Welcome to Begur

Imagine a town filled with history, where stone homes and a formidable church watch over a maze of stone alleys... and every September, those same streets fill with the sound of live salsa and the clink of mojito glasses. Welcome to Begur — a place with a rich personality.

Seasonality in Begur

Wander around, and beyond the typical charm of a Costa Brava town, you'll start noticing something unexpected: ornate homes with tropical-style balconies and arched galleries that look like they've been lifted straight out of Havana. That's because, in the 19th century, many local families sailed to Cuba in search of fortune. Some made it big, and came home as "Indianos," building grand houses to show for it. That legacy lives on every September during the Fira d'Indians, when the gardens become one huge party, and the whole town, dressed in white, dances until the early hours.

But that's just one weekend. From October to May, Begur is tranquil — even sleepy, with many restaurants closing for a well-earned winter break.

Then summer arrives, and the town wakes up: second-home owners return — Catalans, Americans, Brits, Dutch, French — and the plaza buzzes every evening with people spilling out of restaurants and licking ice creams as they wander around. It's a 180 degree change, which year-round residents or those looking to stay for months at a time, should be aware of before choosing Begur.

Begur's beach towns

Begur also has a string of beaches, each worth its own article in terms of the surroundings — but here's the thing: despite their close distances, town and beach not a quick hop away from each other. The roads are winding and hilly, so you tend to pick one and stay around there rather than driving back and forth around hairpin-tight turns, and in summer, expect some traffic around the beach areas.

It’s important to note, if you are considering living towards the  beaches, that these areas are particularly quiet during the winter. Expect empty beaches, gustier winds, and days where you may not see a soul unless you head into town. Amenities are also further away than in town. Some beaches have restaurants, such as Tamariu, whilst others like Platja Fonda are relatively remote. As for tasks that might be quick in other areas such as popping out for milk, expect that to be a longer round trip if you're based right on the coast, due to the lack of faciliites.

Day-to-day life in Begur

Begur town is big enough that it covers the basics. Supermarkets are a 5-10 minute drive from town although there are smaller bakeries and fresh produce shops, while everything else — pharmacies, a doctor’s office, cafés, brilliant restaurants, a bar or two, and a handful of beautiful hotels for visiting guests — is right there in town. 

For those of you looking to relocate with children, Begur offers a tranquil village feel. Local schools are available in Catalan, with the closest international schools being around 25 minutes away in Platja d'Aro or even slightly further in Girona. That said, local life is appealing with little ones in tow - you will find sports clubs, community pools, padel courts, family-friendly festivals, and a small but fairly active international community to connect with.

Begur's accessibility

Whilst Begur plays a central role in culture, in terms of wider accessibility, it is slightly off the main road which means it normally adds another 10 minutes to get into town - or even further for the beaches.

Just bear in mind that extra few minutes if you're someone who likes to actively explore other areas or if you'll need to be commuting.

As with most of the area, owning a car - and a driving license - is basically essential here.

Conclusion

Begur serves as both a beautiful tourist destination, as well as a wonderful place to live year round if you know what to expect. Those looking for a quiet, cultural escape who don't mind the town suddenly swelling with tourists and second-home residents come summer, will feel at home amongst the town's Cuban-inspired architecture. Whereas for those of you who prefer to go everywhere by foot and crave year-round life on your doorstep, you will most likely want to keep searching.