Villas in Costa Brava

Most Costa Brava villas sit in the north, around Empuriabrava, Roses, Llançà and L'Escala, with sandy bays and the wild Cap de Creus nearby. The centre (Pals, Begur, Calonge) has pine-backed coves and medieval villages; the south (Lloret, Tossa) is closest to the airports and liveliest. Expect coves more than long beaches, and the north can be windy.

Where

Villas: 1,014
From, per week: £203
Cheapest month: September
Nearest airports: Girona-Costa Brava is the nearest airport for most of the coast, with flights from London taking around two hours. Barcelona El Prat has more flights and is around an hour to an hour and three quarters by car. For the far north around Llançà, Perpignan in France is another option.

Where to stay in Costa Brava

Empuriabrava and Roses (Bay of Roses)

This is where most of our Costa Brava villas are. Empuriabrava is a resort built around canals, and some villas have their own mooring. Roses has a long sandy bay, a citadel and a busy harbour, and the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà wetlands are next door. Cadaqués and Figueres, home of the Dalí Theatre-Museum, are within half an hour. Girona airport is around 45 minutes away.

Best for: Families and boat owners who want sandy beaches and canal-side villas

Not for you if: You want calm days every day: the tramuntana wind can blow hard here for several days at a time.

Llançà and El Port de la Selva (far north)

Llançà and El Port de la Selva are low-key harbour towns on the edge of the Cap de Creus natural park, with rocky coves, clear water and coastal walks. The hilltop monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes looks down over the bay. Llançà has a railway station, and the French border is close. Girona airport is around an hour away; Perpignan is a similar distance.

Best for: Couples and walkers who want small beaches and quiet fishing harbours

Not for you if: You want big sandy beaches: the shore here is mostly small bays, shingle and rock.

L'Escala, L'Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí

L'Escala is known for its anchovies and for Empúries, the ruins of a Greek and Roman town right by the sea. L'Estartit has a long sandy beach and boat trips to the Medes Islands, a protected marine reserve popular for snorkelling and diving. Torroella de Montgrí is the older town inland. Girona airport is around 45 minutes to an hour away.

Best for: Families who want long beaches, snorkelling and some history

Not for you if: You want a smart, boutique feel: L'Estartit in particular is a traditional family resort.

Pals, Begur and Sa Riera

Pals is a walled medieval hill village with a long sandy beach a few minutes away. Begur has a ruined castle, coves such as Sa Riera, Aiguablava and Sa Tuna, and coastal paths linking them. Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc are a short drive south. Girona airport is around 45 minutes away and Barcelona around an hour and three quarters.

Best for: Couples who want medieval villages, coves and good restaurants

Not for you if: You need flat, easy roads: Begur's coves sit at the bottom of steep, narrow lanes with limited parking.

Platja d'Aro, Calonge and Palamós

Platja d'Aro has a long sandy beach and a lively centre of shops, restaurants and bars. Calonge and Sant Antoni de Calonge have a calmer seafront, while S'Agaró's clifftop path is one of the prettiest walks on the coast. Palamós is a working fishing port known for its prawns. Girona airport is around 35 to 40 minutes away.

Best for: Families and groups who want a big sandy beach, shops and evening life

Not for you if: You want somewhere quiet: Platja d'Aro is one of the busiest resorts on the coast in summer.

Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Blanes (south)

Tossa de Mar has a walled old town, the Vila Vella, above its main beach, and quieter coves along the coast road. Lloret is a large, lively resort, and Blanes has botanical gardens overlooking the sea. Girona airport is around 25 to 30 minutes away and Barcelona around an hour.

Best for: Families who want the shortest transfer and easy day trips to Barcelona

Not for you if: You want peace in July and August: Lloret is busy, with a young party crowd in high season.

When to go to Costa Brava

June and September are the best months: the sea is warm, the coves are quieter and prices are lower than in July and August. August is the busiest month, with Spanish and French families on holiday and parking near popular coves filling early. The tramuntana wind can blow hard in the north for days at a time, most often outside summer. May and October are good for walking the coastal paths, but the sea is cool and some beach restaurants close outside the main season.