National park · Spain
Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera
Visit the park for a day hike: start at the Espolla visitor office, walk the 6 km (3.7 mi) Requesens loop (medium) before noon, or tackle the 9 km (5.6 mi) Faig de la Pedra (hard) in spring or autumn; entry fee €5–10 per adult.Visit the park for a day hike: start at the Espolla visitor office, walk the 3.7 mi (6 km) Requesens loop (medium) before noon, or tackle the 5.6 mi (9 km) Faig de la Pedra (hard) in spring or autumn; entry fee €5–10 per adult.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
42 km² (16 sq mi)16 sq mi (42 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Spain
- Area
- 42 km² (16 sq mi)16 sq mi (42 km²)
- 4,207 ha (42.07 km²) across two sectors: Requesens-Baussitges and Sant Quirze de Colera-Balmeta.
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera covers the easternmost Pyrenean foothills in Alt Empordà, a transition zone from wet beech forests to dry Mediterranean scrub. The park protects the last Iberian populations of the Mediterranean turtle, over 200 bird species and a dense concentration of Neolithic dolmens. Its two sectors – Requesens-Baussitges in the west and Sant Quirze de Colera-Balmeta in the east – offer hiking from easy loops to the 9 km Faig de la Pedra climb to Puig Neulós (1,246 m). The Romanesque Monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera and the megalithic sites are the main cultural draws. Entry costs €5–10 per adult, paid at the Espolla visitor office.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1986Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional (PNIN) under Catalan law.
Size and age
42 km² (16 sq mi)16 sq mi (42 km²) · national park since 1986
4,207 ha (42.07 km²) across two sectors: Requesens-Baussitges and Sant Quirze de Colera-Balmeta.
Why go
- Diverse habitats from Pyrenean beech woods to Mediterranean oak scrub.
- Rich cultural landscape with Romanesque monasteries and prehistoric dolmens.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow in high passes.
- FebCold, trails may be icy.
- MarMild, wildflowers appear.
- AprPleasant temps, low rain.
- MayWarm, dry, ideal for long hikes.
- JunHeat rises, thunderstorms possible.
- JulHigh temps, fire risk.
- AugHot, occasional storms.
- SepCooler, dry, good visibility.
- OctMild, fewer crowds.
- NovCool, occasional rain.
- DecCold, limited daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean turtleApr–Sep · Rare, found in wet lowland ponds. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Over 200 bird speciesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mammals (44 species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Girona Airport (GRO)
Bus to Figueres, then train to Figueres station, then local bus or taxi to Espolla visitor office (≈30 km (19 mi)).Bus to Figueres, then train to Figueres station, then local bus or taxi to Espolla visitor office (≈19 mi (30 km)).
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Figueres train station
Local bus (L-260) to La Jonquera, then taxi to Espolla (≈15 km (9.3 mi)).Local bus (L-260) to La Jonquera, then taxi to Espolla (≈9.3 mi (15 km)).
45 min
Open the page →
From Barcelona
High‑speed train to Figueres, then bus/taxi as above.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Espolla Visitor Office | Ticket sales, information desk, maps and basic facilities. | Open daily 9:00–18:00 (check).Open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (check). |
| Requesens‑Baussitges sector | Wet highland forests, beech stands, lake trails. | Open to public; stay on marked paths. |
| Sant Quirze de Colera‑Balmeta sector | Mediterranean oak shrubland, monastery, dolmens. | Open; some cultural sites have limited hours. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the protected area (approximate).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | EUR 5–10 (≈ US$6–12) | person | Ticket sold at the Espolla visitor office; children under 12 free (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated barbecue areas only.
- Stay on trails
- Off‑trail walking may damage sensitive habitats.
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on marked paths only.
- Camping
- Only in designated refuges or villages; wild camping forbidden.
Where to stay
In the park
Refugi del Coll de Banyuls
Mountain refuge with dormitory beds, basic kitchen.
In the park
Refugi de la Tanyareda
Simple shelter, self‑catering.
Near the park
Local villages (Espolla, Rabós, Peralada)
Guesthouses and small hotels.
Safety
Heat and steep climbs medium
Sudden thunderstorms in summer medium
Limited mobile coverage low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor office reachable by car with parking.
- Short, easy loops near Espolla suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile habitats.
- Use refillable water bottles; no single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera?
Entry costs between €5 and €10 per adult; children under 12 enter free. Tickets are sold at the Espolla visitor office.
What are the best hikes in Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera?
Popular routes include the 6 km Requesens loop (moderate), the 9 km Faig de la Pedra (hard), and the short 2 km trail to Sant Quirze de Colera monastery (easy).
When is the best time to visit Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera?
Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather, low crowds and good trail conditions.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on marked paths but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Can I camp wild in the park?
No. Camping is only allowed in designated refuges or in nearby villages.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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