Living in Girona, Tarragona or the Costa Brava

Key rules

• Rent: Girona and Tarragona rents are typically 25–40% below Barcelona's.
• Costa Brava: Coastal towns can match Barcelona in summer, and long-term lets are scarce.
• Language: Catalan is strongest in Girona province and more mixed in Tarragona.
• Offices: You can ask for documents in Spanish even where offices work in Catalan.

Girona and Tarragona are rail-connected alternatives to Barcelona

Both cities have fast trains to Barcelona, cost less to rent in, and use more Catalan in daily life and schools. If you can work remotely or only need Barcelona now and then, they are worth a serious look.

What you will pay

Barcelona is the most expensive place in Catalonia. Rents in Girona and Tarragona are typically 25–40% lower. Typical one-bedroom rents:

• Barcelona: €1,100–1,400
• Girona: €750–1,000
• Tarragona: €650–900

Groceries, transport and eating out are a bit cheaper outside Barcelona, but the gap is much smaller than for housing. These are typical ranges, not official figures. Rents have risen sharply since 2022, so compare current listings.

The Costa Brava is not a cheap option

Coastal towns such as Begur, Calella de Palafrugell and Tossa can match Barcelona prices in summer. Seasonal lets are expensive and long-term lets are scarce. Inland and less touristy towns are cheaper.

Getting around by train

Girona

• High-speed trains to Barcelona Sants take about 38 minutes.
• Regional trains (Rodalies) take about 1h15–1h30.
• Madrid takes about 3h30–4h on high-speed services.

Tarragona has two stations.

• Camp de Tarragona is the high-speed station, outside the city. It is about 30–35 minutes to Barcelona and about 2h30–2h45 to Madrid.
• The city station has regional trains to Barcelona in about 1h to 1h20.

Departures are frequent on both lines. Rodalies has had disruption and works, so check current timetables before you commit to a daily commute.

Catalan in daily life and schools

Catalan is official alongside Spanish. It is strongest in Girona province, where it is the everyday language in most towns. Tarragona is more mixed: more Spanish in the city and on the coast, and more Catalan inland.

In public schools, Catalan is the main language of teaching. Spanish is taught as a subject, and some subjects are in Spanish. Courts have required about 25% of classes in Spanish where this was challenged, but it has been applied unevenly. Schools in both Girona and Tarragona teach in Catalan. If you have children, ask the schools you are considering what the current mix is.

In local and regional offices Catalan is used, but you can ask for documents in Spanish. The questions below cover more of this.

Frequently asked questions

How much cheaper is a one-bedroom than in Barcelona?

Typically about 25–40% cheaper in Girona and Tarragona. A one-bedroom is roughly €750–1,000 in Girona and €650–900 in Tarragona, against about €1,100–1,400 in Barcelona. Groceries, transport and dining are only a bit cheaper.

How long do trains take to Barcelona and Madrid?

From Girona, high-speed trains reach Barcelona Sants in about 38 minutes and Madrid in about 3h30–4h. From Tarragona, the high-speed station (Camp de Tarragona, outside the city) is about 30–35 minutes from Barcelona and 2h30–2h45 from Madrid. Regional trains are slower: about 1h15–1h30 from Girona and 1h to 1h20 from Tarragona city station.

Will my children be taught in Catalan?

Yes, in public schools in both Girona and Tarragona.

Can I deal with offices in Spanish?

Yes. Local and regional offices use Catalan, but you may request documents in Spanish.