Empúries
L'Escala, Spain
Ruins of a Greek colony and a later Roman town, laid out beside a quiet bay on the Costa Brava. Walk down to the sea past mosaics and the old harbour; summer afternoons are hot, so go in the morning.
Empúries, near L'Escala, began as a Greek foundation: around 575 BC settlers from Phocaea established themselves on an offshore island (Palaiapolis), and around 550 BC the Neapolis was added on the mainland. In the 1st century BC a planned Roman town was built alongside, later merging with the Greek one into a single community. You can see Greek walls, towers and gates, the agora, temple remains for Asclepius and Serapis, and the Roman forum, houses with mosaics, baths and an amphitheatre.
Harbour structures and burial grounds also survive. So far only about a fifth of the Roman town has been excavated. The site is run by the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya and has been on Spain's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage since 2002 (as of October 2026). The site lies right on the bay; summer afternoons are hot, so a morning visit is a good idea.
- Nearest town
- L'Escala, Spain
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 42.1349, 3.1190
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Las Dunas Camping BungalowparkCampsite3 km from EmpúriesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Illa Mateua Camping ResortCampsite5 km from EmpúriesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Las PalmerasCampsite6 km from EmpúriesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Càmping EstartitCampsite11 km from EmpúriesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- L'EmpordàCampsite11 km from EmpúriesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterDogs allowed
- Joncar MarCampsite15 km from EmpúriesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Empúries?
Empúries is in L'Escala, Spain, at GPS 42.1349, 3.1190. It is about 15 km from Roses.
Can you camp near Empúries?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Càmping L'Escala, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 66 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Empúries?
Places worth a stop nearby: Dalí Theatre-Museum (20 km), Cap de Creus (26 km), Girona Old Town (29 km) and Besalú (36 km).
When is the best time to visit Empúries?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)