TOURISM IN THE COSTA BRAVA

Empuriabrava

Empuriabrava or known as the Venice of the Costa Brava. Moreover, this is not surprising, because this city has 24km of navigable canals. Although we must admit that comparing this young city and Venice, with its centuries-old history and 300 km of canals, is a more than daring task ... But there is no doubt that with its charm this place deserves the privilege of being included in your travel itinerary.

The coastline on which Empuriabrava is located has a long history. There are more than 120 monuments of medieval architecture near the city. Empuriabrava borders the medieval city of Castelló d'Empúries, the oldest Greek settlement on the Iberian Peninsula. The first mention of the city dates back to 879 BC, and the oldest church in the city, the magnificent Gothic basilica of Santa Maria, is mentioned in 1007. In the old days, the local counts, in rivalry with the bishops of the neighboring region, erected this grandiose structure, trying to obtain from the Pope the episcopal dignity for Castelló de Empuries. However, the Pope refused, and the supposed temple remained a simple basilica, although very imposing.

Empuriabrava was built in 1967 on the territory of a natural park, in the heart of the largest cove of Roses on the Costa Brava. This is the largest residential area in Europe for yachts and private boats, a true paradise for boating enthusiasts. The two- and three-story villas are located along the banks of the canals, allowing their owners to step out to sea from their doorstep. The city's developed water infrastructure includes a marina with boat lifts, a gas station, yacht equipment stores, and gas stations. Empuriabrava is a unique resort on the Costa Brava.

It should be noted that Empuriabrava is by no means a Spanish city. Most of the population are high-level people from England, Germany, France and Italy.

The architecture is designed in a classic Mediterranean style. Most of the city is made up of beautiful private houses, and the main street is lined with restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and shops of a different profile. Life bustles from morning until late at night.

In Empuriabrava, the sun shines for almost 300 days a year, and the magnificent and wide sandy beach, several kilometers long, already at the end of May allows sunbathing and swimming, as well as practicing all kinds of water sports, such as like water skiing and motorbike, kayaking or sea fishing. The only thing that can spoil water recreation is the frequent strong winds that blow from the mountains, known as the "Tramontana wind", which can be quite strong and prolonged. Although surfers and boating enthusiasts are welcome. For city guests, there is the opportunity to rent a yacht or ride the many picturesque canals on an electric motor boat.

For your recreation at your service are: several tennis courts and miniature golf clubs, go-karts, bowling and numerous discotheques. There is also a sports club with a swimming pool and fitness equipment, that is, everything you need for an active holiday. Nearby there is a large water park, as well as a riding school offering horseback riding with lunch in one of the cozy rural restaurants. Empuriabrava is also known for the fact that here is located a very famous skydiving club in the world, which offers tandem jumps with an instructor from a height of 4000 meters and additional training. Here you can also book a plane ride.

15 km from the city is the Peralada Castle, built in the 14th century by the Viscounts of Rocabertí. It is a very exclusive place, in the castle you will find the casino and a spa center, where you can relax in a healing bath of young wine with grape seed pomace, and go to dinner at the restaurant. The chef Xavier Sagristà and the head of the room and sommelier Toni Gerez, after years of success in El Bulli and Mas Pau, have designed an offer of haute cuisine that reinterprets culinary tradition in a creative way and with avant-garde proposals based on the quality of the products of the Empordà, from the land to the Mediterranean.

By the way, the wines from Castillo de Peralada are deservedly popular among connoisseurs, thanks to the lands in which their vineyards grow, it allows Perelada to obtain grapes with a wide range of nuances. Some nuances with which he makes complex wines full of character!