Best Hidden Beaches in Costa Brava

Hidden Beaches on the Costa Brava: Secret Coves Off the Tourist Trail

The Costa Brava's most rewarding beaches are often its least known: small coves reachable only by foot through cork forests and maquis scrubland, or by sea from a kayak or small boat. These hidden spots offer a completely different experience from the organised resort beaches, combining extraordinary natural beauty with the quiet satisfaction of a place discovered under your own effort. The rocky coastline between L'Escala and Port de la Selva is particularly rich in unmarked paths leading to empty coves, and the marine reserve status of much of this coast ensures the underwater environment remains pristine.

Top Hidden Beaches in Costa Brava

Cala Es Jonquet

Near Port de la Selva in the northern Costa Brava, Cala Es Jonquet is reached by a thirty-minute walk over the headland from the village, following an unmarked path through dense Mediterranean scrub. The small rocky cove has no facilities whatsoever and is largely unknown even to regular Costa Brava visitors. The water is clear and deep, the surroundings wild, and the silence near-total except for the sound of waves on rock. Pack snorkelling gear, as the rocky walls drop sharply and shelter an interesting variety of marine life. Midweek visits between June and September offer the best chance of having the cove entirely to yourself.

Cala Prona

South of L'Escala and close to the Greek and Roman ruins of Empúries, Cala Prona sits at the end of an unmarked track through pine forest that most tourists drive straight past. From the water on a clear day, the archaeological site on the headland above is visible, adding a layer of historical atmosphere to an already remarkable natural setting. The cove is small, rocky, and utterly lacking in services, with no signs indicating its existence from the main road. Those who find it are rewarded with exceptionally clear water, total privacy, and one of the most unusual coastal views on the entire Costa Brava.

Cala Estreta

Near Palamós, Cala Estreta requires a forty-minute walk through a protected cork forest along a well-worn but unsigned path. The forest walk itself is beautiful, winding between ancient cork oaks and past rocky outcrops, and the arrival at the long, narrow cove is genuinely thrilling. The beach is entirely natural with no facilities, backed by pine forest and flanked by dramatic rock formations. The water is extraordinarily clear and the swimming outstanding. Despite being within easy reach of a major coastal town, Cala Estreta consistently feels like a discovery, attracting only those prepared to make the walk through the forest.

Explore the Secret Costa Brava

Find your base for exploring hidden coves at /en/hotels and see the full beach guide at /en/beaches/spain.