Costa BridgeSpain Relocation Preparation

Roses

The Costa Brava's northern gateway — a working fishing port, bay beaches and gateway to Cap de Creus, with more affordable property than the southern Brava.

Suited to: Families · Retirees · Second-home owners · Nature lovers · Budget buyers

Costa
Costa Brava
Province
Girona
Population
~19,000
Airport
Girona–Costa Brava (~55 km)
Train
No direct mainline station. Bus links to Figueres (AVE and regional trains).

About this place

Roses sits at the northern end of the Costa Brava, where the rugged coves give way to a broad, sheltering bay. It is a working town as well as a resort — the fishing fleet still operates from the harbour, and the atmosphere is more practical than Lloret or Tossa. This is the gateway to the Cap de Creus Natural Park and the wild, wind-sculpted headland that Salvador Dalí made famous.
For British relocation planners, Roses offers the best-value property on the Costa Brava. Entry-level apartments start lower than in Begur or Tossa, and the town has genuine year-round services: a hospital, schools, large supermarkets and a functioning economy that does not shut down in October. The trade-off is aesthetic: Roses lacks the chocolate-box charm of the southern Brava towns. Much of the housing stock is 1970s and 80s apartment blocks.
The foreign community here is French, Dutch and Belgian — drawn by lower prices and proximity to the French border. British buyers are rare. Catalan is dominant in daily life. The bay beaches are sandy and family-friendly; the coves of Cap de Creus are a short drive away.

Explore Roses

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

Related guides

Nearby towns you may also like

  • Cadaqués

    ~18 km northeast · Iconic whitewashed artist village (Dalí). More expensive, very seasonal.

  • Figueres

    ~20 km inland · Dalí museum town, AVE/TGV station, larger services.

  • L'Escala

    ~20 km south · Fishing village, Greek ruins, quieter coastal life.

Last updated: 05/07/2026

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