Empuriabrava, often called the 'Venice of Spain', is a Costa Brava town built around 25km of navigable canals. It boasts the largest residential marina in Europe, with 5,000 private jetties and one of the largest man-made inhabited marinas in the world, lined with yachts and villas. Located two hours from Barcelona, the town offers a quieter alternative to Venice, with return flights from as little as £20 via Ryanair from Girona-Costa Brava Airport.
History and scale
Unlike typical Spanish beach resorts, Empuriabrava was constructed in 1967 as an exclusive, elevated destination. It has a permanent population of roughly 7,800 to 8,000, which swells to almost 80,000 during summer when holidaymakers and second-home owners arrive. The canals are navigable and central to the town's identity.
Activities and attractions
Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, boat trips, golf courses, and a Saturday market. Watersports like sailing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing are popular on the nearby Gulf of Roses bay. Skydive Empuriabrava is regarded as one of the top three skydiving centres globally, having accumulated over 2.8 million jumps. Boat hire starts at €60 per hour for four people or €80 for eight.
For culture, the 13th-century Castle of Empúries (a Gothic ruin) is the home of the Spanish comic hero Captain Thunder. The Ruins de Empúries showcase Greek and Roman remains, and the Basílica de Santa Maria de Castelló d’Empúries is a must-visit Gothic church. The 1km-long Playa de Empuriabrava has showers, restaurants, bars, and children's play areas. Nature lovers can explore Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park.
Dining and cuisine
Empuriabrava offers excellent seafood, including Palamós red prawns, suquet de peix (Catalan fish stew), cimitomba, stuffed squid, and lobster a la tossenca. Classic tapas like mussels in marinara sauce, grilled sardines, Botifarra sausage, and Pà amb Tomàquet are widely available. A 45-minute drive away, El Celler de Can Roca in Girona holds three Michelin stars and was twice named the world's best restaurant (2013, 2015). Nearby, Miramar in Llançà has two Michelin stars, and Empòrium in Castelló d’Empúries has one.
Accommodation options
Staying by the marina offers canal views and access to bars and restaurants. An Airbnb apartment with two bedrooms starts at £90 per night. The four-star Hotel Port Salins by Pierre & Vacances, on the canals and a five-minute walk from the beach, begins at £96 per night. The three-star Hotel Portofino, with some canal-view rooms, starts at £53 per night.
Getting there
Girona-Costa Brava Airport is less than an hour away. Ryanair offers return flights from £20 (departing 1 September, returning 6 September). Jet2 has return flights from £166 for the same dates. According to the article, the town is a hidden gem with affordable access.
