A ‘mercifully untouristy’ seaside town in Spain is filled with stunning beaches, secluded coves, and an 11th-century castle – and feels worlds away from the overcrowded streets of Barcelona
Avoid the over-crowded, bustling hotspots this summer by visiting this underrated seaside village renowned for its beautiful beaches.
Despite soaring anti-tourist sentiment, it appears nothing will prise Brits away from their beloved holidays in Spain. Amid national protests, brutal clampdowns on holiday rentals, and threats to unleash misery on tourists this summer – the country is still slated to hit record-breaking numbers of visitors this year.
In fact, in the first quarter of 2025, it is believed a staggering 17.1 million international tourists flocked to the country – lured in by its pristine coast, party-mad resorts, and balmy temperatures. This marks a 5.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, in what could easily be described as a huge blow for fed-up locals.
If you’re determined to get your sangria and paella fix in this summer, but don’t fancy being sardined next to strangers on the beach, you have to check out Begur. The medieval town, which remains ‘mercifully untouristy’, was described by the Telegraph as one of the prettiest in the Costa Brava region back in 2024.
“Although the town isn’t in front of the sea, it sits close to it, around 2km from the coastline,” hails travel experts over at Unexpected Catalonia. “On the emerald coves, you can spend the day exploring the seabed, sunbathing, hiking the coastal paths in the area, or kayaking to hidden caves. Back on dry land, you’ll find exquisite food and lovely boutiques.”
The village, which is noted to get busier in summer, doesn’t really compare with other Costa Brava resorts in terms of tourist overcrowding. According to TripAdvisor, Begur can start to quieten down in August, which is still deemed a part of the peak summer season for many other larger destinations.
It’s claimed the nearest beach, Sa Riera, never really suffers from wall-to-wall tourists even during its more bustling periods.
Even still, the village offers a lot to tourists with different interests. History buffs will have to visit Begur Castle, which is built on a hill that ‘strategically dominates’ the entire municipality and offers breathtaking views of the coast. It’s a steep trek up to the ruins, which are believed to date back to the 11th century, but it’s well worth the effort.
Begur is also a convenient base to explore nearby neighbourhoods in Costa Brava and is only 80 miles from the insatiably popular city of Barcelona. However, if you want true peace and quiet, head over to Platja de l’Illa Roja – a secluded beach set amongst lush pine trees and rugged cliffs.
You can fly to Girona- Costa Brava Airport from most major UK airports, including Manchester, Bristol, Belfast, and London Stansted. From here, you’ll need to take a 47-minute taxi ride over to Begur. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab return flights for as little as £34 in July.
Accommodation in Begur is limited due to its small size, meaning you may have to stay just outside of the town to drive down the price. For example, a week’s stay (Monday, July 21-28) in a no-thrills apartment will set you back £1,124. This is based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Triple Room with Sea View.
However, a one-bedroom apartment located in Pals, some 2.7 miles from Begur, costs £880 on the exact same dates. If you’re happy to rent a car or venture onto public transport – this can be a great option to keep the holiday on budget.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
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