Empuriabrava in Spain - exclusive waterfront accommodation

Before leaving Spain, we made a visit to Empuriabrava - the largest residential marina in all of Europe. Coming here was a real experience! We strolled around for a whole day, and are very happy that we were tipped off about this place.

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Empuriabrava in Spain

Empuriabrava is located high on the east coast of Spain, not far from the border with France. The area is made up of 40 kilometres of canals, along which you'll find one exclusive house after another. No wonder it's sometimes called the Venice of Spain!

Luxury accommodation on former marshland

The exclusive area of Empuriabrava consists of long waterways and luxurious villas. This is a town that in some ways is reminiscent of Italy's neighbourhoods. Venicebut more modern. Most people who live here seem to own not only a large villa, but also a luxury yacht. Many even have their own "garage" for their boat, with a garage door down to the water. No wonder we saw lots of boat shops along the way!

Empuriabrava Spanien — The boat parked outside the house

Completed in the 1970s

The area, which was planned in the 1960s and completed in the 1970s, was originally built on marshland. When construction began, the area was not attractive at all, but without exaggeration, it has changed. As many as 80,000 people live here in the summer, and even now, in April, it's full of tourists sitting in restaurants or queuing for a boat ride on the canals. An incredibly fascinating place that's definitely worth a visit if you're passing through.

Boende vid vatten i Spanien — Many of the city's streets are made up of water

Discovering Empuriabrava

We took our time and walked around all the footpaths through the city. Occasionally you can stop on the small bridges and watch the waterways and the boats going back and forth. Amazingly cosy and charming!

This is an enormously beautiful fairytale country and we had no idea it was in Europe. We need to come back and spend a week here to see everything. If you are in the neighbourhood, this is really worth seeing.

Things to see and do in Empuriabrava

Besides discovering Empuriabrava on foot, there are of course many other things to do and experience here. Here are some suggestions:

Boat hire through one of the city's many boat hire companies, and navigate the waterways yourself.
Sunbathing and swimming on the long and fine sandy beach Platja d'Empuriabrava, which runs along the sea.
Try skydiving at the Empuriabrava Aerodrome.
Flying in "wind tunnels" on Windoor Realfly.
Hiking in Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, a nature reserve with lakes, wetlands, hiking trails and more than 300 species of birds.
Cycling along the river La Mugawhere there is a trail that can be cycled or hiked. If you don't have your own bike, there are a number of hire companies.

Accommodation in Empuriabrava

There are several campsites in and around Empuriabrava and we, travelling with a motorhome, considered staying at one of them. However, the prices at several of them were relatively high (which is perhaps not surprising given the location) and we, travelling for a whole year and having to consider the budget, chose to continue the journey towards France.

Of course, there are also many other accommodations in Empuriabrava, both in the form of hotels and accommodation in a villa or apartment. If you google, you will also see that there are properties for sale in Empuriabrava, and you can understand that it can be attractive to have an accommodation here!

See more in the neighbourhood

Empuriabrava is located in the north-eastern part of Spain. From here it takes about two hours by car to reach Barcelona. If you drive another half hour, you can also discover the nice city of Tarragona. From Empuriabrava it is also not far to France. Discover the fortified city of Carcassonne, charming Sète or (if you dare) the naturist town of Cap d'Agde.

READ MORE: What to do in Barcelona - 13 tips for experiences
READ MORE: Tarragona in Spain - history and charming neighbourhoods
READ MORE: Carcassonne in France - a fortified medieval city
READ MORE: Seat in France - discover France's little Venice
READ MORE: Cap d'Agde - largest nude town in France

Have you been to Empuriabrava? How was your experience? Do you have more tips?

Facts about Empuriabrava

Country: Spain
Region: Catalonia
Provins: Província de Girona
Municipality: Castelló d'Empúries
Location: Empuriabrava is located in the north-eastern part of Spain, 60 miles east of Madrid. Located in the Gulf of Roses bay.
Name: Empuriabrava (Spanish: Ampuriabrava)
Residents: Around 8000 (increasing to around 80,000 in summer)
Nearest major community: Figueres is 1.3 miles west of Empuriabrava.

Nature and climate in Empuriabrava

Highest point: The highest point nearby is Castell de Verdera (649 metres above sea level) which is 9 miles north of the resort.
Natural area: Aiguamolls de l'Empordà is a natural park in the Golf de Roses. It is home to many different types of birds.
Climate: Coastal climate
Temperature: Average annual temperature of 17 degrees C. July is the warmest (average temperature 27 degrees) and January is the coldest (average temperature 8 degrees).
Precipitation: Average annual precipitation is 635 millimetres. It rains most in November (108 mm of precipitation) and is driest in December (20 mm of precipitation).

Campsites in Empuriabrava

Camping Rubina Resort: Located by the sea. Apartments and bungalows available. Address: Playa de la Rubina, 17487, Empuriabrava.
Camping Castell Mar Cat.2: Located by the sea. Pool available. Address: Platja de la Rubina, 17486 Castelló d'Empúries.
Camping Laguna Cat.1: Located by water, close to the beach. Address: Apartado de Correos 55, 17486 Castelló d'Empúries.
Camping Mas Nou Cat.1: Pool and bungalows available. A little further from the sea. Address: C. Mas Nou 7, 17486, Castelló d'Empúries.

Travelling to Empuriabrava

Car: From Barcelona the road is just over 15 miles (about 2 hours driving time). Follow the E-15 or C-32 and then the AP-7. If you are coming from France, you can take the A9 and E-15 from Perpignan.
Bus: Buses run from Barcelona and Barcelona Airport, and from Girona and Girona Airport. Some buses only run in summer.
Trains: The nearest train station is in Figuereas, 15 kilometres from Empuriabrava. In between, you can travel by bus.
Flight: The nearest airport is Girona-Costa Brava. From here you can get to Empuriabrava by bus in the summer. The larger airport Barcelona-El Prat is about 16 kilometres away (two hours by car).
Boat: The Port of Empuriabrava can accommodate boats up to 26 metres in length.

Helena

05 April 2015 21:10

Spain

boats, accommodation, Motorhome holiday Spain

Helena

Administrator

23 Comments

Add yours →

Across the board says:

Yes, you could find very nice villas there. I think there are many Germans who have houses there - at least there were many German registered cars outside the houses when we were there.

05 April 2015 - 21:23

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solveig rhann says:

Florida Light?

05 April 2015 - 22:03

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Criss-cross, interesting! Peter says he also saw some German-registered cars.

Solan, maybe it is!? Haven't been to Florida...
😉

05 April 2015 - 22:04

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Bosse and Gerd says:

Empuriabrava is a 'copy' of Fort Lauderdale in Florida, which is considerably larger than this resort but the similarities are striking.
If there's one thing we'd like to recommend to you and Peter, it's the coast between Miami and up to Daytona Beach in East Florida plus the West Coast from Fort Myers Beach up to Tampa!

05 April 2015 - 22:15

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BP says:

Was going to write Fort Lauderdale, but saw that Bosse and Gerd already said it. In addition, they have made exactly the same trip as us and which we loved. Talk about the world being small:-)

When you get home, you can check out a mini-mini-mini-mini-version of Empuriabrava in Nacka. Although the prices are slightly different if you say so;-)

05 April 2015 - 22:49

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Ditte says:

Fully agree, but it seems to have become even more developed since we were there in the late 1990s. It was cool then too!

05 April 2015 - 23:57

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Bosse and Gerd, interesting! Now that you say so, we can imagine that it is similar. Thanks for the travel tips! USA has never attracted, but who knows, it is a big country and of course there are things to see there too!

BP, it's absolutely fantastic with all the tips and info we get from your readers!!! The mini mini version in Nacka we must of course check out!
🙂

Ditte, it was huge, very possible that it has grown and developed!

06 April 2015 - 8:01

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Lena in Wales says:

Oh, Empuriabrava! What fun to see pictures from there. Was there for about a month about 25 years ago, but do not remember much of the village.
It's great that you're getting settled in Spain!
Take care!

06 April 2015 - 8:26

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Mr Steve says:

I had never heard of Empuriabrava before, but it was indeed an impressive 'facility'. Even my thoughts went to Florida at first sight. I had never been to Florida.

06 April 2015 - 8:34

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Stina says:

Hello!

it is so nice to hang out more on your trip and look at all the wonderful pictures.
Hope Easter has been cosy for you!
//Stina

06 April 2015 - 9:29

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Birgitta says:

we are in Empuriabrava every year, we like it so much that we stay for several weeks 🙂 Good walking paths with dogs and nice beach below Camping Rubina Resort !
keep up the good work!
Birgitta

06 April 2015 - 9:50

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Ama de casa says:

Wow! Fascinating... Never heard of it. Will check out that place when we pass by next time.
🙂

06 April 2015 - 10:07

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Lena in Wales, Empuriabrava was a fascinating place! We also liked the Spanish cities: Seville, Valencia, Tarragona... Now we have arrived in France!

Steve, apparently very similar to Florida! Very nice anyway!

Stina, glad you like joining us on our journey! Hope you also had a good Easter!

Birgitta, great to hear! You have really found a nice place! We went past the Rubina resort campsite. However, we stayed at a cheaper place a few kilometres away, as we only wanted a simple overnight stay on the road.

06 April 2015 - 10:11

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Lena & Jan says:

Fascinating! Guess you will come out with a book/web in the future that is full of "housing forms" will make success, think how many people would like to live in different places.

06 April 2015 - 11:04

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Every Day an Adventure says:

What a place!

06 April 2015 - 12:23

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Lena & Jan, haha maybe that's an idea!
😉

Today was an Adventure, you were a bit dumb when you walked around!
🙂

06 April 2015 - 12:59

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Steel city anna says:

That's where you would live!

06 April 2015 - 14:30

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Annika says:

Yes, I also think of Florida when I see the pictures.
So nice to live like that. At least for a while 🙂

06 April 2015 - 15:50

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Steel city Anna, that's what we said when we walked around.
😉

Annika, looks fantastic! But if you were to live there, you might get used to it...?
😉

06 April 2015 - 16:48

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Mr Lars Andersson says:

Hello!
Now you've really come to the right place,
hope you can stay and enjoy it.

Goodbye!
Lars and Inger

06 April 2015 - 17:17

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Matts Torebring says:

So glad you stopped in this really cool environment. One more tip if you are still in the area. If you like adventure, drive on to Roses and to the artists' village of Cadaques in northern Catalonia. Climb further on the coastal road up to France. Enjoy your journey.

06 April 2015 - 17:39

Reply
Comment by post author

admin says:

Lars and Inger, we didn't stay long, but it was great to experience!
🙂

Matts, now we have left Spain. We drove non toll roads into France, past a lot of vineyards, not very close to the coast at the beginning though.

06 April 2015 - 18:22

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Madeleine says:

Have lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and now I see similar - but in Spain! I am incredibly eager to buy a holiday apartment here, but wonder if there are any Swedes who want to share their experiences. Am in the process of buying an apartment, so which areas are recommended, and which should be avoided? Is it a quiet place? Grateful for answers!

26 August 2023 - 21:05

Reply

Empuriabrava in Spain - exclusive waterfront accommodation

Empuriabrava in Spain

Luxury accommodation on former marshland

Completed in the 1970s

Discovering Empuriabrava

Things to see and do in Empuriabrava

Accommodation in Empuriabrava

See more in the neighbourhood

Facts about Empuriabrava

Nature and climate in Empuriabrava

Campsites in Empuriabrava

Travelling to Empuriabrava

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23 Comments

Across the board says:

solveig rhann says:

admin says:

Bosse and Gerd says:

BP says:

Ditte says:

admin says:

Lena in Wales says:

Mr Steve says:

Stina says:

Birgitta says:

Ama de casa says:

admin says:

Lena & Jan says:

Every Day an Adventure says:

admin says:

Steel city anna says:

Annika says:

admin says:

Mr Lars Andersson says:

Matts Torebring says:

admin says:

Madeleine says:

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