AIGUABLAVA

It was here, in 1908, that the journalist Ferran Aguila first coined the term, costa brava, and the rocky coves around Begur retain much of their ruggedness today. Of course they have now been discovered by tourists, and luxury 'urbanisations' are creeping up the hillsides, but out of season you can still have pine fringed cliffs, golden sand and sparkling turquoise bays. The bay at Aiguablava is dominated, unusually, by an ugly white parador, a state-run hotel built on the cliffs to take advantage of the view. Across the bay is the chic resort of Fornells, little more than a marina, a smart hotel and a pair of tiny beaches. North of here are more small coves Sa Riera, with views over the Medes islands, and Aiguafreda and Sa Tuna, linked by a footpath cut into the rock.