Ter Vell

Ter Vell is a coastal wetland on the Empordà plain, stretching between Torroella de Montgrí and L'Estartit, directly across from the Medes Islands. Covering roughly 32 hectares, it sits right next to the built-up edge of L'Estartit, at barely a few metres above sea level.

Where did this wetland come from?

Ter Vell marks the historic mouth of the River Ter. In the mid-19th century the river's course was redirected into what is now the Gola del Ter channel, and the abandoned old riverbed — today known as Rec Vell — gradually turned into a network of marshes and freshwater lagoons, fed by rainfall and by irrigation runoff from the neighbouring farmland.

What does the landscape look like?

The area is dominated by dense reed beds and rush vegetation, with patches of salt-tolerant plants and scattered tamarisk trees along the lagoons. This mix of reeds, marsh and open water makes Ter Vell look nothing like the rocky coves the Costa Brava is famous for — just behind the dunes of L'Estartit lies a quiet, humid ecosystem that feels like a different world.

A refuge for birds

Ter Vell is an important wintering site for waterbirds, particularly ducks and herons. From the birdwatching observatory, visitors with binoculars can spot ducks, coots, grebes and swallows, and — with patience — the elusive bittern, a bird rarely seen out in the open. Birds make use of both the freshwater lagoons and the adjacent irrigation channels.

Nature protection

The site belongs to the PEIN network (Pla d'Espais d'Interès Natural) under the name "Aiguamolls del Baix Empordà" and is part of the Natura 2000 network. Since 2010, Ter Vell has also fallen within the boundaries of the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park, linking the protection of the wetland with that of the nearby coastline and offshore archipelago. A Life-Natura project, co-financed by the Torroella de Montgrí town council and the European Union with technical support from the University of Girona, has worked on reorganising the Ter Vell and Platera lagoons to support the recovery and conservation of these coastal systems.

Visiting Ter Vell

The area can be explored on foot or by bike, with paths following the old riverbed and connecting Ter Vell to the neighbouring Platera lagoon and the Gola del Ter river mouth. It's a calm route, far less crowded than the beaches of L'Estartit, well suited to visitors looking for birdwatching and quiet contact with nature rather than crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Ter Vell located? On the Empordà plain, between the towns of Torroella de Montgrí and L'Estartit, right next to the latter's built-up area and facing the Medes Islands.

How is Ter Vell different from the rest of the Costa Brava? It's a wetland area of marshes and freshwater lagoons, rather than the rocky coastline and coves this stretch of the Costa Brava is best known for.

Can you go birdwatching here? Yes — the observatory allows visitors to watch ducks, herons, coots, grebes and other wetland species, especially during the winter season.

What protection status does the area have? Ter Vell is part of the PEIN and Natura 2000 networks, and since 2010 it has also been included in the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park.

How did this wetland come to exist? It was once the mouth of the River Ter, redirected in the 19th century into a new channel — the abandoned old riverbed slowly turned into today's marshes and lagoons.