With sun, sand and sea it’s no wonder that the Costa Brava is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Britain’s travellers each year. It’s got some outstanding sights, some great family days out and, of course, miles of rich, golden sandy beaches, ideal for relaxing on for hours at a time.

On top of this, some of the best campsites in Spain are located on the Costa Brava, meaning that you have a great selection of attractions and activities on your doorstep from the moment you wake up in the morning. Camping in Spain is one of the best ways to experience this world class example of the great outdoors. Here are some of the great campsites that Spain has to offer along the popular Costa Brava coast.

Camping Internacional de Calonge

Up on the hillside with excellent views of the bay of Palamòs, this well run campsite is a great choice for those camping in Spain’s Costa Brava region. The golden sands of the coast are practically on the doorstep, and there’s plenty to keep your family entertained on site as well. As well as two full sized pools, the campsite offers tennis, football and volleyball for those seeking an active break, as well as bicycle hire to explore the beautiful surrounding area.

Camping la Siesta

Despite its name, Camping la Siesta is not a sleepy campsite by any means! Lively is a more fitting description, and the tennis and volleyball are well suited to children and adults alike, while the little ones can have hours of fun at the popular children’s playground. On top of this, there are two large swimming pools as well as a number of bars and a cosy restaurant.

Camping Cypsela

With a five star rating, Camping Cypsela is amongst the most luxurious campsites in Spain. The forest surroundings give the place a real feeling of seclusion and privacy while not fencing explorers in. That said, some of the attractions on site will make day trips hard to justify: there is a full sized pool and one specifically for children, and plenty to do beyond that including tennis, basketball, volleyball and bicycle hire. With plenty of golf in the area and one of the finest beaches in the region just a stone’s throw away, Camping Cypsela is about as good as camping in Spain can get.

Camping Castell Montgri

If you have slightly older children, Camping Castell Montgri is a better choice than many of its neighbours. As well as various activities for all age groups, and three generous pool complexes, this campsite in Spain boasts a nightly disco for teenagers, allowing parents some quality time on their own, safely away from the (thankfully soundproofed!) disco. Between Roca Maura Mountain and the beach, you’re guaranteed outstanding some outstanding scenery along with a fantastic holiday.

Camping Nautic Almata

This 4 star campsite is adjacent to a spacious nature reserve and with direct access to the kind of golden sandy beach the Costa Brava is well known for. If you’re looking for plenty of family friendly activities from your camping holiday in Spain, this campsite is well suited, offering everything from aqua aerobics to live music. Whether exploring the local area, or simply relaxing with a drink in the shade of the palm trees, Camping Nautic Almata is an excellent choice.

As I said at the start of this, the great weather, plenty of family friendly attractions and stunning scenery make the Costa Brava an ideal choice, so why not consider a camping holiday in Spain for 2009? The campsites have fantastic facilities and activities for all the family and they offer a great way to explore the surrounding area. Forget a muddy field in Britain next summer: camping in Spain is a world apart.

stephen lane is the marketing director of canvas holidays, one of the leading european camping and mobile home holiday companies in the uk. if you want to go camping in spain, canvas have over 40 years experience of tailor made camping holidays to destinations across 9 european countries.