Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar  is a Mediterranean coastal town in Catalonia, Spain.

One of the most popular holiday resorts on the Costa Brava, it is 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Girona and 75 kilometres (47 miles) northeast of Barcelona. With a population of 39,363 in 2009, it is the second largest town in the Selva comarca of Catalonia. Lloret de Mar attracts summer visitors on package tours. Its main beach (length: 1,630 m width: 45 m small, gravel-like stones) is one of the most popular Costa Brava beaches and is consistently awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness.

History : There are historical remains of Iberian and Roman civilisations at various archeological sites. The first written references to Lloret de Mar can be found in documents from 966 as Loredo from the Latin word “lauretum” (bay laurel). Like many Mediterranean coastal towns, Lloret was frequently invaded by the Saracens in the Middle Ages. It is said that the traditional Ball de Placa (the Dance in the Town Square) dates from this era.

Until the 15th century, the town’s centre was located one kilometre (0.6 miles) inland, next to the Chapel of Les Alegries (the town’s main church before the Church of Sant Roma was built) to protect itself from attacks from English, French, Turkish and Algerian pirates. Lloret’s port became commercially important in the 18th century. It no longer exists but the Garriga Houses built by Indianos, rich returning Spanish immigrants to the Americas, remind us of this affluent era.

The high economic level that had been achieved in certain sectors of the population of Lloret led to the demolition of the old houses and the rise of small neoclassical palaces, modernist or eclectic. The houses of the Paseo del Mar, San Pedro Street and the Plaza de Espana.In the first decade of the twentieth century, the first holiday makers arrived in Lloret. In 1918 the first summer villas began to be built, such as the Indian house of Emilio Heydrich 1921, the first hotel was opened in 192, the hotel “Costa Brava” . But the Spanish Civil War and the postwar period brought economic restrictions and difficulties and stopped the incipient tourist activity of Lloret. All in all, the first vacationers who came from the Barcelona area soon arrived and were generally well-placed textile manufacturers or similar occupants.

Access : Coordinates: 41.7, 2.833333 / By road : Lloret de Mar can be reached along two coastal roads (passing through Tossa de Mar from the north and through Blanes from the south) and one inland road (passing through Vidreres). There is very heavy traffic on all three roads, especially in the summer. The inland road is the main connection to the rest of Spain and abroad, since it links up with the National II road, to the AP-7 motorway and to Girona-Costa Brava airport. Meanwhile, the coastal roads constitute the main routes to Barcelona (80 km (50 mi) away) and to the French border (approximately 100 km (62 mi) away). From the south, the C-32 coastal motorway connects Barcelona to Lloret (exit 134) as far as Blanes; the final 12 km (7 mi) are along the GI-600 road heading to Blanes and the GI-682 road heading to Lloret de Mar. Coming from the north (France) on the AP-7 motorway, exit 9 (Lloret de Mar) must be taken. The final 14 km (9 mi) are along the C-63 road. Coming from the north-east, there are 12 km (7 mi) from Tossa to Lloret along the GI-682 road.

coach network : Lloret de Mar offers scheduled and chartered coach services to Barcelona, Girona and major European cities, with vehicles adapted for persons of reduced mobility. Lloret has an international bus station and private stations that cater for international coaches.

Trains : There is no direct train service in Lloret de Mar; the nearest railway station is in Blanes, which since March 2014 connects southwards to Barcelona and northwards as far as Portbou on the commuter network. The Pujol bus company runs a shuttle service from Lloret bus station to Blanes railway station every 30 minutes. Trains heading to Barcelona leave every 30 minutes and the journey takes 80 minutes.

Canyelles Marina : Canyelles marina is the only marina in Lloret de Mar. It is located at Canyelles beach and is suitable for medium-sized vessels. / Boat trips : Lloret de Mar offers tourism cruise services that connect to the neighbouring towns of Blanes, Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guixols during the summer season.
Airports : The closest airports are Barcelona airport 75 km (47 mi) away, and Girona airport 30 km (19 mi). Barcelona airport offers scheduled flights to the world’s major cities. Thanks to the low-cost airlines that operate in Girona airport, Lloret de Mar is connected to a large number of European cities. The airport also enjoys a high volume of charter flight traffic. Finally, Perpignan airport is 90 minutes away by car.

Sites of cultural interest : Church of Sant Roma: Gothic church finished in 1522 built as a refuge from attacks from Turkish and Algerian pirates. Large-scale restoration work carried out in the early 20th century with money from the returned Americanos has converted it into a building with Byzantine, Moorish, Renaissance and Modernist influences.
Castle of Sant Joan: Medieval castle from the 11th century used to defend Lloret against any attacks from the sea such as that of the Genovese fleet in 1356 and during England’s war on Spain and France in 1805. The fortress is said to have been operational until the 17th century. Only the castle’s tower remains (restored in 1992) and offers an excellent view of the surrounding area.
Monument to the Fisherman’s Wife: Bronze sculpture found at the end of Lloret beach erected in 1966 to commemorate Lloret de Mar’s Millennium. It is considered to be one of the town’s most emblematic symbols. Legend states that touching the sculpture’s foot while looking out at the horizon will make your wishes come true.
Santa Clotilde gardens: Gardens designed in an Italian Renaissance style by Nicolau Rubio i Tuduri. Situated on top of a cliff offering impressive views over the sea.
Modernist cemetery
Iberian settlements at Puig de Castellet.
Iberian settlements at Montbarbat.
Sanctuary of Sant Pere del Bosc.
Angel monument.
Oratory of the Mare de Deu de Gracia.
Chapel of Santa Cristina.
Chapel of Les Alegries
Chapel of Sant Quirze
Maritime Museum – Can Garriga

Attractions :

• Nature : Beaches and coves : Lloret beach: Lloret beach is located in the municipal district of Lloret de Mar (county of La Selva), on the southern Costa Brava.
• Fenals beach: Fenals beach is located in the municipal district of Lloret de Mar (county of La Selva), on the southern Costa Brava, between Sa Boadella cove and Lloret beach /
• Cala Boadella: Sa Boadella cove is located in the municipal district of Lloret de Mar (county of La Selva), on the southern Costa Brava, between Santa Cristina and Fenals beaches
• Santa Cristina beach: Santa Cristina beach is located in the municipal district of Lloret de Mar (county of La Selva), on the southern Costa Brava.
• Treumal beach: Treumal beach is located on the boundary of the municipal districts of Lloret de Mar and Blanes (county of La Selva), on the southern Costa Brava
• Canyelles beach: Canyelles beach is located in the municipal district of Lloret de Mar (county of La Selva), on the southern Costa Brava.
• Sa Caleta: It is located next to Lloret beach and stretches below a castle. / Cala Banys: This rocky cove is commonly used for fishing and snorkelling. It can be reached on foot from Lloret beach or by car, parking at the Castle of Sant Joan.
• Cala Morisca / Cala Gran / Cala Tortuga / Cala d’en Trons / Cala dels Frares.
  Gardens : Santa Clotilde Gardens, designed at the turn of the 20th century in the noucentisme style, are probably the finest example of contemporary Catalan landscape gardening.[citation needed] In 1919, Doctor Raul Roviralta i Astoul, Marquis of Roviralta, commissioned the architect and noucentista landscaper Nicolau Maria Rubio i Tuduri to build the house and gardens of Santa Clotilde, overlooking Sa Boadella cove. Set on a clifftop with stunning sea views, the gardens are characterised by their wide variety of plants in contrast to an absence of flowers.
  Protected areas :
• Biotope : In order to balance the exploitation of resources with the existing fishing capacity and the maintenance of marine ecosystems, on the initiative of various fishermen’s guilds and the Directorate General for Sea Fishing, in recent years a series of artificial reefs have been installed in various places in Catalonia and in 1994 the biotope was created in Lloret de Mar. The artificial reef covers 150 hectares and stretches from Punta des Bullents (Cala Canyelles) to Raco des Bernat (Lloret de Mar), with a bathymetric range of between 15 and 25 metres. The reef is composed of four series of protective modules placed perpendicular to the coastline and forty beehive-shaped production structures placed facing Canyelles beach. The initial goal of the Lloret de Mar biotope was to increase the biological productivity of the system, to revive and develop artisan fishing, and to protect the Posidonia Oceanica meadows.
  Castle of Sant Joan : Situated at the top of the hill that separates Lloret de Mar and Fenals beaches, it dates back to the turn of the 11th century.
  Modernist cemetery of the Indianos :
• The modernist cemetery of Lloret de Mar is one of the most important Indiano cemeteries in Catalonia and one of the most representative anywhere in Spain. / Modernist buildings : Architects such as Enric Monserda, Bonaventura Conill and Puig i Cadafalch built modernist buildings including the Sanctuary of Sant Pere del Bosc with the small chapel of Mare de Deu de Gracia (Our Lady of Grace), or the chapel of the Baptistery and the chapel of the Santissim Sagrament (Holiest Sacrament), both of which belong to the church of Sant Roma, and, last of all, the pantheon of the Costa Macia family, one of the most complex and sumptuous modernist structures in Lloret de Mar cemetery.
• Puig de Castellet Iberian settlement : There are three Iberian settlements in Lloret de Mar: Montbarbat, Puig de Castellet and Turo Rodo, dating from as far back as the 4th century BC (Montbarbat) to as late as the 2nd century BC (Turo Rodo). By the time of the 1st century BC, the Iberian world had been swept away due to the expansion of the Roman Empire.
• Indiano houses route : Church of Sant Roma , Casa Garriga (Maritime Museum) , Passeig Verdaguer or Passeig de les Palmeres , Carrer de les Vidues i Donzelles , Parish Church and Church of Sant Roma , House of Nicolau Font i Maig .
• Es Tint : Es Tint is a small property where Lloret’s fishermen went until the 1960s to dye their nets, using a liquid produced by boiling water and pine bark.

Events : Carnestoltes (Carnival King)
Since February 2012, Lloret de Mar has been promoting its annual carnival in conjunction with Blanes and Tossa de Mar under the Costa Brava South Carnival brand, an initiative aimed at encouraging visitors to enjoy and take part in the parades of the three towns. In Lloret the main event is the Great Parade of the Carnestoltes (Carnival King)
Rally Costa Brava
The Rally Costa Brava is the oldest event of its kind in Spain and since it was first held in 1953 Lloret de Mar has always been at the epicentre of the competition. In 1988 the two most important rallies in Catalonia,
Mediterranean International Cup
The Mediterranean International Cup, held in April, is an international youth football tournament for promising young players
Lloret Formula Weekend
Lloret de Mar has always been an important accommodation base for Formula 1 enthusiasts who travel to Catalonia to see the F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Lloret Night Shopping
Lloret Night Shopping is a shopping, fashion and eating-out event held in May and September, in which shops remain open until the small hours.[citation needed] The event also includes live music, fashion parades, performances and options for eating out.

Rice Gastronomy Days
This event takes place in May and the main ingredient is rice, which is combined with local products from the sea or mountains, with a variety of culinary offerings ranging from the most traditional to the most innovative.

Americanos Fair
Lloret de Mar has an important seafaring past, especially at the turn of the 20th century. Those who emigrated from Lloret to America to seek their fortune were known in the town as Americanos and as Indianos in the rest of Catalonia. For one weekend in June the town travels back to this Indiano period and the streets are filled with all sorts of activities, such as street theatre, demonstrations of traditional trades, craft markets and guided tours, among others.
Beaches Fun Walk
The now-traditional Beaches Fun Walk takes place on the last Sunday in September and is organised by the Xino-Xano cultural association. This 11 km (7 mi) fun walk offers an opportunity to enjoy nature and discover some of the area’s lesser known beauty spots.[citation needed] Participants gather at the meeting point in Placa de la Vila first thing in the morning and then travel by cruise boat or coach to Cala Canyelles, where the walk begins. This is mostly a coastal route, winding its way along a coastal footpath that offers views from the cliffs as it passes by Cala Trons, Sa Caleta, Lloret’s main beach, Fenals beach and Sa Boadella, ending up at Santa Cristina beach.

Cuina del Peix de l’Art Gastronomy Days
These fish and seafood gastronomy days recall Lloret de Mar’s seafaring past and its close association with the sea.

Rally Costa Brava Historic
In addition to the Rally Costa Brava, since 2003 Lloret de Mar has been hosting the Rally Costa Brava Historic, which has become one of the world’s leading vintage car rallies. This competition recovers the essence of great competitions, offering spectators the chance to see legendary drivers and co-drivers up close. Meanwhile, with the idea of also hosting a speed rally for vintage cars, in 2005 the Rally Costa Brava was revived, which in essence is a continuation of the oldest rally in Spain. This rally is a point-scoring event in various national and international categories and is viewed by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) as one of the most prestigious on the continent

Medieval Fair
The Medieval Fair is held as part of the festivities of Sant Roma, patron saint of Lloret de Mar. The town travels back to the Middle Ages with themed stalls and a wide variety of activities: troubadours, music, magic shows, the caravan of donkeys, medieval huts, workshops, an exhibition of medieval torture implements, calligraphy, demonstrations of artisan trades, games and a play centre for children. Held in November.

Tirada a l’Art
Tirada a l’art is perhaps one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the town of Lloret de Mar. This activity is held on Lloret’s main beach in February and December and is a way of remembering and paying tribute to the fishing technique through which many of the town’s inhabitants earned a living many years ago. It consists of casting the net into the water at daybreak and then hauling it back to the shore and onto the beach, gathering up all the fish that it has dragged in.

Activities : Hiking : Long-distance or GR (gran recorrido) footpaths : Two sections of the GR92 Mediterranean footpath pass through Lloret: the GR92TR11, taking in Tossa de Mar, Cala Canyelles and Lloret de Mar, covering 13.2 km (8.2 mi) and with an approximate duration of 3 hours and 15 minutes.
and the GR92TR12, taking in Lloret de Mar, the Castle of Sant Joan, Blanes and Tordera, covering 14.475 km (8.99 mi) and with an approximate duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes. Coastal footpaths : The Lloret de Mar – Fenals coastal footpath offers one of the Costa Brava’s most beautiful walks.

This trail hugs the Lloret coastline from Lloret beach to Fenals beach. It begins at the end of the Lloret’s seafront promenade, passing by the Es Raco de Garbi spot and the little cove of Sa Caravera. Some steps then lead up to a path that winds its way around a rocky coastline. It then passes by the Es salt des Burros spot before leading on to the Dona Marinera (Seafarer’s Wife) statue by the sculptor Ernest Maragall i Noble. Another set of steps then lead down to Cala Banys, a rocky cove with several reefs. The footpath crosses a pine grove, emerging at Fenals point, where the mediaeval Castle of Sant Joan is located. Following the path from the watchtower, some steps lead down to Placa Sisquella, located at the start of the Fenals seafront promenade.

Kart racing west of town just past Water World, tennis, horse riding and bowling. Mini and professional golf. Europe’s biggest water park nearby with a free bus from the bus station. Gnomoland for infants and young children at the Blanes end of town. South of Blanes is Marineland. Free transport from the centre of Lloret to both places. There is also scuba diving with equipment hire and dives from a shop at the far end of the Lloret beach. As well as cars, cycles and motorbikes can be hired (Fenals area). There are internet cafes (from about one euro an hour) and some areas and hotels have wifi. In weak areas, sitting outside on a balcony can mean the difference between a good signal and no signal inside your room.

Sea kayaking and Snorkeling (Sea kayaking and Snorkeling), Lloret de Mar beach (Nautical club). This activity is accessible for beginners or simply for someone that wants to paddle around without taking an specific course. However we can adapt each program to your experience skills. On this trip we will paddle from the Bay of Lloret, which is the departure to all our excursions. We will head towards the small coves near our base. It’s passing through the small beaches, the different caves we will find on our way, like Frares, Trons, the Gran (place where we will do the first snorkeling tour), Canyelles, ses felices until we get to Cala Morisca, quiet surrounding where we will find plenty of marine life, and different class of fishes to explore.

Go next : Buses to Girona, Tossa de Mar, Blanes and Barcelona. Buses do tend to fill up, with people standing. If at a bus station, buy a return ticket if intending to come back as it saves queuing again.
By car you can visit other beautiful areas in the Costa Brava, such as Begur and Cadaques.
From the beach in Lloret you can also hop on a boat that takes you to the nearby towns of Blanes and Tossa de Mar.
Lloret also has a train station nearby – in Blanes, the adjacent town at the distance of 10-15 min drive – from which you can go to anywhere in Spain.