The canals of Empuriabrava and Santa Margarida: the little Venice of the Costa Brava
Empuriabrava, with its network of 25 kilometers of navigable canals, is the largest residential marina in Europe. Located between the sea and the Aiguamolls Natural Park, the town nicknamed the “Venice of the Costa Brava” was transformed in the 1960s to offer an exceptional living environment for residents and tourists alike. With Immo Center, real estate specialist in Empuriabrava, find the perfect home on the banks of the marina canals.
The canal network of Empuriabrava
Empuriabrava is a residential marina, which today represents the largest achievement of its kind in the world with its 25 kilometers of navigable canals.
A visionary transformation in the 1960s
The history of the canals of Empuriabrava began in the 1960s, when real estate developers undertook an ambitious project of unprecedented scale, primarily aimed at German investors. They imagined transforming the marshy lands of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà into a modern lake city, inspired by Venetian canals but adapted to the needs of seaside tourism. Such a feat required considerable earthmoving and landscaping work: engineers successfully designed a system of interconnected canals, allowing navigation from the sea to the center of the residential town.
A unique residential marina on the Costa Brava
Empuriabrava owes its originality to its urban design, where each property has direct access to the canals. It is thanks to this particularity that the resort stands out from all other destinations on the Costa Brava. Residences are thus organized around the waterways, creating an urban landscape where boats and automobiles coexist, a feature that attracts international interest. Indeed, the possibility of mooring one’s boat in front of a secondary residence is an important criterion for many buyers looking for this type of house or apartment for sale in Empuriabrava or in the neighboring sectors of Roses and Santa Margarita.
Experiences to live: navigation and water activities on the canals
Renting boats without a license is the best way to explore the 25 km of navigable waterways in Empuriabrava. Local companies offer suitable boats that can accommodate from 4 to 8 people. These boats, speed-limited for safety reasons, allow families to navigate the canal network serenely. The accessible sectors are Port Mistral, residential canals, as well as the commercial zone, and it generally takes 1 hour for a full circuit.
For more experienced sailors, boat rental with a license opens up access to the natural sites of the Costa Brava. From the Empuriabrava marina, outings to the coves of Cap de Creus and the Medes Islands promise unforgettable swimming experiences. Be sure to consider weather conditions before setting out on an excursion to discover every corner of the “Venice of the Costa Brava” and its surroundings.
The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park
In addition to the canals of Empuriabrava, the region benefits from an incredible natural environment, notably with the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park. This protected wetland is one of the richest ecosystems in Catalonia, adding to the charm of properties located near the canals.
The Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park is home to extraordinary biodiversity. Lagoons, reed beds and wet meadows create a natural habitat for many migratory species, an ecological wealth that makes it a world-renowned bird-watching site for second home owners on the Costa Brava. In terms of activities, the park offers several discovery routes, including signposted walking trails (4 to 6 kilometers), cycling circuits and bird observation points.
Santa Margarita, linked to the canal network of Empuriabrava, also benefits from this proximity to the park. Properties located in these sectors see their value enhanced by this exceptional natural environment. Note that our expertise of the local territory allows us to identify the best-positioned properties to let you enjoy these natural assets, with direct access to the navigable canals.
Investing in real estate by the canals
Among the most sought-after properties, villas with direct access to the canals usually have a private mooring, allowing owners to moor their boat right in front of their home. They are perfect for people who want to fully enjoy life on the water, for family outings or for practicing water sports.
Some apartments, located on the canal bank, are ideal for enjoying a direct view of the water and a unique lifestyle to the rhythm of boats passing under the windows. For investors or future owners who would like to venture into buying apartments on the Costa Brava, there are building plots on the canal edge to design a custom property with direct access to the water.
In Empuriabrava, you will also find co-ownership properties with shared access to the canals, an economical solution for those who want to enjoy the benefits of life on the water without bearing all the costs. Indeed, it should be noted that some properties are part of residential complexes with private marinas and nautical clubs, offering additional services such as boat rental or spaces dedicated to water activities.
Why use the services of Immo Center Empuriabrava?
At Immo Center Empuriabrava, present in the real estate market since 1975, we stand out for the quality and diversity of the real estate services we offer on the Costa Brava, particularly in Empuriabrava, but also in Roses, Santa Margarita, Palau and L’Escala. Our agency offers you complete support for the purchase, sale and rental of all types of property: houses, apartments, bungalows, farmhouses, country houses, land, plots, commercial premises, etc.
Our team is able to assist you in several languages (French, English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Catalan, Italian and Russian), which facilitates exchanges and procedures for international clients. Whether it is to find a property corresponding to your criteria and budget, or to finalize a purchase while respecting all legal and administrative formalities, our agency does everything possible to make the process as simple as it is pleasant.
We work with multilingual lawyers who can translate contracts into your language and advise you on the best solutions for buying your property (in your own name, in usufruct, or via a Spanish or foreign company). We also offer full administrative support: obtaining a NIE number, registration of vehicles or yachts, management of water, electricity and telephone contracts, tax declarations, translation of official documents, etc.
In terms of rental and property management, we offer a full service to rent out your property when you are not occupying it, ensuring a good return on investment. With Immo Center Empuriabrava, you also benefit from maintenance services for your house, garden or pool, and the intervention of specialists who can monitor your property in your absence. Immo Center Empuriabrava is the trusted partner for all your real estate projects on the Costa Brava. If you want to know more or start a process, contact us from Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.