Empuriabrava Holidays: Beaches, Day Trips and Getting There
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 8,000 residents · on the coast
Empuriabrava sits almost exactly at sea level, just 2 metres up, on the Catalan coast in the Província de Girona. It is a small place of around 8,000 residents, and its appeal is straightforward: beaches, and plenty of them. Platja d'Empuriabrava lies barely half a mile from the centre, with Platja Petita d'Empuriabrava, Platja de la Rovina and Platja de Can Comes all within a short hop along the shore. For British travellers the access is a real advantage, as Girona airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom and is roughly 43 minutes away by car. Roses, Cadaqués and Figueres are all close enough for an easy afternoon out.
Why go
- Platja d'Empuriabrava is just over half a mile from the centre, ideal for family beach days.
- Girona airport, with direct UK flights, is only about 30 miles and 43 minutes' drive away.
- Roses is 3 miles away, with Cadaqués and Figueres both within about 9 miles.
Top sights in Empuriabrava
Four Beaches Within Easy Reach
The beach is the reason most people come. Platja d'Empuriabrava, the town's main strand in the municipality of Castelló d'Empúries, is about 0.6 miles from the centre and well suited to families. Platja de la Rovina, also in Castelló d'Empúries, is around 1.2 miles away, while Platja de Can Comes lies a little further at roughly 2.5 miles.
Closer in, Platja Petita d'Empuriabrava, the smaller of the town's beaches, is about 0.7 miles away and another sound choice with children. Because the town is flat and low-lying, most of these are comfortable to reach on foot or by bike.
If you would like to add something beyond the sand, tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
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Tours & tickets in Empuriabrava
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Empuriabrava can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Empuriabrava
Choosing a Base by the Sea
Empuriabrava is a coastal town of around 8,000 people, so the choice is less about old town versus seafront and more about how close you want to be to the beach. Staying near Platja d'Empuriabrava puts the main sands within a short walk, which suits families who want to come and go through the day.
The town itself is on the quieter side given its size. If you prefer a larger, livelier base, Roses, with over 19,000 residents, is only 3 miles away. Live hotel prices for Empuriabrava are shown on this page so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Empuriabrava and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 43 min away.
Best time to visit Empuriabrava
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive South
Girona (GRO) is the nearest airport, about 30 miles away and roughly 43 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona (BCN) also has direct UK flights; it is around 85 miles away, a drive of about two hours. Reus (REU), likewise served directly from the UK, is the furthest option at roughly 126 miles and close to three hours by road.
If you are bringing your own car, the drive from Calais takes around 14 hours. The port of Barcelona, about 78 miles away, runs ferries to the Balearics (Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza), to Italy (Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres) and to Morocco (Tangier Med and Nador), should you wish to extend the trip.
By air
- Girona (GRO)30 miles, about 43 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)85 miles, about 2 h by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)126 miles, about 2 h 59 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 3 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (78 miles).
Empuriabrava is good for
Around Empuriabrava
Easy Outings Along the Costa
Roses, just 3 miles away, is the closest and largest neighbour on the coast. Figueres, about 8 miles inland and home to over 46,000 people, is the biggest town nearby. Cadaqués, roughly 9 miles away, and the small village of el Port de la Selva, around 7.5 miles off with fewer than 1,000 residents, both make rewarding coastal outings.
Further afield, Verges lies about 13 miles away and Torroella de Montgrí around 14 miles. Pals, at roughly 19 miles, and Banyoles, about 20 miles inland, round out a good choice of trips within half an hour or so of driving.
Tips from Robin
Practical Pointers Before You Go
With Girona airport around 43 minutes away and most day trips spread between 3 and 20 miles, car hire makes life much easier, especially if you plan to explore Cadaqués, Pals or Banyoles.
The town is flat and sits just 2 metres above sea level, so walking or cycling to the beaches is easy for all ages. As a small town of around 8,000 residents, it is worth knowing that Figueres and Roses are the larger centres close by if you need more choice.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Empuriabrava?
Girona (GRO) is the closest, about 30 miles away and roughly 43 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making it the most convenient choice for most British travellers heading to Empuriabrava.
Can I fly into Barcelona for Empuriabrava?
Yes. Barcelona (BCN) has direct flights from the United Kingdom and is around 85 miles from Empuriabrava, about two hours by car. Reus (REU) is another direct option, though it is further at roughly 126 miles and nearly three hours' drive.
Is Empuriabrava good for a family beach holiday?
It is well suited to families. Platja d'Empuriabrava is just over half a mile from the centre, Platja Petita d'Empuriabrava about 0.7 miles away, and Platja de la Rovina around 1.2 miles. The flat, sea-level setting makes them easy to reach with children.
How long does it take to drive to Empuriabrava from Calais?
The drive from Calais to Empuriabrava takes around 14 hours. Many British travellers break the journey with an overnight stop, and having your own car is useful once there for day trips to Roses, Figueres and Cadaqués.
What are the best day trips from Empuriabrava?
Roses is only 3 miles away, Figueres about 8 miles and Cadaqués roughly 9 miles. El Port de la Selva, Verges and Torroella de Montgrí are all within 14 miles, while Pals and Banyoles are around 19 to 20 miles away.