The Europe of Miami
Empuriabrava is located a few kilometres from Girona, in the northeastern part of Spain along the Mediterranean coast on the Costa Brava.
It's a very touristy seaside resort, often called the little "Miami of Europe." However, it's also Europe's largest marina. Girona airport is just 40 minutes away.
With around 30 kilometres of navigable canals and 5,000 moorings, Empuriabrava is a dream destination for boating enthusiasts. You'll cross paths with professional skippers as well as couples and families with kids. Most houses have their own private dock, just like in Miami. You can rent a boat or a yacht to cruise along the canals and discover the bay from the water. It's the best way to experience the Costa Brava.
It's best to avoid peak season, meaning July and August. Visiting in May is ideal: the sun is out, the days are long, and the tourists are still at home.
We booked a villa online, and it was perfect, a gorgeous pool, direct access to the canal, and just a 5-minute walk from the beach!
Sports activities and green excursions
There's plenty to do here, such as skydiving or kite-surfing. In fact, Empuriabrava is the skydiving capital of the world, with over 125,000 jumps logged every year. The stunning landscapes of the Bay of Roses (Rosas in Catalan) probably have a lot to do with that success. From café terraces, you can watch planes taking off before dropping skydivers who drift down with the wind. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try a tandem freefall!
Kids love the region's water parks, like Aquabrava in Rosas or Water World in Lloret de Mar. Another family favorite is a visit to the Butterfly Park in Empuriabrava, a tropical greenhouse home to exotic birds and butterflies.
There are two nature reserves near Empuriabrava. The closest is in the Aiguamolls wetlands, which surround the town. This protected area is home to numerous waterbirds and is ideal for a bike ride. Just north of Empuriabrava, heading towards the Bay of Roses, is the Cap de Creus nature reserve. Its rocky, wooded hills are truly impressive. And while you're at Cap de Creus, don't miss Cadaqués. It's an especially picturesque fishing village, and strolling through its streets quickly makes you understand why Dalí made it his home.
You can also enjoy boat trips to explore fish reserves and underwater ecosystems. There really is something for everyone, with activities like fishing, golf, and karting available too...
Culture, market and local life
Right after arriving, we rented a small boat to explore the canals. The boats are super easy to steer, and with a map, it's impossible to get lost! It's an unusual way to check out the most gorgeous villas on the Costa Brava. This area boasts the largest waterway system in all of Europe. Empuriabrava was built in the mid-1960s, so there are no old buildings or historic old town here.
However, just 6 kilometres from the marina sits the medieval town of Castelló d'Empúries. Here you'll find historic buildings dating back to the 9th century. Much of the village has kept its original layout, particularly the Jewish quarter, the town squares, and the Basilica of Santa Maria de Castelló.
Saturday morning is market day in Empuriabrava. It stretches for a few hundred meters along the seafront, specifically on the Passeig Marítim. The stalls offer all kinds of food, some local products, various clothes, and plants. In the summer, to make the most of the tourist crowds, this same seafront also hosts a night market every evening from 6 PM to midnight. Just a heads-up: this night market is mostly geared toward tourists, featuring high prices and plenty of clothes and items made in Asia.
Nearby towns also host their own markets:
- Cadaqués: Monday morning
- Castelló d'Empúries: Tuesday morning
- Figueres: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings
- Rosas: Sunday morning
We made a detour to the town of Figueras, 20 kilometres away: the Dalí Museum is absolutely fantastic, surreal... As a fan of Dalí's art, it was a great chance to discover not just his work, but the town where he was born. Dalí actually designed this museum himself and arranged the various exhibitions you can admire there. The place is a blend of beauty and strangeness. The museum very often sells out, so make sure to arrive early to avoid endless lines.
Empuriabrava's nightlife is very lively during the summer months. There’s a huge choice of restaurants and bars that stay open until the early hours. The food here ranges from Spanish to international cuisine, spanning from paella and traditional Catalan dishes to pizzas and sushi.
It wasn't the most relaxing vacation we've ever had, but the place is pretty fantastic. You can go from a lively area to a quiet, protected zone in no time at all. Empuriabrava is a great base for discovering the different faces of the Costa Brava.
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