Lloret de Mar has a reputation as one of the liveliest resorts on the Costa Brava. If you only visit the main promenade, it’s easy to get the impression that the town is all about beaches, bars, and nightlife. But, as I had the chance to see for myself, Lloret has a completely different side. Just step away from the busiest streets, walk along the coastal path, or head towards Fenals, and suddenly you’ll find the cliffs, pines, small coves, and views that make the Costa Brava so popular.
>> TOP 10 ACCOMMODATION IN LLORET DE MAR
Lloret de Mar – Costa Brava
And that’s exactly why Lloret de Mar managed to pleasantly surprise me. Don’t expect a small romantic town where you’ll be alone. Of course, it’s a larger, practical, and well-equipped tourist resort, but it offers much more than just a classic seaside holiday. You’ll find long city beaches, quieter coves, gardens perched above cliffs, as well as maritime history and the Camí de Ronda coastal routes. The town is one of the main destinations on the Costa Brava, and you can look forward to an atmosphere of beaches, coves, culture, gastronomy, water activities, and nightlife.
Accommodation in Lloret de Mar
Find accommodation in Lloret de Mar by the sea:
When choosing accommodation in Lloret de Mar, a lot depends on the style of holiday you’re planning. The center is practical but busier. You’ll be close to the main beach, the promenade, restaurants, and nightlife, which is great if you want to be in the heart of the action.
In my opinion, the Fenals area is a better choice for a quieter holiday. You still have everything within reach, but the atmosphere is more pleasant and less touristy. If you want to be closer to nature, look for accommodation towards the Santa Clotilde Gardens and Cala Boadella. However, keep in mind that some paths may lead uphill or involve stairs.
Recommended accommodation in Lloret de Mar:
ALEGRIA Fenals Mar
- Just a few steps from Fenals Beach
- Great breakfast and a newer hotel
ALEGRIA Fenals Mar
Rosamar & Spa 4*s
- Right by the beach with a beautiful sea view
- Suitable for both families with children (kids’ pool) and couples (adults-only rooftop terrace)
- We appreciate the great breakfast, including sparkling wine
Rosamar & Spa 4*s
Why go to Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar is perfect for those who don’t like to leave their holiday spot and ideally want everything close at hand. You can head to the beach, walk to a viewpoint, or visit the Santa Clotilde Gardens. When it’s dinner time, you can choose from many restaurants in the center. Compared to smaller resorts, you have a wider range of services, accommodation, and activities here, which is especially appreciated by families, groups of friends, or travelers who don’t want to deal with driving for every little thing.
At the same time, it’s good to know what you can realistically expect from Lloret de Mar. In July and August, the town is lively, busy, and the main beaches are crowded. If you’re looking for total peace, it’s worth choosing accommodation in the Fenals area, planning trips early in the morning, and ideally avoiding the high season (if you don’t have school-aged children). For me, Lloret is best when you don’t just see it as a place to lie by the sea, but as a base for exploring the southern part of the Costa Brava.
Platja de Lloret: The main beach right by the center
The most famous beach in town is Platja de Lloret, sometimes also referred to as Gran Beach. It runs right along the center, is over 1.5 kilometers long, and is one of the most iconic spots in the entire resort. Thanks to its location, it’s ideal for a first introduction to the town, a morning walk along the promenade, or a quick swim during the day when you don’t have time to reach the prettier spots.
Its biggest advantage is the facilities. Restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels, and services are literally right behind you. You don’t have to plan where to go for lunch or where to buy water. In high season, however, this accessibility is also the reason why the beach is very lively. If you don’t mind a classic holiday atmosphere, it can be pleasant. If you want a quieter swim, save it for a short stop and head elsewhere for a full day of relaxation.
Fenals: A quieter part of Lloret de Mar near the center
Fenals Beach lies about a kilometer from the center of Lloret de Mar, in a more residential part of town. It’s still a city beach with services, restaurants, and hotels nearby, but it feels more relaxed than the main Platja de Lloret. In my opinion, Fenals is a good compromise if you still want to be close to the action but don’t want to stay in the busiest part of the resort.
Fenals is suitable for both families and couples. You can spend the morning by the sea, continue on foot to the Santa Clotilde Gardens in the afternoon, and return to the center in the evening. This part of Lloret has a more pleasant atmosphere while still providing enough facilities, so you don’t have to make big compromises between comfort and peace.
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Jardins de Santa Clotilde: The best views in Lloret
The Santa Clotilde Gardens are one of those places that will change your mind about all of Lloret de Mar. They sit on the cliffs between Fenals Beach and Cala Boadella cove and offer beautiful sea views. It’s not a wild natural park, but landscaped gardens with terraces, staircases, statues, greenery, and a peaceful atmosphere. For me, it’s one of the town’s biggest draws, precisely because of its location above the sea between Cala Boadella and Fenals.
I recommend heading here in the morning or later in the afternoon. In summer, you’ll avoid the worst of the heat, and the light will be nicer for photos. The gardens aren’t a full-day program, but they work great as a stop between Fenals Beach and Cala Boadella. Suddenly, you’ll feel that Lloret de Mar isn’t just a noisy resort, but that it has a beautiful location on the rocky Costa Brava.
Cala Boadella
Hidden below the Santa Clotilde Gardens is Cala Boadella, one of the prettiest coves around Lloret de Mar. While the main city beaches feel a bit too touristy, here you get closer to the typical Costa Brava landscape. Rocks, pines, clear water, and a smaller beach create a much more natural atmosphere. From what I’ve seen, it’s probably the only untouched cove in Lloret de Mar. Feel free to write to me if you know of another.
But don’t expect a deserted paradise in season. Cala Boadella is well-known and popular, so it tends to be full, just like other nice coves on the Costa Brava. Still, it has a completely different atmosphere than the main beach by the center. It’s great if you want to combine swimming with a short walk and don’t mind that the way back can be a bit more demanding in the heat.
Sa Caleta and Castell d’en Plaja
If you don’t want to walk far but still want to see a prettier coastal corner, head to Sa Caleta. It lies at the end of the main beach towards the striking silhouette of Castell d’en Plaja. For me, it’s an interesting part of Lloret. The city promenade turns into a rockier coastline, and the first views appear, inviting you to keep going.
Castell d’en Plaja looks like a historic castle, but its charm is mainly visual for photos. It stands above the coast, beautifully framing the sea views, and is one of the town’s most photogenic symbols. For me, it’s one of the prettiest spots in Lloret de Mar. At first glance, you’ll feel like it’s a restored medieval castle.
Camí de Ronda: Coastal paths that are worth it
One of the best ways to get to know the surroundings of Lloret de Mar is the Camí de Ronda coastal paths. Don’t worry, you don’t have to plan a long trek. Just pick a shorter section, put on comfortable shoes, and head along the sea. The paths lead past rocks, coves, staircases, and viewpoints, so even a short walk can be a nicer experience than a whole day on a crowded beach.
From Lloret, you can head towards Blanes or the other way along the Costa Brava towards Tossa de Mar. I rate the route from Lloret de Mar to Blanes as an interesting trip, but Tossa de Mar is my personal favorite.
Take water, a hat, and shoes that you’re comfortable walking in, even on stairs, for the Camí de Ronda. In summer, the routes on the map often look easier than they actually are. The sun, elevation changes, and hot stones can slow down even a short section. It’s best to head out in the morning when the temperature is more pleasant and the coast has a calmer atmosphere.
Sant Romà Church and the Historic Center
The historic center of Lloret de Mar isn’t large, but it’s worth a short walk. The most striking monument is the Sant Romà Church, which will catch your eye with its colorful elements, unusual domes, and a mix of architectural influences. It’s one of the most distinctive buildings in the region, reflecting two different construction periods and architectural layers.
The area around the church is practical for an afternoon stroll or dinner. During the day, you’ll find shops and services here, but in the evening, the center comes alive, and you can enjoy the classic atmosphere of the Lloret de Mar resort. If you want to experience the center more quietly, head here in the morning before the streets fill up.
Can Garriga Maritime Museum
Lloret de Mar has a strong maritime past, which is commemorated by the Maritime Museum in the Can Garriga house. The building stands on the coastal promenade and is one of the significant houses associated with the so-called ‘indianos’—residents who left for trade in the Americas and influenced the town’s appearance upon their return. Today, it houses a museum dedicated to Lloret de Mar and the sea.
The museum is a good tip when it’s too hot outside, you need a break from the beach, or you want to complement your beach holiday with a museum visit. Your children will surely appreciate the visit too.
What to do in Lloret de Mar with kids
For families, Lloret is practical mainly due to the available services. The beaches are easily accessible, and you’ll find restaurants, shops, and accommodation of various categories nearby. With smaller children, I would choose the Fenals area rather than the very center. It’s quieter, but there’s still a good connection to the rest of the town.
You can include a morning swim, a short walk to a viewpoint, the Santa Clotilde Gardens, or a boat trip along the coast in your program. You can also enjoy beach activities like kayaking, diving, and boat trips, so even more active families certainly won’t be bored here.
Where to go on a trip from Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava
A big advantage of Lloret de Mar is its location. If you don’t want to spend your holiday on just one beach, you can plan trips to the surrounding area. Blanes is a good tip for a quieter town with a botanical garden and a long beach. Tossa de Mar, on the other hand, is one of the prettiest places in this part of the Costa Brava, for me mainly thanks to the old fortified town above the sea.
If you have a car, there are even more options. You can discover smaller coves, head to Girona, or take a day trip to Barcelona. Lloret thus works well as a base for travelers who want to combine the sea, cities, and coastal views.
When to go to Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava?
The most pleasant time to visit Lloret de Mar is spring, early summer, and autumn. The town is lively but not as overcrowded as during the main summer holidays. September is particularly pleasant because the sea is warmed up after the summer and the evenings have a calmer atmosphere.
July and August are mainly suitable for those who want the full season, heat, nightlife, and classic holiday energy. But if you want to explore the coves, gardens, and coastal paths without the biggest crowds, consider June, September, or early October instead. Lloret de Mar is also a great tip for May and autumn holidays for long weekends.
What to keep in mind for Lloret de Mar
Shoes with a firmer sole are useful for the beaches and coastal paths. The Costa Brava is beautiful precisely because of the rocks and coves, but some access points aren’t as comfortable as a flat city promenade.
In summer, head out for walks early in the morning or later in the afternoon. During midday, it’s better to stay by the water, in the shade, or take a break in a cafe or museum.
If you want a quieter holiday, don’t choose accommodation based on price alone. In Lloret de Mar, location is really important. The difference between the busy center and quieter Fenals can be crucial for your overall holiday impression.
Is it worth going to Lloret de Mar?
Yes, if you know what to expect. Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava isn’t a hidden gem without tourists. Expect a lively and well-equipped resort. At the same time, it’s worth giving it a chance beyond the main promenade, and it will show you a much more interesting side and might surprise you, just as it did me.
You’ll find city beaches, the quieter Fenals, beautiful Cala Boadella, the Santa Clotilde Gardens, the Camí de Ronda coastal paths, the Sant Romà Church, and reminders of maritime history. Perhaps you’ll be thrilled that Lloret de Mar offers much more than its reputation suggests.
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