18 Best Thing to Do in Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is the gateway to the Costa Brava and one of the most beautiful beaches to start your trip along the coast. There are quite a few things to do in Lloret de Mar, but it’s also a good and affordable base to use to explore the rest of the coast.

Whether you are looking for a beach resort to relax in the sun or you want to get active and explore tons of different things to do in the area, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.

Located in the Catalonia region of Spain, you are close to larger cities like Girona and Barcelona.

If you are staying in Girona, you can easily visit Lloret de Mar on a day trip. It is only 45 minutes by bus away from the city center and it’s a great way to explore the beach while coming back at night to a Spanish city with a bit more style and culture.

It is slightly further from Barcelona, so you may not want to tackle it as a day trip from Barcelona. Unless of course, someone else is doing the driving. If you want to come for the day, check out a tour option like this one to make it easier.

However, if you want to explore some of the Costa Brava while you’re in Barcelona, by all means, add a day or two to your itinerary and spend some time in Lloret de Mar.

What to Know About Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is perfect if you are coming to the Costa Brava for sun, sand, sea, and budget-friendly holidays. This coastline is absolutely breathtakingly rugged and there is no denying that the beaches in Lloret de Mar are stunning.

There are tons of hotels and Airbnb options around Lloret de Mar that are quite affordable when compared to other beach towns in Spain like the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol.

English is widely spoken in Lloret de Mar and you will easily find foods that you are familiar with including chains like KFC, McDonalds, and Burger King. There are Italian, Spanish, and Turkish restaurants lining the streets near the beach and grocery stores are ample and affordable.

However, if you are looking for a place to practice your Spanish, you want to dig deeper into the local Catalan culture, or you want to enjoy Spanish food for every meal, then Lloret de Mar is not the Catalonian beach town for you.

You would be better suited to driving further north along the Costa Brava to Calella de Palafrugell or Llafranc. These are the towns that Barcelona residents like to head to for their beach vacations. They are old fishing villages-turned boutique resort towns with plenty of history and character.

Of course, you’ll pay more for the quaint village life in these idyllic beach towns. So you may also want to consider booking accommodation in Lloret de Mar and then hiring a car from the airport to get out and explore other villages during the day.

That way you get the best of both worlds: culture and experiences alongside budget-friendly hotels.

How to Get to Lloret de Mar

There are several ways to get to Lloret de Mar depending on what part of the world you are arriving from.

If you are flying with a budget airline from around Europe, you should be able to get as close as the Girona-Costa Brava Airport. It’s located about 13 kilometers or 8 miles from downtown Girona and about 30km or 18 miles from Lloret de Mar.

You have a few options for getting from the Girona-Costa Brava Airport to Lloret de Mar. If you land at a good time, you can take a bus directly from the airport to the bus station in Lloret de Mar.

The bus you take is number 613. Purchase a ticket from the ticket counter at the airport. You can purchase a round-trip ticket here to save a few dollars on your return journey. The bus takes about 40 minutes and the Lloret de Mar bus station is located only a few blocks from the beach right in the center of town.

If the timing is wrong and the next 613 bus isn’t for a while (it can be over an hour between each bus), you can take the bus to Girona bus terminal and then hop onto the best bus from Girona to Lloret de Mar, which runs much more frequently. However, this will add a lot more time to your journey.

If you want to take a taxi and you’re traveling with a few people, you will be able to get directly from the airport to your hotel in Lloret de Mar for about €55 (£48 GBP/$60 USD). Check up-to-date prices here.

Best Hotels in Lloret de Mar

Depending on when you plan to visit Lloret de Mar, you can find some really great deals. Of course, it’s always best to book several months in advance to get the best offers, especially if you are going to be visiting during peak the summer months of July and August.

These are some of my favorite options that have pools or quick beach access, food options, and comfortable rooms. You can definitely find cheaper options, but you get what you pay for in Lloret de Mar.

• Hotel Rosamar Maxim: This is probably one of the best hotels in Lloret de Mar (in my personal child-free opinion). The hotel is adult-only, the breakfast is varied and high quality, the views from the sea-facing rooms are unbeatable, and the staff are friendly. There is a small pool that has views of the Mediterranean and you can walk across the street straight to the sandy shoreline. This hotel is seasonal and only open from late April to October. Rooms start at €95 per night. Book a stay at Hotel Rosamar Maxim here.
• Hotel Metropol: Another fantastic seafront hotel, this has a wonderful rooftop pool with a sun lounging area, a superb breakfast, a fitness center, easy beach access, and stylish rooms. This hotel is open from May to early October. Rooms start at €80 per night. Book a stay at Hotel Metropol here.
• Hotel Marsol: Located on the beachfront with stunning sea-view rooms and open all year round, this hotel is a fantastic option for your trip to Lloret de Mar. This is a great option for families since the hotel has two pools, two restaurants, a fantastic breakfast each morning, and you can be at the beach within two minutes of leaving the hotel. Rooms start at €75 per night. Book a stay at Hotel Marsol here.
• Vista Panorámica: As the name suggests, this hotel has amazing panoramic views over the beach below. There aren’t as many amenities as the other hotels, but the location and views are unbeatable. Rooms start at €88 per night. Book a stay at Vista Panorámica here.

Things to Do in Lloret de Mar

You can easily just relax on the beaches of Lloret de Mar, stopping only for some paella or burgers, and then resume your position on your beach chair each day. Lloret is the perfect place to do that in fact.

But if you have curious kids or you want to get to know the town and surrounding region along the Costa Brava, there are plenty of things to do in Lloret de Mar to keep you busy.

If you are planning to explore Lloret and the surrounding area, you will want to hire a car from the airport. The region isn’t particularly well connected by public transportation, so you will have a lot more freedom with a car at hand.

I always use Discover Cars when hiring a car in Spain. You can check out our tips for driving in Spain if you haven’t driven in the country before. It’s much like driving elsewhere in mainland Europe. Check prices and book your rental car on Discover Cars here.

1. Platja de Lloret de Mar

The main beach in Lloret de Mar should not be missed. If you are going to be based in Lloret de Mar, you will no doubt spend plenty of time enjoying the large bay at this beautiful beach.

It’s the easiest beach to reach if you are staying in the downtown area of Lloret de Mar. It is also the largest beach. If you are looking for plenty of space to build a sand castle, play a ball game, lay out all of your towels, and have a picnic, or simply for the quickest route into the sea, then this is the beach for you.

This is where to come if you want to rent chairs and umbrellas for the day. There are tons of vendors on the beach who will set you up with some comfortable beach loungers and put the umbrella over whichever person in the group doesn’t want to come home with a sunburn.

You can easily hop onto the boardwalk, grab some food from a nearby restaurant or bar, and then return to the beach. Everything is close by at this beach, so you never have to go far in case you forget something.

However, the ease of access and size of the beach also makes this the busiest beach in Lloret de Mar. If you want a little bit more solitude, check out one of the other beaches mentioned below.

2. Platja de Fenals

This is my personal favorite beach in Lloret de Mar. You can get here by walking from the main beach along the coastal path. This is the longer, but more beautiful route.

But if you are coming to the beach with a bag full of food and some beach chairs, opt for the shorter route through town which takes less than 10 minutes (or just grab a taxi when you see one).

This beach is just as sheltered as Platja de Lloret de Mar, so the water is nice and calm for swimming. It’s an ideal place to get out on a paddle board or to bring the inflatables that you bought at one of the beach shops in the downtown area.

The beach is slightly less touristy and when I was here in mid-July last year, it was the place where more local families were setting up for the day. There aren’t many hotels here. Most of the surrounding area behind the beach here are houses and apartment buildings.

So you are a bit of a walk if you want to head somewhere for lunch. But there are a few kiosks along the boardwalk here where you can get a drink and a snack to keep you going.

Otherwise, bring everything you’ll need for the day and enjoy a little bit more solitude on this Lloret de Mar beach.

3. Sa Caleta Lloret

If you walk in the other direction from Platja de Lloret de Mar, you’ll shortly come to a small rocky beach called Sa Caleta Lloret. This little beach is ideal if you want to limit how many people can be around you during those busy summer beach days.

There isn’t much sand around, so if you want a spot on this beach, you’ll have to arrive early. But it’s worth it for the beautiful views. You are perched right at the end of the bay here and the view back over the entire town is in front of you.

On a sunny day, the view is absolutely breathtaking. The Mediterranean shows off its turquoise colors, the sand is golden and sparkling, and the U-shape of the bay looks so inviting. To your back, you have Castell d’en Plaja and rocky cliffs.

The water is shallower here than at the main beach in Lloret de Mar, so it’s a great place to bring kids or to come and float on your back as the sea rocks you into blissful contentedness.

4. Cala de Sa Boadella

While all beaches in Spain are topless beaches, if you are looking for a place to go full nude, this is the beach for you.

You’ll likely want to drive or get a taxi here unless you are happy to walk from town along the coast. It takes about 20-30 minutes depending on how many times you stop to look at the beauty of the coastline.

This is one of the most untouched beaches in Lloret de Mar, so if you want some solitude and a place to look back along the Costa Brava, this is the place to take it all in.

You don’t have to be a naturalist to enjoy this beach, just be sure to be respectful of other bathers.

5. Jardins de Santa Clotilde

The Santa Clotilde Gardens are a wonderful place to come if you want to get away from the crowds and immerse yourself in a little oasis.

Built by the Marquis of Roviralta in the early 20th century, the gardens were an homage to his first wife, Clotilde, who sadly died before the garden was ever completed.

Roviralta was in love with Italian gardens at the time and wanted to build this among his seven different vineyards, in a Renaissance style.

Wander through the maze-like hedges. Discover little open spaces with sculptures and water features. But come most of all for the incredible views back over the coastline. This is perhaps one of the best views in all of Lloret de Mar.

The gardens are open year-round with varying hours, so check the website to see when they will be open during your trip. Entry is €6.

6. Mirador de la Platja Fenals

A mirador is a viewpoint or lookout. As the name suggests, this is a viewpoint back over Platja Fenals, the beach mentioned in #2 above.

It’s a short walk from the beach up to this viewpoint. So if you are visiting Platja Fenals, I highly recommend popping on a pair of sneakers or water shoes and hopping over to this rocky lookout.

There are a few rockpools here. If you are traveling with kids, bring some snorkels or goggles and enjoy a shallow place to see some sea life. The water is incredibly calm and so clear for swimming and snorkeling.

7. Kayak or SUP at the beach

Thanks to the shape of the bay here in Lloret de Mar, the water is very calm. This is great for families who want to bring their kids to a great swimming beach. And it’s also perfect for people who want to get out on the water without battling the waves.

During the summer months, you will find options across both larger beaches in Lloret de Mar where you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, or little paddleboats that have slides on the back (my personal favorite!).

If you are at Fenals Beach, there is usually a bright yellow tent right on the beach. That’s where you’ll find Lemon Kayak.

They have tons of kayaks and paddleboards that you can rent for an hour or longer. You don’t need to prebook. Simply head over and speak to them about what you want to rent and what the cost is for a rental.

8. Walk the Cami de Ronda

The Cami de Ronda is a point-to-point trail that runs nearly the entire length of the Costa Brava. This means that you can essentially hike in one direction, stopping at beautiful fishing villages and pristine beaches for days on end.

You can walk it in either direction from Lloret de Mar and you will be able to enjoy incredible coastal views along the way. You will see signs for the Cami de Ronda as you follow the footpath that hugs the coastline between Lloret de Mar Beach and Fenals Beach, but you can also follow it in the opposite direction to head north along the coast for a few miles.

If you are an avid hiker, you may want to consider booking a few days in towns further north of Lloret de Mar. That way you can walk a few miles each day and explore the coast on foot. If you are interested in that sort of holiday, I recommend reading this guide to the Cami de Ronda.

9. Castell de Sant Joan

There isn’t much left of the Saint John Castle, but considering it was built back in the 11th century, it’s to be expected.

The castle was built here on the edge of the cliff, at the edge of the coast, to keep an eye out for intruders. If any boats showed up along the horizon, they would be able to spot it from the castle and warn people well in advance of the ship’s arrival.

The castle actually stood until the 19th century. It was destroyed by the British Armada when they were battling Spain and France in the Third Coalition War in 1805.

Now all that remains in the tower that stands on the edge of Fenals Beach. During high season it is open daily. In the low season, it is only open on Saturday and Sunday each week from 10am to 1pm. It costs €3 to enter and should be paid in cash in small notes. They often won’t accept anything larger than a €20 note unless you are a large group.

10. Go Jet Skiing

If you want to zip around the water, you should consider renting a jet ski.

Right on the main beach in Lloret de Mar, there is a jetski company called Jetski Lloret. They are only open from May to October, so it’s not something you can do year-round. But you probably don’t want to be out in the water in January here, it can get incredibly cold.

You will need to make a booking in advance on their website if you want to rent a jet ski. You must be 18 years of age or 16 years of age with a parent’s permission. No more than two people can ride on the jet ski at one time.

If you’ve never driven a jet ski before, don’t worry. The team at Jetski Lloret will walk you through how to use the jet ski and you will get a chance to practice a little bit before you are released onto their circuit.

11. Sail on a Catamaran

If you’re more interested in letting someone else do the driving while you let the wind blow through your hair, then perhaps you should take a sunset catamaran sail around the Costa Brava.

It’s a pretty popular tour option and you’ll likely be approached by people who want to sell you a tour as you come and go from the beach.

I recommend booking in advance so that you can read the reviews of the tours that you are booking. Some of the boats are not quite as nice as the others. Some are more about partying and drinking while others are more family-friendly. These are the tours I recommend checking out.

• Sunset Cruise with DJ: This is a fun party option if you are traveling with friends or with your partner and you want to enjoy some music with the sunset. The price includes five drinks, live music, and a stop for swimming. This tour is not suitable for children under 18 years of age. Book that tour here.
• Catamaran Day Tour: This is a fantastic option for getting out on the water as a fun day trip. The boat ride includes a full BBQ lunch, a few drinks of your choice (sangria, beer, or soda), and water activities like paddle boards and flotation devices. You will stop for swims and cruise along the coast soaking in the views of all of the beautiful cliffs, bays, and beaches. They have both an adult-only option as well as a family-friendly boat option to choose from. Book that day tour here.

12. Castell d’en Plaja

There is a second castle in Lloret de Mar, but this one isn’t quite so old or all that authentic. But from the outside, it is quite a beautiful castle.

Located right next to the beautiful Sa Caleta Beach, construction on this castle began in 1935. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it is a privately owned building, it cannot be accessed other than to simply admire it from the outside.

It was built by a wealthy bus manufacturer named Narcís Plaja, which is where the castle got its name and many in the region refer to it as a “fake castle” since it is not actually as old as its medieval style makes it seem.

That being said, it is a stunning addition to the edge of the coastline and it is a great place to head for some photos, especially early in the morning before Sa Caleta gets too crowded with people.

13. Sould Park

If you are visiting Lloret with young children, then you do not want to miss adding Sould Park to your list of things to do in Lloret de Mar.

It is an indoor and outdoor amusement park right near the beach which has an arcade, horse rides, an assault course, Scalextric, and tons of different rides for young children to enjoy.

Entry to the amusement park is free, but you will need to purchase a card that you can top up with money. You then only pay for the rides and activities that your children want to partake in. Each activity costs roughly €3-5.

According to reviews, this park is best for children 7 years and younger. So if you are looking for something that would be better for your older children, check out #7 on the list.

14. Tossa de Mar

If you want to explore another local beach town in the Costa Brava, then Tossa de Mar should definitely be on your list.

It is only about a 20-minute drive from Lloret de Mar, but it has quite a different feel to it. There are also tons of great things to do in Tossa de Mar which you can explore as a day trip from Lloret.

Some argue that it is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Brava, but it may just be one of the most beautiful beach towns in all of Spain.

It’s not nearly as built up around the beachfront as Lloret and it has an incredibly well-preserved castle and fortification walls that sit right beside the town’s main beach.

The old town area of Tossa de Mar is packed with cafes, restaurants, and little souvenir shops. If you love Spanish food, you will want to choose one tucked away on the backstreets for a delicious seafood lunch.

If you are not driving, you can take a bus directly from Lloret de Mar to Tossa de Mar (and back again). Just be sure to check the bus timetable so you don’t end up stranded. The bus takes about 35 minutes.

15. Water World

For all of your kids and kids at heart, Water World is a fantastic activity to enjoy while you are in Lloret de Mar.

The water park is everything you could hope for. There are water slides of every shape and size. You can race down beside your friends or siblings on another type of slide or wind your way from top to bottom in the dark.

There is a wave pool, a rafting river, and different calm pools and lakes for young children to play safely in the water. You can rent lockers for the day so that you have a place to safely store your belongings while you are out enjoying all of the water activities.

It’s an outdoor water park, so it is only open during the summer months.

If you want to organize tickets as well as a transfer to and from your hotel ahead of time, you can book all of that with a single ticket option here.

16. Trons Bay

Accessible only by foot or by car, this is a fantastic place to hike if you want to spend a day exploring the coastline.

If you do want to hike, you can follow the Cami de Ronda trail to the north of Lloret de Mar. The path is clear, but there are steps up and down and some narrower sections, so a moderate fitness level is required.

Pack a backpack with your beach gear, water, and some lunch, and spend the day in this absolutely stunning cove.

Since it’s a little bit more difficult to get to, you can often have Trons Bay or at least one of the nearby coves all to yourself. Especially if you start early and get here at about 10 or 11 am.

If you do choose to drive, there are still some stairs you will have to contend with to get up and down from the beach area.

17. Adventure Park Sant Feliu de Guixols

Get up into the trees at the Sant Feliu de Guixols Adventure Park. This is a fantastic option for families with children over 10 years old and even for groups of friends who want to do something a little bit fun and different.

You need to pre-book in advance by calling. Their website is only in Catalan, but they speak English at the site, so don’t worry about phoning or emailing to get some more information.

They have different courses at different heights that you can explore, climbing up into trees, across narrow bridges, and swinging on rope swings. There are different difficulty levels depending on the age and braveness levels of the group. You can also do some rock climbing and zip lining at the adventure park as well.

18. Girona Day Trip

To get away from the beach and explore some culture, do not miss a trip to nearby Girona.

It is easy to get to both by car and by bus. There is at least one bus an hour that will take you from Lloret de Mar to Girona and once you’re there you’ll discover a huge amount of wonderful things to do in Girona.

The city has tons of history, a beautiful cathedral and basilica, ancient city walls, a fantastic local market, and some of the best food I have eaten in all of Spain (okay, except for in Zaragoza).