Explore Costa Brava
Pine-fringed coves, stone villages and the Empordà countryside bring sea and rural life together.
About Costa Brava
The Costa Brava, the "wild coast", runs from Blanes up to the French border. It is known for rocky coves with clear water, pine forests, medieval villages and the green Empordà countryside behind the coast. It feels very different from the long sandy beaches further south.
The coast is close to Girona airport and less than an hour from France. Girona, the region's historic capital, has high-speed trains to Barcelona, Madrid and Paris. The coastal towns themselves have no train station, so a car is useful.
Prices are close together: Lloret de Mar asks around €2,658/m², while Tossa de Mar (€3,458/m²), Roses (€3,439/m²) and Empuriabrava (€3,568/m²) ask a little more.
What to know first
- Rocky coves, clear water and medieval villages
- Close to Girona airport and the French border
- Prices fairly close together, from about €2,658/m² in Lloret de Mar to €3,568/m² in Empuriabrava
- Empuriabrava has canals with moorings in front of the homes
- No train stations in the coastal towns, so a car is useful
Asking prices compared
Ranked on asking price per m². Municipalities and sub-municipal entries are listed apart, because a district cannot be ranked against the municipality that contains it.
| Place | Asking price / m² | Population | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole municipalities | |||
| Tossa de Mar | €3,458/m² | 6,293 | Mid |
| Roses | €3,439/m² | 20,175 | Mid |
| Lloret de Mar | €2,658/m² | 41,944 | Mid |
| Districts, nuclei and urbanisations | |||
| Empuriabrava Nucleus of Castelló d'Empúries | €3,568/m² | No data | Mid |
How the prices spread
Empuriabrava, Tossa de Mar and Roses ask almost the same and are the most expensive. Lloret de Mar, the largest town, is clearly cheaper. The choice is therefore more about the kind of town than about price.
The table shows average asking prices, not sale prices. Within one town, prices can vary a lot from one area to the next.
Who each part suits
A boat at your door
Homes on canals with their own moorings, close to beaches and the Empordà.
A medieval village by the sea
A small town with walls and a castle above a sandy bay.
A town with a marina and good food
A large bay, a marina and some of the region's best restaurants.
Lively and more affordable
The largest and cheapest town here, with beaches and plenty of life.
Cities in Costa Brava
Browse properties by city
Lloret de Mar
Costa Brava
€2,658/m² · Population 41.944
Tossa de Mar
Costa Brava
€3,458/m² · Population 6.293
Empuriabrava
Costa Brava
€3,568/m²
Roses
Costa Brava
€3,439/m² · Population 20.175
The case for
- Beautiful coastline
Rocky coves, clear water and pine forests.
- Close to France
The border is less than an hour away.
- Girona airport and fast trains
Girona has high-speed trains to Barcelona, Madrid and Paris.
- Food and wine
The Empordà is known for its restaurants and vineyards.
- Boating
Empuriabrava and Roses are ideal for sailing and boating.
The case against
- No trains on the coast
None of the coastal towns has a station.
- Strict holiday-rental rules
Holiday-let licences are capped, and existing ones must be renewed by 2028.
- Quiet in winter
Many towns are much quieter outside the season.
- Cooler and windier
Winters are cooler than in southern Spain, and the tramontana wind can blow hard.
- High purchase tax
Catalonia's transfer tax starts at 10%.
Questions buyers ask
- Where is the Costa Brava?
- In Catalonia's north-east, between Blanes and the French border, in the province of Girona.
- Is there a train?
- Not in the coastal towns. Girona and Figueres have high-speed stations a short drive inland.
- How do I get there?
- Girona airport is closest; Barcelona airport is about an hour and a half away.
- Can I let my home to tourists?
- Licences are capped and must be renewed by November 2028. Check with the town hall before you buy.
- What taxes do I pay when buying?
- On a resale home, transfer tax is 10%, with a higher rate on the most expensive homes. New builds pay VAT instead of transfer tax.
- Where is it cheapest?
- In Lloret de Mar.
Where you might be better off elsewhere
If you want long sandy beaches and lower prices, the Costa Dorada to the south is the alternative. If you want warmer winters, look at the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol. And if you want lower purchase taxes, Andalusia and the Valencian Community charge less.