Empordà, Mediterranean essence for living and investing
47 listings
Sold by BARNES Emporda - Costa Brava
Sold by BARNES Emporda - Costa Brava
Sold by BARNES Emporda - Costa Brava
Sold by BARNES Emporda - Costa Brava
Sold by BARNES Emporda - Costa Brava
Living in the Empordà
Spanning the Baix and Alt Empordà, the region combines the Costa Brava with a hinterland of cereal fields, olive groves, vineyards and historic villages such as Peratallada, Pals, Monells and Madremanya. It is sought after for both main residences and second homes, with good connections via the AP-7, high-speed rail at Girona and Figueres and Girona–Costa Brava airport.
Its largely protected landscape and a different pace of life explain the interest of Spanish and international buyers in the area's houses and masias.
Masias, estates and village houses
Most of the BARNES selection in the Empordà consists of masias: restored stone buildings with land, garden and often a pool, in quiet rural settings. They are complemented by village houses in the medieval centres and villas near the coast. If your search is not limited to this region, see all our masias for sale in Catalonia.
Before buying a masia, it is worth checking the planning status, the land and the condition of the structure; we explain this in our guide to buying a masia in the Empordà.
The Baix and Alt Empordà
The Baix Empordà, to the south, brings together the best-known medieval villages —Pals, Peratallada, Monells, Ullastret— and is a few minutes from the coves of Begur and Palafrugell. It is the area most in demand among masia buyers. The Alt Empordà, to the north, offers a more open landscape, with the Figueres plain, the DO Empordà vineyards and the proximity of Cap de Creus and Cadaqués.
Types of masia
Empordà masias are traditional stone farmhouses, often several centuries old. Those offered by BARNES have been restored for modern living: renovated interiors, garden, pool and, depending on the estate, farmland, woodland or outbuildings such as former stables or barns. Land size, orientation and the relationship with the nearest village are as important as the house itself.
Most sought-after villages
- Pals: a medieval quarter on a hill, rice fields and beaches a few minutes away.
- Peratallada: one of the best-preserved medieval ensembles in Catalonia.
- La Bisbal d'Empordà: capital of ceramics and the region's service centre, with masias in La Bisbal d'Empordà in its surroundings.
- Cruïlles, Monells and Sant Sadurní de l'Heura: small villages with large estates.
- Torrent: a quiet village between Pals and the coast.
A masia near the coast or inland
Masias close to the coast, around Pals, Begur or Palafrugell, combine countryside living with the beach a few minutes away. Inland masias, near La Bisbal, Monells or Madremanya, usually offer more land and more tranquillity. The choice depends on use: for a summer home, proximity to the sea weighs more; for year-round living, proximity to a village with services.
Life in the Empordà
Cuisine, DO Empordà wines, weekly markets, the Baix Empordà golf courses and the Iberian site of Ullastret are part of everyday life in the region. The coast is a short drive away, and towns such as Girona, La Bisbal and Palafrugell provide services all year.
A fast-moving market
Well-restored, well-located masias are scarce in the Empordà, and the best ones sell quickly. We recommend sharing your criteria —area, size of house and land, distance to the coast, budget— so our team can let you know as soon as a matching property appears.
What to consider when buying a house or masia
- Planning status: check that all buildings are legalised and which uses the land permits.
- Access and utilities: road, water, electricity and internet connection.
- Condition of the structure: roofs, walls and floors, especially in older masias.
- Surroundings: proximity to a village with services, to the coast and to transport links.
The BARNES Costa Brava team supports you through the search, the review of documentation and the purchase of your property in the Empordà.
Frequently asked questions
What should be checked before buying a masia?
The planning classification of the land, the legality of the buildings, access, water supply and the condition of the structure. We detail this in our buying guide.
What is the difference between the Baix and Alt Empordà?
The Baix Empordà concentrates the medieval villages near the coast, such as Pals and Peratallada; the Alt Empordà, further north, includes Figueres, Cadaqués and much of the DO Empordà vineyards.
Are there also village houses and villas?
Yes. Besides masias, the selection includes village houses in the medieval centres and villas near the coast.
