Zel Costa Brava: Luxe Wellness & Coastal Post-Cruise Calm Near Barcelona

We arrived at Zel Costa Brava after disembarking our Princess Sun cruise in Barcelona and spending the day easing back into land life. We wandered past the Sagrada Familia, popped into fun coffee shops and local boutiques, and made our way through La Boqueria. The market was buzzing with jamón hanging everywhere, fresh seafood on ice, olives, fruit juices, ostrich eggs, and tiny counters where locals eat standing up. I was very tempted to try sea urchin. It's a true local delicacy often eaten straight from the shell, but my husband gently talked me out of it, and we laughed our way onward. From there, we grabbed our rental car and headed north, and the drive from Barcelona was incredibly easy and scenic, the perfect transition from city energy to coastal calm.

Yes, please!

From the moment we arrived at Zel Costa Brava, we felt instantly welcomed. We were greeted right at the door and invited to sit down with a drink of our choice, which immediately set the tone for the stay. The lobby quickly became our morning and evening hangout—spacious, relaxed, and quietly luxurious, with live music nightly and a vibe that made you want to linger. Breakfast was served upstairs in the same building, and every meal at the main restaurant was buffet-style. Each time we walked in—whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—we were amazed by the variety: fresh seafood, grilled fish and meats, Mediterranean salads, local cheeses, pastries, and plenty of options everyone in our family genuinely enjoyed. The cliffside views from the restaurant alone made every meal feel special.

We were lucky enough to stay in a two-bedroom unit, which gave our family the space to truly spread out and relax. The resort itself feels incredibly open, with plenty of areas to lounge—by the pools, overlooking the coastline, or tucked into quieter corners with sea views. It never felt crowded, and everyone could move at their own pace. Below the resort, the coastline was stunning. Every day, we watched people jumping off the cliffs into the clear blue water while boats sat anchored nearby for hours. After a week on a cruise and time in Rome before that, our family finally joined in and jumped ourselves, and it ended up being one of those “we’ll never forget this” moments.

What really stood out was how much there is to do without ever feeling pressured. The resort offers mountain and coastal hiking, biking off property to explore nearby towns, kayaking straight from the beach, snorkeling, tennis, mini golf, and even beach volleyball. There’s also a full weekly schedule of wellness classes including yoga, Pilates, Nordic walking, cycling, functional training, circuit training, and recovery sessions. It’s the kind of place where you can be active all day or do absolutely nothing, and both feel equally right.

One day, my husband and daughter hiked along the coastal trail into Tossa de Mar, following the path that winds along jagged cliffs overlooking the sea. They ended their hike at Da Giovanni, a casual, satisfying stop that tasted even better after the walk. Another afternoon, we all wandered through town together, popping into shops, grabbing gelato, and soaking up the laid-back vibe.

Tossa de Mar itself is rich with history, anchored by its medieval fortress, Vila Vella, which rises above the beach and dates back to the 12th century. Walking along the sand with the stone walls and towers above you really gives you a sense of how old and layered this place is—history and beach life beautifully coexisting. We stopped for drinks at Don Juan, where sipping cocktails while looking up at cured meats hanging from the ceiling felt like one of those classic, only-in-Spain moments. We also loved Els Banys Claudi, a laid-back spot right on the sand where you can sit steps from the water and watch the boats come and go.

Between the indoor and outdoor pools (the indoor pool alone is worth seeing), the beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes, the endless coastal views, and the space to truly unwind, Zel Costa Brava was exactly what our family needed after such a busy trip. It gave us room to breathe, reconnect, and settle into a slower rhythm—the perfect post-cruise reset that still felt special, immersive, and deeply relaxing.

We loved soaking in the pool with those sweeping views before easing into the sauna. The perfect way to slow everything down.

Restaurants & what to order

• Zel Costa Brava main restaurant (buffet, cliffside views):

  • Appetizers: marinated olives, local cheeses, jamón, grilled vegetables

  • Entrées: grilled sea bass, paella-style rice dishes, roasted meats, fresh pasta options

  • Dessert: Catalan cream, fresh fruit, pastries

  • Specialty drink: cava or a light Spanish white wine

  • Why it stands out: huge variety, something for everyone, and those sweeping sea views

• Beachfront restaurants at Zel Costa Brava:

  • Appetizers: calamari, anchovies, tomato bread

  • Entrées: grilled fish of the day, seafood rice, simple pasta dishes

  • Dessert: ice cream or fresh fruit

  • Specialty drink: rosé or a classic sangria

  • Why it stands out: casual, toes-in-the-sand lunches with the water just steps away

• Da Giovanni:

  • Appetizers: bruschetta or simple salads

  • Entrées: wood-fired pizza, classic pasta dishes

  • Dessert: tiramisu or gelato nearby

  • Specialty drink: house red wine or beer

  • Why it stands out: perfect post-hike comfort food in a relaxed setting

• Don Juan:

  • Appetizers: jamón and cured meats

  • Entrées: light bites and tapas-style plates

  • Dessert: skip it and linger with another drink

  • Specialty drink: mojito or sangria

  • Why it stands out: lively local vibe with cured meats hanging from the ceiling

• Els Banys Claudi:

  • Appetizers: chips, olives, simple beach snacks

  • Entrées: light sandwiches or casual beach fare

  • Dessert: ice cream

  • Specialty drink: cold beer or a spritz

  • Why it stands out: drinks right on the sand with unbeatable people-watching

• La Boqueria:

  • Appetizers: olives, anchovies, fresh oysters

  • Entrées: tapas from counter-style stalls

  • Dessert: fresh fruit cups or pastries

  • Specialty drink: fresh-squeezed juice

  • Wild card: sea urchin (for the adventurous—admired but not attempted)

One of the two fabulous restaurants at the beach.

Activities at Zel Costa Brava

• Coastal and mountain hiking

• Biking off property to nearby towns

• Kayaking directly from the beach

• Snorkeling in clear coastal waters

• Beach volleyball

• Tennis

• Mini golf

• Indoor and outdoor pools

• Boat trips departing directly from the hotel

• Wellness classes:

  • Yoga

  • Pilates

  • Nordic walking

  • Cycling

  • Functional and circuit training

  • Stretching and recovery sessions

Once you head past the pool and down to the beach, there’s already so much to do, but one of the coolest surprises is a tunnel carved through the mountain that leads you to another quiet beach area on the other side.

Nearby towns & experiences

• Tossa de Mar:

  • Medieval fortress and old town (Vila Vella)

  • Coastal hiking trails

  • Shops, gelato, beach cafés

• Barcelona:

  • Sagrada Família

  • Coffee shops and boutiques

  • La Boqueria food market

Why this stay works so well

• Easy drive from Barcelona after a cruise

• Spacious, uncrowded resort with plenty of lounge areas

• Great mix of wellness, activity, and downtime

• Ideal for families who want flexibility

• A true post-cruise unwind that still feels special and immersive

Whether you’re visiting after a cruise or just spending time in Barcelona, this is an easy and rewarding place to add on for a few slower days. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, but once you arrive, it’s the kind of destination where you can truly settle in and unwind. Pack good walking shoes and a swimsuit you don’t mind wearing more than once. The coastal paths, clear water, and relaxed pace make both essential.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Spain page.