What's the weather like in Costa Brava in May
Temperature
The weather continues to get better during May in the Costa Brava, Spain, when the summer season is just around the corner. At this time of year, the average temperature for the area starts off at 14.5°C on May 1st and slowly climbs up until it reaches 18.5°C by May 31st. Daily highs and lows change in the same fashion, rising from 20°C to 24°C and from 9°C to 13°C, respectively, as the month progresses.
With average temperatures this pleasant, you'll need to take a mixture of cool and warm clothing with you to ensure you stay comfortable whilst on holiday. You'll need t-shirts, shorts, skirts and dresses during the daytime and a light coat or jacket might come in handy on an evening. Make sure you pack some beachwear and swimming gear, too, in case the sea temperature is warmer than expected.
Although it only happens on rare occasions, temperatures have been known to rise above 28°C and fall below 5°C at this time of year in the Costa Brava. The hottest May day ever recorded at the weather station in the Girona airport the best located weather station for info on the Costa Brava is May 30th 2001, when temperatures as high as 33.6°C were registered. On the other hand, the coldest May day ever recorded at this weather station is May 6th 1991, when temperatures as low as 0.6°C were registered.
Rain
Throughout May, the Costa Brava receives an average of 63mm (2 inches) of rainfall which is divided between ten rainy days. With precipitation occurring on almost 1/3 of the month, there is a fairly good chance you'll experience a shower or two during your holiday in the Costa Brava. If you don't want to risk the chance of rainfall spoiling your holiday, make sure you pack an umbrella or some waterproof clothing.
The highest monthly rainfall ever recorded at the airport in Girona in May is 318.7 l/m2, which was registered in 1977. The maximum number of rainy days ever registered here during this month is 18 which happened in 2004 and the maximum amount of precipitation ever to fall within a single day in May is 83.4 l/m2, all of which fell on May 18th 1977.
The likelihood of rainfall making an appearance on any given day in the Costa Brava in May slightly decreases as the month develops. Rainfall is most likely to fall around May 2nd when it falls on 41% of days, whilst precipitation is least like to happen around May 31st when it only falls on 38% of days. The most common types of rainfall you can expect to see during this month in the Costa Brava are thunderstorms, moderate rain, drizzle and light rain. Fortunately, snowfall is practically unheard of at this time of year.
Average Sunshine Hours
Throughout May, the Costa Brava boasts an average of 11 hours of sunshine each day that's one hour more every day than during April. With so many sunshine hours to take advantage of, you'll have endless opportunities to soak up the sun by the pool or at the beach.
Average Sea Temperature
If you do plan on hitting the beach during your holiday in May, you might find the sea a bit too cold for swimming. At this time of year, the average sea water temperature for the beaches in the region is 18°C. Everyone feels water temperature differently, so whilst some might find this too cold, others might find it the perfect temperature for swimming.
Daylight Hours
Across May, the length of the day in the Costa Brava is gradually increasing, with a difference of 57 minutes between the start at the end of the month. May 1st is the shortest day of the month with 14:03 hours of daylight, whilst May 31st is the longest day of the month with 15 hours of daylight.
Humidity
During this month, the relative humidity for the Costa Brava fluctuates between 47% (comfortable) and 97% (very humid) rarely dropping below 31% (comfortable) or reaching 100%. On average, the most humid day of the month is May 3rd, when the average daily humidity rises above 94% three days out of every four. At the other end of the scale, the driest day of the month is usually May 29th, when the average daily humidity drops below 55% three days out of every four.
Wind
In May, normal wind speeds range between 0 m/s (calm) and 6 m/s (moderate breeze) in the Costa Brava, almost never exceeding 9 m/s (fresh breeze). The highest average wind speed of 2 m/s (light breeze) happens around May 9th when the average daily maximum is 6 m/s. On the other hand, the lowest average wind speed of 2 m/s occurs around May 28th, when the average daily maximum is 6 m/s.
Costa Brava Hotels in May
Families and couples looking for somewhere affordable to stay during their holiday in the Costa Brava should check out Hotel Marina. Located in Roses, this hotel is just a stone's throw away from the coast, making it perfect for holidaymakers who want to spend a lot of time at the beach.
Here you'll find accommodation available in the form of rooms and suites which can each sleep between two and six guests. There are plenty of onsite services and facilities available for guests to enjoy, including free spa, swimming pool, terrace, WiFi access and pets are allowed to stay.
Visitors interested in staying in Platja d'Aro should consider Hotel Costa Brava. Surrounded by some of the very best beaches in the whole of the Costa Brava, this hotel offers accommodation in the form of standard rooms, superior rooms, view rooms and family rooms, providing something for all group sizes, tastes and budgets. You'll find loads of amenities and services available onsite, such as restaurant, swimming pools, terrace, playground, gym, mini spa, WiFi access and evening entertainment.
Hotel Les Illes is perfect for families and couples looking for a budget-friendly hotel in L'Estartit. Just a short walk away from the harbour and numerous bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, this hotel provides guests with access to single, double, triple and quadruple rooms, providing an option for all group sizes. Onsite facilities and services are extensive and include water sports, bike rental, library, bar, restaurant, free WiFi access throughout and 24-hour reception.
Costa Brava Beach for May
Take advantage of the warmer temperatures by spending a day at Cala Boadella. Situated in Lloret de Mar, this golden sandy beach stretches on for 250m, providing children with plenty of space to play and adults more than enough room to find the perfect spot to lie down their towels.
The sand gently slopes into clean and clear waters which provide the ideal environment for swimming, providing it's warm enough. Although it's certainly not obligatory, naked sunbathing does sometimes take place at this beach, so don't be shocked if you see more than you expected to. There is a small selection of services and facilities available here, including showers and lockers, with a number of bars and restaurants available just a short walk away.
Located between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guixols, Cala Canyet is a great place to soak up some rays during your holiday in the Costa Brava. Here you'll find soft golden sands lapped by shallow turquoise waters which are perfect for swimming in. Although there are no sun loungers or shades available on the beach, Cala Canyet does offer showers, a restaurant, bar and a nautical club which organises water sports and excursions. There are several large trees located at one side of the beach which provide shade throughout the day, but if you're planning on spending several hours there, you're best off bringing your own shade.
Bars and Restaurants
When it comes to top quality seafood and fish dishes, you can't beat the meals served up at Restaurant La Roca de Tossa. Popular with locals and visitors alike, this eatery serves a wide range of seafood dishes, including paellas, soups, stews, combination dishes and tapas-style food. There is also a small selection of meat dishes available for those not keen on fish, as well as a children's menu to keep the little ones happy.
One of the most popular restaurants in the whole of Empuriabrava is Blue Sky Café. This friendly eatery serves a selection of Mediterranean dishes, ranging from fish, seafood and meat options to vegetarian, pasta and rice dishes. With so many options available, Blue Sky Café is a top choice for fussy eaters. To complement the dishes, there is an extensive wine menu available, as well as a great selection of homemade desserts if you've got enough room.
Holidaymakers looking to try the local cuisine should head for La Lluna. Situated in Tossa de Mar, this restaurant serves authentic Catalonian dishes in a home-away-from-home atmosphere. In addition to the varied a la carte menu, there is also a top selection of tapas dishes available, if you're just in the mood for a small snack. Seating is very limited at this venue, so try and get there as early as you can in order to guarantee a table.
Can Rafa is one of the best seafood restaurants in Cadaques. This restaurant offers diners a choice of an a la carte menu or a menu of the day, both of which offer value for money. Whilst all of the fish and seafood dishes are superb, the seafood paella is certainly the most popular dish on the menu. If you're dining with others who aren't that keen on fish and seafood, there is a selection of vegetarian and meat dishes available, too.
Things to do in Costa Brava in May
If you enjoy visiting historical and religious sites, definitely make time for the Santa Cristina Hermitage in Lloret de Mar. Located just a short walk away from the Santa Clotilde Gardens, the hermitage is a stunning building to see, although visitors aren't normally allowed to enter in. The outside is decorated with grey stone, tall turrets and a giant statue of Jesus perched on the top, making it distinct from many of the other religious buildings in the area. Thanks to its elevated location, the Santa Cristina Hermitage also awards visitors with stunning costal views which stretch on for miles, so make sure you take your camera with you.
Montgri Castle is another historic building worthy of a visit during your stay in Costa Blanca. Situated at the summit of Montgri Mountain, this castle is best visited on a cool day, since it requires a fairly tough 45 minute trek to reach it. Fortunately, there is a clearly marked path leading all the way up, making the walk suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Built in the 12th century, the castle was never actually finished, so there is practically nothing to see on the inside of the exterior stone walls. Fortunately, the exterior of the castle and the stunning views of the location are impressive enough to make the visit worthwhile.
When it comes to a family-friendly day out that's great fun for everyone to enjoy, it's tough to beat Minigolf Greens. Located in Roses, this mini golf course is the perfect affordable activity that the whole family can enjoy, whatever the weather. The course is always clean and well maintained and some of the holes can prove to be a little bit tricky even for adults! There is a small bar attached to Minigolf Green which serves a wide variety of low-cost drinks throughout the daytime and evening, providing you with the perfect way to cool off and re-energise.
If you're holidaying with little ones, don't miss the chance to spend a day at Water World. Found in Lloret de Mar, this family-friendly attraction is best visited in spring, when the weather is warm and the queues for the rides will be relatively small compared to the busier summer months. This water park offers more than 20 different attractions, ranging from children's play parks and calm swimming pools to family-friendly water slides and action-packed rides, providing something for everyone to enjoy. Water World also features several bars and restaurants, shops, parking, locker rental, picnic areas and even a bungee jumping area.
