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EuropeSpainCatalonia

Portbou

Catalonia, Spain · Europe

About Portbou

Portbou is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Banyuls de la Marenda, 18km from Cap de Creus.

Portbou is a town located in Catalonia, Spain. With a population of 1,077, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Portbou sits in Spain, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Madrid time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Portbou to your route.

About Portbou

Portbou (Catalan pronunciation: [ˌpɔɾˈβɔw]) is a town in the Alt Empordà county, in the Province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. As of 2024, it has a population of 1131 people. Portbou is located near the French border in the Costa Brava region, and frequently serves as a dropping off point for SNCF trains coming from

Read more Cerbère in France. Portbou was a small but important point for the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War, as it was one of the few places from where they could get supplies from abroad. Portbou is where German Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin died by suicide, and was buried in 1940. There is a monument in his honor, by Dani Karavan.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Portbou

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Portbou?

Portbou offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Portbou?

Plan your road trip to Portbou with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Portbou as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Portbou located?

Portbou is located in Catalonia, Spain, Europe. The coordinates are 42.4265 latitude, 3.1580 longitude.

What is the population of Portbou?

Portbou has a population of approximately 1,077 people, making it a town in Spain.

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Quick Information

Population
1,077
Continent
Europe
Country
Spain
Region
Catalonia
Timezone
Europe/Madrid
Coordinates
42.4265, 3.1580

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Spain

Police
091
Ambulance
061
Fire
080
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.

Full driving guide for Spain

Tags

EuropeSpainCataloniaTown

Worth the detour from Portbou

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Cadaques

A whitewashed fishing village on the Cap de Creus peninsula that captivated Salvador Dali and remains hauntingly beautiful.

18 km · about 20 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Cap de Creus

The easternmost point of mainland Spain, a wind-battered cape of twisted rock and lonely lighthouse that inspired Dalí.

18 km · about 20 min drive

museum

Dalí Theatre-Museum

A surreal red castle topped with giant eggs in Figueres, the artist's own museum and final resting place.

24 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Besalu

A remarkably intact medieval Catalan town entered via a magnificent fortified Romanesque bridge over the River Fluvia.

46 km · about 55 min drive

photogenic

Castellfollit de la Roca

Village strung along the knife-edge of a 50-metre basalt cliff formed by overlapping lava flows, its houses ending flush with the drop above the Fluvià river. Best photographed from the viewpoint across the river on the N-260.

55 km · about 65 min drive

landmark

Girona Old Town

A captivating medieval city with colorful houses lining the Onyar River, a Jewish quarter, and a monumental Baroque cathedral facade.

57 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Portbou

  • 18 kmCap de CreusThe easternmost point of mainland Spain, a wind-battered cape of twisted rock and lonely lighthouse that inspired Dalí.
  • 62 kmCosta BravaCatalonia's rugged wild coast of hidden coves, turquoise waters, and pine-clad cliffs stretching from Blanes to the French border.

Driving in Spain

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.55/litre
Motorway tolls
~€4.00/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Portbou.

Cervera de la Marenda

🇫🇷 France

2 km awayPop. 1,628

Colera

🇪🇸 Spain

3 km awayPop. 702

Banyuls de la Marenda

🇫🇷 France

7 km awayPop. 5,006

Llançà

🇪🇸 Spain

7 km awayPop. 4,868

Vilamaniscle

🇪🇸 Spain

9 km awayPop. 170

Portvendres

🇫🇷 France

11 km awayPop. 4,479

Rabós

🇪🇸 Spain

12 km awayPop. 176

Garriguella

🇪🇸 Spain

12 km awayPop. 727

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence