Overlooking the protected waters of Punta de la Lloi, El Port de la Selva is a Spanish town on the Costa Brava. Its cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses and backed by the rugged peaks of the Sierra de Rodes. In addition to its sun-drenched beaches, El Port de la Selva lies on the doorstep of a centuries-old Benedictine monastery.
Things to do in El Port de la Selva
Spend your days relaxing on Platja Gran, a wide stretch of sand where you can swim and sunbathe in the summer months. The surrounding coastline is popular with kayakers, windsurfers and water skiers and there are a handful of fishing spots. A walking trail connects west from Platja Gran to the picturesque cove of Platja d'en Taita.
A switchbacking road leads inland to the Monasterio de Sant Pere de Rodes, which is nestled below the now-ruined Castle of Sant Verdera. Designed across a series of terraces, this former Benedictine complex encompasses 12th-century cloisters and a Romanesque-style church, plus a square bell tower in a Lombardy-influenced style.
El Port de la Selva is an ideal base for visiting the Dalí Theatre-Museum, which is located in the artist’s hometown of Figueres. It was here that Salvador Dalí’s first art exhibitions were held and where he is laid to rest today. In addition to works from his personal collection, the museum exhibits paintings by El Greco, Marcel Duchamp and Antoni Pitxot.
Getting around El Port de la Selva
El Port de la Selva is around 40 minutes’ drive from Figueres and one hour from Girona. Girona–Costa Brava Airport is just over an hour away and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to El Port de la Selva while the town is compact enough to explore on foot.