Spain · coast

Costa Brava beaches: 2025 bathing-water quality

Costa Brava has 86 official bathing waters in the EEA dataset for the 2025 season. 94.2% were classified Excellent — 7.6 points above the 86.6% across all of Spain — and 1 was Poor. 76 sites have been Excellent in every season from 2015 to 2025. By area, the Excellent share is highest around Blanes / Lloret de Mar (100% of 9) and lowest around L’Escala (72.7% of 11).

Tossa de Mar castle and beach at dawn — Photo: Moahim, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

official bathing waters

94.2%

Excellent in 2025

Poor in 2025

Not live: these are annual official classifications. Check the competent authority for today’s notices before swimming.

Before you swim on the Costa Brava

Ministry of Health (NÁYADE system) and the regional health authorities

Bathing season in Spain: Set by each autonomous community. NÁYADE covers every officially registered sea and inland bathing zone.

Annual EEA classes do not show temporary bans, short-term pollution or algae alerts; those are published by the competent authority. National information last checked 2026-11-01.

NÁYADE (Ministry of Health) →

About Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is the coast of the province of Girona in Catalonia, from Blanes in the south to Portbou at the French border. This page covers the official sea bathing zones along that stretch; inland lakes such as Banyoles are not included.

How this page is defined: official EEA bathing waters reported by Spain (coastal and transitional waters) whose coordinates fall inside a boundary drawn around Costa Brava. Coordinates are reported by the national authority.

Map of official bathing waters

Excellent 81Good 4Poor 1

How to read this map: Each dot is one official bathing water, coloured by its 2025 rating; select a dot to open that site. Coloured areas are the regions; region names link to their pages. Sea and large lakes are blue, neighbouring countries grey. Positions: official EEA coordinates. Boundaries: Eurostat NUTS 2024, generalised (© EuroGeographics); lakes: Natural Earth. Outlines are simplified, so a few shoreline dots can sit just offshore.

Costa Brava by area

Each official site is grouped under the nearest of 9 reference towns, measured in a straight line from its reported coordinates. This is an orientation aid, not a municipal boundary.

2025 EEA classes by area (nearest reference town)
Area	Sites	Excellent	Good	Poor
Blanes / Lloret de Mar	9	9 (100%)	0	0
Tossa de Mar	6	5 (83.3%)	1	0
Sant Feliu de Guíxols	8	8 (100%)	0	0
Palamós	15	15 (100%)	0	0
Begur	12	12 (100%)	0	0
L’Escala	11	8 (72.7%)	2	1
Roses	11	11 (100%)	0	0
Cadaqués	3	3 (100%)	0	0
Llançà / Portbou	11	10 (90.9%)	1	0

Most consistent Excellent sites

76 sites were Excellent in all eleven seasons. Ordered by the length of the unbroken Excellent run ending in 2025; the first 24 are shown, the rest are in the area lists above.

PLAYA CALA CANYELLES PM1 11 seasons · around Blanes / Lloret de Mar
PLAYA CALA CRISTUS-SES TORRETES PM1 11 seasons · around Palamós
PLAYA CALA DE SANT FRANCESC PM1 11 seasons · around Blanes / Lloret de Mar
PLAYA CALA ESTRETA PM1 11 seasons · around Palamós
PLAYA CALA GIVEROLA PM1 11 seasons · around Tossa de Mar
PLAYA CALA MARGARIDA PM1 11 seasons · around Palamós
PLAYA CALA MONTG? PM1 11 seasons · around L’Escala
PLAYA CALA MONTJOI PM1 11 seasons · around Roses
PLAYA CALA ROVIRA PM1 11 seasons · around Palamós
PLAYA CANYELLES PETITES PM1 11 seasons · around Roses
PLAYA D'AIGUABLAVA PM1 11 seasons · around Begur
PLAYA D'EMPURIABRAVA PM1 11 seasons · around Roses
PLAYA D'EMPURIABRAVA PM2 11 seasons · around Roses
PLAYA D'EN GOIXA-ELS MORTS PM1 11 seasons · around Llançà / Portbou
PLAYA D'EN ROS PM1 11 seasons · around Cadaqués
PLAYA D'ES MONESTR? PM1 11 seasons · around Palamós
PLAYA D'ILLA ROJA PM1 11 seasons · around Begur
PLAYA DE BLANES PM1 11 seasons · around Blanes / Lloret de Mar
PLAYA DE CAL CRISTI?-CORTAL DE LA VILA PM1 11 seasons · around L’Escala
PLAYA DE CAN COMES PM1 11 seasons · around Roses
PLAYA DE CAN SOPA-LA GOLA PM1 11 seasons · around L’Escala
PLAYA DE CASTELL PM1 11 seasons · around Palamós
PLAYA DE GARBET PM1 11 seasons · around Llançà / Portbou
PLAYA DE GRIFEU PM1 11 seasons · around Llançà / Portbou

Rated Poor in 2025

For a Poor site the Bathing Water Directive requires management measures, including a bathing prohibition or advice against bathing, so check the authority before visiting.

PLAYA DEL REC DEL MOL? PM1 Poor in 8 of 10 classified seasons · around L’Escala

Changes from 2024 to 2025

Improved (1)

PLAYA LA PLATJA PM1 Sufficient → Good

Declined (0)

None.

How Costa Brava rated since 2015

Counts for the sites in today’s 2025 inventory; the Excellent share is calculated over classified sites only.

Season	Classified	Excellent	Excellent share	Poor
2025	86	81	94.2%	1
2024	86	81	94.2%	1
2023	85	79	92.9%	1
2022	85	79	92.9%	1
2021	84	78	92.9%	0
2020	84	78	92.9%	0
2019	85	80	94.1%	1
2018	85	82	96.5%	1
2017	85	81	95.3%	1
2016	85	81	95.3%	1
2015	85	83	97.6%	0

All 86 official bathing waters on the Costa Brava

Grouped by area, alphabetical within each group. Open a site for its 2015–2025 history, nearby alternatives, weather forecast and the national profile link.

Around Blanes / Lloret de Mar 9 sites · 100% Excellent

PLAYA CALA CANYELLES PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA CALA DE SANT FRANCESC PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE BLANES PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE FENALS PM1 Excellent Excellent 4 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LLORET PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LLORET PM2 Excellent Excellent 5 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE S'ABANELL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SA BOADELLA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SANTA CRISTINA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around Tossa de Mar 6 sites · 83.3% Excellent

PLAYA CALA GIVEROLA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA CALA SALION? PM1 Excellent Excellent 2 seasons in a row
PLAYA D'ES CODOLAR PM1 Good
PLAYA DE LA MAR MENUDA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LLORELL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around Sant Feliu de Guíxols 8 sites · 100% Excellent

PLAYA DE CANYET PM1 Excellent Excellent 2 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SA CONCA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SANT FELIU PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SANT POL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SANT POL PM2 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DELS CANYERETS PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN PM2 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around Palamós 15 sites · 100% Excellent

PLAYA CALA CRISTUS-SES TORRETES PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA CALA ESTRETA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA CALA MARGARIDA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA CALA ROVIRA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA D'ES MONESTR? PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE CASTELL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LA FOSCA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE PORT BO PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SANT ANTONI PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE TORRE VALENTINA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL CANADELL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL CRIT PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL GOLFET PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL MORRO DEL VEDELL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around Begur 12 sites · 100% Excellent

PLAYA D'AIGUABLAVA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA D'ILLA ROJA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE L'ESTARTIT PM3 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LA FONOLLERA I MAS PINELL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LLAFRANC PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SA RIERA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SA TUNA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE TAMARIU PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL GRAU PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL RAC? PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA FONDA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN DE PALS PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around L’Escala 11 sites · 72.7% Excellent · 1 Poor

PLAYA CALA MONTG? PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE CAL CRISTI?-CORTAL DE LA VILA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE CAN SOPA-LA GOLA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE L'ESTARTIT PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE L'ESTARTIT PM2 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LES MUSCLERES PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE RIELLS PM1 Good
PLAYA DEL CORTAL DE LA DEVESA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL MOLL GREC PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL REC DEL MOL? PM1 Poor Poor in 8 of 10 classified seasons
PLAYA LA PLATJA PM1 Good Sufficient → Good since 2024

Around Roses 11 sites · 100% Excellent

PLAYA CALA MONTJOI PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA CANYELLES PETITES PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA D'EMPURIABRAVA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA D'EMPURIABRAVA PM2 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE CAN COMES PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE L'ALMADRAVA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LA PUNTA PM1 Excellent Excellent 2 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LA RUBINA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE SANTA MARGARIDA-SALATAR PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL RASTRELL-NOVA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DELS PALANGRERS PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around Cadaqués 3 sites · 100% Excellent

PLAYA D'EN ROS PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA ES LLAN? GRAN PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Around Llançà / Portbou 11 sites · 90.9% Excellent

PLAYA D'EN GOIXA-ELS MORTS PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE GARBET PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE GRIFEU PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE LA FARELLA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DE TAMARIUA PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL CAU DEL LLOP PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL PAS PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL PORT DE LA SELVA PM1 Good
PLAYA DEL PORT DE LA VALL PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA DEL PORT PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row
PLAYA GRAN PM1 Excellent Excellent 11 seasons in a row

Compared with other destinations

#	Destination	Country	Sites	Excellent	Poor
1	Corfu	Greece	66	100%	0
2	Lake Garda	Italy	128	99.2%	0
3	Crete	Greece	177	98.9%	0
4	Halkidiki	Greece	90	98.9%	0
5	Sardinia	Italy	664	96.8%	1
6	Istria (Croatia)	Croatia	217	95.9%	0
7	Costa Brava	Spain	86	94.2%	1
8	Algarve coast	Portugal	106	93.4%	0
9	Lake Balaton	Hungary	148	85.1%	0
10	Menorca	Spain	30	80%	0
11	Corsica	France	223	75.8%	20
12	Rhodes	Greece	52	75%	0
13	Mallorca	Spain	113	68.1%	3
14	Ibiza & Formentera	Spain	48	66.7%	0
15	French Riviera (Alpes-Maritimes)	France	151	63.6%	3

Destinations differ in size, water type and how densely sites are designated, so the table gives context rather than a quality verdict.

Quick answers

How many bathing waters on the Costa Brava were rated Excellent in 2025?: 81 of 86 (94.2%) in the official EEA 2025 classification; 4 were Good, 0 Sufficient and 1 Poor.
Which sites on the Costa Brava have the best long-term record?: 76 were Excellent in every season from 2015 to 2025, for example PLAYA CALA CANYELLES PM1, PLAYA CALA CRISTUS-SES TORRETES PM1, PLAYA CALA DE SANT FRANCESC PM1. See the full ranking.
Were any bathing waters on the Costa Brava rated Poor?: Yes, 1: PLAYA DEL REC DEL MOL? PM1.
Where do I check whether swimming is allowed today?: On NÁYADE (Ministry of Health) (Ministry of Health (NÁYADE system) and the regional health authorities). Temporary bans, pollution alerts and closures are published there and on signs at the beach, not in the annual EEA class. Each site page here also shows a weather forecast with heavy-rain context.

Spain overview · All coastal bathing waters in Spain · Catalonia (all autonomous community sites) · All destinations · How the classes are calculated

Source

European Environment Agency (EEA), bathing-water data and coordinates reported by Spain, licensed CC BY 4.0. Areas, counts and rankings are calculated by BathingWaterFinder from those official records.