Portbou, a city full of history

The maritime tradition of Portbou

Located in the northeast of the Alt Empordà region , this beautiful village enjoys a rich maritime and tourist tradition. The majestic landscapes of Portbou are an attraction with great value for lovers of navigation and nature .

Since ancient times, Portbou has been a fishing port and reference point for those traveling along the Mediterranean coast to the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Its transparent blue waters and the richness and diversity of its marine life, make Portbou a perfect place for diving, water sports and sport fishing .

The unique landscapes and beaches of Portbou

Portbou is surrounded by a coastline full of steep cliffs, cut by coves and small beaches with crystal clear waters that can be accessed on foot or by boat.

The rockiest areas are home to a rich marine fauna, which is why it has become one of the favorite destinations on the Costa Brava for fishing and diving . Its calm waters are the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the sun on hot summer afternoons.

Some of the best-known beaches and coves of Portbou in the area are the Tres Platgetes , Cala del Pi, Les Freses, Cala de Claper as well as Platja Gran and Platja Petita , located in front of the Portbou promenade.

Outdoor activities: hiking and sailing

The steep relief of the coast makes hiking one of the main attractions of Portbou . You can easily access the start of the Camino de Ronda ( GR-92) , which starts at the border with France and runs along the entire Mediterranean coast to reach Andalusia. The views you enjoy walking along this historic trail are truly breathtaking.

The marina , located in the south of the bay, is the northernmost in Catalonia . It has about 297 moorings , gas station, stranding ramp and repair services. The Portbou Nautical Club also offers a diving and sailing school, as well as boat rentals.

Portbou is the ideal place to buy a home if you are looking for the tranquility and serenity of the sea, and also if you want to be well connected with France and Spain at the same time.

Portbou, a town marked by history

The history of Portbou has always been closely linked to the sea and trade. Since its foundation in 1748, when the abbot of Sant Pere de Besalú obtained permission from King Carlos IV to populate the area, different historical episodes have left their mark on this small town located on the border between Spain and France.

Portbou train station

One of the most emblematic and renowned buildings in Portbou is its train station. It was inaugurated on January 20, 1878 with the commissioning of the section that connected Figueras with the French border. Years later, in 1929, the building of the passenger station was replaced by a wider one that lasts to this day.

The Neo-Gothic Church of Santa María and the sculptures by Frederic Marès

The Neo-Gothic church of Santa María was built by the Barcelona architect Joan Martorell i Monells in 1878. This religious building is the most important architectural work in the historic center and was commissioned by the railway company to give religious service to its workers. Due to the destruction it suffered during the Spanish Civil War, the sculptor Frederic Marès was commissioned to reconstruct all the images .

Walter Benjamin and his battle against oblivion

Due to its strategic location, Portbou was a place of passage for a large number of Spaniards during the Civil War who fled to the neighboring state of France. Years later, during World War II, many people would take the opposite path. All this traffic of people has left footprints on the streets and roads of Portbou.

One of the most remembered people in the town is the philosopher Walter Benjamin , who made the decision to end his life by being forced to return to France and be arrested by the Gestapo. In Portbou we can find the Memorial dedicated to Walter Benjamin and his work, remembering the hardships that those exiles had to go through during this tragic time.

How to get to Portbou

Portbou is an intimate, quiet and pleasant place, located near the border with France , next to Cap de Creus. The access to the town is quite easy thanks to its good railway connection, being for decades a vital enclave in the communications France - Spain.

How to get to Portbou by private vehicle

The road that reaches Portbou is the N-260 which takes you to Figueres and passes first through Llançà. The same road goes to France , Cerbère being the first village to be found after crossing the border, 15 minutes from Portbou.

How to get to Portbou by public transport

You can reach Portbou by train from Barcelona on the R11 line . The roads connect the municipality with the south of France and other cities in Spain such as Madrid or Zaragoza with just one transfer.

This same line offers the tourist train journey during the weekends from Figueres to Portbou. During the journey you can enjoy the landscapes of the interior of Girona until you reach the Costa Brava.

If you want to travel by bus to Portbou , leave two newspapers from Figueres station and take about 45 minutes to reach your destination.

Are you interested in buying a home in Portbou to enjoy a few months of vacation a year or to settle permanently? Contact our real estate agency in Portbou to find the flat, house or villa that best suits your needs.