Blanes

The climate in Blanes and the rest of Costa Brava is typically Mediterranean, mild and temperate, characterized by hot, dry summers, and moderately cold winters. The annual average temperature ranges from 7 to 28 °C.

From May to October the hot weather makes it suitable for sunbathing. Occasional rains can occur on May and October. As water warms up more slow than air, the best months for swimming and diving are July, August and September. August can be too hot and crowded.

Iberian activity has been attested in the area. Romanization of Blanes and its surroundings began around the 3rd century BC. During the Roman rule it was named Blanda or Blandae. Roman remains of the Blandae site lie nearby. After the rule of the Romans the area shared the fate of much of the Peninsula, being conquered successively by the Goths, the Moors and the Christians shortly after. In the 13th century, after the Christians regained the power, important architectural developments took place in Blanes. Some examples are the Cabrera palace, the Santa Maria's Church and the city walls.

In the 17th century, during the Catalan Revolt (Guerra dels Segadors), Blanes was practically burned to ashes. The Cabrera Palace was completely destroyed.

Another event that affected Blanes was the Spanish War of Succession (1701–1714). Afterwards, the reconstruction of the town and the expansion of agriculture started.

1 Biblioteca information Office, Passeig Catalunya, 2 (at the biblioteque building), ☏ +34 972 33 03 48, turisme@blanes.cat. Tourist office run by the Patronat de Turisme.

2 Els Pins Tourist information Office, Plaça dels Cámpings, turisme@blanes.cat. Summer: daily 10:00-14:00, 16:00-20:00. Tourist office run by the Blanes authorities.

3 Main Tourist information Office, Plaça Catalunya (in the roundabout near the Sa Palomera Rock), ☏ +34 972 330 348, turisme@blanes.cat. M-Th 10:00-15:00, F Sa 10:00-14:00 16:00-18:00, Su closed; summer: daily 10:00-14:00, 16:00-20:00. Main tourist office run by the Blanes authorities.

Girona/Gerona/Costa Brava airport GRO IATA is about 30 minutes away by car, see Get in > By car/train/bus for information on your preferred option from the airport to Blanes.

Barcelona El Prat Airport BCN IATA is about 1 hour away by car, see Get in > By car/train/bus for information on your preferred option from the airport to Blanes.

There is a sportive airport in Palafolls (6 km (3.7 mi) from downtown) :

1 Palafolls Aerodrome (Camp de vol de Palafolls), ☏ +34 649-333-674, pere@prair.com. 600 m (2,000 ft) runway, 1,125 m2 (12,110 ft²) of hangar space, helicopter flights, Maintenance and repairs workshop. (updated Sep 2023)

You can go from everywhere in Spain (including most airports) to Blanes by train.

Served by Rodalies-RENFE Rodalies-Renfe trains, trains stop at Blanes station twice per hour from and to Barcelona and 1 per hour to Maçanet Massanes where you can change train from Girona and France. Much of R1 is single track operation, and it can be quicker to use R2 to Maçanet Massanes and change there.

Which zone Blanes is in depends on your ticket. For standard rail journeys, it is in zone 6 and Barcelona-Blanes is about €6.30 one way. For 'integrated' multitrip tickets, it is in zone 5.

Station is 30 minutes away from the centre by walking. The local bus company Autocars Pujol can bring you to the city for less than €2.

2 Blanes train station (Estació de Blanes), Calle Estació Ferrocarril (in the industrial area). 24h. Opened in 1859 to connect Blanes to Mataró and Barcelona. Nowadays, it also connects to Girona. Served by R1 . It has parking area (updated Sep 2023)

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. It also runs from Barcelona and the Barcelona El Prat airport to Blanes several times a day for about €8 for the 2-hour ride.

3 Bus Station (Estació d'Autobús). Buses from Girona, Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar and Barcelona arrive here.

The C-32 free highway brings you from Barcelona to Blanes from 1 hour depending on the traffic.

The south N-2 goes parallel to C-32 but along the coast, crossing all villages.

Following N-2 north you can connect to the AP-7 free highway brings you from France, and Girona taking a minimum of 2 and 1 hours respectively.

As free parking is difficult to find at the old town, consider once you drop-off your luggage at your accommodation to park outside the city or far from the beach and return by walking.

4 Port de Blanes, Esplanada del Port s/n, ☏ +34 972 330 552, club@cvblanes.cat. The Blanes Marina has a capacity of 309 boats with lengths between 7.5 m (25 ft) and 24 m (79 ft)and a draught of between 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and 7 m (23 ft). Mooring services include drinking water, electricity, anchor heads, monitoring via channel 9 VHF, fuel station, social building with cafeteria and restaurant service, dressing rooms and services, sailing school (RFEV and FCV), 24 hr marina service, laundry service, fitness centre and spa, Wi-fi, parking. (updated Sep 2023)

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.

Most hotels are in a 1 km, 15 min walking, radius from the old town's historical cent. Camp sites are up to 2 km, 30 min walking, from the centre.

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.

It is possible to rent a bike or motorbike to move around.

5 Mopts to Rent, Olivers, 12 (S'Abanell area), ☏ +34 972 336 333. Scooter rental.

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). The rest of the city, although can be driven by car, can be easily visited by foot.

Free parking is difficult to find at the old town, especially in summer. Payment parking lots are available close to city's beaches and coves on high season.

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.

A tour bus takes tourists to the botanical gardens from the port near the Can Flores restaurant.

There is a touristic train-shaped bus, or Carrilet, that runs promenade long for the people who do not want to walk the 2-km-long city's waterfront. It's possible to take it on the Plaça Catalunya circus near the Sa Palomera rock.

From the beach in Blanes, near the harbor, you can hop on a boat operated by Dofijet that takes you to the near coves.

The main natural attraction in Blanes is the coastline. Visitor will find 2 very different coastlines as Blanes is on the border between two different coasts (the Costa Brava and the Costa del Maresme). North of the port, the Costa Brava's typical small pebbled caves surrounded by mountains. And long granulated-sand beaches on the south.

1 Blanes Beach (Platja de Blanes), Pau Casals Ave (in the centre of the town between the port and the Sa Palomera rock). 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. Free.

2 S'Abanell Beach (Platja de S'Abanell), S'Abanell Ave (south of Sa Palomera rock). 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. Free.

3 Sa Forcanera cove (Cala Sa Forcanera) (not accessible by land). 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. Free.

4 S'Aguia cove (Cala S'Aguia) (by a 20-min trail at the left of the pinya de Rosa botanical garden entrance). 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. Free.

5 Santa Anna Rock (Punta Santa Anna) (behind the Blanes port, 15 minutes by walking from the centre). 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. Free.

Blanes has two world-recognised botanical gardens both with scenic views of the Costa Brava's coves.

9 Marimurtra Botanical Garden (Jardí Botànic Marimurtra), Passeig de Carles Faust, 9 (in the mountain between Castell de Sant Joan and Punta de Santa Anna), ☏ +34 972 33 08 26. Nov-Mar; M-F 10:00-15:00, Sa Su 10;00-17:00; Apr-Jun mid-Sep-Oct: daily 10:00-18:00; Jul-mid-Sep: daily 09:00-17:00; closed: Dec 24-26 and 31, Jan 1 5 and 6, Feb 17 18. 16 hectares, considered the best Mediterranean botanical garden in Europe. Apr-Oct: €12 (after 14:00: €10); Nov-Mar: €10 (after 14:00: €8). (updated Dec 2024)

10 Pinya de Rosa Botanical Garden (Jardí botànic tropical Pinya de Rosa), C, Camí de Santa Cristina (on the way from Cala Sant Francesc and LLoret de Mar's Cala Santa Anna), ☏ +34 972 35 06 89. May-Sep 09:00-19:00; Jan-Apr 09:00-18:00 p.m.. 500-hectare garden containing among the best collections of aloe, agave and cactus in the world. €5. (updated Dec 2024)

Blanes also has good examples of architecture from the Gothic, Modernist and Noucentisme periods.

11 Cabrera's Palace (Palau vescomtal de Blanes), Església Sq (the door at the right of the Santa Maria's Church main door). 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.

12 Saladrigas House (Casa Saladrigas), 48, Esperança St (near the port next to Telepizza at the main avenue). Catalan Noucentsime house built between 1918 and 1920 by the architect Isidre Puig i Boada. Notice the wrought iron works in the balcony.

13 Can Tordera, Passeig de Dintre street, 26 (near the city hall and the Plaza España). Catalan Modernist house.

14 Esperanza's Chapel (behind the Casa Saladrigas at the port area). 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.

15 Gothic Fountain (Font gòtica), Ample Street (150 m away from the Passeig Cortils i Vieta). 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. Free.

16 Hospital Asil de Sant Jaume, Jaume Arcelos Street, 1. Catalan Modernist hospital.

17 Santa Maria's Church, Església Sq (on a hill in the old town at the centre of the city). 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.

18 Sant Joan Castle (at the top of the mountain with the same name, just beside the port). 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. Free.

It is possible to dive at the coves of Santa Anna and Cala Sant Francesc or from a boat. Find sea anemones (Actinia equina), sea horses (Hippocampus guttulatus), sponges (Petrosia ficiformis, Myxilla incrustans), spirographs (Spirographis spaññanzanii), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), starfish (Ophidiaster ophidianus), sea cucumbers (Holothuria forskali) and many sea urchins (Spaerechinus granularis, Paracentrotus lividus).

1 Blanes Sub (on the port 2 minutes walking from Santa Anna Bay), ☏ +34 646 96 20 56, centre@blanes-sub.com. They dive from the bays of Santa Anna and Cala Sant Francesc (the second via minibus) or from both slow and speed boat.

The Festa Major or feast of Santa Anna and Sant Joaquim (on the 26th) are usually celebrated in the 3rd or 4th week of July, between the 21st and 27th annually. During the eight days, the major feasts are celebrated as well as the Fireworks Contest which attracts more than 500,000 visitors. This is an international competition in which various countries from around the world participate. Over 500,000 kg of fireworks are used at each event. Most people watch the fireworks from the beach.

The Festa Major Petita or the feast of the co-patrons (Sant Bonòs and Maximià). A family-oriented trek is celebrated where many people walk accompanied by their children and pets. It is approximately 8 km long. The reward is a memento and a slice of watermelon.

2 Dofijet Ferry City Center (near the port at the end of the Passeig Cortils i Vieta). Navigate with the Dofijet ferry to the next caves and fishing towns.

3 Dofijet Ferry S'Abanell (at S'Abanell beach). Navigate with the Dofijet ferry to the next caves and fishing towns.

4 Sensation Catamaran, Passeig Mestrança, 116 (on the port), ☏ +34 617362488. M W F only. Sail the Costa Brava in a catamaran. (updated Jul 2022)

Renting a pedalo or paddle boat in the different available spots on the beach. One of them near the Sa Palomera rock.

Sunbathe at the 3-km long city beach or at coves such as the Cala Sant Francesc and Santa Anna beaches which are surrounded by mountains.

Topless is permitted in all Blanes' beaches, nudism is allowed only in Tordera Delta beach.

At the Tordera river's delta there have been located 40 exotic and 284 native bird species like: Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Ruff (Philomachus pugnax), Redshank (Tringa totanus), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) and Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis). There are bird observation decks at the south riverside.

The beach on this delta is the best known spot in Costa Brava to see blue sharks (Prionace glauca), ocean sunfishes (Mola mola) and dolphins (Delphinus delphis).

There are many routes around the city.

The GR 92 long-distance walking route crosses the city.

5 Karting Club Blanes, ☏ +34 972 33 6858. 10:00-21:00 summer until 24:00. From 21€. (updated Oct 2023)

There are many supermarkets outside the town where you can find the best prices.

1 Aldi (Industrial area near the McDonald's.).

2 Lidl (Industrial area near the train station).

3 Mercadona (one on the industrial area near the train station and one in the way to Lloret the Mar).

There are also other, most expensive, supermarkets nearest to the center and hotels.

4 Caprabo (at the end of Passeig de Dins near Sa Palomera).

5 Condis, Antoni Gaudi Street (behind the sports pavilion on the S'Abanell area).

Local markets are more expensive that the cheap supermarkets from the industrial area but cheaper than those near the center and the hotels.

6 Fira d'artesania, Passeig Cortils i Vieta. High season weekends all day long. Artisan products street market.

7 Pageses, Passeig de Dins. M-Sa 08:00-13:00. Traditional fruits and vegetables.

8 Mercadillo, Passeig Cortils i Vieta. M 08:00-13:00. Clothing street market. Cheap. A little bargaining is allowed.

9 Souvenirs Market, Passeig de s'Abanell (near the Sa Palomera rock). High season weekends all day long. Artisan souvenir street market.

In Blanes old town there are plenty of clothing stores.

Springfield, Passeig de Dins (at the historical building La Casa del Poble).

Stradivarius, Passeig de Dins.

1 Ardales (S'Abanell area, 50 metres from the beach). 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.

2 Telepizza (near the port, on the end of Passeig Cortils i Vieta), ☏ +34 972 33 01 33. 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. About €14 for a medium size pizza (about 30 cm diameter).

3 Viena (Away from the city in the industrial area). This Spanish restaurant chain serves French bread sandwiches.

4 Hamburgueseria Paradise, Calle Canigo 73, ☏ +34 872 21 53 08. 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. (updated Apr 2022)

5 Can Bruno, Camí vell de Vilar, 100 (as it's away from the centre, it's mostly for visitors with cars), ☏ +34 972 33 05 86. Catalan cuisine.

6 Celler Sant Antoni, Pg. Pau Casals, 61 (at the seafront promenade in the port area), ☏ +34 972 35 14 38. Sophisticated Catalan cuisine. (updated May 2019)

7 La Gondola, Passeig Mestranca, 80-81 (port area). Mediterranean cuisine. Prix fixe menu from Monday to Friday. €10 to €30.

8 Laia, Passeig de la Marina, 16 (near La Palomera rock), ☏ +34 972 33 32 24. Seafood, Catalan cuisine. (updated May 2019)

9 Sa Capça, Calle Bellaire, 4. Vegan ecological tapas bar.

10 Sa Croqueta, Theolongo Bacchio, 6. Creative croquettes (small breadcrumbed fried food roll containing) and tapas. Specialists in the elaboration of artisan croquettes with a wide variety of tastes.

11 Sa Malica (Can Ton), Carrer Sant Andreu de la Palomera, 4 (Across from Sa Palomera (the rock)), ☏ +34 972 33 49 38. 13:00-16:00, 20:00-23:00. 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. €20-55. (updated May 2019)

12 Can Flores (at the port behind Blanes Sub and Can Flores). Seafood restaurant. €25 to €50.

13 La Gaviota (At the port near L'Hibernacle bar.). Seafood restaurant.

14 Sa Lola, Passeig Pau Casals, 59, ☏ +34 972 35 52 19. 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 (updated Mar 2019)

1 Can Tirol, Calle San Andreu de la Palomera 8 (right across from the rock, Sa Palomera). Often 17:00-02:00. Across from the rock, Sa Palomera. No nearby traffic: just panoramic views of the beaches, the rock and the sea. Range of prices.

Es Blanc (in Sa Palomera area).

L'Hibernacle (in the port area near the small beach inside the port).

Discoteca Arena, Eivissa Street, 2 (S'Abanell area). Mainly for foreigners. Minimum age 16.

Discoteca Cyan, Passeig de S'abanell. Techno music, mainly for Spanish people. Minimum age 18. (updated May 2019)

Discoteca Esencia, Mediterrani Avinguda, 3 (Passeig de S'abanell area). Mainly for Spanish people. Minimum age 18.

1 Camping Blanes, Villa de Madrid, 33, ☏ +34 972 33 15 91, info@campingblanes.com. From €9 person+tent/night at winter. Expect to pay the double at summer..

2 Camping Bellaterra, Vila de Madrid 40. From €15 person+tent/night at winter. Bungalow from €54/night. Expect to pay the double at summer..

3 Camping el Pinar, Vila de Madrid 39, ☏ +34 972 33 10 83. From €15 person+tent/night at winter. Bungalow from €54/night. Expect to pay the double at summer..

4 Camping la Masia, Colon, 44, ☏ +34 972 33 10 13, info@campinglamasia.com. From €13 person+tent/night at winter. Bungalow from €40/night. Expect to pay the double at summer..

5 Doll Guesthouse (Hostal Doll), Passeig de Pau Casals, 70-71, ☏ +34 972 330 008, info@hostaldoll.com. From €31 person/night.

6 Isabel Guesthouse (Hostal Isabel), Josep Tarradellas, 56, ☏ +34 972 33 01 28. From €20 person/night. (updated Jul 2022)

7 Miranda Guesthouse (Hostal Miranda), Josep Tarradellas, 50, ☏ +34 972 333 465, info@hostalmiranda.com. From €20 person/night.

8 Regina Guesthouse (Hostal Regina), Esperança 47-49, ☏ +34 972 330 426, hostalregina@hostalregina.jazztel.es. From €26 person/night.

9 Hotel Costa Brava, Anselm Clavé 48. From €40 person/night.

10 Hotel Horitzó, Passeig de S'abanell,11. From €81 person/night.

11 Hotel Mar Ski, Passeig de S'abanell,4. From €43 person/night.

12 Hotel Pimar & Spa, Passeig de S'abanell,8. From €58 person/night.

13 Hotel Stella Maris, Avinguda Vila de Madrid, 18 (100 metres from S'Abanell), ☏ +34 972 33 00 92. Family hotel. 3-star. (updated Jul 2022)