The best time to visit the Costa Brava in northeastern Spain is during the shoulder seasons of May-June or September-October. During these months, the Mediterranean weather is idyllic—warm enough for swimming in the crystal-clear "Calas" but without the scorching 35°C+ heat of mid-August. Furthermore, you avoid the massive "August exodus" when most of Europe is on vacation, which means shorter wait times for restaurants in Cadaqués and less crowded hiking trails along the Camí de Ronda. If your primary goal is a beach holiday with vibrant nightlife, July and August provide the most sunshine and warmest water (around 24°C), but you must book months in advance and expect significantly higher prices. For hikers and culture-seekers, the Spring (April-May) is spectacular as the wildflowers bloom and the medieval villages of Pals and Peratallada are peaceful. While the winter is mild, many coastal hotels and "Chiringuitos" (beach bars) close their doors from November through March, making it a better time for exploring the city of Girona rather than the rugged coastline itself.