Property Costa Brava Spain

Spain’s Costa Brava is the northernmost of the country’s many sunny coasts, or costas, on the Mediterranean Sea. Stretching south from the French border to just north of Barcelona, this area has long, sunny beaches, lots to see and do and is convenient for those who want to work and play. It offers a unique combination of fully developed resorts and many small towns that have their original character. It is one of the more charming coastal areas in Spain, with many great activities and sites for visitors and residents.

The climate of the Costa Brava is typically Mediterranean. It is sunny and warm during the long summer season, which stretches from May to October. The winters are cooler and wetter, but not unbearably so, as the sea keeps it mild at any time of the year. The region is generally considered to begin at the town of Blanes, which is about 60 kilometers north of Barcelona. From here, the rugged coastline, which is a combination of wide, sandy beaches, steeply rising hills and rocky cliffs, reaches northward to Portbou on the French border.

Blanes is the southern gateway to the Costa Brava. It is a scenic town that has a working port, which makes it an excellent place to buy fresh fish. The beach is one of the longest in this part of the country, but many people come for the beautiful botanic gardens. Located on the cliffs and hills above the beach, these gardens are spectacular with over 7,000 different species of plants.

Moving northward along the coast are three of the most popular resorts, Lloret de Mar, Tosa de Mar, and La Patja d’Oro. Lloret de Mar is said to have the most hotels of any location on the Costa Brava, so you can always find the right place to stay here. As you move away from the main beach area, though, you can still find quieter and unspoiled beaches and places to relax. Tosa de Mar isn’t as large as its two neighbors, but the beach is nice and the town is a great place to do some sightseeing. La Platja d’Oro has a long, sandy beach with lots of hotels and places to stay, as well as a lively nightlife for visitors.

If you want a convenient property for holidays or weekends away from work, the southern area of the Costa Brava is ideal. With its proximity to Barcelona, as well as Girona, which is just about 30 kilometers from Blanes, this part of the coast is easy to get to. Whether you’re working in the Catalan capital, or just want to be near one of the most fascinating cities in Spain, there is something for everyone in this area. Most of the properties in this area area existing homes and apartments, though there are a few new developments for those who want something off plan. This is an ideal place to look for homes and villas overlooking the Mediterranean, which can be had for more reasonable prices than in the southern coastal areas.

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Moving up the coast, you find more working villages and isolated resorts. There are still many, many places to visit with lots of hotels and properties, but the area is not nearly as commercial as the southern Costa Brava or farther south. Llafranc is popular with families; it is a whitewashed resort town with a promenade that goes all the way to the neighboring town of Calella. L’Estartit is a great place for those who want to dive or participate in other water sports. It is located near the Illes Medes, a former pirate’s lair which is now a maritime reserve and popular dive spot.

L’Escala and Roses are smaller resorts that are popular with local visitors. Roses is at the head of a large bay, giving it great views of the sea and coastline to the south. Jusst to the north of Roses on an isolated peninsula, Cadaques is a small town known as an artist’s retreat. Here is where Salvador Dali lived much of his life, and Picasso was known to visit as well.

If you want to see what else there is in this part of Spain, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the sites and offerings. The small city of Girona is a pretty town, with pastel colored buildings constructed overlooking the Riu Onyar. There are a number of nice museums and the town cathedral is a combination of Catalan Baroque and Gothic. Other inland towns to see include Pals, Peralada and Peratallada, where there are wonderful Greco-Roman ruins to explore. More adventurous types can take a drive into the Pyrenees Mountains, and even do some duty free shopping in the Principality of Andorra.

With Barcelona nearby as well as Girona, getting to the Costa Brava is easy at any time of the year. Unlike many coastal areas, flights to Barcelona are easy to find at year round, not just in the summer holiday season. From Barcelona International Airport (BCN), you can drive to most of the Costa Brava in an hour or less. There are also RENFE trains from Barcelona to Blanes and other cities in the region, as well as local coach service. Girona-Costa Brava Airport is (GRO) is becoming a popular alternative for those who want to get to the coastal areas a little quicker. Ryanair flies here and has helped to fuel the growth in the airport, which now handles nearly 5 million passengers yearly.

Useful Spanish Property resources

www.spanishhomes4sale.co.uk 

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