Family-friendly resorts in the Costa Brava

Friday, 29 July 2011 3:38 PM

For family holidays in the sun, there are few better choices than the Costa Brava.

This beautiful stretch of Catalan coastline has long been a favourite destination with tourists from across Europe and the resorts now have all the facilities you could need for a successful break with the family.

Whether you are looking for a lively holiday or a location where you can get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet, you will find lots of choice on the Costa Brava.

One resort well worth considering is Lloret de Mar. It can be easily reached from both Girona and Barcelona, so there is lots of potential for day trips, but the town also has plenty of attractions of its own.

Lloret de Mar is best known for its five beaches, where you can try your hand at water skiing, sailing and scuba diving, or simply find a quiet spot to relax and work on your suntan. If the kids get bored of running around on the sand, try taking them to Water World - Europe's largest water park - or to the playgrounds and mini-kart track at Gnome Park.

The resort also has plenty to do after dark, even for families. There is a selection of child-friendly bars and the vast number of restaurants means you can choose anything from a traditional English meal to high-quality local dishes.

Platja D'Aro is another great choice for holidays in Costa Brava. This quiet resort has a beautiful 2 km-long beach, which is the ideal place to spend lazy days before heading for an evening in one of its 100 restaurants and cafes.

You could also choose to spend an afternoon visiting the Castle of Benedormiens or a day exploring the nearby Gavarres mountain range. The forest-covered hillsides are among the most tranquil places in the Costa Brava, giving you the perfect opportunity to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

For somewhere a little different to the usual Costa Brava resorts, try booking a break in Calella. The town has all the facilities you will need for a holiday, but has maintained its traditional Spanish feel.

You can spend your days on the wide open spaces of its sandy beach, exploring the narrow streets of the old town or walking on the cliffs to enjoy the spectacular views. Once the sun goes down you can head to one of the traditional restaurants, before enjoying a Sardana performance on the promenade.

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