when I received an invitation to “Discover the Medieval Coast,” a sponsored trip to familiarize travel writers with Catalonia, Spain’s autonomous community, this castle-craving pirate princess was on the boat ready to ride. Day One began with a walking tour of Lloret de Mar. I tweeted that it felt very Game of Thrones (and discovered later that the fantasy series was filmed here and so was the prequel, House of the Dragon). See links to the 5-part series on Costa Brava below.
The former fishing town with Iberian and Roman ruins was transformed by fortunes made in Spanish-ruled Cuba and was the site of the European Travel Bloggers Exchange — TBEX — held days earlier. We followed the seaside promenade to the 11th century Castle of Sant Joan, a defense against sea attacks. Though all but the tower was destroyed in 1805 by the British navy battling Spain and France, I climbed along the wall, each turn a new view of waves crashing into coves and crags below.
The natural beauty of Spain’s Wild Coast birthed free spirits, Dali, Picasso, and Gaudi. Surrounded by sea and mountains, I was energized. Inspired. And once perched at the peak, I remembered writer Madeleine L’Engle’s words about artists. The Wild Coast made me feel — more than anything — free.
Artists have always been drawn to the wild, wide elements they cannot control or understand — the sea, the mountains, fire. To be an artist means to approach the light, and that means to let go our control, to allow our whole selves to be placed with absolute faith in what which is greater than we are. —Madeleine L’Engle
I loved my stay at Hotel Santa Marta for its spacious grounds and secluded, private beach. Hotel Miramar and Hotel Marsol are less expensive options with beachfront balconies and easy access to restaurants in the hub of town.
Stunning Coastal Trail
Get inspired below to do this wild walk where Medieval meets Mediterranean. A Romantic’s dream! Though the actual medieval castle in Lloret de Mar is St. Joan’s Castle, built in the 11th century, Castell d’en Plaja (below), constructed in the 1930s and 1940s, is a majestic, magical landmark.
Getting to Lloret de Mar: The closest airports are Barcelona (airport code BCN), 90km (56 miles) away and Girona-Costa Brava (airport code GRO), 30km (19 miles) away. I flew RyanAir from Marrakesh. My flight there was approximately $50/return $21, then took the Sarfa bus, which runs approximately every 30 minutes. Tickets may be purchased at the airport bus office or on the bus for around 10 Euro. See latest transportation modes and prices here.
Thank you to Catalunya, Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona, and El Consell Comarcal del Baix Empordà for an amazing stay and introduction to all Costa Brava offers! Note to readers: the opinions on this 5-Part series are all my own. This blog contains affiliate links. I recommend only travel experiences, destinations, services, accommodations, and restaurants I experienced and truly enjoyed.
Discovering Costa Brava: Spain’s Medieval Coast, Part I
Discovering Costa Brava’s Medes Islands, Part II
Discovering Costa Brava’s Bounty, Part III
