//
Municipality in Catalonia, Spain
Photo: Lite, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Blanes is an old fishing town that has become an important beach destination on the Costa Brava and the province of Girona. In 2018 it had around 39,000 inhabitants.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Platja de Blanes
The main beach of Blanes is the nearest to the city centre, this is a 600-m-long granule sand beach. Facilities include toilets, showers, SOS, kids area, volley-ball fields, ferry station and wheelchair access. Restaurants, bars, and shops are in the city next to the beach. Over the years the beach has been shortened by consecutive port expansions. In 2011 in the last port expansion the beach was lengthened in a 90-degree turn along the dock to the harbor's entrance.
Platja de S'Abanell
With a length of 2.5 km, this is Blanes' longest beach. Its sand is grain sized except from some fine sand areas because of land fillings. Facilities include toilets, showers, SOS, sun-loungers, parking, wheelchair access and ferry station. Restaurants, bars, and shops are in the city next to the beach.
Cala Sa Forcanera
A gorgeous forgotten cave with no facilities 1 km away from the city centre. Can be seen from the Marimurtra botanical garden. Consists of leucogranitic cliffs and a small beach with big pebbles. Ancient remains of a dock, some facilities and the stairs of the inaccessible path to Blanes are next to the beach. Get there by kayaking or by a long swim and rock walking from Santa Anna.
Cala S'Aguia
Small cave with no facilities in the border between Blanes and Lloret del Mar. From the south of the beach, sanded by 1-m diameter rocks you can see the S'Aguia rock, the last rock you will see north of the beach. On the beginning of the trail is a green gate. Pass through the side of the gate only by foot. People visiting the beach usually park in the garden's parking lot. According to a sign, payment may be required, but it usually is not.
Punta Santa Anna
A cove with no facilities and a small beach between the granitic cliffs of El Convent and the dock of the port. The beach's consists on pebbles near the water and grain sand next to the walls. Some basaltic columns with olivine and augite bombs are present. Perfect for rock-hunting, snorkelling and scuba diving. Bars and restaurants are in the port area near the cove.
Cala Bona/Cala Sant Francesc
A scenic and ideal for families cove surrounded by pines. Accessible by a 1-hour walk from the city and by bus. The parking near the beach is subject to payment at high season. Facilities include toilets, showers, SOS, parking and ferry station. There is only a restaurant near the beach. Take the stairs from the beach to the viewpoint and Sant Francesc chapel or rent a paddle boat to explore around the cliffs.
This is a big rock which divides the city bay by the half. This considered is the beginning of the Costa Brava. There are stairs from the beach to the viewpoint at the top of the rock.
Punta de la Tordera
Sea fauna and bird-watching where the Tordera river meets the sea. Access to estuary and adjacent beach is forbidden for fauna protection. Bird observatory near the lagoon allows to look from a safe distance. Next to the protected area there is a grained sand beach which is the only where nudism is accepted in Blanes.
Jardí Botànic Marimurtra
16 hectares, considered the best Mediterranean botanical garden in Europe.
Jardí botànic tropical Pinya de Rosa
500-hectare garden containing among the best collections of aloe, agave and cactus in the world.
Palau vescomtal de Blanes
19th-century Gothic architecture palace placed on the top of the old village. It was partially destroyed under the Catalan Revolt and the following wars against France.
Casa Saladrigas
Catalan Noucentsime house built between 1918 and 1920 by the architect Isidre Puig i Boada. Notice the wrought iron works in the balcony.
Catalan Modernist house.
This small chapel was built outside the city walls. It's first referenced in 1650. Take a look at the scale model ships inside the chapel.
Font gòtica
This 15th-century Gothic water fountain was 1438 to supply drinking water to Blanes city in response to pandemics. Since the 2006 conservation works there is no water supply.
Catalan Modernist hospital.
Gothic church that was built from 1350 to 1410. It was burnt down ( except for the wall) in 1936, losing one of the best preserved Gothic churches of the area and two Antoni Gaudi thrones. It was reconstructed in 1944.
This 18th-century castle offers the best views of the city. It was built to defend the city against pirates and used to defend Barcelona from attacks from the north. Accessible by car or by foot by a long stairs. Take a photo of the city and beach through the cannonball-made hole on the wall.
They dive from the bays of Santa Anna and Cala Sant Francesc (the second via minibus) or from both slow and speed boat.
Navigate with the Dofijet ferry to the next caves and fishing towns.
Navigate with the Dofijet ferry to the next caves and fishing towns.
Sail the Costa Brava in a catamaran.
This is a small fast-food restaurant where sausages and hamburgers are served. It opens till late. The 4 tables available are usually occupied. You can eat on a stool on the counter or better take the food to the promenade and enjoy the sea view while you take your fatty meal. You can find Blanes locals here, as opposed to the other sausage and hamburger restaurants in the S'Abanell area.
A franchise of the Spanish restaurant chain Telepizza. Pizza cooking takes about 40 minutes. Home delivery is available. You can order by phone or via Internet.
This Spanish restaurant chain serves French bread sandwiches.
Uncommonly varied burgers with 20 or more different types, very tasty and at a good price. Not a fancy place yet with a focus on food quality. The place performs delivery to nearby areas as well.
Catalan cuisine.
Sophisticated Catalan cuisine.
Mediterranean cuisine. Prix fixe menu from Monday to Friday.
Seafood, Catalan cuisine.
Vegan ecological tapas bar.
Creative croquettes (small breadcrumbed fried food roll containing) and tapas. Specialists in the elaboration of artisan croquettes with a wide variety of tastes.
Can Ton
Loved by locals and tourists alike, recommended by local fisherman. Fresh seafood. Note that this restaurant is also known as Can Ton which, though next door, is run by the same family, using the same kitchen.
Seafood restaurant.
Seafood restaurant.
A "gastronomic bar" where you can enjoy sofiscated tapas near the beach. You will get your usual tapas as well as some interesting ones like the famous spherical olives or the bursting mozzarella. The owners have worked with Ferran Adria in the past
Across from the rock, Sa Palomera. No nearby traffic: just panoramic views of the beaches, the rock and the sea.
Mainly for foreigners. Minimum age 16.
Techno music, mainly for Spanish people. Minimum age 18.
Mainly for Spanish people. Minimum age 18.
Hostal Doll
Hostal Isabel
Hostal Miranda
Hostal Regina
Family hotel.
Artisan products street market.
Traditional fruits and vegetables.
Clothing street market.
Artisan souvenir street market.
By train
You can go from everywhere in Spain (including most airports) to Blanes by train.
By bus
The local company Sagalés runs from Girona and the Girona's airport to Blanes. The trip between Blanes and Aeroport de Girona at Vilobí d'onyar takes a little more than 1 hour.
By car
The free highway brings you from Barcelona to Blanes from 1 hour depending on the traffic.
By boat
On foot
The central part of the city is very easy to walk around with lots of pedestrian areas. Most streets are one-way and with pavements just a yard wide on either side with traffic going by at speed.
By bike or scooter
Blanes is fairly bikeable except for the northern caves as being flat and having bike lanes on the main avenues. The only cave easily accessible by bike is Santa Ana.
By car
Private car is a good option to move to the northern coves, Sant Joan Castle, the Botanical gardens, the Tordera Delta and the industrial area (supermarkets and fast food).
By bus
Local buses, operated by Autocars Pujol, are a good option to visit places away from the city center like the botanical gardens and Cala Bona.
By boat
From the beach in Blanes, near the harbor, you can hop on a boat operated by Dofijet that takes you to the near coves.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Girona · International · GRO
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Blanes and Spain.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.