Lloret de Mar may have been a sleepy fishing village in the past, but no longer. Today, it’s a bubbling hive of happy holiday-makers and sunshine.
The five beaches of Lloret de Mar are always a popular option. Most of them are softly sandy, and met with the bluest of blue shores. What’s more, the beaches are maintained daily so they’re always clean and welcoming for sun-seekers and water lovers alike.
With so much coast to cover, it goes without saying that Lloret de Mar offers plenty in the way of activities. With windsurfers dotted along the waves, sunbathers making the most of the powder-soft sand between their toes, and foodies enjoying the fresh flavours of the seafood, this resort is a serious holiday haven.
Or if you’re keen to explore away from the beaches, Lloret de Mar is blessed with beautiful sprawling gardens, ancient chapels – each with a fascinating history to be discovered, and winding pathways just asking to be explored.
Fronting the busiest part of the resort, Lloret beach enjoys swathes of sand, dotted with umbrellas and beach towels. Water-based activities such as boat trips and jet skiing are at the far end, near the headland. Cafés and shops are also just across the road from the beach, so refreshment is never far from hand.
If the thought of banana boat rides sounds a little too much, venture around the headland and you’ll come to Fenals beach. It’s a little smaller, but has a far less touristy vibe – great for families and couples looking for a little more space to enjoy. It’s still sandy, and is backed by lush woodland, offering shade, and a fun place for the kids to play.
With a Blue Flag for its beautifully clean sand, Playa Treumal is the most natural of the three beaches. It’s a small bay, with a curve of dark green trees behind the sand. There are limited facilities here, but the sand and water quality more than makes up for it.
Every year on the 2nd fortnight of July, Blanes holds its international firework festival. It’s held over three nights, and over 500 kilos of fireworks are shot into the air. Pyrotechnics from around the world compete to produce the best displays, and it’s all blissfully free to watch. On our count: ooooh, aahhh!
Travel 20 minutes up the road to Tossa de Mar, and enjoy the fast painting contest – the painting capital of Catalonia. It’s a years-old tradition, whereby the best painters of the land are gathered to paint solidly for twelve hours. Wander along the seafront and admire the works of art as they progress – you might even pick up a print or two!
Spend a few hours exploring and simply enjoy the peace and quiet of these gardens. They were first planted over a hundred years ago, but they’re kept in trim all year round. From marble sculptures to flowers flowing down flights of stairs, they’re gorgeous.
An hour’s bus ride will have you in Barcelona, soaking up culture and sunshine in equal quantities. Barca is famed for big attractions like Camp Nou football stadium (home of Messi and Suárez) and Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. Both are world-famous, yet reveal a different side to the city. Tapas is extremely popular in Barcelona, and no trip would be complete without a stop off in a tapas bar, or five.
Found just on the edge of the resort, Water World is an enormous water park. The park has pools, rivers, slides, swings, tunnels, and more. The rides are categorised into three levels: children’s, family, and bold. So you know just how exhilarated you’ll be before you get on. The ride also has restaurants and cafés, lockers, free parking and buses.
