Overview: History may have given way to high-rise hotels, and fishing to
foam parties in this former Catalonian trading port, but the
region’s fiery spirit is still evident, which is why Lloret
de Mar is regarded as the liveliest holiday spot on the Costa
Brava. As a resort the town caters for the 18-30s and families with
children. There are seemingly hundreds of British bars, discos and
clubs to choose from, and the days are packed with programmes of
beach frolics and fun. The resort has five rough sandy beaches, a
massive water park, aquatic zoo and a theme park. For a taste of
the real Spain visitors can revel in the local cuisine or gather in
the town’s Placa de la Vila on Saturday evenings to join in
when locals dance the traditional Catalonian Sardana dance.
Shopping: There are a multitude of shops and markets to choose from in
Lloret de Mar, and plenty of time to browse in. The main shopping
enclaves, from malls to small kiosks, are centred in the streets
behind the waterfront. Wares tend to be touristy items, from
souvenirs to bathing suits, and prices are generally reasonable
although quality may be lacking. Some of the smaller shops close in
the early afternoon hours and on Sundays, but in general visitors
can shop happily from around 9am until late at night any day of the
week during the busy summer season. The traditional local market is
held every Tuesday on the Carrer dels Mestres, and there is a
municipal market every weekday in the Carrer Senia del Rabic and
Carrer Verge de Loreto.
Restaurants: Diners in Lloret de Mar will find a wide variety of cuisine
available in a plethora of restaurants and fast-food outlets, from
the best of British to traditional tapas, at very reasonable prices
and generally good quality. Favourites with holiday-makers are
strawberries and cream, Sangria (fruited sparkling wine) and
delicious dishes of paella (seafood risotto). Many of the local
restaurants in the old town offer a "menu of the day" deal
including two courses, dessert, bread and even wine for a few
Euros. There is also tex-mex, Chinese and various other flavours to
indulge in. For fun take a 15-minute stroll to the Disaster Cafe in
Fenals, where the food may not be wildly exciting but the themed
setting with realistic thrills like earthquakes make up for the
cuisine.
Nightlife: Nightlife in Lloret de Mar is exhilarating, its hundreds of bars
and 30-odd nightclubs pulsating all night, particularly along the
Avinguda Just Marles I Vilarrodona strip of the old town. Night
owls who stroll along here in the late evening are accosted by
touts offering free tickets and drinks vouchers for the clubs, and
partying here can be as cheap as it is lively. Among the more
popular clubs and pubs are Bumpers, renowned for its Caribbean
cocktails and glass dance floor; Moby's, where karaoke is the
popular entertainment; and Tropics, the biggest and best night-spot
in town where guest DJs rock the night with a mix of house, rock
and trance music enhanced with laser lights and foam. Families opt
for friendly "home-style" pubs in the suburb of Fenals, where kids
are entertained and the favourite English soap operas are
screened
Activities: Days are usually spent enjoying Lloret de Mar's seafront and the
shingly beach that slopes sharply into the sea, making ideal
conditions for a variety of water sports from lazily pedalling
boats, skimming the surface on a windsurfer, or diving into the
depths. Other diversions include a host of holiday fun like
go-karts, bungee jumping, a mini-train, bowling alley and horse
riding. For a change of scene visitors can head off to the
Waterworld aquatic park, or play a round of golf at nearby Santa
Cristina de Aro. Most visitors opt for one or more sightseeing
excursions during their stay; local operators, hotels and package
tour companies offer a wide variety of outings from exploring Old
Girona to coastal cruises and wine tasting in the Catalan
countryside. Most popular are trips to the huge theme park at Salou
and Marineland near Blanes, both a few hours drive away. Those who
wish to get away from it all can opt for one of a series of mapped
walks along the coast or to traditional villages inland.
Negatives: The beach is comparatively small and becomes very over-crowded
in the height of the season.
Attractions
Banyoles: The historic lakeside town of Banyoles just north of Girona is
well known for hosting international rowing events, but it is also
a fun, attractive and interesting place to visit and perhaps work
off some energy in a pedal-boat or on a bicycle. The bright blue
lake itself is the only one in the world fed by two merging
subterranean rivers, the clean water flowing in at 600 litres a
second. There are numerous options available to those wanting to
take to the water, from a swimming dock to cruises or hire boats,
and a grassy bank for sunbathers or a network of shady footpaths
for those who prefer the shore. The town of Banyoles dates from
812, having grown up around a Benedictine monastery, and its old
section is full of fascinating ancient buildings. The natural
history and archaeological museums are worth visiting, and all is
centred on a lovely arcaded square where a traditional market has
been held every Wednesday since medieval times.
Address: Tourist Office: Passeig de la Indústria 25;
Telephone: Tourist Office: 972 575573
SalvadorDali Museum House : The busy fishing village of Cadaques draws plenty of visitors,
but they do not come for the local beach, which is narrow and
stony. Rather the resort town’s attractions are its
picturesque natural harbour, some excellent restaurants, numerous
galleries, fashion and art and craft shops, and the former
home-turned-museum of world renowned surrealist painter, Salvador
Dali, sited in Portlligat Bay just to the north of the town.
Dali’s somewhat bizarre home consists of a labyrinthine
cluster of fishermen’s huts, added to the original
building in various stages by the artist over a period of 40
years. Visitors are conducted through the house and garden in small
groups, having pre-booked.
Address: Portlligat, Cadeques;
Telephone: Information and bookings: 972 251 015;
E-mail: pllgrups@dali-estate.org;
Website: www.dali-estate.org;
Transport: Train to Llanca or Figueres station. It is possible to walk to Portlligat from Llanca station, or take the bus from Figueres;
Opening time: Open from 10.30am daily, except Mondays and bank holidays (13 March to 6 January). Between 15 June and 15 September no Monday closure and open till 9pm. Visitors must pre-book by telephone, fax or email and are admitted in groups every ten minutes during the day;
Admission: €10 (adults), concessions €8, children under 9 free
Girona: The city of Girona, on the route from the Pyrenees to Barcelona,
is one of the most important historical sites in Spain, founded by
the Romans and later a Moorish stronghold. Sitting astride the
confluence of the Onyar and Ter rivers, this quaint medieval city
attracts hordes of tourists from the Costa Brava resorts and
Barcelona, all lured by the experience of walking through the old
quarter, the Call, with its narrow alleyways and ancient stone
houses. Inside the ancient walls are such gems as the 12th-century
Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants and
the14th-century cathedral built in the Catalonian Baroque style.
The cathedral can be accessed by climbing up 90 steps. It includes
a museum containing art works and rare manuscripts. Also of
particular interest are the restored 12th-century Arab baths with
their central octagonal pool, and the fascinating Jewish quarter
where, between the 9th and 15th centuries the culture and religion
flourished on the narrow steep streets. The arcaded promenade, the
Rambla de la Llibertat, is lined with delightful cafes and shops
selling souvenirs, crafts, antiques and curiosities. In addition
the city is well supplied with museums and galleries.
Address: Tourist office: Rambla Llibertat 1 (at the eastern end of the old town);
Telephone: Tourist office: 972 226 575;
Opening time: Tourist office: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. Saturday 8am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm. In July and August the office opens on Sundays from 9am to 2pm as well
Vallde Nuria Rack Rail : About two hours from the coast are the southern slopes of the
western Pyrenees, where in winter skiers skim the sides of the
valleys, and in summer time nature-lovers enjoy the tranquillity of
the Alpine environment. A popular excursion for holidaymakers on
the Costa Brava is to take Spain’s only cog railway into the
scenic Vall de Nuria north of Girona, surrounded by mountain peaks
and passes that form a massive amphitheatre. The rack railway
connects with regional trains, departing from the Ribes-Enllac
station and travelling to the village of Queralbs.
Address: Vall de Núria Mountain Resort, Queralbs;
Telephone: 972 732 020;
Website: www.valldenuria.com;
Admission: Return Ribes-Nuria-Ribes: €16.30 (adults), €8.95 (children). Return Queralbs-Nuria-Queralbs: €13.95 (adults), €7.70 (children)
Dave, Paul, Sam, Jenny, Sarah, Carl and James; Nov 2006:
Absolutly LOVED this place. Hotel was pretty bad so spent all our nights out on the town. If youre British then the only place to go is the Queen Vic early on, huge big screen outside for the sport and... more
Travel Companies
Explore Spain on foot or by bike with a small intimate group of
like-minded adventure seekers.
Intrepid Travel, one of the world's leading suppliers of small
group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track,
interacting with the locals and having real life experiences
throughout Spain.
Subscribe to Word Travels Professional: Email and print off customised travel guides for your clients.
Brand this guide with your logo and contact details.
Word Travels includes authorative and reliable information on thousands of destinations.
More info Apply for a free trial
