Search the travel guide:

Resort

• Lloret de Mar Travel Guide
• Travel Information
• Shopping
• Restaurants
• Nightlife
• Activities
• Negatives
• Climate
• Weather
• Lloret de Mar Map
• Hotels in Lloret de Mar

Rants and Raves

• Write a Travel Review

Weather Today

• Hi 11°C Lo 9°C

  See 5-day forecast
  

Lloret de Mar Map

• 

Spain Map

• 

Directory

• Travel Insurance
• Hostels
• Useful Resources

Lloret de Mar

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 for holidaymakers to browse. 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
While in Lloret de Mar, holidaymakers should be sure to dine at America, La Parrilla, Disaster Café or La Pampa Steak House. There is 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.

Nightlife
The nightlife in the holiday resort of 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 for holidaymakers to enjoy, 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.

Nearby 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....  see full details

Salvador Dali 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...  see full details

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...  see full details

Vall de 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...  see full details