Where is it?
The Costa Brava or Wild Coast is hugely popular with holidaymakers from northern Europe. In spite of the pressure, it still deserves its name thanks to its lovely scenery. Beautiful beaches, guaranteed liveliness in summer, charming villages (Cadaqués, Tossa de Mar) and an interesting hinterland (with, notably, the medieval town of Girona) make up the main attractions of this varied coast.
Near the French border (28 kms) and at only 45 kms from Girona, the marina of Empuriabrava is the pearl of the Mediterranean and has something for everyone – an ideal place to spend your holidays.
Empuriabrava, in the Bay of Roses, is said to be the biggest residential marina in Europe. This is a well-known holiday destination, in the north-eastern part of the region directly by the sea, in a busy position.
This is a lovely residential Marina with more than 30 km of sea water canals, and two beaches with golden sands. The canals, which are especially beautiful, allow direct access by boat to the houses built on its banks (40 kms in total) which is just like a modern Venice. The charm of the canals is undeniable, you will find that it’s a real pleasure to spend time there.
Sports
Skydiving centre, water sports harbour, natural park with riverside walks, boat hire, fishing, cycling, tennis, horse riding, organised boat trips, bowling, all available within Empuriabrava.
Water Park nearby with free bus service.
Golf
Perelada golf club : 15 minutes drive
Toremirona golf club 20 minutes drive
Emporda golf club 20 minutes drive
Travel information
Empuriabrava is easily accessible from either Gerona (45 minutes) or Perpignan (1 hour) airports. Barcelona airport is 2 hours by car.
Self drive hire cars are available from all of these airports.
By road, Empuriabrava is 15 km north-east from Figueres, 150 km north-east from Barcelona, 35 km from French border. : access via a good road.
Railway station “Figueres”.
Roses 8 km.
Calais approximately 800 miles (12 hours)
Tourism
Tourism opportunities are numerous. There are tour buses which leave directly from a main point in the centre of town which can take you on trips to Barcelona, for example. Regular local buses to the nearby town of Roses. You can take a trip to cultural centres such as the Dali museum in Figueres or his nearby home town of Cadaques.
Ancient Roman ruins nearby in La Escala (15 minutes by car).
Sites of particular interest:
Castello d’Empuriès
This historic small town, located on a headland near the sea in the heart of the Ampurdan region, has retained a maze of old narrow streets and an impressive array of monuments which testify to its medieval role as capital of the county of Ampurias from the 11C to the 14C. Away from the hustle and bustle of the Costa Brava, the village lies near the Aigüamollis de l’Empordà natural park, Catalonia’s second largest marshland after the Èbre delta.
Sant Pere de Rodes
The ruins of the imposing 10C monastery stand in a beautiful setting that dominates the sea, the Cabo de Creus headland and El Port de la Selva. The truly outstanding church shows a marked pre-Romanesque influence. It has splendid capitals and its 12C bell-tower is a magnificent example of Lombardy Romanesque. In all, the place is one of remarkable architectural harmony. Other ruins, including the Castello de Sant Salvador de Valverdera and the Santes Creus settlement, are not far off.
Citadel, Roses
The Renaissance citadel was built in the 16C on the order of Charles V, who feared a Turkish invasion. The monumental Porta de Mar, in the Renaissance style, with its ornamental pilasters and frieze with plant decorations, is the main entrance to the fortified wall. In the cellar, there are remains from the old town of Rhode
Dali Museum, Figueres
The old municipal theatre, built in 1850 by the neo-Classical architect José Roca i Bros, was renovated in 1968 to house the spectacular and extravagant Dalí museum. The simplification of the interior rooms and the construction of an immense glass cupola (by Emilio Pérez Piñero) inspired Dalí, who embellished the building with giant eggs, bread rolls on the façade to imitate the shells on the Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca, basins and gilt models.
Perelada Castle
This old home of the viscounts of Rocabertí, now one of th largest casinos in Catalonia, is a mosaic of architectural styles. This is where the International Festival of Music of Peralada Castle is held every year.
Ruins of Empuriès
Unlike Paliápolis, the new town has been totally unearthed, but the layers of different buildings erected over a period of more than 1,000 years has complicated the work of the archaeologists and the interpretation of the ruins. Modesl of the temples and objects from the digs are on shows in the Museu Arqueològic. You will see the mosaic showing the Sacrifice of Iphigenia (2C BC) and one supposedly of The Perdrix. On the other side of the road, on the hill overlooking the Greek town, stands the Roman town. Its rectangular shape covers approximatley 20 ha. The town walls have been partially restored, but the town has not been completely uncovered. You can see some houses, the forum and the remains of the amphitheatre, a modest elliptical buidling with stone foundations that held up the wooden stalls.
The Medes Islands, Estartit
This small archipelago, consisting of seven islets and a few coral reefs, is the maritime extension of the calcareous massif of Montgrì. The site is of particular interest to ecologists on account of the diversity of marine species (over 1 300) and ecosystems. The islets are extremely popular among divers.