Costa BridgeSpain Relocation Preparation

Pals

A spectacular medieval inland village surrounded by rice fields, near the beach and golf — one of the Costa Brava's most exclusive and expensive addresses.

Suited to: Affluent second-home owners · Retirees seeking luxury · Golfers · Culture and history lovers · Food lovers

Costa
Costa Brava
Province
Girona
Population
Approx. 2,500 permanent residents.
Airport
Girona–Costa Brava (~50 km)
Train
No train. Bus connections limited. Car essential.

About this place

Pals is inland — a spectacular medieval stone village (Pals Vell) perched on a hill above the Baix Empordà plain. The views reach across rice fields to the sea, and the village itself is a maze of cobbled streets, vaulted passages and Gothic arches that have made it one of the most photographed towns in Catalonia.
For British relocation planners, Pals is a niche proposition. It is not a beach town — the nearest beach (Platja de Pals) is 5 km away. It is not practical for year-round living unless you value beauty above convenience. The permanent population is barely 2,600 and the winter atmosphere is hushed. Property is expensive, the market is dominated by wealthy second-home owners, and most transactions are cash.
The golf course at Platja de Pals is a major draw for international buyers. So is the "arros de Pals" — the local rice that supplies many of Catalonia's best paella restaurants. The PGA Catalunya resort (now known as Camiral Golf & Wellness) is a short drive away, adding a further premium layer to the area.

Explore Pals

Healthcare

Health centres, hospitals, pharmacies, how to register, English-speaking doctors

Coming soon

Admin & Documents

Town hall, NIE office, empadronamiento, police station, gestoría recommendations

Coming soon

Housing

Rental market, buying, neighbourhoods, estate agents, typical prices

Coming soon

Cost of Living

Monthly budget, rent, utilities, groceries, eating out, IBI

Coming soon

British Community

Expat groups, social clubs, Facebook groups, where to meet other Brits

Coming soon

Integrating Locally

Spanish classes, markets, fiestas, sports clubs, how locals socialise

Coming soon

Daily Life

Supermarkets, transport, parking, broadband, banks, post office

Coming soon

Things to Do

Beaches, restaurants, hiking, day trips, seasonal events

Coming soon

Schools & Families

State schools, international schools, nurseries, extracurricular

Coming soon

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Last updated: 05/07/2026

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