Buying in Sant Feliu de Guíxols: the guide

Sant Feliu de Guíxols has kept the soul of an old port town. Its monastery, its promenade lined with Modernista villas and its market make it one of the most endearing towns in the south of the Costa Brava. For buyers from abroad who want to live by the sea without giving up local life, it is a place worth knowing.

A real town, with its own history

With nearly 23,000 inhabitants, Sant Feliu lives all year round. The fresh produce market is held every morning, a large market takes place on Sundays on the promenade, and the Porta Ferrada festival has livened up the summer since 1958. The town owes part of its history to the cork industry, which you can still see in the fine houses of the centre.

Another plus: the old railway line to Girona has become a greenway, ideal for cycling. And the corniche road to Tossa de Mar is one of the most beautiful on the coast.

The areas to know

The centre and the promenade: flats and a few character houses, within walking distance of the beach, the market and the shops. The choice for those who want to do everything on foot.
Sant Pol: a lovely sandy beach north of the centre, popular with families. Note that the neighbouring estate of S'Agaró belongs to a different municipality, Castell-Platja d'Aro, with its own rules.
The hillside and corniche developments: houses and villas with sea views, among the pines, towards Sant Elm or the Tossa road. The setting is superb, but slopes and the car are part of daily life.
The inland neighbourhoods, such as Vilartagues or Bujonis: more residential, further from the sea, often with more space for the same budget.

What to check before buying

Here are the checks we carry out every time for our clients in Sant Feliu.

The exact municipality: between Sant Pol and S'Agaró, the boundary between Sant Feliu and Castell-Platja d'Aro is not visible. Council tax, planning and letting licences all depend on it.
Access to villas: on the hills, check how steep the drive is, year-round car access and parking.
The status of the development: on some older estates, the roads and utilities have not always been adopted by the town hall. This can mean costs falling on the owners.
The seafront: for a frontline property, Spain's Coastal Law can restrict building work. Your lawyer must check the plot's position.
Holiday lets: a property without a licence cannot be let by the week. Check the licence and the community of owners' rules, as explained in our article on letting your property.
The community of owners: the service charges and approved works weigh on your budget.

What budget should you plan for?

Sant Feliu is mid-range for the Costa Brava, with big differences between a flat in the centre, a house in the inland neighbourhoods and a villa overlooking the corniche. To work out your budget, use our method for setting a realistic budget and our article on prices on the Costa Brava, not forgetting the buying costs in Catalonia.

Getting there

Sant Feliu is about forty minutes from Girona and half an hour from its airport, which has flights from the UK. Allow roughly an hour and a quarter to Barcelona and its airport.

And the surrounding area?

To the north, Platja d'Aro offers a livelier, more commercial atmosphere, then Palamós and its coves. To the south, the corniche leads to Tossa de Mar. Our article which towns to choose on the Costa Brava will help you compare.

Is Sant Feliu right for you?

You want an authentic town, lively all year round, with a market and a promenade: Sant Feliu ticks every box.
You are looking for a family beach: look at Sant Pol, making sure you check which municipality the property is in.
You dream of sea views and pine trees: the hills and the corniche, with a budget and a car to match.

Either way, the right choice depends on how you will really use the property. That is what we clarify with you from the first conversation, before any viewing.