Good to Know, Day to Day

Find the essentials in Practical Info, including weather, transport, health, animals and everyday needs.

Good to Know,
Day to Day

Find the essentials in Practical Info, including weather, transport, health, animals and everyday needs.

Girona-Costa Brava Airport, Catalunya

Girona-Costa Brava Airport:
All You Need to Know!

Girona–Costa Brava Airport provides seasonal European connections and serves as the nearest international airport to La Costa Brava.
Cat and dog relaxing together in the sunshine in Catalunya

Pets in Catalunya:
Rules, Tips & Local Life

Adoption, shelters, local regulations, dog-friendly beaches and practical tips. A guide to everyday life with pets in Catalunya.
Playful characters promoting learning Catalan

Do You Speak Catalan?
Parles Català?

The Catalan language is the primary language of daily life. Spanish is spoken too, but in most places it tends to come second in everyday use.
Siesta in Catalunya with closed shop shutters during the midday break.

Siesta Time:
What It Means Today

The traditional midday break is still part of life in many Catalan towns, but closed shutters don’t necessarily mean everyone has gone home for a nap.
Glass of tap water with orange slices on a wooden table in summer sunlight.

Yes, You Can Drink Tap
Water in Spain!

Foreigners in Spain often ask, “Can I drink the tap water here?” The answer is yes, but water filters are definitely a good idea for many reasons.
Yellow napkin with gold cutlery on a purple table reflecting Spain’s/Catalunya’s Menú del Día: a full meal at a fixed lunch price.

El Menú del Día:
A Local Lunch Tradition

Ever wondered why ordering from “the menu” in Spain gets you something else? It’s all about the menú del día – and it’s easier than you think!
Assorted creepy crawlies of Catalunya!

‘Dangerous’ Animals
in Catalunya

Are there any Catalan creatures that are dangerous to us humans? Wild boar can be a danger on the roads, but what about the creepy crawlies?
Grilled sausages on skewers near forest landscape during summer in Catalunya.

BBQs, Bonfires &
Summer Fire Rules

Summer fire restrictions apply across Catalunya each year to reduce wildfire risk near forests, campsites and rural areas on La Costa Brava.
Beach safety flags on a beach in Spain showing swimming warning colours.

Beach Flags in Spain &
What They Mean

If you’re unfamiliar with the coloured beach flag system used to indicate swimming conditions on Spanish playas, here’s a quick recap.
As we keep producing more and more waste, we need to really up our game when it comes to recycling

Recycling Explained:
Costa Brava

Recycling on the Costa Brava has been made easy for us all with a simple, colour-coded system that tells us where to deposit each type of trash.
vinegar lemon baking soda and brushes used for eco friendly home cleaning

10 Eco-Friendly
DIY Spring Cleaning Tips

Eco-friendly cleaning often relies on simple household ingredients. Baking soda, vinegar and lemon can replace many commercial products.
Map of Spain with a yellow car symbolising driving rules and road travel in Spain

Driving in Spain:
Stuff you need to know

From importing a foreign car and driving licences to insurance basics, this practical guide explains what you need to know when driving in Spain.

Public Holidays in
Catalunya 2026

Unlike many other countries, Spanish public holidays are not standard across the country. Some holidays vary by region or even municipality.
Waiting area inside Hospital de Palamós in Catalunya

Healthcare in Catalunya:
How does it work?

Healthcare in Catalunya is easy to navigate once you know the basics. Here’s an overview of how the system works for residents & visitors.
Time to go folks, the bar is closed!

Closing Time in
Catalan Bars

“Last call for alcohol!” Closing time in Spain can vary by region, day of the week, the season, or whether you’re in a city or a small town.
weather icons representing seasons on La Costa Brava

Costa Brava Weather,
Climate and Seasons

What are the 4 seasons like? When’s the best time to come? And what about the famous Tramuntana, Garbi and the other winds?
BCN Airport (El Prat), just south of Barcelona, is well connected to the Costa Brava.

Barcelona Airport:
to & from La Costa Brava

Barcelona–El Prat Airport provides year-round global connections and serves as the main international hub for travellers to La Costa Brava.
‘Okupas’ squatting term spain catalunya

Squatting in Catalunya,
Explained

A clear, factual look at squatting in Catalunya: what okupas are, how Spanish law approaches it, and why it matters for property owners.
Solar panels installed on a rooftop on La Costa Brava

Solar Energy
on La Costa Brava

A clear overview of solar energy, explaining how regulations, sunlight and everyday use come together for homeowners in Catalunya.
A high-speed train (AVE) crossing a viaduct in Aragón, between Girona and Madrid

Rail Travel in
Catalunya, and beyond

High-speed train travel from Catalunya to Spain and Europe is ever-developing, but did you know La Costa Brava had a rail service years ago?