REVIEW · GIRONA
Costa Brava: Hot Air Balloon Flight – Shared
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Globus Empordà · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Waking up for a balloon ride feels like cheating. You get a calm, early-morning flight over the Costa Brava with views of bays, coastlines, and medieval towns you usually have to drive hours to see. What makes it especially appealing is the blend of big scenery plus the small touches, like a personalized photo magnet after you land.
Here are two things I really like: the crew-led safety and balloon explanation before takeoff, and the way the route tracks key landmarks from above (think Gulf of Roses, Gulf of Pals, Medes Islands, and medieval villages). The flight itself runs around an hour, but the whole experience lasts about 3 hours, so it feels complete rather than rushed.
One drawback to consider: it starts early (takeoff around 6:45 AM), and the day begins at a field in Colomers with no hotel pickup. Also, pregnant women aren’t allowed on this tour, and sandals/flip-flops are not permitted.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Colomers sunrise launch: where the magic starts
- The guided hour on the ground: safety + balloon know-how
- The 60-minute flight over Costa Brava and Empordà
- What you can spot: Peratallada, Pals, Ullastret, and friends
- GPS flight route + photo report + the magnet souvenir
- Post-flight toast: cava, almond cake, and an easy finish
- Price and value: why $224 can feel fair
- Who this Costa Brava balloon ride is best for
- Practical tips so your morning runs smoothly
- Should you book this shared hot air balloon flight?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Costa Brava hot air balloon experience?
- Where do the balloons take off, and is there parking?
- Does this tour include hotel pickup?
- What should I bring for the flight?
- Are sandals or flip-flops allowed?
- Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?
Key highlights at a glance
- Colomers sunrise launch: a real start-in-the-field morning with free on-site parking
- Thoughtful pre-flight briefing: a safety demonstration plus clear guidance on how the balloon works
- Medieval towns from the air: Peratallada, Pals, Ullastret, Monells, and more stand out from above
- Coastline and sea views: Empordà outline, Gulf of Roses, Gulf of Pals, and Cap de Creus in view
- GPS flight route and photo report: you’ll take home more than just memories
- Cava and almond cake after landing: a classic finish that works for adults and kids
Colomers sunrise launch: where the magic starts
The flight takes off from a large open field in Colomers (cp17144). You’ll see the balloons when you arrive, and there’s free parking on site, which matters because this is one of those tours where the morning logistics set the tone.
Takeoff is scheduled for 6:45 AM, so you’ll want to plan for an early arrival rather than rolling in at the last minute. One practical tip: the meeting point can shift depending on weather conditions, so double-check the day before so you don’t end up driving to the wrong side of town.
Dress with the activity in mind. You’ll want comfortable shoes (no sandals or flip-flops), plus sunglasses and a sun hat since you’ll be outside during prep and after landing. Bring your camera if you like photos, because the sights are the point of the trip.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Girona.
The guided hour on the ground: safety + balloon know-how
Before you float, there’s a guided segment—about 1 hour—that gets you ready for what’s coming. The crew welcomes you, then runs through a brief safety demonstration before you climb into the basket.
This is more than formality. The best part of this ground time is that you’re not left guessing how a hot air balloon works. You get an explanation of the basic process and what to expect during the flight, which makes the whole experience feel calmer once you’re actually in the air.
Language support is solid: the live guide can work in Catalan, English, French, or Spanish, so you don’t have to rely on guessing or translating your way through the highlights. If your group includes different language preferences, this kind of coverage is a real comfort.
The 60-minute flight over Costa Brava and Empordà
Once you lift off, the whole mood changes. Hot air ballooning is slow, quiet, and surprisingly easy to enjoy—like watching the world take a breath.
Your flight time is about 60 minutes, though it can vary based on weather conditions. You’ll be flying roughly 500 to 1,200 metres above sea level, which is high enough to see patterns in the coast and inland areas, but not so high that everything looks like toy maps.
From the air, you’ll pick out:
- Rosás Bay (Gulf of Roses) and de Pals Bay (Gulf of Pals), including the coastline’s curve and shape
- Medes Islands, seen from a distance that makes them feel like their own little world
- Montrí Castle along the horizon line, giving scale to the inland views
- Major coast features like Cap de Creus
- A long stretch of Empordà coast, including the outline you’d usually only notice from higher ground by car
And the inland towns aren’t just dots. You’ll spot medieval villages such as Peratallada, Pals, Ullastret, Monells, plus Sant Pere Pescador and Sant Miquel de Fluvià. From the sky, their layout and terrain make more sense than any quick photo from a street corner.
Even if you’re not a “big views” person, this is a unique angle. It’s not just pretty—it helps you understand where towns sit, how rivers carve through the area, and how the coast transitions from land to sea.
What you can spot: Peratallada, Pals, Ullastret, and friends
One reason this balloon ride stands out is how much it turns into a sightseeing game. As you float, you’re not only looking at the sea; you’re also scanning for recognizable clusters of stone, rooftops, and town lines.
Here’s what you’ll likely enjoy spotting:
- Peratallada and Pals: medieval town shapes that read clearly from above
- Ullastret: a village area that looks especially “historical” when you can see the surrounding terrain
- Monells: another inland stop that becomes easy to identify once you’ve got your bearings
- Sant Pere Pescador and Sant Miquel de Fluvià: towns that help you connect the coast with inland routes
You’ll also notice the mix of terrain—mountains, forests, streams, and then the sudden openness of the Mediterranean—without changing locations or driving. That’s the payoff of being airborne for an hour.
GPS flight route + photo report + the magnet souvenir
A hot air balloon flight is a memory-heavy experience, but it’s also easy to lose details once you’re back on the ground. This tour helps solve that with a recorded flight route and a keepsake.
Included items you’ll receive:
- A GPS-recorded flight route, so you can see the path you took
- A photographic report, tied to your flight
- A personalized souvenir photo magnet, basically a small reminder that you can keep visible at home
If you like practical souvenirs, this set makes sense. The GPS route gives you context. The photo report gives you the visuals. And the magnet keeps the whole thing from fading into a phone gallery you’ll never open again.
Post-flight toast: cava, almond cake, and an easy finish
Once you land, the experience doesn’t just end with packing up. Your team welcomes you and celebrates with cava and almond cake. There are also juices for children, which is a nice touch if you’re flying as a family.
This is a great time to breathe and reset, especially after an early start. You’ll have a little moment to talk about what you saw—without the pressure of immediately heading to a restaurant or finding a café that matches your schedule.
It also helps that the tour is timed so the celebration comes right after landing. You’re still holding the views in your head, so the food feels like part of the day rather than an afterthought.
Price and value: why $224 can feel fair
At $224 per person, this isn’t a budget activity—but it also isn’t an oversell. You’re paying for a shared balloon flight that includes the core experience plus several extras that most tours treat as add-ons.
What’s included that supports the value:
- About 60 minutes of flight time (weather-dependent, but that’s the target)
- VAT and insurance included
- GPS flight recording and photo report
- A personalized photo magnet souvenir
- Cava and almond cake after landing (with juices for children)
The “shared” format matters too. You’re getting the magic of a balloon flight without the cost of booking your own private balloon for the day. For many people, the result is the right balance: special enough to remember, structured enough to feel easy.
When might it feel pricey? If you’re the type who hates early mornings, this won’t magically change your mind. And if you already have plenty of sea-and-view experiences, you might need to be sure the medieval towns and the Empordà coastline angle are what you want.
Who this Costa Brava balloon ride is best for
This tour is a good fit if you want:
- Scenery without effort: you get sea + inland + medieval towns from one airborne perspective
- A smooth, guided experience with safety built in before takeoff
- A souvenir package that’s more than a quick snap on your phone
It’s especially friendly for families because the post-landing celebration includes juices for children, and the day is only around 3 hours total. If you’re celebrating something, keep your expectations open: the operation has shown it can go beyond the standard script. Guides have been recognized for making occasions feel personal, including birthday moments.
That said, it’s not for everyone. Pregnant women are not allowed, and the footwear rules are strict enough that you should plan accordingly.
Practical tips so your morning runs smoothly
A little prep makes this feel effortless.
Do this:
- Bring passport or ID card
- Wear comfortable shoes and skip sandals/flip-flops
- Pack sunglasses and a sun hat
- Bring your camera if photos matter to you
Do this too:
- Arrive ready for an early start. Takeoff is around 6:45 AM, and the meeting point is a field in Colomers.
- Double-check the meeting point the day before in case weather affects where balloons start.
The tour is shared, so you’ll also want to listen closely during the briefing. It’s the quickest way to make the flight feel calm rather than chaotic.
Should you book this shared hot air balloon flight?
If you want the Costa Brava from a new angle—coastlines, islands, and medieval towns lined up below—you should strongly consider booking. The combination of a guided, safety-first start plus meaningful extras like GPS tracking and a personalized magnet makes it feel more complete than a simple flight-for-fun.
Book it if:
- you like early mornings for the payoff in views
- you want sea + inland + medieval towns in one outing
- you value a souvenir package that doesn’t rely on luck
Skip it if:
- you strongly dislike start-time mornings
- you can’t meet the footwear requirements
- you need a tour that allows participants who are pregnant (this one doesn’t)
FAQ
What is the duration of the Costa Brava hot air balloon experience?
The total experience lasts about 3 hours, with an approximate 60-minute balloon flight (depending on weather conditions).
Where do the balloons take off, and is there parking?
The balloons take off from a large field in Colomers (cp17144). There is free parking on site. You should double-check the meeting point the day before in case it varies with weather.
Does this tour include hotel pickup?
No, hotel pickup is not included.
What should I bring for the flight?
Bring passport or ID, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a camera.
Are sandals or flip-flops allowed?
No. Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed, so plan for closed, comfortable footwear.
Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?
No. Pregnant women are not allowed on this tour.
