Zenith Concierge
Buyer-side property advisory in Spain for buyers from abroad. We work only for the buyer, never the seller. Published fees.
Property
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
- 20,175
- residents
- British Community
- 125
- Airport
- Girona–Costa Brava
- ~70 km
- Train
- No direct mainline station
Updated 11 Oct 2026 · Facts checked against INE and the padrón · How we check
Decide
Is Roses right for you?
Who it suits
- FamiliesGood
Bay beaches, schools, sports facilities, quieter than Lloret.
- RetireesGood
Affordable property, good healthcare access, mild climate. Less British infrastructure than southern costas.
- Remote workersModerate
Good broadband, reasonable services. But small coworking scene and Catalan language environment.
- Second-home ownersGood
Strong French/Dutch rental market in summer. More affordable entry point than southern Brava.
- Holiday-rental investorsModerate
Steady demand, lower competition than Lloret. HUT licence required. Season is shorter than Costa Blanca.
- Outdoor enthusiastsExcellent
Cap de Creus Natural Park, hiking, diving, kayaking. Pyrenees within day-trip range.
Costs
What it costs in Roses
Typical figures, each with its source and date. Prices move, so check before you commit.
- Typical rent
- ~€970 a month
- 70 m² flat, Girona province average (€13.9/m²)
- Source: idealista, September 2026
Guides
The Roses guides
The place
About Roses
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.
Practicalities
Practicalities
Getting there
- Coastal town in northern Girona province, Costa Brava, near the French border.
- Girona–Costa Brava Airport ~70 km; Perpignan Airport (France) ~70 km.
- No railway in Roses. Bus to Figueres-Vilafant AVE station (Barcelona–Paris TGV line).
- AP-7 motorway nearby. Road to Cadaqués is scenic and winding.
Map
Roses on the map
Pins show the town, its nearest airport and the towns nearby. Positions are approximate.
Stay
Where to stay in Roses
Hotels, apartments and holiday lets for a scouting trip, with live prices. Zoom out to see the towns nearby.
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Get help
Get help in Roses
English-speaking businesses and the offices you will deal with.
Local businesses
Featured listings are paid placements.
Town finder
Not sure Roses is the one?
Answer three questions to see how Roses fits, and which towns to look at as well.
Questions
Roses: common questions
Is Roses a good place to retire from the UK?
Good. Affordable property, good healthcare access, mild climate. Less British infrastructure than southern costas.
Is Roses good for families?
Good. Bay beaches, schools, sports facilities, quieter than Lloret.
Which airport is closest to Roses?
Girona–Costa Brava (~70 km); Perpignan (~70 km, France)
Can you get to Roses by train?
No direct mainline station. Bus links to Figueres (AVE and regional trains).
How big is the British community in Roses?
Very small. The foreign population is led by Moroccan- and French-born residents, with smaller Argentine-, Romanian- and German-born groups. British residents are a small minority (125 UK-born, INE padrón 2022). English-speaking services are limited outside the summer tourist season.
Compare
Compare Roses
Nearby towns
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
~30 km south · Fishing village, Greek ruins, quieter coastal life.
Last updated: 11 Oct 2026