Costa Brava Holidays
Costa Brava Holidays - Fun in the sun on the 'Wild Coast' of northeast Spain
Costa Brava, known as the 'Wild Coast', lies in the beautiful northeast region of Spain, and thanks to its rugged coastline full of golden sandy beaches, authentic fishing villages and developed tourist resorts, remains a popular holiday destination year after year, especially for those looking for sunshine on a budget.
Families especially love the child-friendly beaches, well-equipped resorts, and the world-class water parks and theme parks, whilst couples can soak up the romantic Catalan charm and the region's unspoiled natural beauty, as well as explore the host of major attractions and city sights nearby.
There's a huge range of great-priced accommodation options everywhere from Lloret de Mar and Blanes, to Tossa de Mar and Llafranc, in the form of self-catering studios and apartments, fully-catered hotels and all inclusive holidays to Costa Brava, making this delightful region in Spain the perfect choice for everyone.
When to go to Costa Brava
A year-round destination, the region is at its best during the warm summer months. Typically, July and August are the busiest and the most expensive months, thanks to the school holidays, with these peak season weeks experiencing crowded beaches and bustling tourist resorts.
May and June see cheaper prices, as do September and October, with these months being an ideal time to not only relax on the beaches, but enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing too. Costa Brava can also be a budget destination for those looking to escape the cold winter weather, and enjoy some Spanish sunshine during the low-season months.
The weather in Costa Brava
The northern Costa Brava is an ideal choice if you're looking for a cooler alternative to the intense heat of the southern resorts. The best time to visit is between May and October, when the average summer temperatures hover between 22C - 28C, and there's plenty of sunshine, between 6-9 hours each day.
Daytime temperatures reach 22C-24C in May and June, and rise to 28C during the hottest months of July and August, before dropping down to 24C in September, and night-time temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 13C - 19C throughout the summer months. The region's mild climate and sunny weather also make Costa Brava a popular winter sun for British holiday-makers.
Getting the best deal to Costa Brava
The best time to visit the Costa Brava is outside of the expensive peak season, which tends to be very busy, leading to crowded resorts, towns and beaches. May, June, September and October still see lovely weather and plenty of sunshine along the coast, so look for deals to the Costa Brava outside of the school holidays (mid-July to August), and you'll pay lower prices and get excellent value for money.
Enjoy great bargains and the best prices to Costa Brava throughout the year by looking at the offers below, or visiting our late deals page.
Airport and transport need to know
Flights to Costa Brava are via Gerona Airport (GRO), and take between just 2 and 2.5 hours. There are regular departures from a host of regional airports, including London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Stansted and Luton, as well as Bournemouth, Cardiff, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Humberside, Liverpool, Glasgow and Prestwick. Gerona Airport is situated just 12km from the centre of Gerona, and is fairly small, with a limited selection of shops.
The beach resorts of Costa Brava are well-served by a shuttle bus service, with transfers to the resorts taking about 1 hour. Visit Sagales for more information.
Taxis can hold a maximum of 4 people, plus luggage (bigger cars available on request), and fares are a fixed rate per journey, with transfers to the beach resorts costing around 50 euros. Car hire is also available, with Avis, Europa and Hertz offices on-site, and driving being pretty straightforward in the region.
The best beaches in Costa Brava
The 160km stretch of dramatic coastline is filled with delightful beaches that line the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean, from award-winning sandy bays to tiny hidden coves. There are a huge number of fantastic Costa Brava beaches to choose from, but here are three of the best in the area.
Best beach for sunbathing - Playa de Pals
The golden sands at Playa de Pals extend for over 3.5km, and boast a backdrop of lush pine forests and picturesque coves at each end. The beach is 40m wide, so there's plenty of room for relaxed sun-worshipping on your lounger or a long uninterrupted nap under the umbrella, with a choice of convenient beach bars for much-needed refreshments just a few steps away. If you do have a burst of energy, Playa de Pals has lots of space for beach games and activities, and offers a variety of water sports. Do be advised, a section of Playa de Pals is 'clothing optional'.
Best beach for activities - Playa de Lloret
Lloret de Mar is the place to be for non-stop activities, entertainment and facilities in Costa Brava, and the youthful vibe of the resort continues along the beach. There's a host of things to do on the fully developed town beach, Playa de Lloret, from soccer and volleyball, to banana boat rides, windsurfing, kite surfing, water skiing, ski rafting, parasailing, scuba-diving, snorkelling and boat trips.
Best beach for isolation - Playa de Tamariu
For a little peace and quiet, head just a few kilometres north of Llafranc to the beach at Tamariu, and enjoy relaxed seclusion on this isolated stretch, which has so far managed to escape the development of other areas. The sheltered south-facing bay offers a wonderfully picturesque setting, with clean sands and sparkling water, and presents a welcome change from the crowded beaches of the livelier resorts.
