Seated comfortably in a chair on the balcony of a good hotel, the traveller looks at the surrounding views. Such picturesque landscapes, natural and urbanised, can be found nowhere else in sunny Spain. The colours of the sky at sunrise and sunset are unique here.
The pine trees give off a delightful relaxing aroma, so one can involuntarily feel the healing effects of these natural spa treatments while reading and sipping a delicious drink. A light breeze pleasantly refreshes sun-weary skin on the immaculately clean beach.
The Costa Brava will often remind of itself, evoking vivid memories of a vacation in a resort where a holiday always reigns.
Photo: pixabay.com
Holidays on the Costa Brava in June: pros and cons
Costa Brava in June is popular among foreign tourists and Spaniards from other regions. The ratio has remained two to one for many years. The top three leading countries whose residents love to visit here the most are Great Britain, Germany and France.
From June to September, the tourist flow is half of its annual volume, and one-day spending by tourists increases due to excursions and transportation.
Regarding the number of occupied rooms and the duration of vacation, Catalonia is one of the world's top five regions in the field of tourism.
The age contingent of vacationers changes as the air temperature rises: the hotter, the more young people arrive. However, the atmosphere remains calm on the streets and in the clubs. A large workload of hotels and beaches is observed, especially on weekends and holidays. More people rest on the sand than swim in the sea.
The advantages of holidaying in Costa Brava in June:
- calm, relaxing atmosphere;
- pleasant air temperature for active holidays and excursions;
- no long queues for water rides at popular entertainment centers and water parks;
- many colourful events, festivals and fairs;
- fresh, juicy fruit and vegetables in the shops and market stalls.
The disadvantages of visiting Costa Brava in June:
- travel costs are rising;
- the high season starts only at the end of the month, so many services may not be available or are not provided in full;
- children's beach mini-clubs and libraries are still closed;
- coolness, winds and intermittent rains are not rare;
- the sea warms up optimally by the end of the month.
Reviews of holidays on the Costa Brava in June cause discussions around the question “What to do on the coast in the first month of summer with the whole family?”. Listing all the possibilities, everyone understands that they are simply endless.
Weather in Costa Brava in June
The weather in June marks the arrival of the hot and humid Spanish summer with some peculiarities. So, the northeast coast collects all the summer precipitation from the country's south. One resort after another, in turn, pours blessed intermittent rain. In July, the amount of precipitation reaches its annual minimum, and the air and water warm up to the maximum possible in this part of Spain.
The weather in early June often presents travellers with summer thunderstorms, cloudy or overcast days. The air, now cooling down, now warming up, is saturated with oxygen, the smells of the sea and the essential oils of rich Spanish vegetation. The temperature on the Costa Brava in mid-June is increasingly reminiscent of a hot summer. The sun seeks to make up for the coolness of the first days of the month with heat.
At the end of June, the weather on the Costa Brava can return to optimal values: the heat gives way to a comfortable air temperature for the body. Single, fast-moving rain is still possible. South and southwest winds cause waves at sea and on land.
Air and sea water temperature
The temperature on the Costa Brava in June fluctuates in the average range from +16 °C to +27 °C. The likelihood of cold nights is minimal, while hot days are observed more and more every year. A moderately warm climate has the most beneficial effect on health.
Air temperature in Costa Brava in June
The average daily temperature is around +25 °C; at night, it is slightly cooler, around +18.5 °C. Temperature differences between day and night can reach 10 degrees.
Sea temperature in Costa Brava in June
On average, the water temperature in the sea rises to +19.8 °C. The Balearic Sea never warms to more than +26 °C in the warmest time.
Precipitation
Precipitation is getting less and less every day. The monthly average is 23.8 mm. Thus, June, along with other summer months, is one of the driest months of the year.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Rain comes to the Spanish coast at least two days a month. For 25 days, the sun shines clearly in a cloudless or slightly cloudy sky. Continuous cloudiness is observed for no more than four days in June. Thus, Spain lives up to its title of "sunny country".
Active holidays
Photo: aquadiver.com
Earth, air, and water are the three elements that the numerous sports centres of the Costa Brava invite tourists to master.
In early June, the family kayaking season begins. Rafting on calm rivers, possible with children from four years old, opens up the wild beauty of the surrounding flora and fauna before the eyes of novice athletes. Caves, fishing ports and, docks, offshore reefs are part of a fascinating route.
For adults and children over 15 years old, sports clubs organize real kayak expeditions lasting up to four days, in which adventure is combined with the study of nature and winemaking traditions.
Water extreme applies to relaxation in any of the water parks on the coast. In mid-June, behind Aquabrava, Aquadiver is the last park to open.
At the end of June, the adventure park La Selva de Aventura, 40 minutes from Girona, goes into daily operation. Two hanging runs, bungee ropes up to 140 m long, nets, creepers and more than 60 other attractions allow you to enjoy the height. The extreme centre guarantees thrills during bungee jumping and high-speed rappelling from cliffs over 25 m high.
The Fang Aventura Centre owns a private estate of over 850,000 m² in the middle of nature and overlooking the Pyrenees. There are extreme roads for quad bike rides, shooting and orienteering areas and much more. One of the most exciting adventures combines day mountain climbing, trekking, river rappelling and swimming.
Renting a vessel with all navigation features, with or without a skipper, allows you to cruise the Mediterranean with complete freedom, without schedules or commitments. All the sailboats offered for hire are ideal for families.
Located below sea level, the passenger cabins of the Nautilus pleasure steamers offer a detailed view of the seabed filled with unusual life. Departures originate from the port of L'Estartita and continue on the Sant Martí d'Ampurias - Cadaqués route.
Popular offerings are not limited to the above. They can be complemented by cycling, horse-riding, golf, diving, hot air balloon and light aircraft flights.
Tour holidays
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When choosing an excursion holiday, focusing on a particular theme is recommended to feel the wholeness of the knowledge and ideas gained. These can be routes on:
- Dali's triangle
- the footsteps of writers Josep Pla, Merce Rodoreda and Hollywood actors Ava Gardner and Orson Welles.
- to the cinematographic landscapes of the Alt Emporda.
- the pages of Javier Cercas' novel The Soldiers of Salamis.
- Jewish Catalonia
- ancient Roman Catalonia
- Pyrenees
- museums and craft centres
The museum city of Girona and the castle city of Besalu are a must-see, keeping the spirit of the Middle Ages alive. Perched on a high mountain, the castle of San Joan helped the locals defend themselves against enemies from the sea from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and today it offers stunning panoramic views of the sea and the Lloret de Mar resort below.
Girona Cathedral, built in 1312, has an excellent museum with rare early medieval artefacts, such as the 16th-century tapestry of the Creation of the World.
Another attraction suitable for a family visit is the Gardens of St Clotilde. An artificial park created in the twentieth century under Italian influence combines graceful tree forms with sculptures, fountains and other landscaping elements. By visiting the Clotilde Gardens, you can get a discount on admission to the Marimutra in Blanes.
In the neighbouring province, there is a place where Catalonia is open to view all at once. Mini-copies of its sights conveniently occupy half of Catalunya en Miniatura park territory.
Beach holidays
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Cool sea waters in June refresh swimmers like the water of northern rivers. Getting in and out of the sea is a challenge, as waves are not uncommon on most beaches. Playing, they push from the shore. The rapidly coming depth forces one to be careful. Crystal-clear water surrounded by cliffs sparkles at the backdrop of golden sand or small pebbles. However, this is a beach holiday for those not looking for the best option.
The nature of the sea depends on the undercurrents of the Atlantic and the waves — on the bends of the coastline. Therefore, curious travellers will always find a beach to their liking, where the waters are warmer and gentler, or, conversely, they will rush to catch more wind and big waves for surfing. On the coast are flat bottoms, small bays for children, noisy, active beaches, and completely deserted ones. Many places of the Costa Brava's perfect beauty are the Mediterranean's beach standards.
The bright warming Spanish sun in June will leave less and less time for excursions. It is perfect during this period to visit the beach in the afternoon when the air and water warm up best. After June 24, popular places fill up with crowds of people.
Among tourists, the beaches of Calella de Palafrugell, Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Tamariu, Tossa de Mar, Sagaro, Begur, L'Escala, Palamos, L'Estartit deserve the highest rating.
Holidays, events and festivals
Holidays on the Costa Brava in June are multifaceted. Music, dance, gastronomy, sports, photography and other diverse events occur daily. They do not lend themselves to a full description.
The FIMAG International Fairy and Magic Festival in Torroella de Montgri presents more than 150 different magic performances and a vibrant program for the whole family. Esoteric exhibitions, master classes, film screenings, excursions, games, and more are held.
In June, Corpus Christi is often celebrated, revered throughout the country. The Spaniards decorate the streets with garlands and whole carpets of fragrant fresh flowers, symbolizing purity. Various processions of symbolic puppets and religious processions take place. The Catholic holiday of the Body and Blood of the Lord has long become a real folk festival.
The heartwarming feast of fishermen, habanera and cremata in Tossa de Mar takes place on the first weekend of June, with gatherings after midnight. The traditional song of sailors is called habanera, and it sounds from everywhere. Guests of the holiday are treated to a hot coffee and rum drink, "cremata", and sandwiches with sardines.
For a month, Tossa de Mar does not let go of the gastronomic theme, hosting a competition among restaurants for the best preparation of fideua pasta paella.
The Rice Planting Festival occurs in the Ebro Delta every year in early June. Peasants demonstrate how this cereal was planted without advanced agricultural technologies.
The Costa Brava Folklore Festival is a traditional non-competitive festival of songs, music and dance to promote peace, friendship, fraternal relations and solidarity among the world's peoples. The organizers are the Spanish festival committee and the municipality of Lloret de Mar. It begins with a big parade of peace and friendship.
From May to September, Sardana can be seen in many places in Spain. It is a Catalan musical genre typical of Catalan culture and danced in circle following a set of steps.
On the night of June 23-24, you need to go to where you can hear the sounds of music and see fiery flashes. “Night of Fire” is a farewell to spring and a meeting of summer. In Girona and the surrounding area, bonfires flare up from a spark of flame from Mount Canigo, burning at 2784 m. It testifies to the vitality and continuity of Catalan culture.
On Saint John the Baptist Day, the holy protector of Palamos is honoured. The village is filled with life, music and tradition during this period.
At the same time, an international festival dedicated to the rumba kicks off in Tossa de Mar. The best musical groups in the typical Catalan genre perform right on the beach.
St Peter's Patronal Fiestas take place in the last week of the month in Begur, and Tossa de Mar. Balls, concerts, fireworks, fairs, and Sardana are part of the programme.
Separately we should mention the fairs, which have been traditional since time immemorial. These include the essential Indian fair on the southern Costa Brava in Lloret de Mar (mid-June) and the handicraft festival in Verges (June).
Cost of vacation
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Prices on the Costa Brava in June provide budget and luxury holiday opportunities. The most inexpensive resorts of Lloret de Mar, Calella, and Tossa de Mar offer up to 30% lower rental prices than in Girona above average holiday prices in Salou and Blanes. Hotel prices in Playa de Aro cannot be called low, but the level of service is very high.
Package Tours
The cost of tours in June grows, not reaching July and August figures. Tour operators are doing June pricing based on hotel offers and airfare, but the seasonal surcharge is not that big.
Accommodation
Prices for hotel rooms in June show a positive growth trend, rising to 5–10% monthly. The average cost of a room per night is about 115 euros.
Airfares
In June, the average price of air travel rises sharply: up to almost 20% compared to May. It reaches peak values characteristic of August and is practically one of the highest in the year.
Food and Transport
Photo: pixabay.com
Depending on their level, the cost of one meal in catering establishments can vary between 10-20 euros. If you organise meals on your own, you should consider that at offsite food markets at the height of the season, you can buy products 1.5-2 times cheaper than in supermarkets. For example, tomatoes, aubergines and apples cost about 0.6 euros per kilo.
The price of travelling from Barcelona airport to Lloret de Mar (91 km) is about 16 euros for a bus, 20 euros for a train, minimum of 150 euros for a taxi. The fee for a tour with a group is min 35 euros for one.
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Tips for travelling with children
When holidaying on the Costa Brava in June, you can perfectly combine the pleasant and the practical, alternating beach lazing with walks and excursions. Sunny but not too hot, the weather is just favourable for this.
If a child up to 5-6 years old is not interested in Spanish sights, then bathing and "refuelling" with the sun on the beaches, adventures on the bosom of picturesque nature are at your service; children of school age at the resort are waiting for a fun pastime, adrenaline rush in the body on attractions in water parks, cycling along the seashore and mountain roads, sports events in the fresh air.
Exclusively for the sake of the sea, a full-fledged holiday with children is possible towards the end of the month. Until then, you should stock up on umbrellas and waterproof insulated clothing.
The Costa Brava is a place where children will feel great, and adults can also enjoy free time. Catalonia offers 22 destinations perfect for family holidays. The only thing left to do is choose one based on your possibilities and wishes. It is essential to catch the period when weather conditions reach the desired level of comfort and holiday prices have not yet risen too high. June is the right time for this purpose.
