Lloret de Mar, the fiesta on the Costa Brava

Published on July 16, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Lloret de Mar is considered the party capital of the Costa Brava: affordable for all budgets, it's one of the most popular destinations for groups of young European students. The resort has everything you need to enjoy a great holiday atmosphere, thanks to its generous sunshine, 7 kilometres of Blue Flag beaches, beach activities and festive nightlife. In many ways, Lloret de Mar also represents some of the tourist excesses of the Costa Brava: modern hotel-clubs and the concreting of the seafront against a backdrop of summer crowds, the style of the resort appeals to many but will turn some away. And yet, at the turn of a coastal path, a cemetery or a botanical garden, this former fishing village turns out to be just as surprising and full of pleasant surprises. The evidence is clear: with its beaches and lively atmosphere, Lloret de Mar is a must on the Costa Brava.

Welcome to Lloret de Mar

Summary

Lloret de Mar, beaches and partying
Practical information

Lloret de Mar, beaches and partying

Relaxing, enjoying the beach and partying are among the most popular activities in Lloret de Mar. The beaches are many and varied, and are always full to bursting in the summer. Lloret beach, Fenals beach or Santa Cristina beach are all very popular with families and young people. But there are also quiet beaches, or coves, tucked away behind cliffs and seaside pines: the resort has a total of 7 km of coastline to explore!

Santa Cristina Beach

The days are spent mainly on the beach in Lloret de Mar, punctuated by siestas on deckchairs and sporting activities such as water-skiing, jet-skiing, kayaking, paragliding and even hiking along the coastal paths.

The most popular beach is Lloret. The beach at Fenals is quieter, but there are others which, although smaller, offer a very calm atmosphere even in the middle of August.

As evening approaches, the options are equally varied. Head to Lloret de Mar's seafront and along the Avinguda Just Marlés Vilarrodona, the main thoroughfare: the evenings begin in the many pubs and bars (many hotels also offer entertainment) before continuing late into the night in the discos, or on the beach...

The night belongs to Lloret de Mar

Not to be missed, with its neon pyramid, is the Gran Casino Costa Brava, opened in 2010, with 1,500 m² devoted to gambling, including blackjack, French roulette, Caribbean poker, etc.... emblematic of the atmosphere that reigns in Lloret de Mar!

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Hotel Bella Dolores

Situated on the seafront, this hotel exudes idyllic charm.

9.3 Fabulous

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£76 / night

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Visits and activities in Lloret de Mar

As well as its beaches and discos, Lloret de Mar has a number of places worth visiting. If you're feeling curious, don't hesitate to spend a few hours exploring the resort in more detail.

The Renaissance-style Santa Clotilde Gardens, a magnificent botanical garden that exudes charm, peace and romance. In other words, the opposite of Lloret's 'movida'! Marble busts, bronze sculptures and fountains decorate this green space adorned with cypresses and other evergreens.

Santa Clotilda Gardens

And don't miss one of the city's most unusual sights: its cemetery! It contains several Modernista-style tombs built by students of Gaudí's school.

Lloret de Mar Cemetery

For lovers of history and art, there is the Lloret parish church. Located right in the centre, it is a modernist jewel with Byzantine features, and boasts splendid mosaics made from ceramic pieces.

Lloret de Mar church

In the streets of the city centre, you can see a number of houses from the colonial era that reflect the glorious past of the "lloretense" navy. The city's link with the sea is explored in greater detail at the Museu del Mar (full price €4, concessions €2, season timetable on the Museu del Mar website).

Practical information

When should you visit Lloret de Mar?

For those who don't like big crowds and a lively atmosphere (day and night), it's best to avoid travelling to this destination in July and August. However, the town is large enough to accommodate several areas with different atmospheres, ranging from the very lively to the calm.

How do I get to Lloret de Mar?

Lloret de Mar is close to Girona airport (35 km) and Barcelona airport (75 km). Local bus services are also available. It is advisable to hire a car or bring your own vehicle if you wish to explore the region.

Lloret de Mar: where to eat

Lloret de Mar has restaurants to suit all tastes. There are plenty of fast-food restaurants, thanks to the large number of young people, but there are also places where you can try the main local recipes at affordable prices, as well as Italian, Mexican, Chinese, American and other restaurants dotted around the town's liveliest streets.

Lloret de Mar specialities:

Dishes such as grilled rabbit with clams or chicken with crayfish, combining products from the mountains and the sea, are among the most typical. Fish suquet (literally "little juice"), black rice, beef with mushrooms and combinations of seafood with cold meats are also common dishes at Lloret's tables. Another option when it comes to eating out is to go for tapas, as there are many bars and taverns specialising in this. Roman-style squid, patatas bravas, small squid, fried anchovies and, of course, pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato) and ham are just some of the classics.

WHAT TO TAKE BACK

For lovers of 'typical Spanish' souvenirs, there are little shops or bazaars with a bit of everything dotted around the centre, particularly on Sant Pere, Vila and Just Marlés streets.Barça shirts, flamenco dancer dolls, bulls printed on a myriad of objects and even Mexican sombreros are just some of the usual items to be found in these shops. Gourmets can take home some typical sweets such as xuxo, a deep-fried, sweet pastry cake filled with cream. Butifarra dulce (sweet sausage), either fresh or dried, a delicious sausage whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, is also a good culinary souvenir.

Festivals and events in Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar hosts a number of events throughout the year. These include the famous medieval fair held in November. On this occasion, the centre is transformed into a medieval village where you can see shows or buy items made by the best local craftsmen using techniques thousands of years old. Some of them are pottery or wrought iron objects.

by Editorial Team

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Costa Brava