The Miami of Europe
Empuriabrava is located just a few miles from Girona, in the northeastern part of Spain along the Mediterranean coast, right on the Costa Brava.
It’s a bustling, tourist-friendly seaside resort often called the "Miami of Europe." It also happens to be the largest marina on the continent. Girona Airport is only a 40-minute drive away.
With about 30 kilometers (roughly 18 miles) of navigable canals and 5,000 moorings, Empuriabrava is a dream destination for the boating crowd. You’ll see everyone from professional skippers to couples and families with kids. Most houses have their own private dock, just like in Miami. You can rent a boat or yacht to cruise the canals and explore the bay from the water; that’s where the Costa Brava truly shines.
It’s best to avoid the peak season in July and August. Visiting in May is ideal: the sun is out, the days are long, and the summer crowds haven't arrived yet.
We booked a villa online, and it was perfect, a beautiful pool, direct canal access, and only 5 minutes from the beach!
Sports and Outdoor Adventures
There’s so much to do here, including skydiving and kitesurfing. In fact, Empuriabrava is the skydiving capital of the world, with over 125,000 jumps recorded every year. The breathtaking scenery of the Bay of Roses (Rosas in Catalan) has likely contributed to its popularity. From the café terraces, you can watch planes take off before dropping skydivers who drift down on the breeze. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try a tandem skydive yourself!
Kids love the local water parks, like Aquabrava in Rosas or Water World in Lloret de Mar. Another family favorite is the Butterfly Park in Empuriabrava, a tropical greenhouse filled with exotic birds and butterflies.
There are two nature reserves near Empuriabrava. The closest is the Aiguamolls wetlands, which surround the town. It’s a protected area teeming with water birds and is perfect for a bike ride. To the north lies the Cap de Creus nature reserve. Its rocky, wooded hills are truly impressive. While you're at Cap de Creus, don't miss Cadaqués. It’s an incredibly picturesque fishing village; once you wander its streets, you’ll quickly understand why Dalí made it his home base.
You can also head out on boat excursions to discover underwater fish reserves. There’s something for everyone here, with activities like fishing, golfing, and go-karting.
Culture, Markets, and Local Life
After arriving, we rented a small boat to explore the canals. They’re very easy to pilot, and with a map, it’s impossible to get lost! It’s a unique way to see the most beautiful homes on the Costa Brava. This area boasts the largest network of navigable waterways in all of Europe. Since Empuriabrava was built in the mid-1960s, there are no old buildings or a historic "old town" to speak of.
However, just 6 kilometers (about 4 miles) from the marina is the medieval town of Castelló d'Empúries. Here, you’ll find historic architecture dating back to the 9th century. Much of the village has kept its original layout, including 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 Maritim. You’ll find all sorts of food, local products, clothing, and plants. In the summer, to cater to the tourist influx, the same seafront hosts a night market every evening from 6 PM to midnight. Just a heads-up: the night market is geared more toward tourists, with higher prices and a lot of mass-produced items.
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 took a detour to the town of Figueres, 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) away: the Dalí Museum is absolutely fantastic and surreal. As a fan of Dalí’s art, it was a great chance to see his work and explore his birthplace. Dalí actually designed the museum himself and curated the exhibits. It’s a blend of the beautiful and the bizarre. The museum often sells out, so make sure to arrive early to avoid long lines.
Empuriabrava’s nightlife is very lively during the summer months. There’s a huge selection of restaurants and bars that stay open until the early hours. The cuisine ranges from Spanish and traditional Catalan to pizza and sushi.
It wasn’t the most relaxing vacation we’ve ever had, but the place is pretty fantastic. You can go from a bustling area to a quiet, protected nature spot in no time. Empuriabrava is a great base for discovering the many different faces of the Costa Brava.
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