Costa Brava: where to stay, what to see and how to get there

The Costa Brava occupies the northern part of Catalonia's coastline and runs up to the French border. Spaniards translate the name as "rocky, wild coast," and the translation is honest. Instead of endless sandy stretches, you'll find pine-covered cliffs, grottoes, and small coves.

A vacation here combines the sea and sightseeing. You spend some days on the beach, and on others you head to Barcelona, Figueres, or the Montserrat monastery. Montserrat is 1.5-2 hours from the resorts, so it takes a full day.

Use a resort town on the coast as your base; from there it's convenient both for swimming and for full-day trips.

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Where the Costa Brava is and when to go

💡 In short:

• Go from June through October: warm sea and minimal rain.
• Choose a base in the south or north of the coast, depending on your plans.
• Season, beaches, and transport: checked on 14.09.2026 using data from the official Costa Brava tourist office.

The Costa Brava stretches along the northeast of Catalonia, from Blanes to the town of Portbou right at the French border (according to the official tourist office). The coastline is heavily indented: dozens of coves with clear water hide between the cliffs. Pines grow right above the drop, and some beaches are reachable only by trail.

The season here runs from June through October. The water warms up by late June, and in September the sea stays warm but there are noticeably fewer people. In July and August, the popular beaches of Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar get crowded, so you need to claim your spot on the sand in the morning.

In spring and autumn, the Costa Brava is good for hiking and sightseeing. In winter, some coastal hotels close, but accommodation in Barcelona and Girona gets cheaper.

© Green slash · CC BY-SAPhoto: Green slash, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Costa Brava resorts: where to stay

Choosing your base decides half your vacation. The south of the coast is livelier and closer to Barcelona; the north is quieter and more scenic. Below is a comparison of the main resorts.

The southern coast starts in Blanes, the closest major resort to Barcelona. Next comes Lloret de Mar with its nightlife and all-inclusive hotels. After it stands Tossa de Mar: an old fortress rises right above the bay, and hiking trails along the cliffs start nearby.

Further north, past Palamos, the coast becomes wild. The most picturesque spot is Cadaques, with white houses on the cliffs and quiet coves hidden around it. Nearby is Roses, with a wide bay and an easy entry into the water.

Hotels on the coast range from three to five stars, and in July and August available rooms run out quickly. Look at options in advance: Costa Brava hotels on Trip.com.

What to see: Barcelona, Figueres, and Montserrat

The beach is not the only reason to come here. Nearby are sites that people fly to Catalonia specifically to see.

Barcelona is about an hour's drive from the southern resorts (per the map). The main point is the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's church, which has been under construction since 1882 (as of 09/2026, official website). Tickets are sold by time slot, and without a reservation you risk not getting inside. Take the morning: fewer groups and softer light.

In Figueres, the Dali Theatre-Museum houses the largest collection of the artist's works. It has more than 1,500 exhibits (as of 09/2026, Fundacio Gala-Salvador Dali), from paintings to holograms and jewelry. The museum occupies the old building of the city theater, which burned down.

Girona is known for its old quarter with colorful houses above the river and its cathedral. It's a compact city; half a day is enough to see it. From the coast, Girona is easy to reach by car or train.

The Montserrat monastery stands on a separate mountain massif away from the sea. People come here for the Black Madonna, mountain views, and the boys' choir. It's cooler at altitude than on the beach, so bring a windbreaker.

Tickets for the main sites are cheaper to buy online and in advance. For example, Sagrada Familia tickets with a time slot are cheaper than at the entrance.

Beaches, coves, and outdoor activities

The beaches of the Costa Brava vary. There are long urban stretches in Lloret de Mar and Blanes, and there are tiny coves you reach by descending stairs. The water is clean, but there are rocks near the cliffs, so water shoes will come in handy.

For swimming with children, choose beaches with a gentle slope and lifeguards: they are available in Roses and Blanes. If you want quiet, head north of Cadaques, where the coves are almost empty.

Outdoor activities are well developed: diving, kayaking, yacht and catamaran trips. Large water parks operate on the coast, and tickets there are cheaper online than at the entrance.

Excursions and activities are convenient to book in advance: GetYourGuide tours and activities.

How to get to the Costa Brava

The nearest airports are Barcelona and Girona (Girona-Costa Brava). From Barcelona to the southern resorts it's about an hour by car or bus; to Figueres and the border you travel on the highway (per the map).

Trains run along the coast, but not to all resorts. There is a railway to Girona and Figueres, while a bus is more convenient for Blanes and Lloret de Mar. A direct bus runs from Barcelona airport to the coast.

A car gives you freedom: you can reach quiet coves that public transport doesn't serve. In high season, rent a car in advance, otherwise the selection will shrink. If you're traveling without a car, take a transfer from the airport to your hotel.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to the Costa Brava?

The optimal months are June through October. The water warms up by late June, and September offers a warm sea without the August crowds. In July and August, the southern beaches are crowded, so claim your spot in the morning. In spring and autumn, it's comfortable for walking and sightseeing trips.

Where should I stay with children?

Blanes and Roses are convenient for families: they have long beaches with a gentle slope, lifeguards, and developed infrastructure. Roses has a wide bay and calm water. Further north the coast is rocky, entry into the sea is often stony, and it's less convenient with children.

Do I need a car on the Costa Brava?

For a beach vacation in one resort, a car is not necessary. If you want to visit the coves, Figueres, and Cadaques, a car saves time. Trains and buses connect the major towns, but public transport doesn't go to the small coves.

How much do tickets to the main museums cost?

Buy tickets to the Sagrada Familia and the Dali Theatre-Museum online by time slot; on site they are more expensive and not always available. Check specific prices on the official websites, as they change every season. For a family, calculate tickets in advance; this is the main expense.

What to see besides the beaches?

Barcelona with the Sagrada Familia, the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres, the old quarter of Girona, and the Montserrat monastery. Allow half a day or a full day for each trip. Montserrat takes a full day.

In short: what to book

Build your vacation around a base and two or three trips. Accommodation and tickets run out quickly in high season.

If you're a family: take a hotel in Blanes or Roses. If you love quiet: choose Cadaques. If you want to explore the region: rent a car and plan Barcelona, Figueres, and Montserrat by day.

Start with accommodation by the sea, and add tickets for the sites to match your route. Look at Costa Brava hotels on Trip.com and choose an option that fits your travel plan.