Travel guide – Costa Brava

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Overview

The ruggedly beautiful Costa Brava holiday coast stretches for 100 miles (160km) along the shores of Catalonia in Spain’s north-eastern corner, from Port Bou on the Franco-Spanish border to Tossa del Mar, just north of Barcelona. The coast is filled with high-rise resort developments and modern marinas catering to package tourists, but retains enough green hillsides and lonely, wild cliffs, coves and caves to belie its reputation as one of Europe’s busiest holiday destinations.

Holidaymakers revel in the hidden delights of the craggy coastline, many exploring in boats to seek out deserted coves redolent with pine and citrus trees, fragrant herbs and bright flowers. International resorts and marinas lie in close proximity to relatively unspoilt fishing villages and towns bearing evidence of the area’s rich history with ancient castles and fortifications. Offshore divers revel in the abundance of wrecks to explore in the crystalline waters, while seemingly endless sunshine pours down on stretches of sandy or shingle beach. The untouched natural areas and fishing industry have also resulted in making a holiday here a gastronomic treat. Seafood reigns supreme, from sardines to delicious lobster, but specialities also include local wild game, like boar, duck and rabbit, which can all be washed down with a variety of wines produced from the vineyards that clothe the hillsides.

Climate

Spain is extremely hot during mid-summer, in July and August. The rest of the year the climate is generally temperate in the north, but warm in the south. The best time to visit is during spring or autumn, except for the Atlantic coast, which has heavy rains in October and November. August is the busiest month, while May and October are the best times for both ideal weather and fewer crowds. Madrid and the high central area can get very cold during winter.

Health

There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing free emergency health care at State run hospitals. UK travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Note that private clinics are not covered, and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised.

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