The Costa Brava is a privileged destination for nature lovers. Crystal-clear coves, walks along the Camí de Ronda… and also unique spaces to enjoy birdwatching tourism, a type of travel increasingly popular among people seeking to connect with the territory in a calm, responsible and conscious way.
If you love birdwatching, Platja d’Aro hides one of the most surprising spots for observing birds: the Parc dels Estanys. This article explains where to observe birds in Platja d’Aro, which species you can find, and why more and more travellers choose the Costa Brava as a destination for ornithological and nature tourism.
Why the Costa Brava is a paradise for birdwatching tourism
The Costa Brava is an exceptional natural corridor for many bird species migrating between Europe and Africa. Between sea and mountains, wetlands, dunes and cliffs, a mosaic of habitats is created — perfect for feeding, resting and, in many cases, nesting.
During spring and autumn, when migratory movements intensify, the presence of birds increases notably, turning the area into a real spectacle for observers.
Some of the most common species on the Costa Brava are:
- Grey herons
- Kingfishers
- Coots and various duck species
- Storks
- Little egrets and night herons
- Flamingos (at certain times of the year)
- Migratory passerines (tits, warblers, redstarts…)
- Migratory raptors such as buzzards and sparrowhawks
This natural diversity reinforces the territory’s position as one of the best places for birdwatching in Catalonia.
Parc dels Estanys: the best place to observe birds in Platja d’Aro
The Parc dels Estanys, in Platja d’Aro, is a 15-hectare natural area that combines water management, biodiversity, art and landscape.
It is a hydraulic project reconverted into a bird reserve, where more than 250 documented bird species have been recorded.
A unique natural space on the Costa Brava
Although it is an urban park, the Parc dels Estanys is a real oasis. Its large sheet of water — around 2 metres deep — serves as a feeding and resting point for resident and migratory birds.
The space plays a key ecological role:
- It collects water from the northern mountains
- It regulates the flow of the Ridaura River to prevent flooding
- It maintains a stable aquatic ecosystem
- It enhances local biodiversity
The park has:
- 2 birdwatching observatories
- A panoramic viewpoint over the Vall d’Aro
- A flat path ideal for peaceful walks
- An open-air exhibition of large-format sculptures
It is perfect for families, nature photography lovers and those taking their first steps in birdwatching.
Since May 2024, the park also features the Rock Garden, a project developed by the Environmental Geology and Mapping Centre (GEOCAMB) at the University of Girona. You’ll find 19 geological samples from the province, a beautiful way to better understand the land beneath your feet while observing birds in freedom.
Species you can observe
At Parc dels Estanys, you can often spot:
- Storks (during migration periods)
- Herons and egrets
- Mallards, white ducks and occasionally geese
- Coots and other aquatic birds
- Flamingos at certain times
- Small passerines
- Migratory raptors, especially in autumn
It is, without a doubt, the best spot for birdwatching in Platja d’Aro.
Other birdwatching spots on the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is a paradise for bird lovers, and Platja d’Aro is an ideal starting point to explore some of the most important natural spaces in the region. Besides the Parc dels Estanys, these birdwatching locations are essential:
The mouth of the Ridaura River
Just 10 minutes on foot from the centre of Platja d’Aro, the river mouth is an incredible natural environment where you can observe:
plovers, seagulls and terns, small migratory shorebirds, egrets and aquatic ducks.
Ideal at sunrise or sunset.
Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park
Just 30 minutes by car from Platja d’Aro, this natural park is one of the most important wetlands in southern Europe and a true paradise for birdwatching tourism. Located between the mouths of the Fluvià and Muga rivers, it combines lagoons, marshes, meadows and croplands that attract hundreds of species, both resident and migratory.
In the Aiguamolls, you can observe storks, little egrets, purple herons, various species of ducks, cormorants, kites, kestrels, marsh harriers and, at certain times of the year, flamingos and other exceptional visitors. The large number of viewpoints and marked itineraries makes it easy to observe wildlife calmly and respectfully, making it an ideal place for both experts and families who are just beginning in the world of birdwatching.
In addition, the park is part of one of the most important migratory routes in the western Mediterranean, which makes it an essential place to visit during the spring and autumn migrations. It is a short and perfect excursion to complement a nature-focused stay at Bell Repòs, combining Costa Brava, nature and ornithological tourism.
Birdwatching tourism in Les Gavarres
For lovers of hiking and forest birds, the Les Gavarres massif is another excursion just a few minutes from Platja d’Aro. This protected natural area, covered with cork oak groves, holm oak forests and Mediterranean woodland, is the ideal habitat for many species that cannot be found in wetland areas.
Among the most representative birds you can spot blue tits and great tits, green woodpeckers and spotted woodpeckers, nightingales, jays, birds of prey such as the common buzzard or the short-toed snake eagle, and even eagle-owls in quieter zones. Les Gavarres is a peaceful and uncrowded space, perfect for connecting with nature and discovering a lesser-known Costa Brava, where flora and fauna appear in their purest form.
The routes in Les Gavarres are accessible and varied: from short walks to more demanding crossings, always accompanied by the song of birds and the scent of the Mediterranean forest. A perfect plan to complement a stay at Bell Repòs and turn it into a complete naturalist experience: sea, mountains and biodiversity.
Bell Repòs: ecohotel Platja d’Aro for birdwatching tourism in Costa Brava
If you’re looking for a birdwatching-friendly ecohotel on the Costa Brava, the Hotel Bell Repòs is your perfect base. We are a sustainable hotel just 2 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from the Parc dels Estanys.
Birdwatchers choose us because:
- We are surrounded by nature
- We practice responsible and sustainable tourism
- We offer calm spaces for naturalists and birdwatchers
- We support local environmental initiatives
- Our garden is a butterfly and biodiversity oasis
- We promote a warm, human and deeply connected hospitality model
If you want to enjoy the best of birdwatching tourism on the Costa Brava, Platja d’Aro and Bell Repòs are waiting for you with their most natural, peaceful and inspiring version.
Sònia Joanals
Direcció Hotel Bell Repòs
