A guide to moving to

Costa Brava

Browse properties in Costa Brava

Why move to Costa Brava

Immaculate beaches and emerald seas, ancient ruins, fairy tale medieval towns, and Michelin star dining are just some of the reasons you should move to the beautiful Costa Brava.

Located near the southern border of France in northeast Spain, the Costa Brava (‘Wild Coast’) is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on the Mediterranean. Its unspoilt beaches spill into glistening emerald-coloured waters, while the intoxicating, resinous aroma of its pines fills the air. Whitewashed villages lead to picturesque coves; wide, sandy beaches curve round horseshoe bays.

The stunning scenery is not the only reason to consider moving to the Costa Brava, however, as the area is also renowned for its excellent culinary scene. The region of Catalonia, in which the Costa Brava is based, is home to the highest number of Michelin star restaurants in Spain. There are gastronomic delights to be discovered at every price point – from beachside catch of the day to Michelin star fine haute cuisine. There are also a number of excellent wines produced in the area, thanks to the warm Mediterranean climate.

There’s plenty of art and culture to be discovered too; the Costa Brava is the birthplace of surrealist artist Salvador Dali. If you love art, you’d be well advised to visit Figueres, the town in which he was born and died, as well as his adulthood home in Portlligat, and his wife Gala’s sanctuary at Púbol Castle. The Costa is also home to some of the most scenic and important Greco-Roman and Iberian archaeological sites in Europe, including the ruins of Empuries, a kind of mini-Pompeii just outside the seaside town of L’Escala.

From ancient ruins, to medieval villages, the Costa offers living history to those who know where to look. The fortified hilltop town of Begur features winding cobbled streets, independent boutiques, and a great choice of bars and restaurants. You will have to cross a moat to get to Peratallada (another time-travellers favourite) but it will be worth it for the fairy tale scenery of beautiful plazas and cloistered arcade.

Where to live in Costa Brava