Costa Brava weather by month

When to go to Costa Brava

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August. October is the wettest month (99 mm, about 10 rainy days) and July the driest (38 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 24.8°C and coolest in February at 12.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO, 24 km from Lloret de Mar) takes roughly 2 h 6 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Madrid.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Costa Brava between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.5°C on 12 August 2003; the coldest fell to -4.8°C on 17 December 2001. In August one day in ten tops 32.3°C and about 34% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 1.1°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2003 with 244 mm, against a October average of 99 mm.

Winter into spring: December to May

December, January and February call for layers rather than beachwear. Average daytime temperatures sit at 13°C in December and February, falling to 12°C in January, when nights average 4°C. Pack a warm jacket for evenings and something waterproof for wet spells. March reaches 16°C, but its 13°C sea makes casual swimming a chilly prospect. April is more comfortable for spending time outdoors at 18°C, although it is not reliably dry. May is the better compromise if you want warmth without summer temperatures: days average 22°C, with cooler evenings that still suit a light jacket. April and May each average 10 rain days, so keep plans flexible. Even in May, the sea averages just 17°C; sunshine does not necessarily mean comfortable swimming.

Summer: June to August

June offers a useful balance between warm days and less heat at midday, averaging 26°C by day and 17°C at night. The catch for swimmers is its 20°C sea, which may still feel fresh. July is the better fit if sunshine and fewer rainy days matter most: it averages 10 hours of sunshine and 6 rain days, with daytime temperatures of 28°C. August is the hottest month, with days around 29°C and the sea at 25°C, making it the stronger choice for warmer water. July and August nights average 20°C, so choose light clothing and accommodation where you can sleep comfortably. Plan more active outings away from midday.

Autumn: September to November

September keeps beach weather within reach, with average days of 25°C and a 23°C sea. It suits travellers who want warm water without August's higher daytime temperatures, but its 11 rain days make flexible plans important. October is a more mixed choice: days average 21°C and the sea remains at 20°C, yet it is the wettest month overall. Pack for both outdoor time and wet-weather interruptions rather than expecting a reliably dry beach holiday. November brings a clearer shift towards cooler conditions, with daytime temperatures of 16°C and nights of 9°C. A jacket becomes useful again, and the 17°C sea is less appealing for a leisurely swim.