Barcelona is a global tourism superstar. With mesmerizing Gaudí architecture, miles of beaches, delicious Catalan cuisine and world-class museums, Spain’s second-largest city is a must-visit. Proximity to Costa Brava and excellent marina infrastructure also make it a perfect starting point for the coastal sail. Choose between four centrally located marinas – Olympic Port, Marina Port Vell, Port Fòrum and Marina Vela – for the most convenient access to the enormous UNESCO-protected historic core. They have over 1300 berths in total, so finding the mooring space won’t be an issue. 

The Catalan capital doesn’t hold back when it comes to attractions. Gaudí’s spectacular modernist masterpieces, such as the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, are sure to impress you. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter and visit the imposing Cathedral of Barcelona. If you have more time, take a funicular to Tibidabo hill for a breathtaking city panorama. Fundació Joan Miró, Picasso Museum and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya are an obligatory visit for the art lovers. All the marinas are alongside sandy beaches, so you’re always steps away from dipping into the Med waters.

Enjoy a morning sail from Barcelona to Blanes on the second day. You’ll cruise next to the flat resort towns of the Maresme Coast, such as Mataró, Arenys de Mar and Malgrat de Mar. Costa Brava officially begins from Blanes, a port town flanked by the hills. A 309-berth local marina is among the region’s finest. Right next to the port is the long Platja De Blanes, a fantastic sandy stretch for sunbathing and urban swimming. But the real treasures of Blanes are in its rugged western part. 

The town’s biggest attraction is the wonderful Jardí Botànic Marimurtra, with 4,000 species of sub-tropical and Mediterranean plants. Behind the garden, one of Spain’s most stunning coastlines begins. Sail to Cala Sa Forcanera, a picture-perfect cala (or cove) with crystalline waters. Then, Cala Bona is a striking pebbly beach, offering excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. The scenic Camí de Ronda hiking trail, which encompasses the whole Costa Brava, also starts in Blanes. If you’re hungry for more sights, hike up to the medieval Castell de Sant Joan above the city for the views.

Continue to Lloret de Mar for more heavenly beaches. The section between Cala Treumal and Cala Banyis is among Costa Brava’s most stunning coastal stretches. Observing the rugged landscape from the yacht gives you the best view of high cliffs meeting the Mediterranean blue. Take your time to beach-hop. The first stop is Santa Cristina Beach, a pleasant turquoise cove surrounded by the verdant pine forest. Cala Boadella – a paradisiac sandy strip among the rocks – is up next. Like Blanes, Lloret de Mar comes with a striking coastal garden, the Jardins de Santa Clotilde. Wander through its manicured pathways and admire the panoramas of the coast from the cliffs. 

Finally, hit the sands of Playa de Fenals, a great golden sand alternative to the busy main beach of Lloret de Mar. As for Lloret, it’s one of the busiest summer resorts in Catalonia with a vibrant city life. Stop by the Església de Sant Romà de Lloret de Marx, which is a curious blend of Gaudí-inspired colorful modernist architecture with classical Baroque and Renaissance influences. For anchoring, head to the picturesque Canyelles port, which offers 134 berths alongside the pretty sandy cove.

Have breakfast in Bar La Lluna among the idyllic medieval streets of the walled Old Town of Tossa de Mar near Lloret. Then, take a dip at Platja Mar Menuda, offering the best view of the bay. The journey from Tossa to Sant Feliu de Guixols is along the rocky coast, where ridges of Massís de Cadiretes pierce into the azure waters of the Mediterranean. You will sail next to many beautiful coves, such as Cala Bona, Cala Pola and Cala Giverola. Each is perfect for spending some time diving and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. This is also the least developed part of the Costa Brava, without big resort towns and high-rises. 

With 400 moorings, Club Nautic Sant Feliu de Guixols is a top-notch marina for a stop. While the town doesn’t have an impressive Old Town, it’s famous for its spectacular Romanesque Benedictine monastery. Another point of interest for adventurous travelers is the Via Ferrata Cala del Molí, a unique climbing route on the ochre-colored coastal cliffs. Also, check out S’Agaró, an upscale resort town with superb beaches, such as Cala Sa Conca and Platja de Sant Pol.

One of the most convenient and developed ports in the Baix Empordà comarca, Palamós is your next stop. Marina Palamós and Club Náutico Costa Brava offer over 1000 moorings together, along with a superb marina infrastructure, water sports rental and easy access to the lively Palamós promenade and city center. It’s one of the “newer” Costa Brava towns with a classic long sandy strip backed by the residential houses from the ’70s and ’80s. Spend the night in its well-equipped marinas, but use Palamós as a base for discovering Baix Empordà gems. 

The first major must-see is Calella de Palafrugell, a whitewashed fishing village-turned-resort. The beautiful town panorama is often used on promotional articles and tourist brochures about the Costa Brava. Seafront La Blava is among the region’s top seafood restaurants, serving mouthwatering dishes such as arròs negre (black rice with cuttlefish and rice), socarrat (a paella with “burn” rice) and ajo blanco (a cold soup also known as the “white gazpacho”) with scallops. Nearby, Llafranc is another postcard-ready beach town. Jardíns de Cap Roig is a magical coastal botanical garden with a castle. Stop at Cala s’Alguer – a pebbly turquoise cove – on your way back to Palamós.

The views on the sail from Palamós to L’Estartit are incredible. The green mountain cascade of the Muntanyes de Begur is a magical sight in the morning hours. Just behind Sa Riera, Platja de l’Illa Roja is among Spain’s top naturist beaches. Stop there for a quick dip in a gorgeous natural setting. Afterward, the rugged coast gives way to vast sandy dunes of Platja de Pals, and you reach l’Estartit. The town’s Club Nàutic is a mid-sized marina with over 600 moorings. The flat section of the coast between L’Estartit and Sa Riera is famous for the golf clubs. 

But yacht enthusiasts would want to be here for the islands. L’Estartit is a launching pad for sails to the nearby Illes Medes, a spectacular archipelago of 7 rocky islands. Uninhabited and untouched, they are protected as a natural reserve. The craggy coastline around the islands is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving area (a permit is required). Cruising around Illes Medes is a fantastic yachting experience. It’s also a major bird-watching destination in the Costa Brava.

Italy has Venice, California has Venice Beach and Costa Brava has Empuriabrava. This quaint town in the romantically-named Gulf of Roses is peppered with canals. Constructed on a swamp in the ’70s, Empuriabrava is currently the largest residential marina in Europe. Apart from the canals, there’s Empúries, the fascinating ruins of the former Greek colony with a well-preserved mosaic floor and several temple remains.

Your journey culminates in Cadaqués, which is easily the most gorgeous beach town in Costa Brava. Not only is it a photogenic whitewashed marvel of a destination, but Cadaqués also has a celebrated artistic history. Catalonia-born surrealist artist Salvador Dalí lived here from 1930 to 1982. Visiting his house-museum, which features the artist’s works, a workshop and various memorabilia, is a must for art lovers. The town also offers a mesmerizing blue bay, sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters and the romantic seaside promenade. Visit the 16th-century late Gothic Church of Santa Maria for the magnificent altar. 

If you have more time for land trips, Figueres is worth checking out. Salvador Dalí’s birthplace is most famous for the Dalí Theatre-Museum, a whimsical surrealist gallery on the site of a former theater, designed by the artist himself. It’s also Dalí’s last resting place – he’s buried in the crypt under the stage.