Costa Brava is a coastal area in Spain, just north of Barcelona and going as far as the French border. Visiting this region, which relishes in the Mediterranean sunshine year round, is most definitely a good idea. While there are many beautiful spots on the Costa Brava, I’m going to focus on the coastal town of Lloret de Mar, which makes for the perfect little getaway!
I travelled to Lloret de Mar from Barcelona while on a backpacking Europe trip, knowing nothing about this town before arriving. I’m so glad I ended up there, spending a couple of nights in Lloret de Mar before returning to Barcelona… but then I returned back again the next weekend, so that’s got to be a good sign!
Contents
- Is Lloret de Mar For You?
- How to Get to Lloret de Mar
- Accommodation in Lloret de Mar
- What To Do in Lloret de Mar
Now, from the onset, you’re probably wondering if Lloret de Mar is for you…
Well, lets start with a popular question: is Lloret de Mar a party place?
Lloret de Mar is in fact the main party town on the Costa Brava. From casinos, to pubs, to clubs, to party boats, you can party all day and all night long if you desire. The main ‘strip’, Av. Just Marlés Vilarrodona, which leads down to the waterfront, is where the nightlife shines.
That being said, in this post, I’m not going to focus much on Lloret de Mar as a party town. So comes the next question, is Lloret de Mar for me if I don’t want a party getaway?
Absolutely. This is because there is so much more to this town than a party reputation. For instance, the beautiful beaches await those seeking a trip of relaxation. Moreover, Lloret de Mar is the perfect spot for adventuring, hiking, exploring the beautiful nature of the Costa Brava coastline. These are the aspects I am most interested in, and which should really draw you to Lloret de Mar.
So, if you’re wondering, is Lloret de Mar worth visiting? In this post I’ll give you a little guide on a trip there! Hopefully, you will see that this vibrant town caters to a wide variety of visitors and is the perfect Costa Brava getaway!
How to Get to Lloret de Mar?
First things first, where is Lloret de Mar? It is located 75km northeast of Barcelona, and 40km south of Girona. Both of these cities have airports, you can check for cheap flights here.
Once you have reached Barcelona or Girona, there are a few options for travelling onwards to Lloret de Mar. Lets take a look…
By Public Transport:
Lloret de Mar is most conveniently reached by bus from Barcelona. This is the option I went with, having already spent some days in Barcelona before deciding to head there, and is perfect for those on a budget and/or travelling solo or in a couple.
- Around a 1 hour bus journey from Barcelona.
- Reasonable fare prices, beginning from around €13 up to €30 one way, depending on your travel dates and times.
- Booking a ticket is required, you can easily do this here. You can book on the day of travel, even just an hour or two before.
- Bus company is Sarfa.
Should you fly into Girona airport (the official airport of the Costa Brava), there is a direct bus that runs from Girona airport to Lloret de Mar.
- 1 hour 40 minute bus ride.
- From around €10 one way.
- Bus company Sagalés.
- Easily book a ticket online here.
(The closest train station to Lloret de Mar is Blanes, which lies around 7km from the centre. If you were to take the train, you could then connect with an around 20-25 minute bus ride.)
By Car:
If you would prefer to drive, you can hire a car and hit the road in your own time! If you fly into Barcelona airport you could pick up a rental car straight away, or from a spot in the city, such as Barcelona-Sants Train Station if spending some days in Barcelona first. Similarly with Girona, you can easily book and pick up a rental car from the airport.
By Private Transfer:
If you are travelling in a group or simply prefer the quickest, most relaxing way to reach this Costa Brava town, you could even travel by private transfer from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar.
Accommodation
Lloret de Mar has a wide range of accommodation options to suit solo budget travellers, to families, to those looking for a luxury stay and everyone in between.
One of the reasons I was drawn to Lloret de Mar was down to the affordable accommodation prices (I’m a budget backpacker girl!). I was coming from Barcelona, where hostel prices were quite frankly becoming ridiculous, especially on the weekends (and this was in May, before peak summer!). In desperate need of last minute affordable Saturday night accommodation, I headed to Lloret de Mar! To put this into perspective: apartments were literally cheaper than the price of a bed in a dorm room in Barcelona. Insane! It worked out well though as it meant I ended up here!
– Hostels
- For the budget solo travellers, Lloret de Mar welcomes you as there is the option to stay in a hostel.
LOFT HOSTAL (rated 8.5 on Hostelworld) is in the perfect location, only 250m from the main beach, 500m from the bus station, essentially in the heart of town with bars/restaurants/supermarkets/all you may need nearby. The hostel has a kitchen too – always a necessity (for me at least!).
Do bare in mind, however, that depending on when you are travelling, sometimes in Lloret de Mar it’s not much more expensive to stay in an apartment or hotel, if you fancy your own space for some nights. If you’re travelling in a pair (or more), it likely would work out cheaper to stay in one of these options over a hostel (which is nice if you’re usually living the hostel life as I am!). A little extra luxury!
So, lets take a look at….
– Apartments
There are many apartment options for a stay in Lloret de Mar.
APARTAMENTOS VENECIA is an apartment accommodation I stayed in which I highly recommend. Out of the 3 accommodations I stayed in, this was by far my favorite, and I would definitely stay there again.
- They have one bedroom apartments, which can accommodate 3 guests.
- I paid €48 for a night in this apartment, which was super well priced (especially after coming from expensive Barcelona!).
- The apartment I was in was perfect – clean, modern, fully equipped kitchen.
- The location couldn’t be better – the promenade and main beach steps away (50m!). Yet it is situated on a relatively quiet street, away from the late night noise of the main strip.
- I even requested to check out late as I had to work – they let me check out at 3pm, free of charge (so extra bonus points!).
The only downside is it really is just an apartment – there is no pool, fitness facilities, or even common area space outside of the apartment. For me, that’s fine, as I’m always out exploring or beaching! If you wish for more facilities however, there are plenty more options for you! Take a look at apartment options in Lloret de Mar here.
– Hotels
Hotels in Lloret de Mar are also plentiful, and again start from very reasonable prices. Which hotel you fancy will of course depend on your personal desires. There are a few adults only hotels in town too.
I’ll leave below a few top hotel options, based on location in town and ratings.
- L’AZURE HOTEL is a very popular hotel which is located just 90m from the bus station, 200m from the main strip, 800m from the beach.
- This hotel is home to a couple of swimming pools, fitness centre, spa, 3 restaurants. It caters to both families and those who want some adult only time – there is a splash-park for kids and on the other hand an adult only rooftop area with an infinity pool.
- HOTEL DELAMAR is located on Avenida Just Marlés (the main ‘strip’), so is in a prime position for bars/restaurants/nightclubs/heading to the beach. Beach is around 190m away, and the bus station 270m.
- Some of the main features of this hotel are the outdoor pool, fitness centre which is open 24 hours, shared lounge, restaurant.
- HOTEL HELIOS LLORET is also located on the main strip – it’s actually the next hotel up from Hotel Delamar. Only around 200m from the bus station and approx. 250m from the beach. So again the location couldn’t be better (especially if you’re keen to take advantage of the nightlife on offer).
- Hotel Helios has an outdoor swimming pool, spa, wellness centre (an additional charge), a restaurant and bar.
What to Do
– Explore the Town Centre
The town centre of is a lively place where there is always something going on! You won’t really miss exploring the town centre itself especially if staying some nights here. But lets take a little look of some of what it has to offer…
- Palm tree lined promenade
- Beaches
- The beautiful Parish Church of Sant Romà which is well worth admiring
- Shops – both mainstream stores and tourist stores
- Bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, arcades
In essence, it’s a main, busy town – everything you may need is here! The center is a lovely place to walk around, especially by the beachfront promenade. If you want the party scene however, then the main strip is for you.
– Enjoy the Beaches
One of the main draws to Lloret de Mar is its stunning beaches. There are no shortage of beaches in and around Lloret de Mar, and there is one right in the centre of town meaning you don’t have to go far for some beach r&r….
Platja de Lloret de Mar
Platja de Lloret de Mar is the main beach, made up of a mix of sand and small pebbles. You cannot miss this beach in its prominent position in front of the main promenade. Moreover, it is the largest beach of the town. Being both long and very wide, there is plenty of beach space to welcome everyone!
There are sun loungers that can be paid for if you wish for a more ‘comfortable’ beach experience.
Playa de Fenals
Playa de Fenals is a stunning beach sitting in a bay, and is Lloret de Mar’s second largest beach. The sand of this beach is again a little rough as is common on the Costa Brava.
The beach also feels like a main beach, similar in a sense to Platja de Lloret de Mar. There are sun loungers and parasols available for hire, the option to do some water sports, a lovely promenade to stroll, bars and cafés nearby, public toilets, etc – all the facilities you may need.
What differs, however, between these two beaches is mainly the overall atmosphere. That’s to say, Playa de Fenals is a quieter, more peaceful, laid-back beach. It’s the perfect escape from the even more bustling main beach, without sacrificing a similar and lovely beach experience.
Those are the two most prominent beach of the town, however there are some smaller ones thanks to Lloret de Mar’s ‘cala’s’.
Cala Sa Caleta
If you fancy a sandy, smaller, quieter beach then Cala Sa Caleta is an amazing choice. It lies just next to Platja de Lloret de Mar and has more of a seculded feel thanks to being in the cala.
The setting is beautiful, with the castle, Castell De Lloret, looking down over the beach, adding a special touch to this spot.
Platja de Lloret de Mar, Playa de Fenals and Cala Sa Caleta are the three sandy beaches which are most easily accessed from the main town. There are, however, more calas the further along the coast you go, which boast either very small sandy beaches and/or rocky areas where you spend some ‘beach’ time. There really is no shortage of beautiful spots from where to sunbathe or head into the Med for a swim.
– Partake in Water Activities
Thanks to Lloret de Mar’s location on the Costa Brava, it’s hardly surprising this is also a great spot for some water activities. These can be adventure based, party based, or somewhere in between. There really is something for everyone in Lloret de Mar.
Kayaking
Kayaking is an excellent choice of activity to get out on the water and experience the Costa Brava coastline from a new perspective. This is the perfect chilled activity while also keeping you active.
Kayaks are available to hire from Playa de Fenals, from where you can head out and go on your own little adventure.
Alternatively there is also the option to go on a Costa Brava kayak tour, leaving from Playa de Fenals.
Costa Brava Kayak Tour and Swimming
3-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour on Costa Brava
Go Scuba Diving
Another, even more adventurous activity is to go scuba diving. Even if you have no prior experience, this option is open to you, giving an introduction to scuba diving. Dive right in and get up closer to the underwater life of the Costa Brava!
Lloret de Mar: Scuba Diving Experience no License Required
Boat Tours and Cruises
For a more relaxing, less active experience on the water, head out on a boat. This Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks sails along the Costa Brava for a 3.5 hour trip. Sunbathe from the boat, swim and snorkel in a secluded spot in the Med, have fun on the floating trampoline and enjoy the included food and drinks on board. This can be the perfect addition to your trip!
– Go Hiking
In addition to hitting the water, the coastline welcomes you by foot in the best way too! Lloret de Mar gets big bonus points from me for the beautiful coastal walking/hiking routes.
You don’t need to walk far for a breathe of fresh air on some trails away from the liveliness of the main town. Whether you head in the direction of Cala Sa Caleta and continue along that route, or head along the coastline towards Playa de Fenals, you won’t be disappointed by the routes on offer. That’s to say, once the promenade lining Platja de Lloret de Mar ends, it joins onto trails at either end.
Whether you want a long hike or a short one, the choice is yours. For example, you can hike 12km along the coast to Tossa de Mar. Or, you can go just as far as one of the calas along this route such as Cala Bona, Cala Pola or Cala Giverola if you want a more chilled hike and to experience some beaches a little further out from the town.
I did a pretty short hike in this direction from the centre of town, and absolutely loved it! Just walk as far as you wish and you won’t be disappointed as there are stunning spots the whole way. If I return again I will definitely walk even further along the coastline to experience even more of it!
Heading in the opposite direction, that of Playa de Fenals is a similar situation. I simply took the coastal route from Platja de Lloret de Mar to Playa de Fenals and just in doing this I got a little hike with more amazing views – so much better than walking the streets in town! Again I did a short walk, but you could even walk to Blanes, which is around 8km on the coastal route.
– Visit the Castles
Lloret de Mar is home to two castles – Castell de Lloret (Castell d’en Plaja), and Castell de Sant Joan.
Castell de Lloret (d’en Plaja) is the castle which overlooks Cala Sa Caleta, with Platja de Lloret de Mar in the distance.
You cannot enter this castle, but can head up and take a walk around. There is a outdoor bar on the terrace, with amazing views of the coastline. This is open from May to November.
Even if you choose not to go up to the castle, just taking a walk to see it like in the picture is worth it!
Castell de Sant Joan is in the opposite direction of the main beach, heading towards Playa de Fenals. The tower stands out among the greenery, situated on the rocky outcrop between Lloret’s main beach and Fenals beach. Another amazing spot, again overlooking the coastline.
There is a small entry fee of €3 for Castell de Sant Joan, and you can climb to the top of the tower. More stunning, panoramic coastline views are on offer from this castle.
Do note that opening times are limited, and change depending on the month you visit, so do check before heading there.
– Party
As mentioned already in this post, Lloret de Mar is indeed a party town (but it isn’t solely that as you can see!). But of course, if it is lively nightlife you are after then you can party all night long.
Disco Tropics is the most popular nightclub in town, so that’s one you may want to check out if you want to join the party side! There are many options though, so you can head somewhere new every night if you desire!
– Take A Day Trip From Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar can be used as your base for further exploration of the Costa Brava.
Taking a visit to Tossa de Mar, another beautiful and very popular town is an excellent day trip choice. You can take a ferry from Lloret de Mar to Tossa de Mar, allowing you to enjoy the coastline from the boat and experience another town of the Costa Brava.
Or head in the other direction and take a trip to Blanes, which can be easily reached by public bus. Blanes is actually the ‘gateway’ to the Costa Brava, but you can flip things around and make that your go to destination for a day!
The day trip options go on – there are so many stunning spots along the coastline, and wherever you do go, you likely won’t be disappointed!! This is the Costa Brava after all, one of Spain’s most renowned scenic coastlines!
