Hello dear travel lovers. In this post I’ll share my experience exploring the city of Blanes. I’ll talk about what attracts tourists here, its beaches, entertainment options and infrastructure. Helping me understand all this is my local friend Elena.
Blanes was once a fishing village and you can still see evidence of that in the boats and old fishermen’s houses. These are real, actively used fishing boats and you can watch the fishermen head out to sea. Today Blanes is a very appealing destination for tourists. People come here to take photos because the scenery is beautiful and fascinating.
Each boat is unique and colorful, making it a perfect spot for great photos, especially with a hat or beach outfit.
Elena suggested that we not linger too long and head straight to the first viewpoint. So we started climbing the cliffs.
Blanes has a very advantageous location, as tourists can choose between two airports: Girona or Barcelona. Girona is about 30 km away, while Barcelona is 70 km away. Its proximity to France is also a big plus, only 70 km to the nearest French border.
This means that anyone vacationing in Blanes can easily visit France as well. You can rent a car, drive your own vehicle or join organized tours to cross the border. Blanes attracts a significant number of tourists. Officially around 40000 people live here, but in summer, this number doubles or even triples.
As you can see Blanes is a small city. It is roughly divided into two sections: on the left side, there are mostly hotels and campsites, while the right side has residential areas and the Blanes port. The city beach stretches for about 4 km. Walking here is enjoyable both in summer and winter. Right now there are only a few people around, but in the summer, this place becomes a lively and bustling beach. It’s a popular spot for tourists because this viewpoint offers a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
On top of the hill you’ll also find San Juan Castle, an important and beautiful viewpoint that we visited today.
Blanes has two main beaches, naturally divided by a rocky outcrop. The beaches are sandy, wide and very suitable for families with children. There are also small, charming coves with breathtaking views.
Right next to the beach beside the cliffs, there is a fantastic spot loved by both tourists and locals, a restaurant with an open terrace where you can enjoy a drink, as well as a dining area. In the evenings this place transforms into a dance venue. I believe it only operates as a club on Fridays and Saturdays, but I’m not sure about the exact hours.
Blanes also has two tourist trains: one yellow and one green. These trains cover a large part of the city and go as far as Morimura Garden. The fare varies depending on the distance but starts at around 3 euros. These trains run from April to October, with their main stops along the promenade.
During our walk through the tourist area of the city, we noticed an interesting architectural detail that reflects Blanes fishing village history. There is a scene depicting fishermen pulling in their nets and bringing fish to shore.
And there are artistic works showcasing the Catalan people's strong connection to their history and culture. For example, you can find an image of the Black Madonna from Montserrat and a depiction of Saint George slaying the dragon.
It's also worth paying attention to the plaques on buildings in Blanes. These usually display the surnames of the families who lived there. One plaque, for example, indicated the street or area we were in and listed the names of the people who had once lived in that house.
Catalans also honor their traditions in restaurant names. Many restaurant names start with Can, such as Can Pep or Can Roca. Blanes is a charming city with rich history, stunning landscapes and a lively atmosphere,definitely worth a visit.
There used to be another sign here. It displayed the names of the fishing families who once lived here. These people used to fish in this area and then have breakfast or lunch here. A tradition dating back to the 1900s...
We've arrived at the tourist area. One of the first hotels: Pimar Hotel. This is a three-star hotel. My first encounter with Costa Brava was thanks to this hotel. It stands out especially for its location as it is right by the sea. And the hotel has a rooftop swimming pool and a spa area. In terms of price it is a budget-friendly option.
Right next to it there is a four-star hotel. Of course, the prices are a bit higher, but you can find good deals during the low season.
Right now many hotels are closed because we are here off-season. Generally, they are open from May to October.
I remember my first time in Costa Brava like it was yesterday. It was May and the sea was quite cold for this region. But I just couldn’t resist jumping in. I would run from the hotel straight into the sea and then rush back, shivering. 😄 I tried to warm up in the sauna to avoid getting sick and ruining my vacation.
There are many campsites in Blanes. Some have playgrounds for children, water slides and entertainment programs, while others are simple areas where people can relax by the sea, eat and read. It’s quieter in winter, but in summer, you need to book in advance to secure a spot.
This campsite has a gated entrance with a security code, so not just anyone can enter. A well-thought-out security measure. It’s a fantastic place, pine trees, the sea and nature all together…
Tourists in Blanes can stay in hotels, apartments or campsites. But what activities are available for tourists here? Of course, there’s entertainment. Blanes has plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars. There’s something for every taste and budget. However, I highly recommend trying seafood and fresh fish here, as Blanes has a fishing port where fishermen bring in the freshest catches every day.
There are also many benches and seating areas in this region, where both locals and tourists can relax and enjoy the sun.
Besides tourist trains Blanes also offers boat tours. The boats have several stops throughout the city, including one on this beach. Tourists can explore beautiful coves and visit nearby towns like Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar by boat.
We've reached the main shopping street of Blanes. Here there was a famous Mango store, two stories high. This street is full of shops. If you’re looking for a bigger shopping experience, there are large outlet stores in nearby towns. For example, there are outlet centers featuring famous brands. If luxury brands like Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana interest you, I recommend visiting La Roca Village. It’s about 50 km from here and can be reached by rental car or taxi.
We just passed by a tobacco shop. Here you can buy cigarettes because supermarkets don’t sell them. You can only find them in these special tobacco shops. They also sell local lottery tickets.
There’s a free art gallery in the city that you can visit. You can admire some art pieces and even buy them if you’d like. But for young people, shopping and art alone are not enough, right? They want to have fun, go to bars and visit nightclubs. Blanes has a few bars that only open in the evenings and at night. This street is decorated for special occasions and the decorations change with every holiday.
There are also a few nightclubs in the city, mostly in tourist areas. But if you’re looking for big parties and famous clubs, I suggest going to Lloret de Mar. It’s only 5 km away from Blanes.
You can get there by bus or taxi. However, public transport doesn’t run after midnight, so you’ll need a taxi to return from the nightclub. The taxi fare is around 15-20 euros. If you’re going with a group, you can share the cost to make it more affordable.
We visited the stunning Cala Rimal cove. It’s surrounded by pine trees and the water is crystal clear. However, the descent to the cove is quite steep, so getting back up might be a bit challenging. During the summer months, a restaurant opens here, but the prices are high and the food quality is not exceptional. I’d recommend either bringing your own food or dining in the city.
Just a few steps away is Cala Santa Cristina, which belongs to Lloret de Mar. Another wonderful cove in Blanes is Cala San Francesc. This one is closer to the city and you can even walk to it. There’s a great restaurant here called Ca La Bona, especially for those wanting fresh seafood. However, during the summer you should make a reservation in advance, as it’s often fully booked.
You can also go diving or snorkelling here to explore the underwater world. You’ll spot many fish around the small rocky areas.
If you're looking for a luxury beach villa, Cala San Francesc is one of the most prestigious areas. Villas here start at 1 million euros.
We also visited a restaurant famous for Catalan cuisine: Carbonera. It’s not located in the city center, but it offers truly delicious dishes. The daily menu is 24.90 euros and I ordered grilled vegetables and calamari, accompanied by a white wine typical of Catalonia.
Blanes has a fishing port where fishermen return every day at 4 p.m. with their catches. Fish and seafood are sold at auction, but only to restaurant owners and licensed sellers. Unfortunately, due to bad weather today, the fishermen didn’t go out, so I couldn’t see the catch. Normally, it’s quite lively here and even seagulls try to snatch fish.
Every July, Blanes hosts a large fireworks festival. It’s one of the biggest events in all of Catalonia. During the festival, there are amazing fireworks displays every evening. Many people go out to sea on their boats to watch. If you plan to visit Blanes during this time, be sure to book your hotel or apartment in advance.
Lastly we visited one of the most beautiful nature spots in Blanes: the Marimurtra Botanical Garden. It’s not only famous for its plants but also for its stunning sea views. You can enjoy nature and take amazing photos here. The entrance fee is 10 euros and you can also purchase local honey and some plants.
In addition to the botanical garden, San Juan Castle is one of the highest points in the city, where you can enjoy panoramic views of all of Blanes. On clear days you can even see Barcelona from here.
If you’re looking for a luxurious venue for special events, El Convent is an old monastery used for weddings and concerts. It also houses a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Today we explored the most beautiful places in Blanes. If you love nature and want a peaceful holiday surrounded by the sea and pine trees, Blanes is the perfect destination. Goodbye and I wish you the best weekend.
