Barcelona to Costa Brava by Bus: My Easy Weekend Escape From the City

Sometimes I just need a break from Barcelona. I love this city, but after a while the noise, the crowds and the city center get to me. When that happens, I get on a bus to the Costa Brava.

It's a quick ride, it's cheap, and an hour or so later I'm looking at clean water and quiet beaches. It's the easiest escape I know.

Here's exactly how I do it: which bus I take, where I stay, my favorite towns and when to go so you skip the crowds.

Quick answers

How do you get from Barcelona to the Costa Brava by bus? Moventis Sarfa buses leave from Barcelona Estació del Nord.
How long is the ride? About an hour to an hour and 15 minutes to Lloret de Mar, around an hour and a half to Tossa de Mar and about two hours to Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
How much is the bus? I pay around €12 to €13 each way to Lloret de Mar.
Should you book ahead? Yes, especially on weekends, holidays and in summer.
When's the best time to go? May, June, late September and October.

Why I escape to the Costa Brava

I go when I need clean beaches and a break from city life. The Costa Brava gives me both, and I don't need a car, a flight or a big plan to get there.

How I found it (and why I don't go in summer)

Everyone in Barcelona knows the Costa Brava. In summer, it's the place to go, for locals and tourists alike.

That's exactly why I try not to go in summer. I go before the rush, or after it. You get the same water and the same views, without fighting for a spot on the sand.

How to get from Barcelona to the Costa Brava by bus

I take the Moventis bus from Barcelona Estació del Nord. The ride to Lloret de Mar takes me about an hour and 15 minutes and costs around €12 each way.

Book on the website before you go. During peak times, buses do sell out, and you don't want to be stuck at the station watching your bus leave without you.

Going further up the coast takes longer: plan on about an hour and a half to Tossa de Mar and around two hours to Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

My favorite Costa Brava towns

I go to three towns: Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols is my favorite. It's calm, and it's where I go when I just want to swim and do nothing.

Lloret de Mar is a close second. Some people think Lloret is a bit rough, and it does get a bad rap. I like it because it has everything you need: taxis, shops, restaurants and easy access to the beach. Some of the smaller towns are lovely, but they don't always have all of that.

Tossa de Mar is beautiful too, with its old walled town up on the hill above the beach.

Where to stay (and what it costs)

I always stay overnight. One day goes by too fast.

In Lloret de Mar, I can usually find something for around €100 a night. The other towns can be a little pricier. It really depends on when you go: in peak summer, everything gets expensive.

My advice is always the same: use Booking.com and book ahead. Here are my two favorites and the other places I recommend.

My two favorites

Hotel Eden Roc, Sant Feliu de Guíxols. My favorite weekend on the Costa Brava was here. It was perfect: I didn't need to leave the hotel at all. It sits right on the water with its own little beach, it was affordable, and it felt completely away from everything. And it's just a bus ride from Barcelona.

ZEL Costa Brava, near Tossa de Mar. This is the hotel Rafa Nadal created with Meliá. It sits on Cala Giverola, a cove just outside Tossa, with a beach club, a spa and all kinds of sports, from tennis to yoga. Take the bus to Tossa, then a quick taxi.

More places I recommend

Lloret de Mar: Hotel Santa Marta, a 5-star hotel tucked into the forest, about 200 meters from Santa Cristina beach. It's right on the coastal path to Blanes.
Tossa de Mar: Hostal Boutique Sa Nansa, a small boutique stay in town.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Hostal Boutique Es Portalet, another small boutique stay, and SJ7 Aparthotel if you want apartment style rooms.
Inland: Hotel TorreMirona Golf & Spa in Navata, near Figueres. It's in the countryside, away from the beach, so it's best if you have a car or want a golf and spa weekend.

What I do there

Beaches and coves. This coast is full of little coves, and finding a new one is half the fun.

Hiking. In Lloret, you can walk the coastal path all the way to Blanes. It's about 12 km, takes four to five hours and passes beaches like Fenals and Santa Cristina along the way (Visit Costa Brava has the full route).

Swimming and doing nothing. In Sant Feliu, I chill and swim all day long. No plan needed.

The best time to go

For me, the best months are May and June. July, August and the beginning of September are packed.

After that, I go back in late September, and October is great too. It's still warm, and the crowds are gone.

Mistakes to avoid

Not booking the bus. It sells out at busy times.
Forgetting your beach stuff. You're coming from Barcelona, so it's easy to pack a small bag or suitcase. Bring your towels and beach things, unless you're staying somewhere that provides them. Otherwise you'll end up buying them there, and it's overpriced.
Going on a big holiday weekend. Everyone else has the same idea, and it gets crowded.
Leaving your hotel booking to the last minute. Prices go up fast, especially in summer.

Who should go

Honestly? Everyone. Solo travelers, couples, friends visiting Barcelona who want a weekend away. The Costa Brava works for all of it.

I went on my own just a month ago. I went swimming, took my time and had the nicest weekend. Sometimes that's all you need.

If you live in Barcelona or you're visiting, put it on your list. It's easy, it's affordable and it's one of my favorite places to reset.

Want more stories like this? Follow along on Instagram at @ashleebraxton. And if you're wondering how I ended up living in Barcelona in the first place, read my story of moving abroad.