Beyond the Hotels: Camping on Catalonia's Wild Coast

The Costa Brava, Catalonia's famed "wild coast," begins near Portbou, just across the French border, and extends along the Mediterranean Sea to Blanes. This roughly 220-kilometer stretch is characterized by its striking blue to turquoise waters, colorful rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and the fragrant scent of pine trees mingling with sea salt.

While the region, first named "wild coast" by poet Ferran Agulló in 1908, has seen some of its former fishing villages transform into bustling tourist centers with marinas and high-rise hotels, pockets of natural beauty persist. Blanes, for instance, has managed to preserve several natural havens amidst its concrete development, including parks and the historic "Solmar" campsite.

Josep Ribas, who inherited the Solmar campsite from his father, represents a generational link to the land. His family farmed the area before converting the fields into a campsite in 1969. Today, Solmar offers a spacious pool area and is situated conveniently close to the Platja de s’Abanell beach. Ribas is continually renovating the site, recently upgrading the sanitary facilities to include modern, accessible private bathrooms.

For nature enthusiasts, the Jardí Botànic Marimurtra in Blanes is a must-visit. Established in 1921, this botanical garden, covering over 16 hectares, is renowned as one of the most beautiful on the Mediterranean. It showcases a diverse collection of flora, including Mediterranean species, palms, pines, succulents, and cacti, alongside plants from other continents. Nearby, the Castell de Sant Joan provides exceptional views of the town and the sea, offering a historical vantage point over the dramatic coastline.

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The long beach Platja de s’Abanell and its promenade are still only four minutes away on foot.