The Costa Brava is located in the northern part of Spain, in Catalunya. It expands from the border with France in Portbou to Blanes, then the Maresme coast follows until Barcelona. The Costa Brava is 214 km long and encompasses the Catalan regions of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, and La Selva of the province of Girona. Here are the best digital platforms for holiday rentals depending on what you are looking for:
There are many digital platforms that offer holiday rentals in Costa Brava, these are Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo among others. If you are looking for a unique experience Airbnb is the best option. If you are looking for a hotel, Booking is the platform with more options, and for the French tourists, Vrbo is the option mostly used.
Best Places to Stay in Costa Brava
Best places to stay in Alt Empordà (Costa Brava)
Cadaqués
Probably the best well known town in Costa Brava, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Costa Brava and a great spot to spend the holidays. Due to the high demand it can be quite expensive compared to the other destinations on this list.
If you are interested in visiting Cadaqués but staying there is to expensive, other great options are Llançà, Port de la Selva or Roses. These villages are near Cadaqués and are not as expensive.
The average price of an apartment in a weekend in July 2023 is 239€ and the price ranges from 57 to 440€. Cadaqués is very touristic as are the rest of the towns in this list, but Cadaqués is a must stop in the Costa Brava and therefore given its remote location can be quite crowded and the only road to Cadaqués usually gets saturated in Summer.
Roses
Roses is the second largest city in Alt Empordà, after Figueres, the capital. Roses has beautiful beaches, a historic citadel and impressive Greek and Roman ruins.
Great city for aquatic sports and all kind of aquatic activities. Roses is situated just south of Cap de Creus which is ideal to go to the less touristic beaches without paying extra for an apartment or hotel in a more remote location.
The price range is from 80 to 360 € a night on a weekend in July 2023. The average price is 208€
Empuriabrava
Empuriabrava is well known for its network of canals and water sport activities. It is situated on the south of Roses and provides one of the best views of Roses bay. Also the some popular night clubs and bars are located in Empuriabrava which makes a very popular destination for party people.
The price range in Empuriabrava is from 50€ to 440 € a night on a weekend in July 2023 and the average price is 204 €/night. The apartments in Empuriabrava differ more in price due to the location, having access the canals is a big plus, and the apartments can be very expensive if they have a private “port” or parking for your boat.
Best places to stay in Baix Empordà (Costa Brava)
Begur
Begur is a small medieval town located on a hill overlooking the sea. It’s known for its narrow streets, historic castle ruins, and beautiful views of the countryside.
The Begur Castle is the staple of the town overlooking the the town and the surrounding landscape.
Sa Riera, Aiguafreda, Sa Tuna, and Fornells are some of the beautiful beaches in Begur, these are very well known. These beaches are surrounded by rugged cliffs and pine forests, similar to the beaches of Cap de Creus in Roses and Cadaqués. The beaches of the south of the Costa Brava are more anthropized.
The average price of the apartments in Begur for a night in a weekend in July 2023 is 417€ ranging from 80 to 1000€ per night.
Pals
Pals is a well-preserved medieval village located inland, with narrow streets and beautiful views of the countryside. Its charming architecture and historic castle ruins make it a popular destination for history buffs.
It is the only town on this list that has not direct access to the sea although it in only 10 min away from the beach. The neighborhoods of Pals do have access to the beach, but not the old town.
The average price per night of a weekend in July 2023 in Pals is 581 € and the prices range from 75 to 1500 €/night. There are high end apartments in Pals that bump up the average prices quite a lot in comparison with the other towns of this list.
Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is a picturesque fishing village located on the Costa Brava, with a stunning coastline and crystal-clear waters. Its narrow streets, charming architecture, and excellent seafood restaurants make it a favorite among visitors.
Calella de Palafrugell hosts several annual festivals that showcase the town’s rich cultural heritage. One of the most famous is the “Habanera” festival, a traditional music event held in July, featuring performances of traditional Catalan songs and dances. The festival attracts visitors from all over the world and offers a unique cultural experience.
Calella de Palafrugell has an average price per night on a weekend in July 2023 of 368 € and the range is from 85 to 564 €. If the Llafranc area is excluded which is a town North of Palafrugell that is more expensive than Palafrugell the average price comes down to an average of 277€, in Llafranc the average is 880€. In Llafranc there are few but more expensive apartments.
Best places to stay in La Selva (Costa Brava)
Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar is a bustling resort town with numerous beaches, water parks, and nightlife options. It’s a popular destination for families and young travelers alike, with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Lloret de Mar is one of the most popular places to stay in Costa Brava, together with Tossa de Mar and Roses are the main places were tourist tend to go. If you like a more peaceful place I would recommend Empuriabrava or a town not with direct access to the sea like Pals.
The average price of an apartment in Lloret de Mar in a weekend in July 2023 is 218€/night and the range goes from 32 to 370€. The prices in Lloret de Mar are much lower than previous towns in this list. Lloret de Mar is a big city and therefore less exclusive and private than most towns of this list.
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is a beautiful coastal town located on the Costa Brava, with a historic castle overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and charming Old Town make it a popular destination for tourists.
Great town for scuba diving, I got my scuba diving open water certification in Tossa as the prices here were excellent. Also other various water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding are great here. The crystal-clear waters and rich marine life offer excellent opportunities for underwater exploration and adventure. There are also boat tours available that allow tourists to explore the coastline, visit nearby coves and caves, etc.
The average price for night of a weekend in July 2023 is 271€ and the prices range from 92€ to 665€.
Available Holiday Rentals per City as of March 2023
Table of Prices and Availability in the Costa Brava with 3 months of anticipation
Town | Average Price (per night in weekend of July) | Range | Number of Apartments Available (Aprox. 90% already booked as of March 2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cadaqués | 239 € | 57 - 440 € | 16 | |
Roses | 208 € | 80 - 360 € | 29 | |
Empuriabrava | 204 € | 50 - 440 € | 16 | |
Begur | 417 € | 80 - 1000 € | 25 | |
Pals | 581 € | 75 - 1500 € | 22 | |
Calella de Palafrugell | 277 € | 85 - 564 € | 5 | |
Lloret de Mar | 218 € | 32 - 370 € | 71 | |
Tossa de Mar | 271 € | 92 - 665 € | 28 |
Table of Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava per Platform
Platform | Number of Apartments Available (3 months in advanced) | |
|---|---|---|
Airbnb | 1000+ | |
Booking | 603 | |
Vrbo | 173 | |
Abritel | 172 |
Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava with Airbnb
Airbnb is very popular in the Costa Brava, it is known for the unique and authentic accommodations. It allows hosts to provide local recommendations and insider tips to guests, which in my experience enhance the travel experience greatly. It is a great option to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle.
It is great for each travel budget because you can get an entire apartment or home, a private room or even a shared room.
Due to local regulations sometimes owners cannot offer short holiday rental stays and are forced to do a minimum of 30 days rental. So it is ideal for travelers who are looking for place to stay a month or more.
These prices are with the settings weekend on July, and these are daily prices. As you can see the prices are pretty equal along the coast. The main difference is between the villages that have coast and the ones that do not. You can get better apartment for the same price if the location of the apartment is not directly on the sea but on a village 5-15 min from the coast.
Advantages of Airbnb for Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava
Each option has its own advantages but for the specific region of Costa Brava, there are specific characteristics that make an app very suited for the type of tourism that is majoritarian.
Airbnb is known for its wide range of accommodations such as tree-houses, apartments, and even castles. These odd types of accommodations are not popular in the Costa Brava, there are some but its pretty rare.
The majority of accommodations are apartments near the beaches or rustic houses in small towns. The towns in Costa Brava have a lot of history and therefore I would recommend getting a classic apartment in Cadaqués rather than a tree-house in a forest.
The main characteristic of Airbnb that I do like a lot is the local experiences that are available, sometimes the host offers an experience with the house/apartment which is often unique and very typical of the town or area. In the Costa Brava the local experiences that I have seen offered more often are horse riding,
If you are planning a trip to Costa Brava, check out our favorite travel backpacks in our post: Best 3 Travek Backspacks under 100$
Disadvantages of Airbnb for Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava
The situation of the rental properties in Catalunya, Spain is not ideal. Many cities and towns do not grant tourist licenses anymore, as the tourism has grown so much in the last years that the local population is starting to suffer to consequence of higher prices due to tourism. Therefore measures have been put in place, and many landowners choose not to rent their houses/apartments for holiday rentals as to rent for less than 30 days a touristic license is needed from the government and many measures have to be met in order to have it legalized and not get fined.
Therefore, many landowners only rent for a month or more at a time as there is no touristic license required. In digital platforms like Airbnb these barriers are reflected in fewer options and higher prices due to the high demand in the Costa Brava for this kind of rentals.
Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava with Booking
Booking has a greater number of apartments and accommodations. It is very popular for the holiday rental in Costa Brava of hotels and hostels. The process of submiting your apartment or home for rental in Booking is more tidious and therefore many private people that have an apartment to rent prefers the process of Airbnb. So I would recommend Booking if you are looking for holiday rental from a hotel or hostel and not an apartment from a private person.
Advantages of Booking for Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava
Because you are more likely to book a hotel or hostel if you are on Booking it means that there is more security of what is offered is what you will get, without surprises. There process is more standardized so there is no need to meet the landowner, chat with him to make sure everything is in order, check the reviews of the place, etc.
I personally recommend booking for short stays of a week or less in hotels or hostels. If you are looking for just a place to sleep, and you appreciate the simplicity of the booking process this is the digital platform for you in the Costa Brava.
There are way more options on Booking than Airbnb or Vrbo. If you are looking for a hotel in the Costa Brava there is a probability of 99% that it will be announced in Booking.com.
Disadvantages of Booking for Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava
Booking is great if you are looking for simplicity, but if you are looking to live like a local, experience a town with its essence, and get to stay for long periods of time for a relatively fair price, I would not recommend booking. A private owned apartment in the Costa Brava will have the same amenities if not more, and you will get to live in an actual apartment or house instead of a bedroom.
Forget about possible local experiences. As stated before, many people that offer local experiences only announce their apartment or house on Airbnb due to the easy process of submission.
Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava with Vrbo
Vrbo which is short for Vacation Rentals by Owners is another rental platform that offers different accommodation options. It is mostly popular in France and given the proximity of the Costa Brava to France, it is logic that a great number of French people that are looking for a vacation in the Costa Brava do it through this platform.
Advantages of Vrbo for Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava
Because Vrbo is mainly a French digital platform, it is not as popular in the Costa Costa. Therefore many owner do not know and not post their rental apartments on this platform. For a search in July 2023 with more than 3 months in advance there are only 173 apartments/houses left to rent. This is so low compared to Airbnb with 1000+ holiday rentals in all of Costa Brava and certainly less than Booking with 603 apartments available. But the probability of host that speaks french is much higher or at least the owner expects that a great number of clients will be french.
The characteristics that you can choose to filter the apartment are different so if for example you are looking for a house to do an event it is possible in Vrbo.
Vrbo is a great option to have a second option to Airbnb, as the type of apartments and style of holiday renting is very similar, so it is a great option to have a second option and check for differences in price for the same apartments.
Disadvantages of Vrbo for Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava
Almost all if not all the apartments/houses you will find in Vrbo are also in Airbnb. Plus the number of apartments available is much lower as many owners in the Costa Brava do not know about Vrbo, and given the high demand of the apartments in summer there is no need for them to announce their apartments in multiple platforms in many occasions so, few are the owners that choose to do so.
Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava with other Digital Platforms
There are many other digital platforms that offer holiday rentals in Costa Brava but they are not as popular as the ones already mentioned. Just to name a few, Abritel is another one that is mostly used in France like Vrbo, it is owned by the Expedia Group just like Vrbo but from my experience it is not as popular as Vrbo with the tourist that come to Costa Brava and therefore not used as much by the home owners that want to rent their house in the holidays.
Other Spanish options are HomeAway and Spain-Holiday-com, these would be better suited for rental of apartments in the big cities like Barcelona or Madrid, or the other popular Spanish coasts like Costa del Sol. Again, the owners of the Costa Brava tend to put their announcements on Airbnb, Booking and thirdly Vrbo.
Check other posts about Costa Brava
Best Holiday Rentals in Costa Brava 2023: Airbnb vs Booking
The Costa Brava is one of the best coasts of Spain, find the best holiday rentals in Costa Brava. Between the many platforms like Airbnb or Booking.
Top 5 Best Beaches in Costa Brava
This compilation of the 10 best beaches in Costa Brava, is so that you can easily find and go the best beach near you.
Top 5 Best Nude Beaches in Costa Brava
Nude beaches in Costa Brava Spain are legal and quite popular. Find the best beaches in the Costa Brava to enjoy a clothing-optional sunbath.