For people who know Catalonia well, L'Escala is generally considered to be the best holiday resort in the Costa Brava.  It is perfect for families and independent holidaymakers who want to avoid the mass-market package resorts.  L'Escala has skillfully combined a traditional Spanish fishing town with holiday resort without becoming 'spoilt' and has created its own unique atmosphere.  Situated in the Alt Emporda district of the Girona region of Catalonia, the town also makes for an excellent base to discover the mostly unspoilt northern Costa Brava with it's beautiful beaches, traditional Spanish towns and villages, art, historic monuments, scenic countryside and nature parks including one of Spain's most important wild bird reserves which is situated a few miles to the north of town.  L'Escala has a population of around 6,000, so in the winter there is still plenty of life to it.  Of course during the busy summer months it swells to many times that amount.   The town is also renowned for its anchovies and ancient ruins of Empuries.

Beaches

The town is surrounded by blue flag beaches - the highest award possible in Spain.  It also proudly boasts to have the first no smoking beach in Spain.  At the northern end of the town next to the ancient ruins of Empuries are some of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches anywhere in Spain with lovely soft sand sloping into the clear water interspersed with some rocky parts that make for great snorkelling.  The beaches here are miles long and remarkably quiet.  In the town centre is the beach at Riell's which is popular with families with children, as it is large, gently sloping and next to lots of shops, restaurants cafe's and bars.  At the south side of town there is also the lovely sheltered beach at Montgo.

Distances from the villa

There are 3 large supermarkets, a few bars/restaurants and 2 popular clubs/discotheques within 5-10 minutes walk from the villa. 

One of the clubs attracts people from all over Emporda and beyond.

The old village still retains the character of a typical Spanish working town with its bustling narrow streets and good selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. There are two small, popular beaches in the old village that act as a focal point and add to the overall charm and atmosphere of the area.

Sports
The area boasts a wealth of facilities for sports enthusiasts, there are several quality Golf courses in the area including the excellent Emporda 27 hole course.  Cycling is very popular here, the area around L’Escala is flat, and the Pyrenees provide the inclines for the more serious riders.  Tennis, walking, horse riding, go - carting and fishing and other water sports such as kayaking, sailing and snorkelling are popular are catered for and there are several scuba diving centres. See the Activities page for more details.

For water sports enthusiasts the excellent beaches in the scenic coastline of L'Escala are a paradise for sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving.  There are many first class facilities provided, to enable you to participate in your favourite water sport, in the town - including instruction if required.

The Marina is pictured left with the beach at Riells in the background.  Comprehensive local sailing, yachting, instruction, fishing and weather information can be found at the 'Club Nautic L'Escala' click here to go to their website.