42.08° N · 2.99° E · Peratallada
An hour’s flight at sunrise over the fields and villages of the Empordà, taking off from a field beside the road in Colomers, about 20 minutes from Peratallada. From age 5, in a shared or private flight.
Part of PeratalladaEmpordà
Who offers it
Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.
Step by step
You meet at the Parc del Ter flying field, in Colomers. A safety briefing and the balloon is inflated; you can watch it fill with air.
An hour over the fields and villages of the Empordà, at between 500 and 1,200 metres. The take-off is gentle and, as the balloon moves with the wind, there is almost no sensation of movement.
The ground crew follow the balloon and pick you up wherever it lands. There is a toast with cava and the flight certificate is handed out.
The whole thing takes between two and three hours from the meet-up until you are back at your car.
The balloon goes where the wind takes it, so the route changes every day: what doesn’t change is the time, at sunrise, when the air is stillest.
A one-hour flight in the basket of a hot-air balloon, at between 500 and 1,200 metres up depending on the day, over the Baix Empordà plain. From above you understand the landscape: the fields in a mosaic, the River Ter winding towards the sea, the medieval villages such as Peratallada or Pals clustered on top of their hills and, on the coast, the Medes Islands and the Gulf of Roses. On clear days you can see Cap de Creus and the Pyrenees.
The shared flight carries up to 12 passengers in a large basket, with the same pilot, the same duration and the same views as the private one. The sensation is much calmer than you would expect: as the balloon travels with the wind, you barely feel any air on your face.
For almost everyone, from age 5. Children aged 5 to 12 fly accompanied by an adult. Pregnant women cannot fly, and the company asks for normal fitness to climb in and out of the basket and for landing in a field. If you are afraid of heights, think about it: the movement is gentle, but you are hundreds of metres off the ground.
The meeting point is the Parc del Ter flying field, in Colomers, about 20 minutes from Peratallada. With a sunrise departure, the sensible thing is to sleep in the Empordà that night: from Barcelona you would have to leave in the small hours. The company does not publish transport from hotels, so count on having a car.
From May to August it flies every day, departing at 6:30. In March and April it goes on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:00, and from September to February at weekends at 7:45. In summer you get up earlier, but it is less cold and there are flights any day of the week. Bring a layer at any time of year: it is cool at sunrise.
The shared flight costs €170 per adult and €105 per child aged 5 to 12; for groups of four or more, from €160 per person. The private flight, from €870. It includes the pilot, the hour of flight, a toast with cava, juice and almond sponge cake on landing, a photo report, the GPS-recorded route, a certificate and insurance. A 25% deposit is paid when booking, and the rest on the day of the flight.
The balloon depends on wind and rain, and the company confirms the flight 48 hours beforehand. If it can’t fly, they change the date at no cost or refund your money. That is why it is wise to have a spare day in your trip. If you don’t end up flying, the ground plan for the area includes the Iberian settlement of Ullastret and the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà.
Who it's for
You want to see the whole Empordà at a glance, don’t mind an early start and like a calm plan, without adrenaline.
You are pregnant, are going with children under 5 or your trip has no room to change day if the weather doesn’t allow flying.
What to bring
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
With a 6:30 departure in summer, sleeping in Peratallada or the area saves you the early start from Barcelona.
If the wind isn’t right, the flight is postponed. Confirmation comes 48 hours beforehand.
From four people the price drops to €160 a head.
Gift vouchers are valid for 24 months, although they cannot be cancelled.
Questions
From age 5. Up to age 12 they pay the child rate and fly with an adult.
The shared flight, €170 per adult and €105 per child; from €160 in groups of four or more. The private flight, from €870.
At sunrise: 6:30 from May to August, 7:00 in March and April and 7:45 from September to February.
From May to August, daily. The rest of the year, at weekends.
The company confirms 48 hours beforehand. If it can’t fly, you change the date at no cost or get a refund.
On the shared flight, up to 12 passengers depending on the day’s balloon.
With more than two weeks’ notice you get half back; between two weeks and 72 hours, a quarter; after that, nothing. Date changes are accepted up to 7 days beforehand.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peratallada/things-to-do/sunrise-balloon-flight-emporda
