Costa Brava

What Arenys de Mar is really like: a Maresme coast town with the area’s biggest marina, sandy beaches and a long tradition of bobbin lace-making.

What Alella is really like: a small wine town just north of Barcelona, home to the DO Alella appellation and easy beaches on the Maresme coast.

Inland medieval town of about 2,600 in Garrotxa: 105 m Romanesque bridge, miqvé by appointment, Sant Pere church. No beach; 32.9 km from Girona.

Working fishing port on the Costa Brava: fish market, Museu de la Pesca, Palamós prawns, three sandy beaches and a coastal path. About 18,900 residents.

Inland Catalan town, about 21 km by road from the sea at Roses: the Dalí Theatre-Museum, the vast Sant Ferran fortress and the Toy Museum on the Rambla.

What Girona is really like: a walled medieval old town, the widest Gothic cathedral nave, colourful Onyar riverfront houses and Game of Thrones filming spots.

What Sant Antoni de Calonge is really like: a long Costa Brava beach, quiet coves, the Camí de Ronda path and a medieval castle inland.

Hill town of about 4,300 in Girona: castle, 15 Indian houses and eight coves such as Sa Riera and Aiguablava. Car needed for the coves; 52 km from Girona.

Guide to Hostalric — medieval walls, castle and old town between Girona and Barcelona, an easy inland day trip from the southern Costa Brava beaches.

Guide to Arbúcies in the Montseny hills behind Costa Brava — bus-building heritage, chestnut forests, hiking trails, local food, and how to get there.