Begur Holidays: Beaches, Coves and Castle in Catalonia
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 3,981 residents · on the coast
Begur is a small Catalan town of just under 4,000 people, set 239 metres above the sea in the Província de Girona. The protected hills of the Muntanyes de Begur begin barely a few hundred yards from the centre. The Castell de Begur stands about half a mile away, and below them a string of beaches and coves is scattered along the shore, from Platja Fonda and Platja d'Aiguablava to Sa Riera and Illa Roja. Summers are warm, with highs around 29°C in July and August. Girona airport, which has direct flights from the UK, is roughly 35 minutes' drive away. It suits families and beach lovers who would rather swap coves than queue for a sunbed.
Why go
- Around a dozen beaches lie within 3 miles, including Platja d'Aiguablava, Sa Tuna and Platja de Sa Riera.
- Girona airport has direct UK flights and is only about 34 minutes' drive from town.
- July and August bring reliable warmth, with highs of 29°C and July the driest month.
Top sights in Begur
Beaches, Hills and a Castle
The beaches are the reason most people come. Platja de Sa Riera, about 1.6 miles away, and Platja de l'Illa Roja, around 1.9 miles away, are the best known. Platja de Pals, a longer stretch roughly 3 miles off, is another favourite with families. Closer in you will find Platja del Racó at about 2.2 miles, Platja d'en Malaret at under a mile and Platja de Sa Tuna at about a mile. Platja Fonda, barely half a mile away, is the nearest of all.
The smaller coves are just as rewarding. Platja d'Aiguablava and Platja de s'Eixugador are each about 1.1 miles away, and Cala Port des Pi is about 1.6 miles off. Aigua Xelida lies roughly 2 miles out, and Cala Marquesa, a calanque over the line in Palafrugell, is about 1.8 miles away.
Away from the sand, the Muntanyes de Begur protected area starts about a third of a mile from town. The Castell de Begur, a listed cultural property, is around 0.6 miles away. Tours and activity tickets for Begur and the surrounding area can be booked directly from this page.
Tours & tickets in Begur
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Begur can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Begur
Hilltop Town or Down by the Coves
Begur gives you two distinct bases. The town itself sits on high ground near the castle and the Muntanyes de Begur, which puts you close to shops and evening strolls but means driving or walking down to the water. The other option is to stay near one of the coves, such as Sa Riera, Aiguablava or Sa Tuna, where the beach is on your doorstep.
With fewer than 4,000 residents, Begur is a quiet place rather than a party resort. If you want more going on in the evenings, larger towns such as Palamós are a short drive away. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare the town and coast options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Begur and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 34 min away.
Best time to visit Begur
When to Visit Begur
- 12°CJan33 mm
- 14°CFeb44 mm
- 16°CMar53 mm
- 18°CApr68 mm
- 21°CMay80 mm
- 25°CJun66 mm
- 29°CJul20 mm
- 29°CAug48 mm
- 24°CSept65 mm
- 22°COct64 mm
- 17°CNov53 mm
- 13°CDec46 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the best months for a beach holiday. Daytime highs reach about 29°C and nights stay around 20 to 21°C. July is the driest month of the year, with roughly 20 mm of rain over about five days. June is a pleasant shoulder option, with highs around 25°C, and September is still warm at about 24°C.
The wettest period runs from spring into autumn. May brings the most rainfall at around 80 mm, and October has the most rainy days, about 12. Winter is mild but cool, with January highs of about 12°C and lows near 5°C. That suits walking more than swimming.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 5°C | 33 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 44 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 53 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 10°C | 68 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 80 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 17°C | 66 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 20°C | 20 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 21°C | 48 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 24°C | 16°C | 65 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 15°C | 64 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 10°C | 53 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 13°C | 5°C | 46 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Girona airport is the obvious choice. It is about 24 miles from Begur, roughly a 34-minute drive, and has direct flights from the UK. Barcelona airport also has direct UK flights and is about 74 miles away, or around an hour and three-quarters by car. Reus, another airport with direct UK services, is about 119 miles away, which means close to three hours' driving.
The nearest ferry port is Barcelona, about 67 miles away, with sailings to the Balearics, Italy and Morocco. These are useful if you want to add an island leg to your trip.
If you would rather drive from home, allow about 14 and a half hours at the wheel from Calais, best split over two days.
By air
- Girona (GRO)24 miles, about 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)74 miles, about 1 h 45 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)119 miles, about 2 h 50 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 32 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (67 miles).
Begur is good for
Around Begur
Easy Day Trips from Begur
Pals is about 4 miles away, and so is the small seaside village of Calella de Palafrugell. Both make easy half-day outings. Torroella de Montgrí and the port town of Palamós are each roughly 8 miles away. Calonge is about 9 miles off, and the village of Verges is around 12 miles inland.
For a longer day, Sant Feliu de Guíxols is about 15 miles down the coast. The city of Girona, home to around 100,000 people, is roughly 21 miles away and makes a good contrast to beach days.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips Before You Go
Begur stands at 239 metres, while the beaches are at sea level. Factor the climb back up into beach days, especially with young children or in the July heat. Car hire makes it far easier to hop between coves.
This is a small town, and July and August are its peak. Book accommodation early for those months. If you travel in May or October, pack a light waterproof, as these are the rainiest stretches of the year.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Begur?
Girona airport is the closest, about 24 miles away or roughly a 34-minute drive, and it has direct flights from the UK. Barcelona airport, about 74 miles away, also has direct UK flights and takes around an hour and three-quarters by car.
Is Begur good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. There are around a dozen beaches and coves within about 3 miles of town, including Platja de Sa Riera, Platja de Pals and Platja Fonda. The town is small and quiet, with just under 4,000 residents, which suits families looking for a relaxed base.
When is the best time to visit Begur?
July and August are the best months, with highs of around 29°C. July is the driest month, with about 20 mm of rain. June and September are warm alternatives. May and October tend to be the wettest periods.
Can you drive to Begur from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes about 14 and a half hours, so most people break the journey overnight. Barcelona's ferry port, about 67 miles from Begur, is handy if you want to continue on to the Balearic Islands.
What is there to see in Begur besides beaches?
The Castell de Begur, a listed cultural property, is about 0.6 miles from town. The Muntanyes de Begur protected area begins roughly a third of a mile away. Nearby Pals and Calella de Palafrugell are each about 4 miles off.
How far is Begur from Girona city?
Girona city is about 21 miles from Begur, making it an easy day trip. Girona airport, which has direct UK flights, is a little further at around 24 miles, or about 34 minutes by car.