Costa Brava and Barcelona - July 2016
We stayed at the recently refurbished Rosa Nautica hotel on a full board basis, which is located directly opposite the beach and close to the old town area of Malgrat. The hotel has a small outdoor pool so easy to keep the children under control and also offers a variety of evening entertainment to keep the little ones and grown-ups entertained.
The food in the hotel restaurant is of a good standard and is one of the aspects many people comment on during their stay. The staff in the restaurant are extremely friendly and worked hard to ensure guests are promptly seated and food kept in plentiful supply.
We had a decent sized room to accommodate the four of us which had a fantastic sea view across the Mediterranean. Fantastic to wake up to in the morning!
In the resort of Malgrat itself there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants around the old and new parts of town. There are tapas restaurants for those who want to try typically Spanish dishes and there are also many nice bars along the beach. Great if you have children as you can sit (for a bit at least!) and have a drink whilst your children play on the beach!
A great day out for children is the nearby Marineland which also offers free return transport from the resort. There is a waterpark with areas to suit all age groups and various shows throughout the day to keep you all entertained. The great thing about Malgrat is that the town is on the train line into Barcelona which takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The train also stops at Plaza Cataluna at the top of Las Ramblas in the city centre so very convenient.
We walked down the famous Las Ramblas and stopped off to visit La Boqueria market. Very busy but without doubt worth a visit as the produce on sale is simply fantastic.
We then wondered through the labyrinth of narrow shaded streets of the Gothic Quarter and admired the numerous old buildings on route. The streets open out into many squares one of which includes the beautiful Barcelona cathedral. We sat on the steps outside and listened to the music a local busker performed to an admiring audience. We then ventured down to the harbour area which has been redeveloped since my last visit and you can visit an aquarium or enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in one of the many bars/restaurants.
I would recommend the Costa Brava to anyone who wants a holiday in the sun without a long flight. There are many beautiful resorts/towns in this area which I have visited and include Tossa de Mar and Girona to name but a few.