Santa Cristina d’Aro is a picturesque town located in the Aro Valley, along the beloved and lovely Costa Brava of Spain, just 6km inland from the beaches of Platja d’Aro and S’Agaro. Surrounded by mountains and tree-covered hills with various roads, paths, and trails throughout, it is a perfect destination for those looking to hike, cycle, and explore, and is certainly a scenic spot of incredible beauty to admire throughout a vacation in Spain. It is also an ideal base from which to enjoy the Costa Brava, easily fly into the airport, and to plan day trips to Girona and Barcelona – basically, it’s the best of all worlds! So, those looking to properly escape from daily life and concerns to somewhere charming and peaceful where they can relax on perfect beaches, enjoy nature, and do very little of anything at all as well as some days visiting incredible tourist attractions and famous destination would be well-advised to check out our amazing villas in Santa Cristina d’Aro and our villas on the Costa Brava.
In addition to the wonderful weather and the immense beauty of the landscape, Santa Cristina d’Aro boasts friendly locals who tend to smile and greet those they pass in the street and a proper small town atmosphere that many will enjoy. The town is located just far enough inland from the beaches to be far more tranquil even during the height of the tourist season in the summer months. It is also not particularly touristy so you can expect that warm atmosphere, little businesses, and closures during the middle of the day. While these things might not suit some, those looking to embrace the slow and restful pace of life of a little (but still rather cosmopolitan) Spanish town will enjoy it. And, while you may not have lots of chain stores or high-end brands, there are still bakeries, banks, bars, butchers, cafes, modern supermarkets, restaurants, and more – basically all the essentials you might need! Plus, for anything else, Girona and Barcelona are just 30 minutes and an hour away respectively, making it easy to get what you need. A car would make life easier, but there is a main bus route running right through town and the nearest train station in around 20 minutes away.
While a lovely spot during the summer as it is so close to some of the best beaches in all of Spain, Santa Cristina d’Aro is also actually quite a good winter getaway destination as well due to its proximity to the Pyrenees mountains and Andorra. Skiing – though the slopes of Spain are less famous than some of its neighbours – is brilliant in this part of the world as it is less busy, less expensive, it is warmer and sunnier, and the scenery is incredible. So, if you’re thinking of planning a ski holiday in Spain, then browse our vacation rentals in Santa Cristina d’Aro as it makes for an excellent base!
As noted, the lush and mountainous surroundings of the town are ideal for those who enjoy getting active and there are lots of different trails and routes to explore through this gorgeous part of the Spanish countryside. In addition to venturing out on foot for strolls and hikes, there are a variety of other ways to get around and enjoy this charming setting. Horseback riding outings are popular and can be arranged with stables and companies in the area for both beginners and more experienced individuals, couples and groups of friends or family, kids and adults, and more. Mountain biking and road cycling are both favourites and have only increased in popularity in recent years. The local government has also established wonderful routes along the old train lines that mean those looking to venture forth but to do so a little less vigorously can enjoy relatively flat tracks between towns and villages in the area and out along the coast.
Of course, the beaches are a big draw too, and when one gets to the coast they will find more than a hundred to choose from and a wide range of water-sports to enjoy as well as sunbathing, swimming, sailing, outings on boats and kayaks, SUP, scuba-diving, snorkelling, and much more besides.
Throughout the summer, too, the beaches and local villages also hold all sorts of music festivals, traditional events, foodie festivals, and much more besides. Other cultural attractions in the area include the ancient archaeological sites and caves throughout the region, the ruins of the Solius Castle, the Solius Cistercian Monastery, the pre-Roman Sant Martí de Romanyà Church, and more.
The culinary tradition of this part of Spain is particularly strong as well and there are all sorts of incredible local delicacies to be tried and excellent restaurants both in Santa Cristina d’Aro itself and in nearby towns. With the coast so close by there are, of course, plenty of excellent opportunities to enjoy incredible seafood dishes but the mountainous area around Santa Cristina d’Aro is known for its mushrooms, which are collected in the autumn, and with which hearty and delicious meals are made. Furthermore, the trendy and world-renowned eateries of Barcelona are all not too far away if you’re up for a foodie trip during your holiday. So, if you’re looking to eat well, it is an excellent place to stay in order to enjoy lots of extraordinary different options!
Boasting everything you could ask for in a getaway in Spain, this gem of a town along the Costa Brava is an ideal spot for your next vacation. Just browse our holiday rentals in Santa Cristina d’Aro and get planning your trip today.
Picture 1 Vilallonga / CC BY-SA 2.5;
Picture 2 Josep Maria Viñolas Esteva / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3 Angela Llop / CC BY-SA 2.0