25 Apr DISCOVER THE HIDDEN GEMS OF LLORET DE MAR
Now, if we say Lloret de Mar, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Wait, we know; parties, bars, tourists, right? The actual truth is, that Lloret has much more to offer than the above mentioned. We even discovered some hidden gems and less known activities! Save our tips and combine Lloret its surroundings of the Costa Brava to make the most of tour trip.
Before you go to Lloret de Mar
- Rent a car! Taxi’s are not that expensive, but if you want to discover the coastline, nature parks and villages across the Costa Brava, we advise you to rent a car for hassle free travel.
- Don’t visit Lloret during July & August! If partying is what you seek, by all means go, but if not, try to avoid these months. The best time to visit would be April, May, and the beginning of June and September or October.
- Lloret is such a good option to combine with a roadtrip along the Costa Brava. You can fly to Girona or Barcelona, enjoy these cities and stop in Lloret and explore its surroundings.
Parish Church of Sant Romà, in Lloret de Mar
Must do activities
Walk along the Camino de Ronda
Lloret is active! Get up early and start your walk between 09:00h and 10:00h on Camino de Ronda (coastal walk). This road known as the GR 92 can take you all the way to France (if you feel like walking for several days). We saw young and old, including families exploring and enjoying this walk. Start at the right side of Lloret beach and stop by the Bar Cala Banys for a cup of coffee and stare to the ocean. Arrive before 10am and you might enjoy it in peace.
Cala Banys – the perfect place to relax in the morning
Sea kayaking
Honestly, we thought this was just a straight forward kayaking tour and we didn’t expect much. It ended up being super exiting! Caves, swell and narrow entrees through clifs, made this such a fun activity. We also stopped at a pretty beach. Bring your sunscreen, slippers and swimsuit. We booked ours through Kayak Adventure.
Visit Tossa de Mar
This town is famous for its Castillo that includes a medieval village where some people actually still live. It only takes a short boat trip to get there, which departs from Lloret beach. Do take the earliest boat, to avoid the biggest crowd in Tosso. When you arrive, we advise you to enter the medieval village from the actual town entrance, and not on the left side of the beach where the boat arrives. Most people do this, and this is where it get’s the busiest. Walk around and enjoy the views, and the two beaches. In town there are some nice shops, but be aware, it does get busy during the summer months.
Tossa de Mar
Massís de Cadiretes
This nature park isn’t visited that often by tourists coming to Lloret, but is a favorite by locals. Come for hikes, walking your dog, and enjoy the scent of pine trees.
Go wine tasting at Sant Pere del Bosc
In the same nature park, you can also find the hidden gem that goes by the name of Sant Pere del Bosc. The wealthiest inhabitant of Lloret bought this building that was once a monastery. The small chapel remains, and Sant Pere is actually buried underneath. Now, a 5-star hotel and luxurious spa, you can also have dinner in their restaurant. But what not everybody knows, is that you can enjoy a wine-tasting, by the only winemaker of Lloret de Mar. Celler Domini de Sant Pere only creates about 6 different wines, this winery is small but exclusive. You can buy these bottles of which he sometimes only makes 1500 bottles, one of a kind! You can book this winetasting/tour via the hotel. hotelsantperedelbosc.com
Visit the Santa Clotilde Gardens
Once owned by a wealthy local, these incredible gardens full of hidden corners, was sold and opened by the public in 1997. Tickets cost 6 euro per adult and are available here.
Play some Golf
If you love golf, you are at the right spot to enjoy a relax a day of Pitch & Putt or shooting balls. It’s a nice spot with trees, sheep and puddles. golflloret.com
Best beaches in Lloret de Mar and surroundings
Lloret is most known for its beachfront right next to town, where you can also find the castle of Lloret. That being said, this isn’t the beach we would recommend visiting if you want to surround yourself with the tourists. Go where the locals go! Here are the best beaches in and around Lloret de Mar we can recommend.
Santa Christina
An amazing beach with white/golden sand and loved by families because of the shallow entrance to the sea. Walk down for a few minutes to reach the beach. You can come for a drink/lunch at Hotel Santa Marta.
Cala Boadella
This beach was one of our favorites! Sidenote; it’s a half nudist beach, meaning that the sides are for sunbathing in your birthday suit, and the middle part isn’t. There is a small beach restaurant for lunch and refreshments. The walk from the road to Boadella beach takes about 5 minutes.
Canyelles beach
We visited this large beach for our kayak adventure, and it’s also the beach where you can find the stylish Gammarus beach club (worth a visit) You can rent boats here as there is a small harbor.
Where to stay
Casa Coco
This place one of the best and recently renovated hotels in Lloret. It’s cozy, boutique hotel has an amazing rooftop and vibe we like. Sorry kids, this is an adults-only hotel and offers 22 rooms with earthy tones – inspired by nature. There is a nice spa and outdoor pool. Book here.
Hotel Dela Mar
Another Adults-Only hotel that is worth your while, if you want to stay in the middle of Lloret, is Hotel de la Mar. Having the largest rooftop terrace of Lloret, you have a wonderful view of the city and surrounding mountains. Surprisingly, it’s not even that expensive. Prices start at €89,- in May! You can also come here for cocktails, just ask at the reception. Book here.
Hotel De la Mar
L’Azure
Big and spacious, that’s L’Azure. Go here if you like to be active, as there is a sport complex right next door. It’s no surprise if you see many sport teams staying here. There is a gym, spa and the rooftop is massive, which includes a seasonal pool. Book here.
Where to eat
Now, we don’t have to tell you that there is enough choice when it comes to restaurants. But finding the right ones, this may be a task. The key to dining in and around Lloret de Mar, is to find those hidden gems or places that don’t just serve fries and burgers. Here are some of our best finds!
Restaurant Campana
For a true local experience, go visit restaurant Campana – located right in the town of Lloret. It’s a little hidden, so you may miss it if you didn’t know. Here they only serve a few dishes; roast chicken, homemade fries, salad, Spanish croquets, grilled veggies like eggplant and bell peppers. For vegetarians they prepare a Spanish omelet known as Tortilla. They have live music on most nights starting from about 10pm.
Studio 66
Truth be told, when we arrived at this restaurant, we didn’t think much of it. If you didn’t know, you would have walked right past. Now, trust us and go in. The food they serve here under the guidance of Chef David Gou is amazing and innovating to say the least! Our favourite was the dessert box with burning cigars made from chocolate and sugar. Spanish tapas with elements of a Michelin star quality. You can also sit outside, but don’t come here for the view, and let the food speak for itself. Staff is friendly and if you’re lucky you may catch a climpse of the modest chef. studio66lloret.com
Gammarus
A must visit on Canyelles beach! This is by far the nicest beach club in the area, so make it worth your while. Lunch can be busy so make sure you reserve a table. Beautiful tables, palmtrees and a rooftop terrace with a pool to cool off. You can rent a sunbed for 2 people which will cost you 90 euro but includes water, fresh fruit and a bottle of wine. In the restaurant they serve salads, burgers, but also traditional Paella and seafood. Oh, and come here for tasty cocktail.
Velamar
Right down the entrance of Lloret Castle, you can find Velamar, a restaurant that is quite trendy, and not comparable with the rest of the restaurants on this street. They serve traditional tapas, with a twist.
Can Savata
Specialized in rice dishes and Catalan cuisine, this is a wonderful restaurant to add to your list. Located in a 16th century farmhouse.
Jeris pub
Another local gem, loved by locals and travelers alike! Come here for drinks and food, in a relaxed setting. Watch sports, and don’t expect fancy food but nevertheless delicious Spanish comfort food.
Like we said, Lloret de Mar surprised us. It remains a popular destination, so it will never be hidden, but we sure found some jewels for you to enjoy. Drive along the coast, and don’t miss the gems of Lloret!
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