Different from the Costa Brava to the north, the Costa Dorada of the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona is less rugged, and its extensive flat golden sandy beaches and clear shallow waters are the main attraction. Between the sea and the mountains are wide plains with tranquil villages, agricultural land, vineyards and orchards . Most of the Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) towns have their own beaches with hotels, campsites, villas and apartments and many people buy and rent Costa Dorada property. On this page you can view and enquire about holiday rentals, long term rentals and properties for sale.

The Costa del Maresme takes in the stretch of coast north of Barcelona city. The area attracts large numbers of people from Barcelona but there are some pleasant spots. Mataró, a major industrial centre 30km from Barcelona with a population of over 100,000, is at the centre of the Maresme region. It has a long seafaring tradition and an active marina.
South of Mataró are the huge industrial centres of Badalona and the outskirts of Barcelona city. Cabrera de Mar, Vilassar de Mar, Premià de Mar, El Masnou and Montgat are largely dominated by holiday campsites taking advantage of the otherwise unwanted coastal location. North of Mataro the coastline and beaches are quieter and prettier. Caldes d’Estrac has thermal springs. Arenys De Mar is the biggest fishing port in the area, with an interesting harbour and, as with Canet de Mar a few kms north, a decent beach. The small town of Sant Pol is one of the best coastal spots in the area with rocky coves hiding restaurants and beautiful properties, all a short distance from the mass tourism of Calella, the modern package resort with 3km of immaculately clean sandy beaches only 45km from Girona’s airport and 60km north of Barcelona´s El Prat airport.
Continuing north up the coast , the resort towns of Pineda de Mar, Malgrat de Mar and Santa Susanna are also important centres for package tourism. North of Santa Susanna is the town of Palafolls with a marine zoo and water park.

Barcelona is an industrial harbour and the beaches tend to be polluted or backed by gas, chemical and mineral-oil complexes. The urban region of Baix Llobregat, Barcelona´s most densely populated area has plenty of attractions nonetheless: Gaudi´s World Heritage sites and golf courses: Can Cuyas Golf Club and Manresa Golf Club at Sant Feliu, and Real Club de Golf near El Prat de llobregat airport.

The Costa del Garraf
Castelldefels, just 12 km from the airport, attracts huge numbers of visitors in the summer to its 6km of wide, fine sandy coastline as do the beaches of Gava and Viladecans.
The mountainous countryside and small coves of Garraf natural park provide a peaceful alternative to the frenetic culture of Vilanova, La Geltrú and Sitges seaside resorts. The main blue-flagged beaches of the Costa del Garraf are found in the Castelldefels to Sitges stretch: La Ribera, Sant Sebastian, Garraf, Aiguadolc, La Barra, in Vilanova i la Geltru: Ribes Roges and in quieter Cubelles : Playa Larga, Riera Xica.

The southern Costa Dorada stretches into the province of Tarragona and includes the golf courses at La Graiera, el Vendrell, Costa Daurada Tarragona and Reus Aiguesverds plus the huge beaches of Coma-ruga, Europes biggest theme park Port Aventura, the popular resorts of Torredembarra, Tarragona city, and Salou, whose tourism based infrastrucutre back its claims to be the capital of the Costa Daurada. Cambrils and Miami Playa are resorts with large beaches further southwest before the coast becomes rockier, and the towns, such as Ametlla de Mar and Ampolla smaller. The southern limit of the Costa Dorada is marked by the delta of the Ebro river natural park. Cheap flights to Reus airport in Tarragona serve the southern Costa Dorada while Barcelona and Girona airports help put the Costa del Maresme and Costa del Garraf within a few hours reach of most Europeans. The convenience of an out of town location with one of Europe´s finest cities close by attracts people to buy and rent property in and around the lively resorts and beaches of the Costa Dorada.

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