About Weather/Climate/Temperature

Weather Overview for Begur

Surrounded against a 200m hill in the province of Gerona, the small coastal town of Begur features a typical Mediterranean climate and ensures a relaxing, concealed vacation. Known as Costa Brava’s “chic” region, Begur still retains its sturdy historical character and contains much various nature and beautiful scenery. The atmosphere surrounding Begur is characterised by an exclusive coastline, tranquil, pine-covered hills, lush golf courses, old Roman towns, diminutive bays and numerous authentic Spanish restaurants. This conjoined with long, hot summers, mild winters and low amounts of rainfall year round; Begur provides an ideal holiday destination at any time of the year.

Summer

In comparison to beach resorts further south, summers in Begur remain relatively pleasant as the average temperature hovers at 23ºC and is not likely to exceed 30ºC. Sea temperatures also remain pleasant averaging at 25ºC throughout the duration of summer. Rainfall is exceptionally low during the summer months, particularly July and sunshine hours are at their maximum. Although July and August are peak season, the small resort of Begur is not likely to become too over crowded as the more renowned beach resorts of Palafrugell and Roses are within close proximity.

Autumn

September and October are still very favourable times to visit Begur as peak season dies off and temperatures are still pleasing. Autumn however, is the town’s wettest time of the year as precipitation levels rise to 98mm in October. Visitors to the region should never be fooled by this as when the rain falls; sunlight is never usually far off. Sea temperatures are still warm enough to take a quick dip and the days are warm enough to achieve a golden tan.

Winter

Unlike winters that are typical to most Mediterranean resorts, Begur tends to experience a smaller amount of rainfall than what is featured is the spring and autumn months. Showers are common but tend to come in forms of light drops and only last a few moments. The sun still delights visitors to shine for around six or seven hours each day. The temperatures do drop to averages of 8ºC or 9ºC in January and February; however the days usually result in bright, crisp sunlight.

Spring

April to June is always a favourite time to take a holiday in Begur as temperatures start to ascend and by mid May average at 18ºC or 19ºC. Although rainfall is a little higher than the winter months, the irregular weather patterns results in fewer crowds.

About Beaches

A wealth of beautiful golden sand beaches surround Begur and these are all within 5-15 minutes of Casa Alfora.
Sa Riera, Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu, Llafranc, Sa Tuna, Aiguablava are the main beaches to visit and with clean water and sandy bays make for excellent family relaxing.

About Golfing

Many superb golf courses in the region including a championship course.

About Diving

Many local diving schools. The Medes islands has a coral reef and you can take a boat here for a wonderful diving or snorkelling experience.

About Scenery/Beauty Spots

BEGUR - This charming hillside town with its cobbled streets offers the visitor an outstanding choice of Catalan restaurants, tapas bars and shops. The main square has entertainment in the high season and there are many late night bars and an outdoor disco. The overall atmosphere is very Spanish with local artists` paintings and crafts displayed in the square during the summer. Every Wednesday there is a market selling fruit/veg clothes and accessories. There are excellent supermarkets, specialist fishmonger, butchers` shops and freshly baked bread available in many shops.
Nearby Villages and Towns:

This is the unspoilt Costa Brava or Catalonia which has escaped invasion by Tour Operated holiday groups and where most of the properties are owned by Barcelonians. With an abundance of delightful coastal towns and idyllic sandy coves, this region is rarely overcrowded and has retained real Spanish charm. This is an area you will want to return to again and again.... Every day you can find a new diversion, be it a cultural pursuit, taking the kids to a waterpark, playing tennis, snorkelling, sailing, or a lazy day at one of the beautiful sundrenched sandy coves with clear water and beachfront restaurants. The coastal resorts all have a choice of waterfront restaurants, cafes and shops and it is a real pleasure to wander the little streets around the harbour fronts and enjoy the spectacular scenery of this rugged coastline. Development here has slowed right down and you will come across villas unexpectedly tucked away. No large apartment development is possible as the rugged terrain, thankfully, does not allow for this, leaving the shoreline intact with some wonderful coastal path walks.

Begur is a charming hillside town with a castle at its crown. The cobbled streets add to the character of the town and offer a really excellent choice of Catalan restaurants which nearly all have al fresco eating in the summer months. In addition there are several tapas bars, individual and exquisite clothes, antique and specialist food shops, cafes and late night cellar bars. There are two plazas both of which have entertainment in the high season. No wall to wall discos here or loud music but there are a couple of clubs situated just out of the main part of the town. The overall atmosphere is very Spanish with local artists` paintings and crafts displayed in the old square during the summer. Every Wednesday the market stalls spill into the narrow streets where you can buy fruit and vegetables, clothes and accessories. There are excellent supermarkets, specialist fishmonger, butchers` shops and freshly baked baguettes in many of the bakeries.

Within 5km of Begur are the excellent beaches and coastal villages of Aiguablava, Sa Riera, Aiguafreda, Sa Tuna, Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc each with its own unique character. The coastal path walk between Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc provides a relaxing pre-dinner or pre-lunch stroll, which can be followed by a drink at one of the many waterfront cafes or bars and the treat of spectacular scenery en-route.

Tamariu - a most picturesque bay with a sandy beach. A promenade with restaurants and shops fronts the beach and creates a very convivial al fresco atmosphere. Approximately 4km from Begur, Tamariu has an extremely pretty sandy bay with a promenade and waterfront restaurants, shops and cafes. Villas decorate the surrounding area of Tamariu, known as Aiguagelida and there is also a small bay with this name.

Llafranc a chic coastal resort with a crescent shaped sandy bay and promenade has restaurants, hotels and shops along the front, looking straight out to sea. A small marina at the far end of the bay adds to the local interest. From Llafranc there is a coastal path walk to the exquisite string of sandy coves and waterfront shops and restaurants of Calella de Palafrugell.

Calella de Palafrugell - The largest of Palafrugell`s beach resorts has a series of pretty coves strung out like pearls behind the fishing village with whitewashed arches on the promenade. Fishing boats are pulled up on the sand and the seafood restaurants beside the water are always busy at weekends. Development here has been low-rise and low-key with everything on a human scale. A cliff path leads in around 20 minutes to Llafranc, making a delightful pre-dinner stroll. High above the bay, the Jardi Botanic de Cap Roig is a botanical garden designed by Russian emigre Nicolai Woevodsky and his English wife Dorothy in the 1920s. The gardens feature cypress, cedar and mimosa trees as well as Mediterranean flowers and herbs, plus a mock castle at the centre and stunning views of waves crashing against cliffs. Calella de Palafrugell is best known as the home of havaneres, performed on the beach at a popular festival each summer. The singing of hananeres is usually accompanied by the drinking of cremat, a spicy Creole concoction of flaming coffee, rum and cinnamon with a twist of lemon.

Aiguafreda - Extract from The Sunday Times Travel section, 9 March 2008, listing Aiguafreda as one of the top ten beaches in the world!

"My favourite beach is called Cala d`Aiguafreda and it doesn`t have sand. It has flat rocks as warm as electric blankets and tiny rock pools that make perfect wine coolers. Wrapped in pine woods and sheltered from the tramontane wind, it smells intoxicatingly of ozone and resin and is lapped by waters as clear as Bombay Sapphire. That`s nothing special in these parts. The beaches of the Baix Emporda, as this part of the Costa Brava is known, belong in a superleague of their own; but, for my money, tiny Aiguafreda is number one. That`s due in no small part to the fabulous Hostal Sa Rascassa, located in heavenly isolation a few steps from the beach. Owned by the ebullient Oscar Gorriz, this simple, stylish place (recently voted one of Spain`s best decorated hotels) with a candlelit open-air restaurant, a beach bar and a Wednesday night music club, is a diamond set in an emerald forest beside a sapphire sea". [Chris Haslam]

Sa Tuna - South along the enchanting coast road, the bay of Sa Tuna must be one of the most beautiful in Europe. There is little to match a meal outside the Hostal Sa Tuna, right by the sea on a calm, warm evening. Sa Tuna is an old fishermans village and a real favourite of the Catalans, never too crowded but always lively enough, and with an atmosphere that easily makes you understand the history of the place. Many of the people who live here have been in the bay for generations, calmly uninterrupted by the visitors. Above Sa Tuna, the carefully developed areas of La Borna and Cap de Begur have stunning views of the bay, the coast and the sea. You can travel to Sa Tuna from Begur south along the main coast road, but if you are lucky enough to find the alternative windy road from Begur to Cap de Begur and La Borna, finally arriving at Sa Tuna, you will be discovering a little bit more of Begur`s history, as this is the old road which the fisherman would use to reach the bay. At LA BORNA and Sa Tuna the sea flows through a rocky inlet with dramatic scenery into a protected bay with a sand and shingle beach.

About Local Restaurants

so many to choose from! In the high season it is necessary to book a table in many of Begur's superb restaurants all with open terraces for al fresco dining. The cuising is particular to Catalonia with some interesting menus - the standard is high. Alternatively you can sit around one of the squares and eat tapas and visit one of the late night cellar bars to round off the evening.

About Walking

The coastal path routes are stunning. You can take a gentle pre dinner stroll between Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc (20mins) or go for as long as you like from any of the many walking points in the region.