Empúries: Costa Brava Guide

By CostaMap · Published 22 June 2026 · last reviewed 10 August 2026
Researched and written by an AI editorial system, checked against primary sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.

Empúries is a Greco-Roman archaeological site beside the sea near L’Escala, preserving a Greek and later Roman town on the Costa Brava.

Region: Alt Empordà Province: Girona Type: Archaeological site Era: Greek & Roman Nearby: L’Escala

Why visit Empúries

Empúries is one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain, set right beside the sea near L’Escala on the northern Costa Brava. Founded by Greek traders and later expanded into a Roman town, it preserves the remains of both cities side by side — streets, houses, temples and mosaics spread across an open seafront site. Walking among the ruins with the Mediterranean as a backdrop gives a rare sense of the ancient coast. A small museum on site helps make sense of the layers of history.

Greek city

Founded by traders

Founded by Greek traders on the open seafront.

Roman town

Later expanded

Later expanded into a Roman town beside the Greek city.

Ruins

Streets & mosaics

Streets, houses, temples and mosaics spread across the site.

Seaside setting

Mediterranean backdrop

The ruins sit right beside the sea, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.

Museum

On site

A small on-site museum helps make sense of the layers of history.

Practical information

Getting there: beside the sea near L’Escala on the northern Costa Brava in Girona province; about 40 minutes by car from Girona–Costa Brava airport (GRO).
What to do: walk among the Greek and Roman ruins by the sea and visit the on-site museum.
Good to know: it is an open-air archaeological site; bring sun protection and water.
Best time to visit: spring or autumn for comfortable walking among the ruins.