National park · Spain
Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural ParkParc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter
Entry to the land park is free; pay only for the Medes boat (from €25) or a dive. Walk the Camí de Ronda cliffs in Apr–Jun or Sep–Oct, and start before 9:00 in summer.Entry to the land park is free; pay only for the Medes boat (from €25) or a dive. Walk the Camí de Ronda cliffs in Apr–Jun or Sep–Oct, and start before 9:00 AM in summer.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
8,192 km²3,163 sq mi
approximate
Established
2010
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 8,192 km²3,163 sq mi
- About 8,192 ha total, including roughly 2,037 ha of marine area (check).
- Established
- 2010
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park packs three different landscapes into one stretch of the Costa Brava: the bare limestone massif between L'Escala and L'Estartit, the Medes archipelago offshore, and the marshes where the Ter river meets the sea near Torroella de Montgrí. The land side is free to walk — the Camí de Ronda cliff path is the reason to come — while the sea side is the paid part: a boat out to the islets from l'Estartit, or a guided dive in a marine reserve that has been protected since 1990 and was listed as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance in 2001. The park as a single entity dates from 2010, when the three protected areas were unified; the wetlands and the massif are also part of the Terres de l'Ebre? No — they sit inside the Empordà plain, and the Baix Ter marshes are a stopover on the Mediterranean migration route. Crowds concentrate in July and August and in the coves reachable by car; the cliffs stay quiet if you start early.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of the Terres de l'Ebre? No — the Medes seabed is a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (ZEPIM), listed 2001 (check).
Size and age
8,192 km²3,163 sq mi · national park since 2010
About 8,192 ha total, including roughly 2,037 ha of marine area (check).
Why go
- Three landscapes in one park: the Montgrí limestone massif, the Medes marine reserve and the Baix Ter wetlands.
- The Camí de Ronda cliff path between L'Escala and L'Estartit is the best free walk on this coast.
- The Medes Islands are one of the Mediterranean's top scuba and snorkel sites, with posidonia meadows and big protected fish.
- The Baix Ter marshes are a major stopover for migrating birds, with 189 species recorded.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, quiet; some rain
- FebCool, clear spells
- MarMild; birds moving through
- AprWarm, green, few crowds
- MayWarm; sea swimmable
- JunWarm; beaches fill at weekends
- JulHot and busy; book dives and boats
- AugPeak crowds and heat
- SepWarm sea, thinner crowds
- OctMild; wettest month, some rain
- NovCool, quiet
- DecMild, often clear
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migrating and wetland birds (herons, egrets, seabirds)Mar–May, Sep–Nov · 189 species recorded in the park; the Baix Ter marshes are a key stopover. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Peregrine falcons and shags on the cliffsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Posidonia meadows and reef fish (grouper, sea bream, octopus)May–Oct · Best visibility for diving and snorkelling. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bottlenose and striped dolphins offshoreMay–Sep · Seen occasionally from boats; not guaranteed. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Barcelona
AP-7 to exit 5 (Orriols), then the GI-623 to L'Escala; or C-66 and GI-641 to L'Estartit.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Girona
Bus (AMPSA) from Girona station to L'Escala or L'Estartit; or drive the C-31 and GI-641.
1–1.5 h
From Girona–Costa Brava Airport
Car or taxi to the park; about 50 km.Car or taxi to the park; about 31 mi.
45–60 min
From Barcelona El Prat Airport
Car via the AP-7; about 100 km.Car via the AP-7; about 62 mi.
1.5–2 h
From Costa Brava plan
Where to base, and how the park fits a coast itinerary.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Montgrí massif | Limestone plateau and cliffs between L'Escala and L'Estartit, with the Camí de Ronda and the castle of Montgrí. | Open; free; walking and MTB. |
| Medes Islands marine reserve | Seven islets and reefs with posidonia meadows, coralligenous walls and caves. | Restricted; boat trips and authorised diving only. |
| Baix Ter wetlands | Marshes and the Ter river mouth between L'Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí. | Open; walking and birdwatching; some hides. |
Sketch map
- 1L'Estartit · Town≈42.053, 3.205Map ↗
- 2L'Escala · Town≈42.123, 3.131Map ↗
- 3Torroella de Montgrí · Town≈42.042, 3.130Map ↗
- 4Montgrí castle · Summit≈42.050, 3.130Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Medes Islands · Dive site≈42.050, 3.220Approximate centre of the archipelago.Map ↗
- 6Cala Montgó · Beach≈42.108, 3.166Map ↗
- 7Gola del Ter · Trail≈42.020, 3.189River mouth and wetland access.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land park entry (Montgrí massif, Baix Ter wetlands) | Free | person | No entry fee for the land areas (check). |
| Medes Islands boat trip (glass-bottom or standard) | EUR 25–40 | person | From l'Estartit; 2026 estimate. |
| Guided dive at the Medes marine reserve | EUR 45–90 | person | Two-tank trips cost more; 2026 estimate. |
| Kayak or SUP rental from l'Estartit | EUR 15–35 | person | Half-day; 2026 estimate. |
| Parking at l'Estartit port | EUR 0–10 | day | Paid; beach and Gola del Ter car parks are free (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Land park entry no permit
Medes Islands landing permit or guide
Diving in the Medes marine reserve permit or guide
Park rules
- Medes Islands landing
- Do not land on the islets; boats moor offshore and only authorised divers enter the water (check).
- Diving limits
- Dive only with an authorised centre; the reserve caps daily diver numbers and some zones are closed.
- Fishing
- Fishing is banned or restricted in the marine reserve; check current zones before you go.check
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park authorities (check).check
- Fires and litter
- No fires; carry out all rubbish; keep to marked paths on the cliffs.
Where to stay
Near the park
L'Estartit
Main base for the Medes boats, diving and the wetlands; hotels, apartments and campsites.
Near the park
L'Escala
North end of the massif; good for the Camí de Ronda and Cala Montgó.
Near the park
Torroella de Montgrí
Inland town under the castle; handy for the Baix Ter and the Montgrí climb.
Safety
Heat and exposure on the cliff path medium
Rough, unmarked sections on the cliffs medium
Tramuntana wind and sea state medium
Diving risks in the reserve low
Accessibility
- L'Estartit port, the beachfront and the Baix Ter hides are reachable on flat ground with short walks.
- The Camí de Ronda cliffs and the Montgrí summit are rough and steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not land on or approach the Medes islets; keep distance from seabird colonies.
- Choose dive and boat operators that follow reserve rules and do not anchor on posidonia.
- Use the free beach and Gola del Ter car parks and walk or cycle where you can.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park?
The land areas — the Montgrí massif and the Baix Ter wetlands — have no entry fee. You pay only for the Medes Islands boat trip (from about €25) or a guided dive (from about €45). Parking at l'Estartit port is paid; the beach and Gola del Ter car parks are free.
What are the best hikes in Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park?
The Camí de Ronda cliff path between L'Escala and L'Estartit is the standout walk (4–6 hours one way, rough and exposed). The climb to Montgrí castle from Torroella de Montgrí is easier (1.5–2 hours). The Baix Ter wetlands have flat paths for birdwatching.
When is the best time to visit Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park?
April to June and September to October: mild, clear and quieter. July and August are hot and crowded, and October is the wettest month. Winter is mild and good for walking and birdwatching.
Can you visit the Medes Islands?
You can circle them by boat from l'Estartit, but landing on the islets is not allowed for the public. Diving is permitted only with an authorised centre, and the reserve limits daily diver numbers.
Do I need a permit or guide?
No permit for the land park. For diving in the Medes marine reserve you must book with an authorised dive centre in l'Estartit. Boat trips need no permit but should be booked ahead in summer.
How do I get to the park?
Fly to Girona–Costa Brava (about 50 km) or Barcelona El Prat (about 100 km). Buses run from Barcelona and Girona to L'Escala, Torroella de Montgrí and L'Estartit. By car, use the AP-7 exit 5 or the C-31 and GI-641.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go