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EnglishWhy buy in Empuriabrava
- Location: Empuriabrava belongs to the municipality of Castelló d'Empúries, in the province of Girona in Catalonia, on the Bay of Roses. It is described as one of the largest residential marinas in Europe, built around canals lined with villas with private moorings.
- Getting there: the resort is about 30 km from the French border and an hour's drive from Perpignan. Figueres station is 20 minutes away, Girona airport less than an hour and Barcelona airport about two hours.
- Activities: sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing, diving and licence-free boat hire on the canals. On land, the Muga River Nature Trail runs for 40 kilometres from the beach; the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà nature park is 10 minutes away and the Aquabrava water park in Roses has 19 attractions.
- Visitors and market: the town welcomes up to 80,000 visitors in the first half of August, which supports holiday rentals. Despite recent rises, prices remain lower than across the border on the French Mediterranean coast.
- Key point: the cost of living is lower than in much of northern Europe.
Thousands of foreign buyers have chosen to invest on the Costa Brava, and more specifically to invest in Empuriabrava.
Whether for a main home, a second home or a buy-to-let investment, more and more properties are being bought there.
Nicknamed the Venice of Spain and the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Empuriabrava is one of the largest and most beautiful residential areas in Europe. Located on the Costa Brava, on one of the most beautiful bays in the world, the Bay of Roses, it belongs to the municipality of Castelló d'Empúries in the province of Girona, Catalonia.
For anyone looking to buy property, this charming and lively seaside resort is the ideal choice.
Mediterranean climate
Like other Spanish towns, Empuriabrava enjoys a pleasant climate: hot summers, mild winters and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. These are ideal conditions for living there all year round, and especially for a summer holiday home.
Easy to reach from the rest of Europe and Spain's major cities
Whether by plane, train or car, getting to Empuriabrava could not be simpler.
- By car, Empuriabrava is about 30 km from the French border and 1 hour from Perpignan.
- Figueres station, just 20 minutes away, gives access to several major Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, among others.
- Girona airport is less than an hour from Empuriabrava and Barcelona airport about 2 hours away.
Visiting family or friends, or having them to stay, will never be a problem.
The Venice of Spain
There is a good reason why Empuriabrava is nicknamed the Venice of Spain or the Pearl of the Mediterranean! Its beautiful canals, its magnificent villas with private moorings, its superb yachts moored in front of luxury villas, its lovely beaches and clear waters, not to mention its unusual little streets, make it an exceptional place. Just 10 minutes' drive away, you can also enjoy the stunning scenery of the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà nature park (Marismas del Ampurdán in Spanish).
A wide range of activities
Activities at sea
As well as swimming, Empuriabrava offers plenty of water sports, such as sailing, windsurfing, surfing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, jet skiing, water skiing and diving. You can also hire a boat without a licence to explore Empuriabrava's canals.
Activities on land
The more active can cycle the Muga River Nature Trail, a 40-kilometre path along the coast that starts from Empuriabrava beach. Cultural heritage lovers can visit the parish museum, which houses unique silverware and religious objects from the 13th to the 18th century.
6 kilometres from Empuriabrava, you can explore the old Jewish quarter and the basilica of Castelló d'Empúries, known as the Cathedral of the Empordà (one of the most important religious monuments in the province of Girona).
Activities for children
- Butterfly Park is a 1,000 m² garden that is home to many animals and insects.
- Carmansó Minigolf offers many inflatable activities in the sea, a few metres from the beautiful Platja d'Empuriabrava.
- The Aquabrava water park is 10 minutes from Empuriabrava, in the neighbouring town of Roses, and has 19 water attractions.
Food
In many of Empuriabrava's restaurants, you can enjoy:
- Spanish specialities: paella, salmorejo, fideuà and gazpacho, among others.
- Catalan specialities: escalivada, Palamós prawns, fideu and crema catalana, among others.
- Fresh seafood, with a good DO Empordà wine and the classic Spanish tapas.
Easy to settle in
Even if you speak neither Catalan nor Spanish, it does not matter much, as Spanish is a relatively easy language to learn. In Empuriabrava, you will also find many international residents and visitors, especially in summer.
Safety
Safety and peace and quiet are hallmarks of the town. There is no doubt that in Empuriabrava (as in the whole country), life is good in summer and winter alike.
Plenty of facilities
In Empuriabrava, you will find everything you need to live or enjoy a pleasant holiday: supermarkets, shops, pharmacies, schools, banks, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and more.
Low cost of living
Another advantage of buying a home in Empuriabrava is the cost of living, which is lower than in much of northern Europe. Food and everyday essentials, public transport, clothing, leisure, eating out: most things are more affordable.
A good buy-to-let investment
Thanks to its many assets (climate, activities, beaches, scenery), Empuriabrava attracts up to 80,000 visitors in the first half of August. If you buy an apartment, a house or a villa with a mooring in Empuriabrava, you can almost certainly rent it out for most of the year and get a return on your investment.
The property market
Despite price rises in recent years, property prices in Empuriabrava remain attractive compared with those across the border on the French Mediterranean coast. There is also a very wide choice: apartments, houses, villas with pools, luxury villas with moorings, so there is something for every taste and budget. As you will have gathered, buying a property in Empuriabrava to spend a few months there, settle for good or rent it out is a good choice.
If you would like support with your project, we invite you to contact the property finders at Alveo Search.
Thomas Rouer is the founder of Alveo Search and the CEO of the Alveo group. Based in Spain for almost ten years, he develops property services designed for the specific needs of foreign buyers.
His expertise covers every aspect of buying property in Spain: understanding the market, searching for and selecting properties, negotiation, financing, paperwork, tax and securing the purchase process.
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