10 Things to Do in Costa Brava When it Rains

Head to the birthplace of world-renowned artist Salvador Dalí and discover his most unique and creative work in the Dalí Theatre-Museum. Centrally-located in his hometown of Figueres, Dalí chose to erect the spectacular building at the site of the small coastal town’s former Municipal Theatre.

The building itself is a magnificent sight to see and is said to be the largest work of surrealist art in the world. But head inside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by special collections of his most peculiar and quirky work. It’s also home to his crypt and grave. Carry some small change in your pocket while you’re there, to activate the museum’s interactive exhibits.

Dominating the skyline in the heart of Girona’s Força Vella, the ancient Girona Cathedral is as historic as it is beautiful. There are parts of its Romanesque foundations dating back as far as the 5th century, but the architecture boasts a mixture of distinctly Gothic and Baroque features, too.

When you’ve finished admiring the exterior, head inside and take a look around the widest Gothic nave in the world, at a width of 22 metres. While there, you can make use of an audio guide to gain a deeper insight into the history of the church. The eagle-eyed Game of Thrones fans among you might recognise the cathedral steps from Jaime Lannister’s standoff with the High Sparrow in season 6.

Get in among nature without getting caught in the rain with an afternoon spent at Empuriabrava’s fabulous Butterfly Park. Located just a 20-minute drive east of Figueres, the small, interactive zoo is nestled between 3 natural parks and features a 2,000-square-metre greenhouse, recreating the environment of a tropical rainforest.

Housing a variety of exotic species, such as parrots, lizards, wallabies and, of course, butterflies (including the world’s largest), the main purpose of the park is to educate visitors on the importance of butterfly conservation. You can take an informative guided tour, allowing you supervised encounters with the creatures. Be sure to buy a cup of nectar while you’re there to feed the animals as you go.

A striking example of blended architecture in the centre of Lloret de Mar, the brightly coloured Parish Church of Sant Romà is one of the coastal town’s top attractions. Unmissable to anyone walking around the heart of the resort, the church is instantly recognisable by its stripy exterior walls and multicoloured roof.

Part of the Lloret Open Museum (or MOLL), you can freely explore the church, with its varying design ranging from 16th-century Gothic to modern-day additions like its new side chapels. Be sure to explore inside as well as outside, where you’ll find beautiful Venetian-style art forming part of a stunning altarpiece.

Small in size but rich in history, Girona’s Arab Baths date back to the 12th century, yet remain excellently preserved to this day. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Old Town, at the foot of the famous cathedral, the ornate landmark once served as public baths, inspired by those of the Romans.

Built in a Romanesque style, which is popular throughout Girona, the baths’ stand-out features include the central pool, with its dome cupola supported by stone columns with Corinthian tops. You can take a self-guided tour here at any time of year, but it’s especially beautiful during the Girona Flower Festival each May.

Discover all there is to know about the art of cinematography at Girona’s spectacular Cinema Museum. The 3-storey interactive exhibit can be found right in the centre of the city, ideally situated for spending a few hours escaping the rain.

Work your way through the extensive collections of memorabilia and interactive exhibits, uncovering a timeline of the world’s fascination with motion pictures. From shadow imagery to modern-day cinema, it’s a haven for film fanatics. Once you’ve completed your self-guided tour, pay a visit to the souvenir shop at the end to pick up a memento of your day.

Tossa de Mar is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque towns on the Costa Brava and the biggest draw to it is the iconic castle in its enchanting Old Town. An architectural masterpiece perched on cliffs overlooking the stunning beach, you’ll find plenty to explore within the ancient castle grounds.

Walk through and along the 14th-century walls then climb into the superbly preserved fortified towers and take in the breathtaking views along the coast. Admire the Vila Vella’s medieval houses, cobbled alleyways and charming shops and restaurants en route to the castle. But, if the rain gets too heavy, you can always catch a ride up to the top on the local tourist train.

The delightful town of Palamós is a major fishing port on the Costa Brava. It brings the history of its greatest passion to life at its seafront Fishing Museum. After witnessing the captivating spectacle of countless fishing boats returning to port each afternoon and unloading the day’s catch, step inside the museum for a guided tour giving further insight into fishing along the Spanish coast.

The museum looks not only into fishing’s past and present but also into the future, featuring enthralling exhibits and interactive displays throughout. As well as the museum, you can visit the nearby seafood market and take part in additional activities such as cooking workshops at The Fish Space.

Whether you love the bright lights of the machines or you want to put your best poker face to the test, you’ll find it all at the Gran Casino Costa Brava. This medium-sized casino features all the classic games, including Roulette, Blackjack and Punto Banco. Try your luck in a poker tournament on a Friday and Saturday night or take your pick from the 90 slot machines.

There’s more to the casino than just the games. You’ll also find plenty of food and drink options, such as a cocktail bar and a stylish restaurant. Plus, there’s a 1,000-seater event auditorium. Be sure to check out the awesome flamenco shows.