//
Tarragona (province), Spain
Photo: Jordisanchezr, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Delta de l'Ebre Natural Park is in Tarragona (province) of Catalonia. One of the most emblematic birds of the Delta are the flamingos, which are present all year round. The Ebro Way of St. James starts in the park which is inside the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Terres de l’Ebre, Catalonia.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
La llacuna de la Tancada
a good place to observe flamingos. It has 3 birdwatching points (See #Birdwatching )
L’Encanyissada
a large submerged meadow. It is the largest lagoon in the Ebro Delta - it covers about 900 hectares and has a depth of 114 cm. It is naturally connected to the sea, with the Alfacs Bay, through the Gola Vella. It has 3 birdwatching points (see #Birdwatching.)
Els ullals de Baltasar
When water emerges from the ground. They are underground springs in the Ebro delta. They are caused by rainwater that flows through the aquifer from the Port and Montsià massifs towards the sea, and that, when encountering the deltaic materials, already saturated, are forced to emerge. They are circular-shaped basins. There is a recreational area.
The jewel of the park (restricted access). It is the largest natural area in the Delta and one of the most important breeding areas for water birds (seagulls, terns, waders and flamingos) in the Mediterranean. A part it is under concession for natural sea salt exploitation (the so-called Salines de la Trinitat)
Bassa de les Olles
This extensive area begins at Arenal beach and extends to Goleró, connecting with Fangar Bay and bordered by rice fields on the inland side and a well-preserved dune strip on the marine side.
The last frontier. It includes the protected natural areas of Garxal, Sant Antoni Island and Buda Island. Magnificent panoramic views from the Zigurat viewpoint.
l'Illa de Buda
The last island (restricted access). Is a maritime-fluvial island. It covers about 1,100 hectares, of which about 250 are rice fields. This diversity of environments, both quite extensive and well preserved, allows Buda to be one of the areas of greatest natural interest in the entire delta, and to host very large populations of aquatic birds, both nesting and wintering.
A river arm that does not always reach the sea. Runs along L'illa de Buda and is a 3.5 km long arm of the river that was once the mouth of the main river. It now has the characteristics of a long, narrow channel, and functions more like a lagoon than a river. It is flanked by reedbeds that are home to many passerines and anatidae.
The most recent pond. It is a very shallow lagoon in full formation, with great dynamism. Its origin is very recent. It dates from the mid-20th century, when the current gorge opened during a storm, replacing the previously North gorge. El Garxal is formed by small crescent-shaped islands that change shape according to the deposition of sediments that the river brings. The pond or lagoon is surrounded by a very well-preserved dune ecosystem and is fixed by vegetation, mainly tamarisk (Tamarix canariensis). Freshwater enters exclusively through the river, since no drainage canal from the rice fields flows into it. Exchange with seawater occurs during storms
A desert surrounded by water. This is an extensive coastal strip that includes the best-built system of sandbanks and mobile dunes in the Delta. A compact sand track crosses the Fangar, which you can drive or walk along until you reach the middle, the viewpoint, the lighthouse or the northern end of the peninsula. Between April 1 and August 15, it is forbidden to enter the nesting areas, which are protected by the cordons on the edge of the track. Immense sandbanks predominate in this area and what has the greatest ecological value are the dune formations, as they are among the best preserved on the Catalan coast. They constitute an important refuge for many reptiles, insects, micromammals and some amphibians. There are two types of dunes, some fixed with vegetation on top and others mobile without vegetation. You cannot walk on either of them due to their fragility. The most important fixed dune area is located on the Marquesa beach, to the right of the track that reaches the Fangar. The characteristic Fangar lighthouse stands in the middle of the dunes.
La llacuna del Canal Vell
The origin of the park. Until the 1970s it had been the largest in the entire delta, but the intense exploitation of the surrounding rice fields and the construction of bypass canals caused the area to lose its extension. Of the three basins that were initially there, only two remain: Estella and Illot. Freshwater enters through three drains, while seawater arrives through two. The lagoon is privately owned, and the Canal Vell Biological Station is located there.
boat trips, boat trips with aperitive, visit mussel farm
Rices and shellfish. typical cooking from the area.
rice
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Reus · International · REU
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Delta de l'Ebre Natural Park and Spain.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.