Catalan Villages 2026: Living Heritage and Premium Destinations
In Catalonia, some villages have become true premium destinations. They combine preserved architectural heritage, an exceptional natural environment, and services tailored to a demanding international clientele.
For a foreign buyer, these places offer a double appeal:
- remarkable quality of life year-round or as a second home;
- rental potential supported by higher value-added tourism.
Besalú, Pals, Peratallada: Reputation Driven by Higher-Value Tourism
Besalú, Pals, and Peratallada perfectly illustrate the upmarket shift of Catalan historic villages. Their common ground: a remarkably preserved medieval center, a strong architectural identity, and a carefully filtered tourist presence.
In Besalú, the Romanesque bridge and the medieval Jewish quarter attract clients who are sensitive to history and heritage. Visitors look for:
- stone village houses with open views;
- renovated apartments in former historic buildings;
- small-scale, charming accommodation.
Pals and Peratallada, perched on their hills, charm visitors with their narrow streets, ramparts, and lively small squares. There you’ll find:
- a network of small boutique hotels and fine-dining restaurants;
- a cultural offering (markets, festivals, exhibitions) that extends the season;
- international buyers willing to pay more for authenticity.
In Pals, for example, demand for second homes focuses on beautiful stone village houses or villas with open views over the Empordà countryside. According to searches carried out on Green Acres, the most sought-after properties in Pals clearly occupy a high-end segment, with comfortable floor areas averaging around 150 m², confirming the village’s growing status as a premium destination.
This type of tourism, more qualitative than mass-market, has direct effects:
- strong demand for restored heritage homes;
- enhanced value for character properties (vaults, exposed stone, patios);
- limited pressure on the landscape thanks to stricter planning rules.
Costa Brava: Coastal Villages and Hinterland Highly Sought After by Foreign Buyers
The Costa Brava remains one of the most coveted areas among European buyers, but its reality is multi-faceted. In 2026, two zones stand out in particular:
- coastal villages with coves and fishing ports;
- hinterland villages, quieter, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.
Along the coast, towns such as Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc, or Cadaqués stand out for:
- their sheltered coves and spectacular coastal paths;
- traditional whitewashed buildings, often very well restored;
- a loyal international clientele that returns year after year.
Data from buyer searches on Green Acres confirms this appeal: in Calella de Palafrugell, the most sought-after properties are often large family homes with sea views, which pushes the average size to around 280 m². In Llafranc, demand highlights high-end properties—detached houses or spacious apartments—sought after for mixed use as a second home and for seasonal rentals.
In Cadaqués, an emblematic village of the Costa Brava, the market is even tighter: character properties close to the sea or the historic center trigger strong competition among international buyers. The surfaces in demand remain relatively moderate, but the price levels confirm the village’s highly exclusive status along the Catalan coast.
In the hinterland, small villages close to the sea but slightly set back offer:
- more peace and quiet for everyday life;
- more generous floor areas (farmhouses, renovated masias, large village houses);
- a more attractive price-per-square-meter ratio than directly on the seafront.
For a lifestyle or investment project, this coast / hinterland duality allows you to choose your balance:
- direct access to the sea and summer buzz;
- or a more discreet rural environment just minutes from the coves.
In practical terms, an investor might, for example, prioritize a house with sea view and direct access to the coves in Calella de Palafrugell, while a more family-oriented project might opt for a renovated mas a little set back from Llafranc, gaining in living space and privacy while remaining just minutes from the beaches.
Effects on the Local Property Market
This upmarket shift in tourism and residential use has a profound impact on the local real estate market. Between boosting the value of built heritage and consolidating a high-end seasonal rental market, Catalan character villages are entering a new phase in 2026.
Enhanced Value of Heritage Homes and High-Quality Renovations
In historic centers, old village houses are at the heart of demand. Buyers primarily look for:
- original features (beams, stonework, arches, old staircases);
- renovation that respects the character while offering comfort;
- good energy performance, increasingly essential.
In practical terms, this results in:
- faster price increases on properties already carefully renovated;
- growing interest in renovation projects with strong potential;
- the involvement of professionals specialized in historic buildings.
For a foreign buyer, these Catalan villages therefore offer two possible strategies 😊:
- acquire an already restored home, ready to live in and rent out, with a higher budget but immediate visibility on comfort and style;
- purchase a property to renovate, often better priced per square meter, and manage a custom transformation project with a local architect.
Municipalities, for their part, are increasingly regulating transformations. We are seeing:
- strict façade regulations in medieval centers;
- restrictions on materials and colors;
- particular attention to the landscape integration of swimming pools and outbuildings.
This regulation, sometimes seen as a constraint, is also a guarantee of the long-term value of your investment.
Who Is Buying in Catalan Villages in 2026?
Beyond the postcard image, the profile of foreign buyers in the province of Girona helps clarify these trends. According to search data published on Green Acres for this province, the French clearly top foreign demand, accounting for nearly half of all overseas searches, with a median budget of around €240,000 and a median floor area of around 75 m².
Behind them, Germans, Belgians, Dutch, Swiss, and Americans complete the picture, often with higher budgets and more generous surfaces, particularly for detached houses or renovated masias. This diversity of profiles explains the coexistence, within a single village, of small apartments in the historic center, family village houses, and prestige properties on the immediate outskirts.
High-End Seasonal Market Consolidated in 2026
In parallel, the high-end seasonal rental market is becoming more structured and consolidating in 2026 in the most attractive Catalan villages, particularly on the Costa Brava and in the emblematic medieval towns.
Key trends:
- longer stays, with European families or remote workers staying for several weeks;
- increased demand for detached houses with outdoor space, garden, or terrace;
- interest in private or shared pools in small, charming condominium complexes.
Owners who successfully tap into this market focus on:
- careful interior design, blending Mediterranean spirit with contemporary comfort;
- professional management (cleaning, guest welcome, concierge services, remote monitoring);
- a clear presence on international booking platforms.
In the most sought-after villages, this sustained demand helps to:
- keep prices high and stable;
- reduce vacancy periods between rentals;
- reinforce the perception of the villages as high-end destinations and no longer just stopover locations.
For a buyer, this means that a well-planned project can combine:
- personal use (holidays, extended stays, active retirement);
- and additional income through rentals targeted at higher-value clientele.
The key is then to choose the right village, the right type of property, and the right level of amenities, in line with your lifestyle and return objectives. Property listings in Pals or in Cadaqués (properties in Cadaqués) provide a quick overview of the price ranges, sizes, and types of properties actually available on the ground.
