Lloret de Mar Travel Guide – if you’re dreaming of turquoise coves, golden beaches, and Mediterranean sunshine, this coastal town on Spain’s Costa Brava might just be your perfect getaway.
Just north of Barcelona, the Costa Brava stretches all the way to the French border and is famous for its dramatic cliffs and vibrant coastal towns. Among them, Lloret de Mar stands out for its unique mix of relaxation, adventure, and lively nightlife.
My Experience Visiting Lloret de Mar
I first visited Lloret de Mar while backpacking through Europe, arriving from Barcelona with almost no expectations – I knew nothing about it! I’m so glad I ended up there. I spent a couple of days exploring the town before returning to Barcelona, only to come back the very next weekend (the vibes were great, the scenery stunning, and the accommodation more affordable than in Barcelona!). Coming back so quickly has to be a good sign!
Now, from the onset, you’re probably wondering if this coastal town is for you…
Is Lloret de Mar a Party Town?
Many travelers wonder: Is Lloret de Mar just a party destination?
The short answer: yes and no. Lloret de Mar is known as the main party hub of the Costa Brava, with casinos, pubs, beach clubs, and even party boats keeping the day and nightlife lively. The main strip, Avinguda Just Marlés Vilarrodona, leads to the waterfront, and is where the nightlife shines every evening.
That being said, in this post, I’m not going to focus much on Lloret de Mar as a party town. So comes the next question…
Is Lloret de Mar Worth Visiting If You Don’t Want to Party?
Absolutely! While Lloret de Mar is famous for its nightlife, the town offers so much more for travelers seeking relaxation, nature, and adventure.
If your idea of a perfect getaway is relaxing on golden beaches, hiking scenic coastal trails, kayaking between hidden coves, ortaking a boat trip along the turquoise Costa Brava waters, then Lloret de Mar is absolutely worth visiting.
For me, it’s this perfect balance of adventure and relaxation that makes Lloret de Mar such a great destination, and why I’d recommend it even if you’re not here to party.
So, is Lloret de Mar Worth Visiting?
If you’re wondering whether Lloret de Mar is worth visiting, this Lloret de Mar Travel Guide will help you decide and plan your trip. Hopefully, you’ll see that this vibrant town truly caters to all kinds of travelers and is the perfect Costa Brava getaway!
Lloret de Mar is located 75 km northeast of Barcelona and 40 km south of Girona, both of which have airports with good flight connections (I always use Skyscanner for the best flight deals). From either city, there are several ways to reach Lloret de Mar.
1. By Car 🚗
Renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore Lloret de Mar and the Costa Brava. You can explore hidden coves, scenic coastal roads, and nearby towns at your own pace.
From Barcelona Airport – pick up your rental directly at the airport or in the city (e.g., Barcelona-Sants train station).
From Girona Airport – rental cars are also available at the airport.
If you’re travelling solo or on a budget, the bus is super convenient. This is the option I went with, having already spent some days in Barcelona before deciding to head there.
– From Barcelona
Duration: ~1 hour
Price: €13–€30 one way, depending on time and date
Lloret de Mar has accommodation for every type of traveler – from solo backpackers to families, couples, and those after a little luxury. As more of a budget traveller myself, the affordable accommodation prices were a huge draw, and actually the reason I ended up here! See the best deals on Lloret de Mar stays here.
Coming from Barcelona, where even dorm beds were getting ridiculously expensive (especially on weekends), Lloret de Mar felt like a breath of fresh air. To put things into perspective: I paid less for a full apartment here than for a single dorm bed in Barcelona (on a Saturday night at least, and that was in May – before peak summer)!
– Hostels
For the budget solo travellers, Lloret de Mar welcomes you as there is the option to stay in a hostel.
LOFT HOSTAL is only 250m from the main beach and 500m from the bus station – essentially in the heart of town with bars/restaurants/supermarkets/all you may need nearby. The hostel has a kitchen too (always helps when sticking to a budget!). You can check availability and prices here.
Do bare in mind, however, that depending on when you are travelling, sometimes in Lloret de Mar it’s not much more expensive to stay in an apartment or hotel, if you fancy your own space for some nights. If you’re travelling in a pair (or more), it likely would work out cheaper to stay in one of these options over a hostel (which is nice if you’re usually living the hostel life as I am!). A little extra luxury!
So, lets take a look at….
– Apartments in Lloret de Mar
Apartments are one of the best-value ways to stay in Lloret de Mar, especially if you want your own space or plan to stay a few days. I personally prefer apartments over hotels because of the kitchen facilities – perfect for saving money and eating healthy while travelling!
I stayed at Apartamentos Venecia – and out of the three places I stayed in Lloret de Mar, this was easily my favourite.
It’s clean, modern, and just 50m from the beach, tucked away on a quiet street. My one-bedroom apartment (which could sleep 3!) cost only €48 per night and had a fully equipped kitchen – perfect for longer stays or travellers on a budget.
✅ Great location (quiet street but steps from the promenade and beach)
✅ Fully equipped kitchen
✅ Amazing value for money
The only downside? There’s no pool or shared facilities, but for me that was totally fine since I spent most of my time exploring or on the beach.
Whether you’re travelling on a budget, after mid-range comfort, or looking to splash out on a luxury stay, Lloret de Mar has you covered with a range of hotel options.
I’ve picked some excellent options below so you can see what’s on offer, and find the right fit for your trip.
💰 Hotel Helios Lloret (4★)
Great value centrally located hotel with pool, wellness centre and breakfast included. Perfect if you want comfort without breaking the bank. 4 star on a budget!
Stylish adults‑only hotel on the main strip with an outdoor pool, gym and a top‑rated restaurant. Ideal for couples or friends wanting something extra.
Modern, family‑friendly hotel just a short walk to the beach. Features splash park for kids, rooftop infinity pool for adults, and a large spa & wellness zone. Closer to the beach than many mid-range stays.
Luxury 5‑star resort on the beachfront at Fenals with spa, indoor & outdoor pools, gourmet dining and elegant sea-view rooms. Ideal for a premium stay.
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What to Do in Lloret de Mar
– Explore the Town Centre
The town centre of is a lively place where there is always something going on! You won’t really miss exploring the town centre itself especially if staying some nights here. But lets take a little look of some of what it has to offer…
Palm tree lined promenade
Beaches
The beautiful Parish Church of Sant Romà which is well worth admiring
Shops – both mainstream stores and tourist stores
Bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, arcades
In essence, it’s a main, busy town – everything you may need is here! The center is a lovely place to walk around, especially by the beachfront promenade. If you want the party scene however, then the main strip is for you.
Beachfront promenade, Lloret de MarThe Church of SantaRomà, Lloret de MarLloret de Mar’s main strip, with the popular video arcade ‘Magic Park’
– Enjoy the Beaches
One of the main draws to Lloret de Mar is its stunning beaches. There are no shortage of beaches in and around Lloret de Mar, and there is one right in the centre of town meaning you don’t have to go far for some beach r&r….
Platja de Lloret de Mar
Platja de Lloret de Mar is the main beach, made up of a mix of sand and small pebbles. You cannot miss this beach in its prominent position in front of the main promenade. Moreover, it is the largest beach of the town. Being both long and very wide, there is plenty of beach space to welcome everyone!
There are sun loungers that can be paid for if you wish for a more ‘comfortable’ beach experience.
Playa de Fenals
Playa de Fenals is a stunning beach sitting in a bay, and is Lloret de Mar’s second largest beach. The sand of this beach is again a little rough as is common on the Costa Brava.
The beach also feels like a main beach, similar in a sense to Platja de Lloret de Mar. There are sun loungers and parasols available for hire, the option to do some water sports, a lovely promenade to stroll, bars and cafés nearby, public toilets, etc – all the facilities you may need.
What differs, however, between these two beaches is mainly the overall atmosphere. That’s to say, Playa de Fenals is a quieter, more peaceful, laid-back beach. It’s the perfect escape from the even more bustling main beach, without sacrificing a similar and lovely beach experience.
Those are the two most prominent beach of the town, however there are some smaller ones thanks to Lloret de Mar’s ‘cala’s’.
Cala Sa Caleta
If you fancy a sandy, smaller, quieter beach then Cala Sa Caleta is an amazing choice. It lies just next to Platja de Lloret de Mar and has more of a seculded feel thanks to being in the cala.
The setting is beautiful, with the castle, Castell De Lloret, looking down over the beach, adding a special touch to this spot.
Platja de Lloret de Mar, Playa de Fenals and Cala Sa Caleta are the three sandy beaches which are most easily accessed from the main town. There are, however, more calas the further along the coast you go, which boast either very small sandy beaches and/or rocky areas where you spend some ‘beach’ time. There really is no shortage of beautiful spots from where to sunbathe or head into the Med for a swim.
– Partake in Water Activities
Thanks to Lloret de Mar’s location on the Costa Brava, it’s hardly surprising this is also a great spot for some water activities. These can be adventure based, party based, or somewhere in between. There really is something for everyone in Lloret de Mar.
Kayaking
Kayaking is an excellent choice of activity to get out on the water and experience the Costa Brava coastline from a new perspective. This is the perfect chilled activity while also keeping you active.
Kayaks are available to hire from Playa de Fenals, from where you can head out and go on your own little adventure.
Another, even more adventurous activity is to go scuba diving. Even if you have no prior experience, this option is open to you, giving an introduction to scuba diving. Dive right in and get up closer to the underwater life of the Costa Brava!
For a more relaxing, less active experience on the water, head out on a boat. This Catamaran Sailing Cruise with BBQ and Drinks sails along the Costa Brava for a 3.5 hour trip. Sunbathe from the boat, swim and snorkel in a secluded spot in the Med, have fun on the floating trampoline and enjoy the included food and drinks on board. This can be the perfect addition to your trip!
In addition to hitting the water, the coastline welcomes you by foot in the best way too! Lloret de Mar gets big bonus points from me for the beautiful coastal walking/hiking routes.
You don’t need to walk far for a breathe of fresh air on some trails away from the liveliness of the main town. Whether you head in the direction of Cala Sa Caleta and continue along that route, or head along the coastline towards Playa de Fenals, you won’t be disappointed by the routes on offer. That’s to say, once the promenade lining Platja de Lloret de Mar ends, it joins onto trails at either end.
Whether you want a long hike or a short one, the choice is yours. For example, you can hike 12km along the coast to Tossa de Mar. Or, you can go just as far as one of the calas along this route such as Cala Bona, Cala Pola or Cala Giverola if you want a more chilled hike and to experience some beaches a little further out from the town.
I did a pretty short hike in this direction from the centre of town, and absolutely loved it! Just walk as far as you wish and you won’t be disappointed as there are stunning spots the whole way. If I return again I will definitely walk even further along the coastline to experience even more of it!
Heading in the opposite direction, that of Playa de Fenals is a similar situation. I simply took the coastal route from Platja de Lloret de Mar to Playa de Fenals and just in doing this I got a little hike with more amazing views – so much better than walking the streets in town! Again I did a short walk, but you could even walk to Blanes, which is around 8km on the coastal route.
– Visit the Castles
Lloret de Mar is home to two castles – Castell de Lloret (Castell d’en Plaja), and Castell de Sant Joan.
Castell de Lloret (d’en Plaja) is the castle which overlooks Cala Sa Caleta, with Platja de Lloret de Mar in the distance.
You cannot enter this castle, but can head up and take a walk around. There is a outdoor bar on the terrace, with amazing views of the coastline. This is open from May to November.
Even if you choose not to go up to the castle, just taking a walk to see it like in the picture is worth it!
Castell de Sant Joan is in the opposite direction of the main beach, heading towards Playa de Fenals. The tower stands out among the greenery, situated on the rocky outcrop between Lloret’s main beach and Fenals beach. Another amazing spot, again overlooking the coastline.
There is a small entry fee of €3 for Castell de Sant Joan, and you can climb to the top of the tower. More stunning, panoramic coastline views are on offer from this castle.
Do note that opening times are limited, and change depending on the month you visit, so do check before heading there.
– Party
As mentioned already in this post, Lloret de Mar is indeed a party town (but it isn’t solely that as you can see!). But of course, if it is lively nightlife you are after then you can party all night long.
Disco Tropics is the most popular nightclub in town, so that’s one you may want to check out if you want to join the party side! There are many options though, so you can head somewhere new every night if you desire!
– Take A Day Trip From Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar can be used as your base for further exploration of the Costa Brava.
Taking a visit to Tossa de Mar, another beautiful and very popular town is an excellent day trip choice. You can take a ferry from Lloret de Mar to Tossa de Mar, allowing you to enjoy the coastline from the boat and experience another town of the Costa Brava.
Or head in the other direction and take a trip to Blanes, which can be easily reached by public bus. Blanes is actually the ‘gateway’ to the Costa Brava, but you can flip things around and make that your go to destination for a day!
The day trip options go on – there are so many stunning spots along the coastline, and wherever you do go, you likely won’t be disappointed!! This is the Costa Brava after all, one of Spain’s most renowned scenic coastlines!
