El Port de la Selva: A Charming Costa Brava Fishing Village
Tucked into a sheltered bay on the Costa Brava, El Port de la Selva feels like a well-kept secret. This small fishing village sits close to the French border. Whitewashed houses line the harbour, and painted boats bob on the water. Even so, the town is far from sleepy. Hikers, sailors and history fans all find plenty to enjoy here. Foodies and beach lovers will feel right at home too.
Best of all, it stays calm while nearby resorts fill up. You can stroll the seafront in peace, then eat fresh fish at a harbour-side table. Meanwhile, a mighty medieval monastery watches over the bay from the hills above.
In this guide, you will find the top sights, local festivals, places to stay and travel tips. So, grab a coffee and read on.
What to see and do
Start with the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. Buy tickets and skip the queue. This Benedictine giant stands about 520 metres above sea level. Written records of it date back to 878. Its Romanesque church and towers dominate the skyline. Better still, the views stretch across the Pyrenees, the Bay of Roses and Cap de Creus. Drive up from the village, then walk the last stretch. Summer concert tickets sell out quickly, so book ahead. Buy tickets and skip the queue.
Next, explore the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The village sits at its edge, so trails start almost at your door. The Camins de Ronda coastal path leads east to Cala Tamariua and Cap Mitjà . Alternatively, follow the GR92 west around the bay, past the Punta s’Arenella lighthouse. Bring sturdy shoes, water and a hat, because shade is scarce. History fans can also hunt for ancient dolmens along the trails.
Water lovers have plenty to do as well. The bay suits kayaking, sailing and paddleboarding. Windsurfers and kitesurfers head out when the tramuntana wind picks up. Afterwards, relax on Platja Gran, the town’s main beach, and watch the fishing boats return.
Do not skip the village itself. Wander along the harbour, where fishing boats still come and go. Next, pause at a terrace café for a coffee or a vermouth. Then follow the narrow lanes uphill for pretty views back over the water. The tourist office also hands out free walking maps.
You can also make easy day trips. Salvador DalÒs Theatre-Museum in Figueres is a surreal highlight. Buy tickets and skip the queue. Alternatively, head to Cadaqués and visit the Dalà House in Portlligat. Both places are popular, so pre-booking helps. Buy tickets and skip the queue.
Local festivals and traditions
El Port de la Selva knows how to celebrate. The biggest party is the Festa Major, which takes over the town for three days in early August. Fireworks light up Platja Gran, and bands play late into the night on the Passeig del Mar. Locals also dance the sardana, a traditional Catalan circle dance, in the Moll d’en Balleu square. Children get their own activities, so the whole family can join in.
Spring brings the Fira de l’Espà rrec, or Asparagus Fair. Organisers describe it as the only fair in Catalonia dedicated to wild forest asparagus. It falls on a Sunday in April, and the 2026 edition took place on 12 April. Families enjoy tastings, stalls and children’s activities, so it makes a lovely day out.
Music fans should visit in July or August. The Sant Pere de Rodes music festival fills the monastery church with piano and chamber music. The acoustics are superb. Some concerts also take place in the village itself, so you can enjoy the atmosphere without the climb.
Fishing shapes local life, and it shapes the menu too. Look for fresh fish, seafood rice dishes and local wine on harbour-side menus. In spring, try wild asparagus for a true taste of the region.
Where to stay
The town is small, so you can walk almost everywhere. Narrow streets and limited parking make walking the easiest way to get around. Even so, the area you pick shapes your trip. Choose wisely, and you will get far more from your visit.
First, consider the harbour and the Passeig del Mar. This is the liveliest part of town. Cafés, tapas bars and fish restaurants sit right on the water. You will hear some evening noise, but you will also step out to the best sunset views.
Alternatively, stay in the narrow streets behind the port. These lanes feel quieter and more traditional. Shops and bakeries are close, yet the seafront is only minutes away. Meanwhile, the streets near Platja Gran suit families, because the beach is right on your doorstep.
Finally, the hillsides above the village offer peace and wide bay views. You will need to walk uphill, though. Lodging options include hotels, apartments and campsites. Self-catering apartments give you extra space and a kitchen, which suits families and longer stays. Traditional fishermen’s cabins add a little variety. In July and August, book early, because the best places go fast. Book your accommodation.
How to get to El Port de la Selva
The nearest airports are Girona-Costa Brava Airport in Spain and Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport in France. Girona is roughly an hour away by road. Alternatively, fly into Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which offers many more routes. From there, allow about two hours to reach the village. You can also explore Barcelona before you travel on. Book flights.
Trains are a good option. Figueres has high-speed services from Barcelona and France. Alternatively, a local line runs to Llançà . Neither station is in the village, so you will need a bus or taxi for the last leg. Check trains and book.
Buses make that last leg easy. Sarfa’s line 30 links Figueres, Llançà and Portbou with El Port de la Selva. The ride from Figueres takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Buy tickets.
Taxis are another choice. A taxi from Girona airport takes about an hour. It costs more than public transport, though it saves you time.
Driving gives you the most freedom. Hiring a car is simple at all the airports. Hire a car. From Barcelona or Girona, take the AP-7 to Figueres. Then follow the N-260 to Llançà and the GI-612 to the village. The drive from Figueres takes about 30 minutes. Parking gets tight in August, so arrive early. Already in Spain? Get directions.
However you arrive, El Port de la Selva rewards the effort. Pack your walking shoes, and enjoy this quiet corner of the Costa Brava. Whether you come for a weekend or a week, you will leave with plenty of stories.