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Voykit pocket guide · Spain
El Port de la Selva
Stay 2 nights: one full day for Sant Pere de Rodes and the Cap de Creus coves, one for the beach and the Camí de Ronda. A car helps; bus frequency is limited (check).
El Port de la Selva is a small fishing town of about 990 people on the northern Costa Brava, beside Cap de Creus Natural Park. Its bay, working harbour and long town beach make a quiet coastal base; the Romanesque monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes stands in the surrounding hills. Two nights allow time for the town, beach and monastery; add a night for hiking or diving.
- Country
- Spain
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–early Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (busy); winter services may be limited (check)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, including tapas bars and taxis in the cities.
- Daily spend
- Budget €60–90 excl. bed · Mid €90–150 excl. bed · High €150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.
- Emergency
- All services 112 · National police 091 · Guardia Civil 062
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Bar or café: Leave small change or nothing.; Restaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro.; Hotel porter: €1–2 a bag.; Guide on a free walking tour: €10–15 a person is the expected payment.
- Water
- Tap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas. Ask for 'agua del grifo' in restaurants — by law since 2025 they must offer it free (check local application).
- Toilets
- Few public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee). Stations and shopping centres have free or cheap toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 2026 estimate: €1.50–2.50 |
| Menu del dia (weekday lunch) | 2026 estimate: €14–22 |
| Beer: draught / supermarket can | 2026 estimate: €2.50–4 / €0.80–1.50 |
| Dive or boat trip | 2026 estimate: €40–70; check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | 2026 estimate: €10–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GRO · Girona-Costa Brava
- About 1 h 15 min by car via the AP-7 and N-260; bus links are limited.
- PGF · Perpignan–Rivesaltes (France)
- About 1 h 15 min by car across the border; useful for French arrivals.
Typical fares
- Bus Llançà ↔ El Port de la Selva
- Fare and journey time: check current operator information.
- Rental car, one day
- 2026 estimate: €45–120; check.
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town beach, harbour and central streets are close together. A bus connects El Port de la Selva with Llançà, Figueres and Portbou; check current timetables. For the monastery and more remote Cap de Creus coves, arrange a car, taxi or hike. Parking areas are listed around town; fees and availability: check.
See and do
Known for
- Sant Pere de Rodes monastery
- Cap de Creus Natural Park
- Platja de la Ribera
- Camí de Ronda coastal path
- Diving and sailing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sant Pere de Rodes monastery | Go by car or taxi; the monastery is in the hills above town. Public transport: check. | Travel time: check |
| Cadaqués | Drive via the coastal and Cap de Creus roads; public transport: check. | Travel time: check |
| Figueres | Take the bus or drive via the N-260; check current connections. | Travel time: check |
| Llançà | Take the bus or drive along the GI-612; check current schedules. | Travel time: check |
Sleep
- Town centre and harbour
- Walk to the harbour, town beach and local restaurants.
- Platja de la Ribera promenade
- Beachfront setting beside the town's main beach and promenade.
- Campsites outside the centre
- Several campsites are listed on the roads toward Llançà, La Vall and Cadaqués; check seasonal opening and transport.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| Thank you | GràciesGRAH-see-es |
| The bill, please | El compte, si us plauel KOM-tuh, see oos plow |
| How much is it? | Quant costa?kwant KOS-tah |
| Can I pay by card? | Puc pagar amb targeta?pook pah-GAR um tar-ZHEH-tah |
| Where is the beach? | On és la platja?on es lah PLAH-jah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Two kisses on the cheek (right then left) between friends and when introduced socially; handshake in business; avoid: Being stiff — Spaniards stand close and touch arms
- Meal times: Late lunch and dinner; long sobremesa (chat after eating); avoid: Rushing to leave or asking for the bill with the last bite
- Noise: Join in the lively conversation; avoid: Reading loud voices as anger
- Siesta hours: Keep noise down in residential buildings 15:00–17:00 and after 23:00; avoid: Phone calls to people at lunch time
- Dress: Smart casual in cities; locals rarely wear shorts in Madrid in town; avoid: Swimwear or bare torsos away from the beach
- Regional pride: Ask about local dishes and festivals; avoid: Assuming Catalan or Basque are dialects of Spanish
Scams and watch-outs
- The north wind can affect comfort on exposed coastal paths and the water; check conditions before setting out.
- Check seasonal opening dates for accommodation, restaurants and boat activities before a winter visit.
- Cap de Creus paths are rocky and exposed; carry water and wear sturdy shoes.
- No bus to Sant Pere de Rodes is confirmed here; arrange transport or check the walk before setting out.
A very safe small town; the real risks are the Tramuntana wind, cold water, rocky Cap de Creus paths and seasonal closures. Keep valuables out of sight at the beach and use 112 for anything urgent.
One and two days
No timed day plan for El Port de la Selva yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sant Pere de Rodes monastery
- Cap de Creus Natural Park
- Platja de la Ribera
- Camí de Ronda coastal path
- Diving and sailing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Port de la Selva Marina: www.cnps.cat/
- Wikivoyage: El Port de la Selva, revision 5207691 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5207691
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/el-port-de-la-selva). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.