The best viewing-points on the Costa Brava

Picnic packed? Mobile charged? Instagram ready? At Mas Ventós, a special spot in the Natural Park of the Cap de Creus, you'll need all three. There's a picnic area with some 13 wooden and stone tables, which are well separated, and a place for barbecues. The best part, however, is the excellent viewing-point over the Bay of Roses and Saverdera valley. It's so good that you might actually forget to eat your food. By the way, even though the old house (in whose grounds the picnic area sits) is in ruins, the toilets are helpfully still in use.

From Cadaqués to Begur. To a more rustic viewing-point and, as a result, one with a lot less people. Punto Espinuda is a viewing-point and a rocky platform that's 60 metres long and 15 wide, and which separates the beaches of El Racó and L'Illa Roja, close to the Camí de Ronda walking path. It offers an incredible panoramic view of the Illes Medes, and the towns of L’Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí. And the two beaches mentioned above. If you're feeling brave, once you've admired the views, you can jump into the sea.

So the story goes, from this 'mirador' you can see the best sunrises on the Costa Brava. Despite the name, it's not actually a place designed for stopping to admire the views but is rather the terrace of the former Sant Sebastià hostel ('hostatgeria' in Catalan), which was recently converted into a hotel and restaurant completely open to the sea. It sits on top of the cliffs on the coastlines between Llafranc and Tamariu. And is completely overwhelming. So much so that you lose all sense of time there, and can't take your eyes off the immense sea stretching out in front of you. You and the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean and you.

This one was a must for including on our list. At the top of the Torre del Vent - the highest point of the Aiguamolls (wetlands) of the Empordà - is a small balcony with one of the most surprising panoramic views in the area. The Costa Brava in 360º: from Roses to Les Gavarres massif, via the Pyrenees and the town of Torroella. And if you actually manage to tire of the view, then head down to the wetlands and observe some of the more than 300 species of birds that stop there on their way to Africa.

If you're passionate about nature, this viewing-point is for you. Much more modest than the one in Mas Ventós, it still has spectacular views. Close to the beach of Codolar (about half an hour away by foot), you'll find the Mirador dels Cards from where, completely surrounded by nature, you can contemplate the medieval city wall and castle of Tossa de Mar, as well as the cliffs that surround the town. The walk to get there is an experience in itself.

Located in front of the water deposits constructed in the 1940s that are found in the residential Mirador estate (in the heart of Port de la Selva), is a viewing-point and terrace that stands 40 metres high. It's ideal for contemplating the bay of Port de la Selva, the mountains of La Verdera and even the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. We love this town in the Alt Empordà, and if you can't or don't want to walk too far, the views from the Mirador dels Tres Canons are truly amazing, and even though it's situated in an urban setting, it more than holds its own against more rural viewing-points.