Reaching the Costa Brava from the north of Britain is about to get easier, with the launch of Jet2.com’s new flights to Girona, complementing Ryanair’s existing service. Here are 5 facts about this unspoilt corner of Spain that could make you want a home there…

Ski before lunch, fun by the sea after 
“On a clear Spring day here you can gaze at the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees as you sip a drink beside the Mediterranean,” said Sally Veall, a Costa Brava resident and author of SpainBuyingGuide.com. “La Molina and Vall de Nuria are two of the Pyrenean resorts within a short drive of the coast at the Bay of Roses, while further on takes you to Andorra.”
Aside from its pretty beaches, the Costa Brava has world-class marinas, such as those at L’Escala or Empuriabrava. It is also popular with scuba divers, with notable dive sites at the protected Medes Islands, near L’Estartit. And golfers won’t be disappointed – there are two clubs at Pals and the PGA Catalunya Resort near Girona.

Buoyant property market
The Costa Brava – and Catalonia as a whole – avoided the type of mass development seen in other Spanish Costas before the market crash in 2008. Independent villas or villas in small communities of 10-30 units, or beachside apartments are typical of this area.
“Prices are stable again and in some instances they have begun rising,” said Warwick Pemberton, who runs estate agency Costa Brava Fincas. “For me, popular locations include Platja d’Aro, Calonge, S’Agaro, Santa Cristina and Palamos. Platja d’Aro is especially popular, as it is an upmarket tourist spot that stays open all year round, so there is always life, including in the cooler winter months.”

Getting there
Planes, trains and automobiles – all viable options for reaching the Costa Brava from the UK (of course with a Channel crossing when travelling by car). Occupying the north-east corner of Spain, ending at the French border, means travelling to the Costa Brava by car is no different to driving to the French Riviera – a journey that can be done in one day or night, or broken up with an overnight stop.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of choice for flights into Barcelona from the UK, with flights to Girona beginning to increase too, including Jet2.com’s new routes from Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, which begin in May.
And, thanks to recent rail investment, Girona is now under six hours by direct train from Paris, itself a short hop from London.

Food and culture
Renowned artist Salvador Dali has helped put this region on the map – he was born in Figueres, where there is a famous museum full of his iconic work, and he spent much of his life at his home near Cadaques, a sweet white-washed fishing village that is well worth a visit. Today, the Costa Brava’s old towns and villages, both inland and on the coast, continue to attract artists and culture vultures.
Meanwhile, you are never far from a restaurant serving world-class, locally sourced food. The region has become a pioneer of cutting edge cuisine, thanks largely to El Bulli, the famous 3 Michelin star restaurant on the Bay of Roses, now closed. Nearby in Girona, El Celler de Can Roca has stepped into El Bulli’s shoes and is often touted as the world’s best restaurant.

More info
For more information on buying property successfully in the Costa Brava or anywhere in Spain, download the Overseas Guides Company’s free Spain Buying Guide, and start receiving useful email updates from Sally Veall. Or for other destinations, download the France Buying Guide,  Italy Buying Guide, Portugal Buying Guide or USA Buying Guide.

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