Barcelona Airport to Cadaqués, Roses and Empuriabrava

The far end of the Costa Brava

Lloret, Tossa and Blanes are the Costa Brava most package travellers know. Beyond Girona the coast changes: whitewashed Cadaqués on the Cap de Creus peninsula, the long bay of Roses, the canals of Empuriabrava and the Greek ruins at L'Escala. Driving time from Barcelona Airport is 2 hours to Roses and Empuriabrava, around 2 hours 15 to L'Escala and roughly 2 hours 30 to Cadaqués, because the final 15 km climb over the Serra de Rodes on a narrow winding road.

Why public transport rarely works up here

Reaching Cadaqués without a car means an airport connection into Barcelona, a train to Figueres, then a regional bus that runs a handful of times a day and takes a further hour over the pass. Miss one link and the day is gone. A door-to-door private transfer removes four changes and keeps your luggage in one boot from arrivals to the front door.

What each town is good for

Cadaqués is small, arty and expensive, with Salvador Dalí's house at Portlligat a short walk away. Roses has the big sandy beaches and family hotels. Empuriabrava is built around navigable canals, so many holiday homes have a mooring at the door. L'Escala pairs quiet coves with the archaeological site of Empúries. Book ahead in July and August: parking in Cadaqués is severely limited, which is another reason to be dropped off rather than drive.

Practical notes before you book

Give us the exact address, not just the town: in Empuriabrava the canal-side streets are a maze and in Cadaqués many houses are only reachable on foot from the nearest square. Long transfers are quoted as one fixed price for the vehicle, with flight monitoring included, and we can build in a short comfort stop on request. Ready to travel? Message us on WhatsApp with your flight details and we will confirm a private transfer to the northern Costa Brava the same day.

Frequently asked questions