The natural park Aiguamolls (Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà) is situated in a hollow between the estuaries of Muga and Fluvià in the Costa Brava, occupying 4730 hectares, 825 of which are conservation areas.
The park could have been a town with a race track and a golf course, a twin brother of Empuriabrava, if the development of a “useless bog”, begun in 1975, hadn’t been crushed by the opposition from locals, environmentalists and the community at large. In 1983, the park received official protection from the state.
The main treasure of Aiguamolls is birds. Biologists count 338 bird species here, 82 out of which regularly make the conservation area their nesting grounds. Mid-April to early May is the ideal time for a visit, as both the number of birds and the species present go up during the active bird migration period. Some of the remarkable creatures spotted at Aiguamolls include pink flamingo, white stork, common kingfisher, purple heron, red-throated pipit, lesser grey shrike, and so many more.
Mammals and reptiles are also represented well in the Aiguamolls wetland, such as otters, red foxes, fallow deer, wild boars, aquatic turtles, marble newts, and the Mediterranean painted frogs.
The Aigumolls park has 14 observatories for getting up close to the animals without scaring them away.
Visitor information
Phone: +34 972 454 222
E-mail: pnaiguamolls@gencat.cat
Driving from Barcelona, select the village Sant Pere Pescador as the GPS destination, then follow the signs for Aiguamolls.
Upon entering the park, you will find yourself in the area called El Cortalet where you may access the information centre, picnic zones, parking and washrooms. El Cortalet is the starting point for all trails and hiking routes in Aiguamolls.
Information centre opening hours:
01/04-30/09: 09:30-2:00 pm and 4:30-7:00 pm
01/10-31/03: 09:30-2:00 pm and 3:30-6:00 pm
Closed on December 25-26, January 1 and 6.
You may get around the park on foot or by bicycle (select routes).
