Coves with turquoise waters, fishing villages, paella by the sea, and spots that look like they’re straight out of a postcard. The Costa Brava has it all, and although the train takes you right to its doorstep, the most secluded coves are only accessible by bus—no car needed, and no need to fight for a parking spot under the sun.
So, if you want to escape the city this summer and reach Girona’s most famous beaches by public transportation, this quick guide is for you.
The main bus routes to the Costa Brava
Moventis–Sarfa, part of the Sagalés Group, is the main bus operator connecting Barcelona to the top destinations on the Costa Brava. Most buses depart from Estació del Nord, although some also stop at Fabra i Puig or the airport.
Schedules and frequencies vary depending on the day and season. In the summer, there are more frequent departures, especially on weekends, so it’s a good idea to check them on the Estació del Nord website or on the operators’ websites.
Most popular destinations and approximate travel times:
- Lloret de Mar → 1 hr 20 min
- Tossa de Mar → 1 hr 35 min
- Blanes → 1 hr 30 min
- Sant Feliu de Guíxols → 2h
- Platja d’Aro → 1 hr 45 min
- Palamós → 2 hrs 10 min
- Calella de Palafrugell → 2h 30 min
- Llafranc → 2 hrs 30 min
- Tamariu→3 hours min
- Begur → 2h 45 min
- Cadaqués → 3 hrs 30 min (with a transfer)
BONUS: Coastal path without a train
Want to hike from cove to cove with breathtaking views? Take the bus to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Platja d’Aro, Palamós, or Calella, and hike a section of the Camí de Ronda. Sarfa buses connect all these towns.
Where to buy tickets
You can buy tickets directly on the Moventis website (www.moventis.es), at the ticket counters at Estació del Nord, or through apps like Omio or CheckMyBus.
If you’re traveling on a weekend or holiday, book in advance, especially if you’re heading to very popular destinations like Calella de Palafrugell or Tossa.
How to get there by car
There are two main routes for a comfortable drive from Barcelonato the Costa Brava.
To Blanes, Lloret de Mar, and Tossa de Mar, the shortest route is via the C-32, the coastal highway, which takes you directly to these towns.
From there, to get to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, for example, it’s best to take the AP7 and exit—usually around Exit 9—which will take you to the Begur area, more or less.
To reach the areas of l’Escala and Roses further along, continue on the AP-7 past Girona. If you want to go to the Cap de Creus area, Roses, Llançà, or Portbou, you’ll need to take an exit at Figueres, where you can take the various roads leading to those destinations.
