Lloret de Mar itself is walkable — most visitors get by without a car. But the rest of the Costa Brava is built around the GI-682 coastal roadand the small inland villages, and that's where a rental transforms the trip. Expect to spend between €25 and €70 per day in summer for a compact car with full insurance.
Where to pick up your car
At Barcelona airport (BCN)
Cheapest selection by a wide margin. All major brands (Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Goldcar, Centauro, Enterprise) have desks at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Pick up here if you want to drive straight to Lloret de Mar — the route is about 90 minutes via the AP-7 motorway and the C-32.
At Girona airport (GRO)
Smaller, but closer (about 45 minutes from Lloret). Good if you're flying with Ryanair or another low-cost from northern Europe. Selection is more limited; book ahead in summer.
In Lloret de Mar
A handful of local agencies operate from the town centre and the bus station. Useful if you only need a car for a day or two of day trips. Prices are slightly higher than airport pickup, but you avoid driving the motorway with jet-lagged kids.
What it really costs
- Base rental — from €25/day in May or October, €40–70/day in July/August.
- Full insurance (CDW + theft, no excess) — €10–20/day. Worth it; Costa Brava roads are narrow.
- Young driver fee — most companies surcharge under 25.
- Additional driver — €5–10/day, sometimes free with premium brands.
- Fuel — always pick "full to full" and refill before return. Avoid "pre-paid fuel" — you almost always pay for unused fuel.
- Tolls — the AP-7 from Barcelona is now toll-free, but the C-32 from the airport has small tolls (~€3–5).
What to check before you drive away
- Walk around the car with the agent and photograph every existing scratch.
- Confirm the deposit hold (often €800–1,500) on your credit card.
- Test the air conditioning — non-negotiable in a Catalan summer.
- Check the spare tyre kit and that you have a high-vis vest and warning triangle (legally required).
Driving the Costa Brava
The coastal GI-682 from Lloret to Tossa de Mar is one of the most beautiful drives in Spain — but it's narrow, twisty and slow. Allow twice the time Google Maps suggests, and avoid it after dark if you're not confident on mountain roads. For longer journeys (Cadaqués, the French border) take the inland AP-7 motorway and drop down to the coast at the end.
Parking in Lloret de Mar
Street parking in the centre uses the blue-zone (paid) and green-zone (residents-only) system. There are several large paid car parks: Plaça d'Espanya, Avinguda Vidreres, and a covered car park at Centre Comercial. If your hotel offers parking, take it — €10–15/day is cheaper than the public lots.
Driving rules to remember
- Drive on the right; speed limits are signed in km/h.
- 0.5 g/L blood alcohol limit (0.3 for drivers with under 2 years' experience).
- Headlights on in tunnels — unfamiliar drivers forget; they're enforced.
- Toll roads accept all major credit cards.
Combine your car hire research with our airport transfer guide to decide whether to pick up at Barcelona, Girona or in town.