Lloret de Mar, Spain — a Jewel of Costa Brava: Trip/Photo Report, Part 1

Lloret de Mar, Spain is a small Mediterranean resort town about 1 hour bus ride from Barcelona. I went there because of the #TBEX conference and also because it’s very close to Barcelona. I had never been to Barcelona before, and it had been on my list for so long that I finally ran out of excuses.

Lloret de Mar is a party town. People come there to drink, dance, sunbathe, and drink some more, and it was quite, well, lively during the weekend, despite the fact that the season hasn’t even started yet. I thought I might find myself a little bored over there–the water was too cold for swimming, and my free-flying party days are behind me–but I was pleasantly surprised. I ended up not seeing everything I had set out to see. Oh, yeah, for a small town, Lloret has a lot of history and stunning vistas.

Lloret de Mar beach: so peaceful… for now!

Lloret de Mar: Just an unknown fortress Tossa de Mar (Thanks Gary!)

Tossa de Mar

LLoret de Mar: Cliffs

Lloret de Mar: Colors

On the arrival day, Timmy and I took a Catamaran tour organized by a local company Sensation for #TBEX attendees. It worked perfectly well for us, since our room hadn’t been ready yet, so we stored our stuff and sailed away. It was amazing, and we had a lot of fun drinking sangria, dancing, and admiring the scenery. That was the only free tour I was able to take, although I had signed up for a few, but alas, the timing didn’t work.

Lloret de Mar: Sensation

Lloret de Mar: Brave souls of Sensation: the water is 60°F–max!

Lloret de Mar, Sensation: Timmy is not swimming!

If you love walking amidst beautiful scenery, you will find yourself in heaven. Start early—I would suggest 7-8AM—if you want to avoid crowds and have all that incredible vistas to yourself. There are two major beaches at Lloret, the main beach, and Fenals Beach. We stayed at the main beach. Here is a couple of suggested walking tours to get you started. We stayed right at the beach, at the Aparthotel called Almirall–later about that!

Lloret de Mar: Almirall Apartments

Walk right and along the cliffs to the Santa Clotilde Gardens. 

Walk along the cliffs to the right, past the Mermaid Fisherman’s Wife statue (that can be seen from the beach. Your walk will be strenuous at times, but you’ll be rewarded with these views. And if you start early, you’ll have the whole place to yourself.

Lloret de Mar: Mermaid Fisherman’s Wife Statue (Thanks again Gary)

You will get to a an outside bar that has an unbeatable location and the views to die for, but at 12 Euro for a drink, we decided to stay sober (and at 7:30AM it’s close anyway).

Keep walking along the cliffs, and you will reach this nice looking tower called the Castell de San Joan. We couldn’t go in, because we got there too early, and the tower opens at 10AM, so there are some downsides to the bright and early approach. Not to worry, though, you can hit it on the way back.

Lloret de Mar: Castell de San Joan

Skirt around the tower (left or right, doesn’t matter), and your path will take you off the cliffs. Just kidding. No, you will be entering the paved road phase of your journey, with some nice villas and cottages along the way. Walk down until you see the sign directing you to Gardens. You will be coming down two flights of  these gorgeous terraces.

Lloret de Mar: Look for this sign, Jardins de Sta. Clotilda

Lloret de Mar: Terraces leading down to the Fenals Beach and the Gardens

When you reach the street level, keep going in the same general direction and you will get to the Fenals Beach, which is in the more modern part of the town. I thought this beach was nicer and quieter than the main beach. But it’s also further away from the old streets of Lloret and the nightlife.

Lloret de Mar: Fenals Beach–deserted at this ungodly hour

Lloret de Mar: Fenals Beach

Walk alone the Fenals Beach and you will (eventually in about 20 minutes) arrive to the Gardens. This is a truly gorgeous and a must visit spot in Lloret. I could spend a day here with a good book. See for yourself!

Lloret de Mar: Santa Clotilde Gardens

Lloret de Mar: Santa Clotilde Gardens

Lloret de Mar: Santa Clotilde Gardens

Lloret de Mar: Santa Clotilde Gardens

Lloret de Mar: Santa Clotilde Gardens

Then, there is Modernist Cemetery, which is another landmark in Lloret you shouldn’t miss. It’s near the Gardens and is totally worth visiting for historical context and post-mortem (LOL?) modernist architecture. Very impressive!

Lloret de Mar: Modernist Cemetary

Lloret de Mar: Modernist Cemetary

Lloret de Mar: Modernist Cemetary

I have to confess, I didn’t get to enjoy the Gardens and the Cemetery this way. I had seminars in the morning, and nothing in Lloret opens before 10. So to me, things were a bit hectic, but to you it doesn’t have to be. Walking along the cliffs to the Gardens is a treat. Give yourself plenty of time, stop along the way for breakfast or a cup of coffee on the Fenals Beach, and you will arrive at the Gardens right when they open the gates. And if you’re too tired to walk the same way back home, grab a taxi for a 15-minute ride.

Walk Left to Castell d’en Plaja

Next day walk along the beach to the left. You will get to and past the castle (you can’t get inside–private property). There are 10 kilometers of cliff trails, but we got exhausted after three or four. The views are breathtaking, and there are beautiful small cliff openings along the way!

Lloret de Mar: Castell d’en Plaja

Lloret de Mar: Castell d’en Plaja

Lloret de Mar: Castell d’en Plaja Trails

Lloret de Mar: Castell d’en Plaja Trails

Lloret de Mar: Castell d’en Plaja Trails

Next part: more walks, hotels, food, and costs: stay tuned!

To be continued.