Those who are looking to plan a perfect seaside getaway in Spain this summer could easily already be browsing our incredible vacation rentals on the Costa Brava. However, if you are looking to narrow your search down and find a perfect resort town with dreamy beaches and stunning surroundings, then we highly recommend our villas in Lloret de Mar.
Located 70km north east of Barcelona, along the southern stretch of the beloved Costa Brava, the town of Lloret de Mar has Iberian and Roman origins and is first mentioned in writing in the 10th century. It eventually became an important port town in the 18th century and, as a result, transformed into an affluent community. This led to a large-scale rebuilding of the town and the construction of some stunning Neoclassical palaces that remain throughout to this day. By the 20th century, the first tourists began to converge in the town and summer villas and hotels were built. The civil war and the post-war period thereafter did lead to a pause in the growth of tourism in Lloret de Mar but it was reborn and continued soon after. Lloret de Mar then continued to attract more and more visitors and build its reputation and is now one of the must popular resorts along the Costa Brava and one of the best-known gems in the Mediterranean.
The most obvious appeal of the town is, of course, the coastline and the incredible beaches that can be enjoyed throughout a vacation by those who find a holiday rental in Lloret de Mar. Spread over 48 square kilometres, the town is fronted by 7 kilometres of coastline and 5 incredible beaches and there are many more that are within a stone’s throw of Lloret de Mar. Many of these are also Blue Flag beaches, awarded for their cleanliness and beauty, and vary in their different features and appealing traits. Furthermore, in addition to the well-kept beaches and crystal clear waters you’ll find rocky cliffs perfect for thrill-seekers looking to dive into the sea, a pretty promenade along the main beach boasting scenic surroundings, beach-side bars and restaurants for dining al fresco with sea views, boat rentals for fun outings along the coast, and companies offering all sorts of water sport equipment and tutelage. So, if you are a water baby yourself or have some in your party, want to work on your tan or spend lazy days reading under an umbrella and listening to the waves lap in the background, you enjoy adventurous water sports or merely going for a quick dip or a stroll along the strand, you’ll find lots of perfect beaches to do all that and more all throughout your getaway. Lloret de Mar really is a perfect place for a seaside break full of sun and fun and sea!
But you may be wondering which beach is for you or what kind of variety of different beaches and, therefore, beach days are on offer for those who find a villa in Lloret de Mar. So, we have put a helpful little guide to the town’s strands together for you...
Lloret Beach
Lloret Beach is the main strand that stretches along the coastline, right in front of the centre of town. Made up of coarse white sand with pebbles that is lapped by incredibly clean waters, this 1630m-long Blue Flag gem of an urban beach has all of the facilities that you could ask for and is ideally located, making it one of the most convenient beaches to visit in the area. There are a range of bars, restaurants, and shops close at hand, it has bathroom and shower facilities, there is a car park nearby, there are lifeguards on duty, the beach is cleaned each morning, and you can rent lounge chairs and parasols pretty inexpensively (or bring your own if you wish). Do keep in mind, however, that though this beach is very conveniently located and has lots of great amenities as well as visual appeal, the water does get deep quite quickly and it can be tricky to get in and out, making it less than ideal for those with small kids. As there is quite an incline in places, it is also not particularly easily accessed if you have mobility issues. Finally, it is a very popular beach and visitors should expect it to be incredibly busy during the summer months and to keep an eye on belongings as these crowds can make it easy for items to go missing. Overall, however, it is a beautiful and clean gem that is a must for most beach-lovers spending time on holiday in Lloret de Mar.
Fenals Beach
This is another highly popular and well-equipped beach located a little further along the coast and away from the centre of town but is easily reached using the inter-urban bus service that stops directly at the beach. An especially picturesque example, this beach is framed by a pine grove and rocky cliffs, and overlooked by the Castle of Sant Joan perched on a promontory. Another Blue Flag beach, it is 700m long and is also made up of a pebbly strand lapped by perfectly clean waters. Boasting sun bed and parasol rentals, clean bathrooms and changing facilities, nearby bars and restaurants, lovely forest walks, and a range of water sport and boat trip options, it is a charming place to spend your days. Snorkelling here is highly recommended as there are lots of little fish swimming about. While this is another beach where the water does get deep quite quickly, it is a calm bay with small waves and is, perhaps, better suited to families. It is also very busy during the summer but you can sometimes find quieter stretches.
Cala Boadella
A more remote and quiet beach, Cala Boadella is located on the outskirts of Lloret de Mar, along the GI-682 (Blanes-Lloret) road and visitors can use the car park 200m away from the beach. Popular among nudists but open to those who wish to remain clothed as well, this is a highly peaceful and picturesque gem. Rocky cliffs and rock formations and a thick pine grove frame the bay, which is actually divided into two beaches by the Sa Roca des Mig formation in the middle. These beaches, Sa Cova and Sa Boadella, are usually just referred to as Cala Boadella and are Blue Flag coarse sand strands that stretch over around 250m. The area at the foot of the cliffs to the left of the beach and between Des Bot island and En Sureda point has a sprinkling of islets that and is a popular spot for scuba diving, which will be of interest to those looking into diving while on vacation in Lloret de Mar.
Santa Cristina Beach
Santa Cristina, meanwhile, is another diving and snorkelling hotspot with famously clear waters and clean sands that have earned the beach a Blue Flag. Also split into two coves, it is nestled between the cliffs of the Pinya de Rosa Botanical Garden and a pine forest in which visitors will find a path up to the Santa Cristina hermitage. This religious institution is home to are relics of the saint and is the point to which there is a procession each year during the annual town festival. Mostly favoured by locals and a smaller number of tourists, this beach boasts a more remote location but excellent amenities (including a bar/restaurant, parasol and lounger rentals, parking, lifeguards, toilets, and more). It can get incredibly busy during the height of the summer months but is excellent for families as it has more shallow waters. Access can be a little tricky due to the incline of the strand, particularly if you or someone in your party has mobility issues. For those looking for a place to bring kids along to the beach, it is a great option to visit while on holiday in Lloret de Mar.
Other excellent beach options to visit in the area include: the Blue Flag beaches of Playa Treumal and Canyelles (the latter of which also boasts a small port and a yacht club); Cala Banys for lazy days of fishing; Cala Tron for swimming, snorkelling, and fishing; Sa Caleta for its pretty castle and surroundings; and Tortuga Beach, which is hard to reach and has no real amenities but is ideal for those who prefer to get away from it all. Plus, in addition to the beaches, you can enjoy shopping, dining out and sampling traditional Catalan dishes, horse-riding, pretty walking routes, mountain-biking, visiting Roman landmarks, wandering churches and museums, exploring ruins and architectural gems, diving into the vibrant nightlife, and more. So, if you’re looking for a perfect seaside getaway destination this summer then look no further than the Costa Brava, where we have some of our best villas in Spain. Our vacation rentals in Lloret de Mar and in the surrounding area, in particular, are wonderful and will give you easy access to this extraordinary slice of the coast and all of the brilliant beaches and attractions clustered in and around the town.