The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Costa Brava. Temperatures rise (20°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain risk remains low (23% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if July (9.1/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Costa Brava. Compared to April: +3°C daytime, +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
12°
Sea
17°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
14.4h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 34
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Costa Brava is July (9.1/10), 1.3 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Costa Brava
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Costa Brava
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · Spain
🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.32°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 28°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 13°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 24%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Costa Brava ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
SpainTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.1 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
41.87°N · 3.10°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Costa Brava?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 21.0°C lows, 9.4h of sunshine and 12.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Costa Brava get in July?
Costa Brava averages 9.4 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.9/10.
What is the rainiest month in Costa Brava?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Costa Brava in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 21.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Costa Brava good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Costa Brava scores 4.2/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 8.9/10.
When should you avoid Costa Brava?
January is the most difficult month to visit Costa Brava, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Costa Brava in May?
In May, the sea averages 17°C in Costa Brava: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Costa Brava in May?
The average UV index reaches 7 in May in Costa Brava (high), with about 14.4h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.