The Costa Brava is the area of that makes up Spain’s north-east coast, just south of the border with France. The name means the “rugged coast”, referring to the often dramatic coastline and although much of it is rocky there are also many long sandy beaches.
Platja Sant Pol. Photo by David Leigh
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Costa Brava?
The Costa Brava is a 200 kilometre (125 mile) stretch of coastline located in Catalonia, in northeast Spain. It is in the province of Girona with the southern Costa Brava around 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of Barcelona.
Map of the Costa Brava
Which airport is best for the Costa Brava?
Although Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) is closest to the seaside towns of the Costa Brava, the number of flights is pretty limited. For that reason many tourists fly into Barcelona Airport (BCN). From there they can continue by rental car or public transport.
Where is Girona-Costa Brava Airport?
The airport is 12 kilometres (8 miles) from Girona, 90 kilometres (56 miles) from Barcelona and just 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the nearest seaside town. There are direct buses to Girona and Barcelona and some resorts, depending on the season. For other destinations you can get a bus or train from Girona station.
How far is the Costa Brava from Barcelona?
The southern Costa Brava town of Blanes is around 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of Barcelona. Sant Feliu de Guíxols is 100 kilometres (62 miles), L’Escala is 140 kilometres (87 miles) and Cadaqués, in the north, is 170 kilometres (105 miles). Rent a car or take public transport to reach your final destination.
Can I do a Barcelona day trip from the Costa Brava?
Depending on where you’re staying on the Costa Brava you may find there are organised day trips to Barcelona. If not, or you prefer to do your own thing, you’ll be able to get to Barcelona using the bus and/or train. One easy way to see Barcelona is on the hop on/hop off tour buses. That way you get a great overview of the city but can spend some time on the sights you’re really interested in.
Crystal clear water at Platja Sant Pol. Photo by David Leigh
Can I visit the Costa Brava without a car?
If you’re planning a beach holiday and intend to stay in your resort town then you can reach your accommodation using public transport or private transfer. If you want to explore the coast then really you’ll need a car. However, Roses has regular bus services to Cadaqués and Figueres which may be enough.
What towns are on the Costa Brava?
Some of the best known towns on the Costa Brava include Cadaqués, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar. Other popular towns include L’Escala, Estartit, Roses, Palamós, Platja d’Aro, Blanes, Begur and Palafrugell. Inland you can visit Girona and Figueres.
Which Costa Brava resort is best?
It depends what you want. For peace and quiet then it’s hard to beat the northern Costa Brava; artists flock to Cadaqués; L’Escala has Greco-Roman ruins overlooking lovely sand beaches; the Medes Islands are just off Estartit and fantastic for scuba diving; and Lloret de Mar is where to party.
Why visit the Costa Brava?
The Costa Brava enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm summers making it ideal as a summer destination. It has many beaches of sand, shingle and pebbles plus small rocky coves to explore. You can visit mediaeval villages and Greco-Roman ruins, taste local wines and eat fresh fish or prawns. There is Catalan culture and local traditions… the list goes on!
The beach at Santa Cristina. Photo by David Leigh
What to do in the Costa Brava?
Apart from the beach you mean? OK, here goes. Sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kite surfing or any other water sport you can think of; wine tasting in local vineyards and eating local produce; hiking along the coastal paths or cycling – on road or off; sightseeing mediaeval villages or visiting museums. There’s plenty to do!
Where to snorkel in the Costa Brava?
How long is a piece of string? There are literally hundreds of small coves to explore with a facemask and snorkel. Cap de Creus and the very northern Costa Brava are ideal for snorkelling. But there are many other spots along the length of the coastline too.
When to visit the Costa Brava?
Most people visit the Costa Brava in the summer, with the season generally lasting between mid-June and mid-September, depending on where you stay. The peak month is August, when many Spaniards take their holidays. But the rest of the year can be good to visit too, providing you’re not expecting to swim. It gets cold in winter, but it’s still worthwhile visiting for some off season sunshine.
What’s the weather in Costa Brava?
Like anywhere, the Costa Brava gets a variety of weather, depending on the season. It’s well known for hot summers, but many people are surprised to learn that winter can be cold. Sometimes it even snows! July is the hottest month, with an average high of 30°C; January and February are coldest, with an average low of 2°C. And October and November are the months with most rain, although April, May and June are also quite wet.
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