Last updated: September 2026
Empuriabrava Holidays is one of the most unusual holiday destinations on the Costa Brava — a purpose-built marina town of around 8,000 permanent residents and some 5,000 holiday homes, all connected by an extraordinary network of 30 kilometres of navigable canals. Dubbed the “Venice of Spain”, most properties in Empuriabrava have their own private mooring, and the gentle throb of motorboats threading through the canal streets is the sound that defines the resort.
Located at the northern end of the Gulf of Roses, Empuriabrava sits beside a long, straight sandy beach and is flanked by two of the most rewarding natural areas in Catalonia: the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà wetland nature reserve to the north, and the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Empúries just a few kilometres south. For families who want a holiday that combines beach time, water sports and something genuinely different from the usual Spanish resort, Empuriabrava is hard to beat.
| Resort type | Residential marina, beach resort |
|---|---|
| Beach type | Long, straight, sandy |
| Nearest airport | Girona (GRO) — approx. 55 min |
| Best for | Families, water sports, nature |
| Marina | Europe’s largest residential marina |
| Nightlife | Moderate — marina restaurants and bars |
| Average July high | 28 °C |
| Season | May – October |
Empuriabrava’s marina is officially the largest residential marina in the world, covering around 770 hectares and containing over 5,000 moorings. The town was built from scratch in the 1960s and 70s on reclaimed marshland, with the canal network designed to give as many properties as possible direct water access. Today the marina is home to craft of all sizes, from small family dinghies and jet skis to ocean-going yachts that shelter here between Mediterranean passages.
The main marina basin in the heart of the resort is lined with restaurants, bars and shops — a pleasant place to sit for lunch with boats passing at eye level. The marina has excellent facilities for visiting boaters, including fuel pontoons, chandleries, boat hire, and sailing and powerboating tuition available from several established schools based here. Water taxi services operate on the canals in summer, giving a fun way to explore the wider network.
The town beach runs in a long straight line south of the marina for approximately 2 kilometres and is noticeably less crowded than the beaches of more popular resorts further south on the Costa Brava. The sand is fine and pale, the water is clear and the beach is backed by dunes and low scrub rather than the usual wall of hotels. It is an impressively natural-feeling stretch of coast for a resort of Empuriabrava’s scale.
The canals themselves are a genuinely unusual feature — you can rent small electric boats and spend a leisurely morning threading through the network, exploring residential areas and discovering quiet backwaters that most visitors never see. Canal-side restaurants are a feature of several side streets, and there is something of a continental holiday atmosphere to eating lunch on a terrace with a boat passing three metres away.
Empuriabrava is home to one of Spain’s most active skydiving centres — the Skydive Empuriabrava club operates tandem jumps throughout the season and is one of the largest civilian parachuting facilities in Europe. Watching the steady stream of skydivers land on the airfield next to the resort is a spectacle in itself, and for anyone who has always wanted to try a jump, this is one of the best facilities in the country to do it, with experienced English-speaking instructors.
The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà natural park, immediately north of Empuriabrava, is one of the most important wetland reserves in Catalonia and a crucial stopping point for migratory birds on the Mediterranean flyway. The park has several well-marked walking trails and observation hides where you can spot herons, egrets, flamingos, booted eagles and, during spring and autumn migration, rare waders and raptors. Entry to the park is free and it is accessible on foot from the edge of the resort.
Just 8 kilometres south, the ruins of Empúries (Greek: Emporion) represent one of the most significant archaeological sites in Spain — a Greek colony founded around 600 BC, later expanded by the Romans into a major port city. The site has extensive excavated areas including Greek temples, a Roman forum, baths and ampitheatre, and a well-curated museum containing statues, mosaics and everyday objects from the ancient settlement. The setting, on a low headland above the sea, is spectacularly atmospheric.
Water sports are plentiful in Empuriabrava. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are popular on the beach, where consistent tramontana winds provide reliable conditions for experienced riders. Kayaking, paddleboarding, jet-ski hire and wakeboarding lessons are all available from operators on the beach or in the marina. The Golf de Roses, a bay with generally calm water, is well-suited to beginner-level watersports with qualified instruction.
The nearest airport to Empuriabrava is Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), approximately 55 kilometres south and around 50–55 minutes by taxi or private transfer. Ryanair operates the largest schedule of UK flights into Girona, with seasonal and year-round routes from London Stansted, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and other regional airports. Shared shuttle services to Empuriabrava operate from the airport during peak season.
Perpignan Airport (PGF) in southern France is an alternative worth considering — it is approximately 80 kilometres north of Empuriabrava and around 1 hour 15 minutes by car via the A9 motorway. Ryanair also serves Perpignan from the UK, and the drive through the foothills of the Pyrenees is scenic. Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is around 2 hours south by car and is better suited to visitors who plan to spend time in Barcelona.
By road, Empuriabrava is clearly signposted from the AP-7 / E-15 motorway at the Empuriabrava-Castelló d’Empúries junction. Parking within the resort is limited in high season and the canal street layout can be confusing for first-time visitors, so GPS navigation is strongly recommended. A hire car is very useful for reaching the beaches, ruins and natural park that form Empuriabrava’s main day-trip circuit.
Empuriabrava’s accommodation stock is dominated by holiday apartments and private villas, many of which have direct canal access and private boat moorings. This makes the resort particularly popular with families and groups who want their own space, the flexibility of self-catering and the experience of staying in a waterfront property. High-quality canal-side villas with private pools are available through specialist villa holiday companies and local rental agencies.
The resort has a smaller number of hotels than most comparable Spanish beach destinations — accommodation here skews firmly towards self-catering. The hotels that do exist are primarily located close to the beach or near the main marina basin. Camping is also a popular option, with several large campsite complexes on the outskirts of the resort offering pitches, mobile homes and basic bungalows at more affordable prices.
UK tour operators including TUI, Jet2holidays and Olympic Holidays offer packaged accommodation in Empuriabrava, typically in apartment complexes within walking distance of the beach and marina. These packages include flights from regional UK airports and are often better value than booking independently, particularly for July and August.
Search4Sun compares Empuriabrava holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from regional airports across the UK. Whether you are looking for a canal-side villa with your own mooring, a family apartment near the beach, or an adventure-focused break combining skydiving with watersports, we can help you compare packages and find the right option at the right price.
Always check your booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Empuriabrava deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates. See also our Estartit holidays and Costa Brava holidays pages for more destinations nearby.
Empuriabrava lies at the northern end of the Costa Brava in the Alt Empordà plain, which is exposed to the tramontana — a strong, dry north wind that blows down from the Pyrenees, particularly in winter and spring. In summer the tramontana is much less frequent and the weather is predominantly hot, sunny and calm. July and August average 28–30 °C and the sea temperature in the Gulf of Roses reaches 24–26 °C, perfect for the marina resort’s water-based activities.
The tramontana can be both an asset and a challenge. When it blows (typically in gusts of 60–100 km/h), it effectively cleans the air to crystal clarity and can provide spectacular kitesurfing and windsurfing conditions. When it abates, the Gulf of Roses becomes flat and glassy — ideal for powerboating, paddleboarding and calm marina evenings. Visitors in spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) are most likely to encounter strong tramontana conditions, so check forecasts if exposed-air activities are central to your plans.
For most visitors, June to September is the ideal window. June has reliably warm weather with a longer shoulder period than the southern Costa Brava. September is excellent — the tramontana is usually quiet, the Gulf waters retain summer warmth and the marina restaurants are still fully operational. The Aiguamolls nature reserve is most rewarding for birdwatching during spring and autumn migration periods (April–May and August–October).
Empuriabrava is excellent for families who enjoy water-based activities and a bit more space than a typical resort. Canal boat hire, pedalo rides, kayaking and paddleboarding are all very accessible with children. The beach is long and uncrowded. The nearby Aiguamolls nature park adds birdwatching and walking options, and older children and teenagers tend to be captivated by the skydiving centre’s activity. The resort’s self-catering bias suits families well.
Empuriabrava’s marina is the largest residential marina in the world, with over 5,000 moorings connected by 30 kilometres of navigable canals. The main marina basin in the town centre is lined with restaurants and shops, and most properties in the resort have direct boat access from their garden or terrace. You can hire small electric boats and explore the canal network independently — it is one of the most distinctive holiday experiences on the Costa Brava.
Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) is the closest airport, around 55 kilometres south and approximately 50–55 minutes by transfer. Ryanair flies from many UK regional airports to Girona. Perpignan Airport in southern France is a slightly shorter drive (80km north) and also has Ryanair connections from the UK. Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is around 2 hours away and suits visitors who want to combine a city stay with their beach holiday.
Yes — Skydive Empuriabrava is one of Europe’s leading civilian parachuting centres and offers tandem jumps for complete beginners from altitudes of up to 4,300 metres. The jump includes a freefall of approximately 60 seconds before the parachute opens, followed by a scenic canopy flight with views over the Gulf of Roses and the Pyrenees. No experience is required for a tandem jump; the minimum age is 18. Advance booking is essential, especially in July and August.
Absolutely — the Greek and Roman ruins at Empúries are just 8 kilometres south of Empuriabrava and are considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain. A Greek trading colony established around 600 BC, later expanded into a substantial Roman city, the site has extensive excavated ruins, a beach-side setting and a very well-presented museum. Allow two to three hours for a thorough visit. Combined with the nearby medieval town of La Escala, it makes an excellent half-day excursion.
With its unique combination of canal living, watersports, wildlife and classical archaeology, Empuriabrava offers a genuinely distinctive holiday experience that is hard to find anywhere else on the Spanish coast — and one that rewards repeat visits as you gradually discover the quieter corners of the resort’s extensive canal network.
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