The merits of the Costa Brava’s pristine beaches and lively nightlife are nothing new to the legions of sun-worshippers who head to its shores in their droves every year.

Millions of tourists from across Europe, flock to Catalonia’s western coast sure in the knowledge their tans will be suitably topped up, their bellies will be filled with top-notch seafood and they can party the night away.

But among those there must be some, who, like me, have the attention span of a gnat and have a built-in inability to lay prostrated on a sun lounger for more than ten seconds before itching to get up and do something.

In Catalonia at least, help is at hand for those with too much energy for their own good.

The region’s tourism chiefs are working hard to establish their homeland as a hub for sports and outdoor activities – making it an ideal destination for those who want to add a bit of get up and go to their holiday.

With a naturally rugged, mountainous terrain, the coastline of the Costa Brava and its immediate interior lends itself to a number of outdoor pursuits, such as walking and cycling.

Suitable for all levels of fitness, free and with no need for any special equipment makes walking and hiking the most accessible of Catalonia’s activities.

A network of clearly signposted pathways and trails span the length of the region’s coastline, with stunning views of the cliff-lined bays on the southern Costa Brava and, further north, the marshlands around Empuriabrava.

For those who want to learn something while they hike, all of the region’s major towns and cities have mapped out walks to include points of historical or cultural interest.

The walk through the cobbled streets of Girona, arguably the most historically rich city in northern Catalonia, is particularly good, and especially so at night, when the streets are quieter and the city’s famous cathedral is exquisitely lit up.

The more adventurous may wish to avoid the city walks and head for the undulating interior of the region, which offers a range of testing routes, with the pick being the myriad of paths surrounding Lake Banyoles.

Running parallel to many of these walking routes are well maintained cycle paths and, with bike hire running between ten and 15 euros a day, hopping into the saddle might be the best way to get around and explore the area before embarking on a walk.

Cycling also allows the more adventurous to get their fix of thrill-seeking from the off-road mountain bike routes, with enough twisting, fast descents to keep even the most ardent mountain bike fanatic happy.

And the action doesn’t stop at activities on dry land. A huge amount of work has been done on the area’s sporting infrastructure as part of the legacy of Barcelona hosting the 1992 Olympic Games, with one of the main beneficiaries being the aforementioned Lake Banyoles.

Situated on the edge of the town of Banyoles, approximately 15 miles north of Girona, Lake Banyoles was the venue for the rowing events in the 1992 Olympics and still plays host to numerous international rowing competitions, including this year’s International Marathon Canoe Championship.

This wonderfully serene lake is open to anyone wanting to take to the water – from beginners who wish to give it a go, to experts who want to test themselves on the same stretch of water that saw Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent claim gold in the coxless pairs at the 1992 Olympics. The lake’s rowing club is the best point of reference for instruction or equipment.

Boats of another variety dominate back at the coast, as the warm winds coming from across the Mediterranean and the calm coastal waters make the Costa Brava an ideal destination to sail or windsurf.

Lessons and equipment hire for both are readily available in any of the coastal towns and, with English being widely spoken, there is no excuse for those getting antsy on the beach at Blanes or Lloret de Mar not to spend an afternoon or two on the open sea, quite literally learning the ropes.

With both land and sea covered, there remains just the sky.

The action-packed Catalans have that covered too, with Empuriabrava’s Drop Zone being renowned as one of Europe’s best skydiving operations.

Offering tandem jumps strapped to an instructor as taster sessions for less than 200 euros, the venue, which is located on its own airstrip next to a pristine nature reserve, also offers tuition to allow jumpers to progress to solo efforts and provides flights for experienced skydivers.

The views of the Mediterranean, the coastline and the natural park from the sky alone make a flight worthwhile, but, for sheer excitement, a parachute jump cannot be beaten.

And if leaping out of a plane doesn’t give you enough action to liven up your holiday, well, I’m afraid nothing will.