Lloret de Mar: a dream of waves and nature
Lloret de Mar, on the shores of charming Costa Brava, has become one of the most touristic places of the Catalan coast. It makes perfect sense, for its excellent location provides endless possibilities for tourists, like diving into the crystal-clear water of its coves or exploring its modernist architecture.
This coastal town changes with the seasons. In summer, it has a lovely atmosphere, as well as a vibrant nightlife full of people from all over the world. On the other hand, during the rest of the seasons one can enjoy the solitude of its practically deserted beaches, and walk through the old town in peace. Either way, any season is good for visiting Lloret de Mar, one of the most beautiful spots in Catalonia.
Lloret de Mar. | Shutterstock
The most popular plan in Lloret de Mar is perhaps visiting its secluded beaches and coves, surrounded by lovely natural settings. It’s the perfect spot for enjoying active tourism; many like to explore the seabed by snorkelling on a beach, or walking through green paths next to the sea.
One of the most beautiful coves there is the one called Sa Caleta, at the feet of the castle Castell d’en Plaja. Without a doubt, this view will enchant all the new visitors. The cove of Sa Boadella is certainly a charming one; surrounded by pine trees and safe from mass tourism, it also has a beach bar and a nudist area.
The beach of Santa Cristina stands out for its friendly atmosphere, which makes it perfect for a family trip. It’s sheltered by large rocks that protect the beach from the strength of the sea, and the pine trees provide a nice shadow. The shrine of Santa Cristina, patron saint of Lloret De Mar, is worth mentioning too, since it has a stunning marble altar.
Caminos de Ronda. | Shutterstock
The gardens of Santa Clotilde make up the perfect spot for strolling. Indeed, they have been classified as the best historical Mediterranean gardens in Europe. These Romantic gardens with an Italian influence are full of classical sculptures and busts, which stand over a cliff with a spectacular view of the ocean.
Another great plan to do in Girona, which is quite popular among hikers, consists of walking through some of the paths called Caminos de Ronda, old tracks for communication and defence that were used by coastal towns. Maybe the best part is that they lead us to some of the many coves in the area. Hence, these paths combine nature with a final swim. We have two main options here: to depart from Sa Caleta, bordering the castle and ending up in the rocky cove of Des Frares, or starting in the beach of Lloret de Mar to conclude the route in Cala Banys.
The church of Sant Romà. | Shutterstock
Everybody knows that modernism plays an important role in Barcelona, but we can also explore remarkable modernist monuments in Lloret de Mar. For instance, its modernist cemetery greatly influenced the late 19th-century architecture. Gaudí and some of his disciples contributed by creating a good deal of monuments in this open-air museum, including mausoleums and hypogea.
The church of Sant Romà, dating back to the 16th century, is one of the modernist must-sees in Lloret de Mar. This emblematic building stands out for its colourful mosaics on the roof and the turrets. However, the interior is austere and simple, a good example of Catalan Gothic architecture with a main altar and the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament.
Another monument one cannot miss in Lloret de Mar is the sanctuary of Sant Pere del Bosc, which used to host Benedictine monks. In 1860, a rich man called Nicolau Font hired Puig i Cadafalch, a renowned modernist architect, to design the cross of the tower and the chapel of Mare de Déu de Gràcia.
Lloret de Mar at night time. | Shutterstock
Lloret de Mar stands out not only for its beaches and natural paradises, but also due to the strong heritage linked to the presence of people who emigrated to America at some point: the “indianos”. This is why every June they celebrate an American Fair to commemorate the neighbours that left for the Americas in the 19th century.
Many of those who gathered a good amount of money in the American continent contributed to the urban development of the city, funding the construction of mansions and other buildings designed by the best architects back then. We can notice this indiano legacy if we look at some specific places, such as Casa Garriga, the City Hall, the house of Nicolau Font i Maig or the walk of Jacint Verdaguer.
We might also pay a visit to the Sea Museum in Casa Garriga, an interesting experience of great historical value. This museum illustrates the strong connection between Lloret de Mar and the sea throughout the years, starting from the 19th century.
Last but not least, it must be mentioned that Lloret de Mar has an extremely rich gastronomy. We might enjoy the traditional dishes in the area and the city’s vibrant nightlife, both in the surroundings of the seaside promenade and in the city centre.
