You've decided to move to the Costa Brava? Excellent choice! Home to spectacular unspoilt beaches, unbeatable scenery and an amazing culture and heritage scene, not to mention the local food, you're in for a treat along Spain's ‘Wild Coast’, a beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coastline. But where are the best places to live on the Costa Brava in Spain? Check out our guide to moving to the Costa Brava for all the details.
Move To Costa Brava: best towns and villages for expats
Whether you want to retire in Spain, are looking for the best place in Costa Brava for families or even the best place to buy in Costa Brava, we have you covered with this selection of the best towns and villages on Catalonia's wild coast.
Lloret De Mar
Is Lloret de Mar a good place to live? Most definitely! Lloret de Mar has everything you could possibly need as an expat moving to Spain. You'll be welcomed by a thriving expat community in this buzzing tourist area located northeast of Barcelona which has a range of Spanish and international schools if you plan to move with a family.
Possibly one of the most popular expat towns on the Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar is close to both Barcelona and Girona Airport. Coming alive especially in the summer months, Lloret de Mar is perfect for those who want a typical sunny expat experience, and its proximity to Barcelona makes it a great place to buy property.
Blanes
Blanes is another great option for expats who want to live on the coast, and just 25 minutes from Girona, and is perfect for those in search of an authentic Catalonian destination. Daily markets with local produce are at the heart of this city, not to mention the wide range of lively local bars and restaurants.
In Blanes you'll find fewer expats and more Catalan speaking locals. It is however important to keep in mind that Blanes is not a cheap option thanks to its proximity to Barcelona.
Begur
Begur is another great town on the Costa Brava with lots going on. Begur is a colourful and lively town, characterised by its charming narrow streets with Moorish and Spanish architecture. A must-see in the area is the crumbling medieval castle that has some of the best views along the Costa Brava.
Begur is becoming more and more popular and the cost of living is therefore higher than in other parts of the region. For this reason, we recommend searching for property a few miles outside the town centre where prices are considerably lower.
Figueres
Figueres, in the province of Girona, is the capital of the Alt Empordà region and the most important city of those closest to the border with France. Located 42 kilometres from Girona and 146 kilometres from Barcelona, it had a population of 46,857 inhabitants in 2020.
From Figueres you can go to the beach, to the mountains or cross the French-Spanish border in no more than half an hour, making the area increasingly popular with expats moving to the Costa Brava.
Platja d'Aro
Platja d’Aro is the coastal area of the Castell-Platja d’Aro municipality in Girona. Formerly a fishing village, this stunning coastal town occupies a 2-kilometre stretch of the Costa Brava coastline and is a great option for those who want to have the beach on their doorstep.
Platja d’Aro has around 20,000 residents, however this figure skyrockets to up to 90,000 in the summer due to the influx of tourists. However, this doesn't necessarily need to be a cause fo concern and Platja d’Aro is considered an upmarket resort. Many of those who choose the area as their destination of choice are British, French and northern European expats who take advantage of the good value private villas on offer.
Palafrugell
Palafrugell is one of the most charming villages on the Costa Brava and is also home to fewer expats, making it a great place for those in search of an authentic Catalonian lifestyle. It is very much a working town which comes alive in the summer months with locals who choose this as their summer getaway destination.
The town has several pleasant residential areas, and those closest to the coast naturally have the highest prices. There are a selection of both apartments and villas on the market, with average prices starting at around 200,000 euros.
Cost of living in Costa Brava Spain
What are prices like on the Costa Brava? Is Costa Brava expensive? On the whole, the cost of living in Spain is on the rise thanks to inflation and the war in Ukraine.
According to the Numbeo cost of living calculator, rent is lower on the Costa Brava than in the Costa del Sol, for example, with average rent for a 3 bedroom apartment in the city centre costing 544 euros. Remember that both buying and renting property in the Costa Brava will be cheaper if you move a little further away from the main tourist areas and the coast, and this is great way to get more for your money.
On the other hand, restaurant prices and groceries in the Costa Brava are more expensive, 7.44% and 26.99% respectively.
Property for sale in Costa Brava
Where to buy on the Costa Brava? It's time to make up your mind and decide where you're going to live on the Costa Brava, with wide range of properties on the market. Whether you're looking for beachfront property for sale on the Costa Brava, or perhaps in a fishing village, our selection is sure to include your place in the sun on the Costa Brava.
At idealista we're here to help with a large selection of properties for sale on the Costa Brava, and if you're not quite ready to buy, check out long-term rentals on the Costa Brava.
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