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Costa Brava

Direct flight about 1 h 50

Costa Brava from London Gatwick

Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·

From London Gatwick, a nonstop flight gets you in the Costa Brava in about 1 h 50. You land at Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), 25 miles from the destination, after 654 miles of flight.

In the Costa Brava, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 29 °C and the sea up to 23 °C.

7 days in Costa Brava in August, Beach and hiking, from London Gatwick on your own

Plan a trip
Flight time from London Gatwick
about 1 h 50
Flight distance LGW to GRO
654 miles
Nonstop from LGW
Direct flight
Best time to go
June to October

Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.

Choosing the right Costa Brava route

The useful planning decision comes after the flight: choose whether your holiday centres on beaches, food, cultural sights or a mixture of swimming and walking. That choice helps you decide which part of the coast suits your group best.

Costa Brava
Costa BravaiPhoto: Gabriele Delhey · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Girona
GironaiPhoto: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Girona and the Costa Brava coast work well for a first visit because towns, coves and viewpoints can be combined within the same holiday. Tossa de Mar suits a straightforward beach stay, while Cadaqués offers a more compact seaside escape with village streets and a strong walk from the waterfront. Palafrugell adds another option for food and scenery.

Treat the airport as the beginning of the journey rather than the whole trip. HolidayWow can add the flight, onward movement, first accommodation and daily plans in one place. This gives you a clear view of the route from Gatwick to your Costa Brava base before you start making travel arrangements.

Picking a month for beaches and walks

July and August bring the strongest beach season, with the highest daytime and sea temperatures in the Costa Brava climate record. They suit travellers who want warm swimming, long days outdoors and a lively holiday rhythm. Early breakfasts and a slower afternoon break can keep walks and sightseeing comfortable during the strongest part of the day.

Rain
RainiPhoto: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

May and June offer a balanced introduction to the coast. The air warms progressively, while the sea becomes increasingly inviting for a dip. September also works well for visitors who enjoy warm water with a gentler everyday pace. Spring and autumn can suit couples or walkers who value village visits and coastal paths more than extended beach sessions.

Winter has a quieter character, with cooler days and shorter daylight hours. Girona remains a useful base for food, history and access to the wider region, although the coastal experience centres on crisp walks and atmospheric towns. Add a coat and rain layers when planning outdoor time, especially around evenings.

Building a three day coastal break

Begin in Tossa de Mar for an easy first day beside the sea, then use the afternoon to explore the old town and its sheltered bays. A relaxed pace gives you time to settle into the area and adjust the rest of the holiday to the conditions. Keep the first evening simple with a walk through the town and a meal centred on regional cooking.

Use the second day for a scenic drive or bus journey towards Cadaqués and the Cap de Creus coastline. Stop for viewpoints, short walks and a seafood lunch, then return along the coast. On the third day, visit Girona for its historic centre, riverside lanes and strong food scene before making your onward journey.

This outline leaves space for a beach morning and leaves the final hours flexible. HolidayWow can draw the route on a map, mark the stops and let you move a visit to another day. Its balanced pace suits this itinerary, while a relaxed setting can make the return day especially straightforward.

From London Gatwick to Costa Brava

From London Gatwick, Costa Brava is {{dist.home:LGW}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From Manchester it is {{dist.home:MAN}}. London Gatwick travellers get the best of Costa Brava in May, June, July and August.

London
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

London Stansted lies {{dist.home:STN}} away. From Edinburgh it is {{dist.home:EDI}}. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.

Airports at the destination

Your nonstop flight from London Gatwick lands at Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), 25 miles from the destination.

  • GROGirona-Costa Brava Airport25 miles to the destination, about 1 h 50 from LGW, 654 miles of flightDirect

Best time to travel in the Costa Brava

In the Costa Brava, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 29 °C and the sea up to 23 °C. The sea reaches 23 °C in August.

Climate by month
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
Day °C131416182126292925221714
Night °C77911141821211815118
Sea °C131313141619222321181614
Sun h/day567891011108654
Rain days659897678875
Climate: NASA POWER 2006 to 2025, sea: NOAA OISST 1991 to 2020. Day and night are average highs and lows, sun in hours per day.

The best months for Costa Brava

Daytime highs range from 13 °C in January to 29 °C in July. Rain is rarest in February (5 days) and most frequent in March (9 days). The sunniest month is July with 11 hours a day.

The sea is warm enough for proper swimming in August, peaking at 23 °C in August. For walking and sightseeing in pleasant warmth, aim for May, June, July, August, September and October.

  • January: 13 °C, sea 13 °C, 6 rain days, 5 h of sun
  • February: 14 °C, sea 13 °C, 5 rain days, 6 h of sun
  • March: 16 °C, sea 13 °C, 9 rain days, 7 h of sun
  • April: 18 °C, sea 14 °C, 8 rain days, 8 h of sun
  • May: 21 °C, sea 16 °C, 9 rain days, 9 h of sun
  • June: 26 °C, sea 19 °C, 7 rain days, 10 h of sun
  • July: 29 °C, sea 22 °C, 6 rain days, 11 h of sun
  • August: 29 °C, sea 23 °C, 7 rain days, 10 h of sun
  • September: 25 °C, sea 21 °C, 8 rain days, 8 h of sun
  • October: 22 °C, sea 18 °C, 8 rain days, 6 h of sun
  • November: 17 °C, sea 16 °C, 7 rain days, 5 h of sun
  • December: 14 °C, sea 14 °C, 5 rain days, 4 h of sun

How to shape a May day in Costa Brava

Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 21 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 14 °C, so plan dinner somewhere warm and keep a layer handy.

Packing for Costa Brava in July

With 29 °C by day and 21 °C at night and 6 rain days in July, pack for heat. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.

  • Light, breathable clothes for the day
  • Sun hat and sunscreen
  • A refillable water bottle
  • A warm layer for the evenings
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • A travel adapter for your chargers

Prices for Costa Brava

Every price for Costa Brava on this page comes live from a partner, in your currency. Open a card to see today's rate for your dates.

Weather in the Costa Brava month by month

Nonstop flights in the Costa Brava from other airports

Besides London Gatwick, nonstop flights in the Costa Brava leave from 7 other airports; the closest to London Gatwick is London Luton, with a flight time of about 1 h 55.

Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.

Making a week feel varied

A week allows the Costa Brava to unfold without turning every day into a transfer. Spend two nights near Tossa de Mar, then move to Cadaqués or Palafrugell for a few days. Use Girona as a final base if your return journey allows it, with a final day devoted to the city rather than a rushed stop near the airport.

Divide the days by activity. Keep one day for beaches, one for a coastal walk and another for Girona. Add a food-focused outing in a town such as Palafrugell, and leave one day open for the weather, a repeat favourite or a slower morning. This structure gives couples and families variety without a demanding route.

HolidayWow can set the pace for the whole trip or change it by day. You can move a stop, lighten a walking day or introduce another place through the map. Climate information by month helps with the daily rhythm, while the packing list helps you prepare for warm afternoons, cooler evenings and active days along the coast.

Getting around from Gatwick to the coast

Your travel day needs a clear connection from the Gatwick flight to the Costa Brava base. Add the airport transfer, local transport and check-in details to the itinerary so everyone can see the full sequence. The exact journey depends on the flight and onward arrangements shown through your booking choices.

Once in the region, a car is useful for visiting several coastal towns in one trip. It also helps with luggage and gives flexibility when beach weather changes. For a stay centred on one town, walking and local transport can create a relaxed rhythm, with taxis useful for evening returns or longer rides.

HolidayWow keeps the route beside the daily plan, including the flight arc, bases and selected stops. Door to door planning can begin at home and continue through Gatwick, the flight and the transfer to the first stay. Live partner options are shown within the plan, so you can check current routes and prices in GBP.

Costa Brava from London Gatwick: frequently asked questions

How far is Costa Brava from London Gatwick?

The distance helps you compare this airport with other departure points and build a clear travel day around your chosen flight. Add the onward transfer and accommodation to the route in HolidayWow.

Which month is best for a Costa Brava beach holiday?

July and August suit warm-water holidays and extended time outdoors. May, June and September can work well when you prefer a balanced mix of swimming, walking and village visits. Choose according to the balance between beach time and the richer sightseeing rhythm of the coastal towns.

Should I stay in Tossa de Mar or Cadaqués?

Tossa de Mar is a practical choice for a beach-led break with a lively town centre and easy access to the coast. Cadaqués suits a compact village holiday with scenic walks and a slower feel. Consider the base that best matches your group, preferred pace and planned day trips.

Can HolidayWow plan flights and the full Costa Brava itinerary?

HolidayWow lets you describe the holiday in a sentence or by voice, then places the route, bases and daily stops on a map. Flight, stay, tour and transport options come from live partner links. You can edit the route, change the pace and organise the complete plan with your group.

Is Girona worth adding to a Costa Brava trip?

Girona is a strong addition for historic streets, riverside scenery and local food. A final night in the city can create a worthwhile conclusion to a coastal holiday, especially when your return journey from Barcelona is practical. Include the transfer in the itinerary and keep the final day free of extra bookings.

More nonstop destinations from London Gatwick

Everything about a holiday in the Costa BravaIn the Costa Brava in AugustAll nonstop destinations from London Gatwick

Plan your trip in the Costa Brava from London Gatwick

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