Guide to Tamariu

"Fronting a romantic sandy bay clasped by wooded headlands, traditional Tamariu takes you back to a genuinely Spanish Costa Brava in a wonderfully scenic setting."

If you love Spain and you love sandy beaches, Tamariu offers the creme de la creme. Just north of Llafranc, this has to be one of the Costa Brava's sweetest-looking, traditional beach retreats. Folded between wooded hills, this small town spills gently down to a swoon-some sandy bay. Inside the town, simple whitewashed houses and a few unassuming shops and bars skirt unspoilt streets, their ragged pan-tiled roofs contrasting starkly with the opaque blue sky. And thankfully, Tamariu has successfully stayed off the main tourist trap – leaving you free to enjoy this authentic slice of Spain in a blissful coastal setting. Savour the atmosphere before surrendering to the beach. Sit in the sunshine over appetising tapas – try 'truita d'espinaques', spinach tortilla – coupled with tumblers of ice-cold wine. Then pick up that impulse-purchase lilo and head for the beguiling bay. The light golden sands and translucent, sheltered seas will keep you happy for hours, whether you're sun-tanning, snorkelling, diving or puttering around the neighbouring coves in a rented small boat. And behind the sands, a flurry of friendly, open-air cafes serve classic Catalan cuisine, completing the idyll. It'd be a shame to dedicate every day to the beach, though. Some of the Costa Brava's principal beauty spots are yours for the taking nearby, including the delightful hilltop town of Begur and quaint, harbour-fronted San Feliu. Or spend a day in Barcelona, playing golf on magnificent local courses or horse-riding through the pine-scented countryside. Back home in Tamariu, let the sunset beckon you back to a beachfront restaurant for supper. And while you eat, toast the setting in true Catalan fashion – with ice-cold, soul-warming sangria. Bliss.

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