Empuriabrava or Skydive Spain: Which to Choose for Your First Jump Abroad

You've had your ENAC skydiving licence in your pocket for a few weeks, you've got a handful of jumps in your logbook — let's say somewhere between 25 and 50, purely as a rough guide, since exact requirements vary and should always be checked against the current ENAC regulations — and you're already browsing flights to Spain on Google Flights. It's a fairly well-established rite of passage in Italian skydiving: your first foreign dropzone is almost always Spanish, and almost always either Empuriabrava or Skydive Spain. That's no coincidence: both are reachable on a low-cost flight from any airport in northern or central Italy, both speak Italian (or at least make a decent attempt), and both are organised well enough to suit someone who still gets butterflies before exit. Your ENAC licence is generally accepted at European dropzones as a matter of established practice. Always bring the original document, your up-to-date logbook, and a valid medical certificate; some dropzones may ask you to fill in a local acceptance form. But these are two quite different experiences, and picking the wrong one can turn an exhilarating weekend into a week of logistical frustration. Here's what actually sets the two dropzones apart — without the usual brochure enthusiasm.

Empuriabrava: The Dropzone with the Sea (and the Crowds)

Skydive Empuriabrava is located in Empuriabrava, a district of Castelló d'Empúries in the province of Girona, on the Costa Brava. It's one of the largest and busiest dropzones in Europe, with a history spanning decades and an operational capacity that, on summer weekends, can feel like a small commercial airport. The nearest airport is Girona-Costa Brava (GRO), served by Ryanair from Milan Bergamo, Rome Ciampino, Bologna, and other Italian airports. Alternatively, Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is about two hours by car. From Girona, the dropzone is roughly 30–40 minutes away: you can take a taxi, a local bus to Castelló d'Empúries, or arrange a lift with other skydivers — the dropzone manifest often has an informal ride-share board.

Accommodation is one of Empuriabrava's strongest points: it's literally a canal town with thousands of rental apartments, and the dropzone itself has camping and on-site lodging. During peak months (June–September) prices rise because the area is a fully-fledged tourist destination, but you can find something for every budget. The advantage of staying right at the dropzone is obvious: you're five minutes' walk from the manifest, you don't miss loads, and in the evenings you socialise with the same skydivers you jumped with all day.

The atmosphere is that of a large international dropzone with a strong Italian contingent. On certain July weekends you hear more Italian than Spanish in the landing area. That's a plus if you're new and want to feel at home, but it can be a drawback if you're genuinely looking to immerse yourself in a more diverse international environment. The average skill level of the skydivers there is extremely varied: you'll find newcomers with 30 jumps alongside freeflyers with thousands of jumps preparing for world competitions. The manifest operates in English, Spanish, and — in practice — Italian. At the time of writing the main aircraft was a Twin Otter, with frequent loads and manageable wait times outside peak periods, but it's worth checking the current fleet on the dropzone's official website before you travel.

Skydive Spain: The Dropzone with Guaranteed Sun

Skydive Spain operates from Lillo, a small municipality in the province of Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, about 80 km south-east of Madrid. Its geographical location is its main selling point: the Castilian plateau has some of the best skydiving weather statistics in Europe, with an annual number of jump days that many northern European dropzones can only dream of. If you're going in March or October — months when Empuriabrava can be unpredictable — Lillo is almost always open. The nearest airport is Madrid Barajas (MAD), served by virtually all Italian low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet) from dozens of Italian airports. From Madrid, the dropzone is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car: you'll need a rental car or an organised transfer, as public transport to Lillo is essentially non-existent.

Accommodation is the tricky part of Skydive Spain for anyone coming from Italy without an organised group. Lillo is a small agricultural village: there are no hotels, and no Airbnb apartments the way there are in Empuriabrava. The dropzone has its own facilities (bungalows, camping, rooms) which are comfortable but need to be booked in advance, especially during busier periods. The alternative is to stay in Tarancón — the nearest town with normal accommodation options, about 20 km away — and commute each day. Those travelling in a group with a rental car manage this easily; those travelling solo without advance planning can find themselves in a difficult spot.

The atmosphere is more focused and less touristy than Empuriabrava. The dropzone draws a mix of European skydivers, with a significant Italian presence but less dominant than on the Costa Brava. The average skill level is generally higher: Skydive Spain attracts many skydivers with hundreds or thousands of jumps who come for training camps and coaching. For a newcomer with 30–50 jumps this can be stimulating — you'll easily find experienced people willing to do coached jumps with you or explain technique — but it can also feel a little intimidating if you're used to an Italian dropzone where everyone knows each other. The manifest works primarily in English; Spanish is the second language, and Italian is often understood but not as reliably as at Empuriabrava.

Practical Comparison: Logistics and Costs

An important editorial note: jump prices change frequently. Pricing information you find on Italian forums (ParaForum, skydiving Facebook groups) may be months out of date. Before booking, always check the official pricing pages of both dropzones and, if necessary, contact their manifest directly. We're not quoting specific figures here to avoid giving misleading information.

That said, here's a structural comparison that changes little over time:

Flights

Empuriabrava: Ryanair to Girona from BGY, CIB, BLQ, VCE. Often cheap, especially off-season. Girona is a small airport with no long queues.

Skydive Spain: flights to MAD from virtually every Italian airport, greater competition between carriers, potentially lower fares — but Barajas is a large airport with more logistical complexity.

Airport-to-dropzone transfer

Empuriabrava: taxi or bus from Girona, 30–40 minutes. Manageable even without a car.

Skydive Spain: a rental car or dropzone-organised transfer is essentially mandatory. Without a car, you're stuck.

Accommodation

Empuriabrava: wide choice, variable prices (higher in summer). Options to stay on-site or in a rented apartment.

Skydive Spain: on-site dropzone facilities (must be booked in advance) or a hotel in Tarancón. Less last-minute flexibility.

Jump costs

Both dropzones charge per slot (exit), with prices varying by aircraft and altitude. Generally speaking, Spanish prices have historically been competitive compared to Italian dropzones, but a direct comparison between the two depends on the time of year and any promotions running. Always check current rates on the official websites.

For Those Who Just Got Licensed (25–50 Jumps)

If you've just completed your AFF course and you're in the 25–50 jump range, your priority isn't doing acrobatic jumps — it's building safe experience in a structured environment. Both dropzones are suitable, but with different nuances.

At Empuriabrava you'll more easily find other Italians to do basic formation jumps with (2-way, 3-way), a manifest that understands your needs without having to explain everything in English, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The proximity to the sea and beach life means that even if the weather closes in for half a day, you won't be bored. The risk is that, precisely because it's a large and busy dropzone, you might feel like just another number if you're not proactive about introducing yourself and finding jump partners.

At Skydive Spain the main advantage is the weather: if you go off-season (March, April, October, November) the chances of finding the dropzone open are significantly higher. The dropzone has a well-developed coaching culture: it's easier to find instructors or experienced skydivers willing to do guided jumps with you, at a reasonable extra cost. If you're prepared to invest in a few jumps with a coach, Lillo can accelerate your progression more than Empuriabrava. The downside is the logistics: without a car and without booking accommodation in advance, the trip becomes complicated.

For Those with 50–200 Jumps Looking to Progress

With 50–200 jumps in your logbook, you're starting to define your preferred disciplines — maybe you want to get deeper into freefly, perhaps you're eyeing angle flying, or you're simply working on improving your stability in freefall. In this range, the choice between the two dropzones becomes more dependent on what you want to do.

For freefly and structured coaching: Skydive Spain has historically been seen by many Italian skydivers as having a more active and organised freefly community, with regular training camps. If you want to do a tunnel camp integrated with real jumps, Lillo is probably the better choice. For FS (Formation Skydiving) and group jumps: Empuriabrava has a critical mass of skydivers that makes it easier to put together 4-way or 8-way without waiting days. For canopy piloting and swooping: both dropzones have adequate landing areas, but always check the local rules — every dropzone has its own procedures, and newcomers to swooping are (rightly) kept under close watch.

Time of Year: When to Go

This is perhaps the most underestimated factor for Italian newcomers planning their first trip abroad.

April–May and September–October: the best months for both dropzones. Stable weather, less summer crowding, generally lower flight prices. Skydive Spain is particularly advantageous during these periods.

June–August: Empuriabrava is at peak activity but also at peak crowds and prices. Skydive Spain can get very hot (Lillo sits on the Castilian plateau: summer temperatures can exceed 35°C). Both work, but be prepared for manifest queues and the heat.

November–February: Skydive Spain remains operational with regularity; Empuriabrava slows down significantly. If you want to jump in winter, Lillo is the near-obvious choice.

March: a good compromise for both, with Skydive Spain statistically offering more open days.

Language at the Manifest: How Much Does It Actually Matter?

A practical aspect that often gets overlooked: communicating correctly at the manifest isn't just a matter of convenience — it's a matter of safety. You need to be able to describe your experience level, your recent jump activity (recency), and understand local briefings.

At Empuriabrava, Italian is effectively a working language at the manifest thanks to the volume of Italian skydivers. You'll almost always find someone who speaks it fluently. This is a real advantage for anyone who isn't comfortable with technical skydiving English.

At Skydive Spain, the working language is English. Spanish is useful but not essential. Italian is often understood but not guaranteed. If your English is basic, prepare a minimum vocabulary: being able to state your jump numbers, the disciplines you practise, and understand safety instructions is the bare minimum. It's not an insurmountable barrier, but it's worth considering if you've just got your licence and have never jumped in an international setting.

In Summary: How to Choose

There's no universal answer, but there are clear criteria:

Choose Empuriabrava if:

You want maximum logistical simplicity (no car required, easy accommodation)

You're going in summer and want to combine jumping with the beach

You have fewer than 50 jumps and prefer an environment where Italian is spoken

You're going with a group and want a destination with a lively social scene

Choose Skydive Spain if:

You're going off-season (March–April, October–November) and want to maximise your jump days

You have 50+ jumps and are interested in structured coaching or training camps

You're prepared to organise a rental car and book accommodation in advance

You want a more international experience and less of an 'Italian colony' feel

In either case, contact the dropzone manifest before you travel. Describe your level (number of jumps, date of last jump, disciplines you practise), ask whether there are any camps or events during your visit, and check the current rates. A couple of emails sent in advance can turn a generic trip into an experience tailored to your progression. Dropzones of this calibre are used to international skydivers and they do respond.