Region in Catalonia, Spain
Costa Brava
Rocky coves, fishing villages and the Camí de Ronda between Barcelona and France. Girona is the practical base for transport and hospitals; beaches need buses or a car, and July–August is crowded and pricey.
At a glance
- Monthly budget$2,030–2,930Comfortable, one person · €1,800–2,600Details
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 25°CDetails
- Internet263 MbpsFixed broadband, Spain medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–113Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCabifyWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Costa Brava
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Girona old town and Barri Vell | Practical base with trains, hospitals and a walkable medieval centre |
| Begur, Tamariu and Calella de Palafrugell | Cove beaches and boutique stays, car or bus needed |
| Cadaqués and Roses | Dalí's town and bay beaches; remote, and busy in summer |
Apps that work in Costa Brava
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cabify | Listed for Girona and its airport; limited cars |
| FREE NOW | Taxi app; Girona and airport |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Renfe: High-speed and regional train tickets
- ALSA: Long-distance bus tickets
- Taxis: Ride apps are thin outside Girona. Book taxis by phone or via your hotel; Sarfa buses are cheaper but end early.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Spain.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and phones are accepted nearly everywhere. Markets, beach bars and small village shops sometimes prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Phone shops and airport kiosks sell prepaid SIMs (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Lebara); about €10–25 for 30–100 GB. Passport required to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Spain
Going to Costa Brava solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.