Costa Brava holidays

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Costa Brava holidays
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Map of Costa Brava

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8-28°C

The Costa Brava enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with long, very warm summers and mild, rainy winters. Daytime temperatures usually peak in the upper 20s °C by July and August, when it rarely falls below 18°C at night. So if you’re looking for almost guaranteed beach weather, book your Costa Brava holidays from around late June to early September. However, if you’re eager to explore the coast and avoid the crowds, visit in Spring or Autumn, when temperatures are perfect for leisurely strolls and a bit of exploring.

 

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Approximately two hours

It’s one hour ahead of GMT/UK time. Fly to Girona Airport, which is 28km from Lloret de Mar.

Costa Brava is best for...

Beach lovers: Soak up the Mediterranean sun at any of the resorts along the coast. Tossa de Mar is home to two beaches with Blue Flag status.

Families: Enjoy an action-packed day at Marineland Catalunya or take an excursion and explore the nearby cities of Barcelona and Girona.

Nightlife: The resorts on the Costa Brava all have excellent cafés and bars, but for more bright lights and late nights, head to the discos and nightclubs of Lloret de Mar.

Fast facts for Costa Brava

Language: The language spoken in Costa Brava is mainly Catalan, but also Spanish. However, you’ll find English is spoken in many tourist-oriented venues such as hotels and theme parks. Download our handy language app or carry a phrasebook if you’d like to impress the locals with your Catalan or Spanish during your holidays to Costa Brava.

Currency: The currency used here is the Euro (€).

Local time: Costa Brava is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Girona Airport. The transfer time to Calella and Lloret de Mar is 1 hour, and to Malgrat de Mar it's 1.5 hours.

Flight time from the UK: The Costa Brava flight time is 2.5 hours.

Tourist information: Further Costa Brava tourist information can be found by visiting https://en.costabrava.org 

Visa / health: Before you travel, click https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain for advice on visas and health requirements for your holiday.

 

Getting around Costa Brava

By tourist train: This destination is known for its tourist trains, a fun and easy way to get to the beach or explore the town. The trains are ideal for sightseeing in comfort, particularly if you have young kids or have difficulty walking.

By bus: For some resort-hopping or just a quicker way to get to the beach during your holidays to Costa Brava, use the area’s bus service for the cheapest and quickest method of getting around. There are also bus services running to the cities of Barcelona and Girona.

By car: If you’re a family with young children, or just want a little more independence on your Costa Brava holidays, hiring a car can be a great way to get around. You’ll find car rental firms in all major resorts and in the airports of Barcelona El Prat and Girona.

By taxi: A taxi can be handy when you’re carrying lots of heavy baggage to or from the airport, or heading back to your hotel late at night. Just remember to agree on the fare before you set off.

Events in Costa Brava

Firework Festival: Taking place over five days throughout the last week of July, this is Catalonia's largest firework festival. It's held in the resort of Blanes and draws in tens of thousands of tourists and locals each year.

For music lovers: The region has a calendar of events and concerts throughout the year. One of the most popular is in early July when the Singing of the Havaneres takes place in Calella de Palafrugell. Huge crowds flock here to see groups sing songs brought back from the Caribbean.

Costa Brava weather

The Mediterranean climate means hot summers and plenty of sunshine, with peaks of nearly 30°C in July and August. For the perfect balance of sun and relaxation, book your holiday for late spring or autumn, when you can enjoy temperatures in the upper teens or low 20s °C. The sea is usually warm enough for comfortable swimming from around early July until the end of September, with water temperatures peaking in the mid-20s °C by August. Winters here are not quite as mild as those in the Costa del Sol, but temperatures on the coast often still reach 13°C by day in January, which is much warmer than what you’d expect in the UK.

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