BLANES CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO - SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS ABOUT GETTING AROUND, SIGHTSEEING, SHOPPING, NIGHTLIFE AND MORE - GOBYSA
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BLANES CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more
Blanes is very much a different type of holiday resort to the likes of Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar. It is very
popular and crowded in the summer but certainly, it is smaller and therefore more relaxed for those that prefer
that to the hustle and bustle of the busier and bigger resorts.
Having said that Blanes is certainly not one of those tiny fishing villages with nothing to do at night. There is
plenty of nightlife at the nightclubs and many hotels have free cabaret shows and entertainment after dinner in
the summer holiday season.
Blanes is a popular tourist destination due to its superb sandy beaches which draw tourists from all over Europe
as well as Spain. Despite its popularity for tourism, Blanes retains a friendly charm which draws visitors back.
The main attraction, of course, are the four kilometres of beaches which attract families who love to sunbathe
and swim in the clean waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Most activities and things to do revolve around the beaches but there is also the old town with medieval houses,
Gothic fountains, squares and churches.
The promenade (Passeig de Cortils i Vieta) and harbour also feature highly on the things to do and see in
Blanes. The town also has a couple of pretty coves, Sant Francesc and Punta de Santa Ann. The north of Blanes
is rugged with high peaks containing coves, the south of Blanes is much flatter where it meets the River Tordera.
Blanes also still remains a working fishing town with one of the resort’s top attractions is the lively fish market
which is held every evening in the harbour.
Things to do
Beaches
Temperatures typically top 30 degrees centigrade throughout the summer months and the town’s popular sandy
beaches are the best place to be..to relax and dip into the water when you fancy it.
Blanes Beach is the main beach in Blanes (Playa de
Blanes) is the perfect place to soak up the glorious
sunshine. If you’re travelling as a family, during the
height of the season there is a Kids Club here.
This golden sandy beach offers ample space and all
the main beach facilities: showers and refreshments,
sunbeds, pedalos, lifeguards,... It also has nets for
those who want to play beach volley.
Platja de Blanes is located right next to the port. The
Sa Palomera rock is on the right.
S’Abanell Beach is the biggest beach in Blanes, at
over 2300 metres long. It’s also got a Kids Club and
heaps of other facilities. It’s just on the left-hand side of
the landmark rock called Sa Palomera.
S’Abanell is a popular beach in Blanes. It has golden
sand and the same facilities as Platja de Blanes, plus
windsurfing, waterskiing, parasailing, sailing, boat
trips,... A beach with lots to enjoy with the whole family.
You can go for a pleasant stroll along the promenade in
the evening, when there are many market stalls selling
things like artisanal jewellery.Sant Francesc Beach – Cala Bona Although it’s located around 2 km from the town centre, this is a lovely Cove embraced by pine trees. To get there you can actually go through the Botanical Gardens, but there are other routes well. This golden sandy beach is around 200 metres long. The main facilities are present: showers, refreshments, sunbeds, pedalos, lifeguards, parking facilities and a restaurant, so it's a good place for families with children too. Santa Anna – Capellans Beach Most often this beach is called Capellans Beach, and it’s located just behind the town’s port. It’s a smaller beach of around 75 m in length, and has golden pebbles. At the foot of the Blanes convent and close to the Punta de Santa Anna, you will find the Santa Anna cove, also known as ‘playa dels Capellans’. From the centre of Blanes, it is a pleasant walk of about 10 minutes (about 300 metres). The water is crystal clear and perfect for diving or snorkelling. There are showers too. Treumal Beach is the most northern beach, 4 kms from the centre. It is the smallest beach of Blanes - about 100 metres long. A small rock separates it from Santa Cristina beach, which already belongs to Lloret de Mar. Both beaches are located under the chapel or Ermita de Santa Cristina. Treumal is truly picturesque, with golden sand, surrounded by beautiful nature which belongs to the Pinya de Rosa landscape (declared ‘de Interés Nacional’). It has showers and a restaurant for visitors to enjoy. Castillo de San Juan – St. John’s Castle If you go up to see the castle remains on a clear day, sometimes you can even see the silhouette of Mount Montjuic in Barcelona. It was built around the middle of the 13th century. The watchtower was built in the 16th century, at a time where many coastal towns and villages did the same – as it was an especially busy time for pirates. The castle is so symbolic of Blanes, and from it there are spectacular views of the town and a lot of the Costa Brava.
Water World is one of the largest water parks in Europe and it’s only 5km from Blanes.
Covering 140,000 m2, children and adults alike will find plenty of thrills in a wide variety of water rides, with
everything from wave pools, rapids and toboggan rides to kamikaze shoots and fantastic gentle slides. It is the
perfect place to spend an unforgettable day with your family and friends.
Within the park you’ll find restaurants, crêperies, picnic areas and pine groves, where you can relax in stunning
surroundings.
Here are some of the rides etc. that you can enjoy…….
Wave Pool: Enjoy the waves in the bigger pool of
Water World, 50 m long, where you can play and ride
the waves up to two meters high. A fun experience for
all!
Water Gagent: This endless slide will take you through
twists and curves, leaving you wishing the ride will
never end.
Relax Lagoon: Relax a bit in a quiet zone. You can
stay on the beach formed by the shore, swim quietly
under a soft cascade or relax in the parts with
hydrotherapeutic bubbles.
Rafting River: The biggest aquatic attraction in
Europe. For everybody to enjoy. You let the river take
you in a round boat for four people 155 metres of the
215 metres of the journey are in the dark. Then without
expecting it, you will suddenly turn 360º and you will
get wet under the waterfalls.
The Bowling Center Blanes houses a sensational
bowling alley with 12 state-of-the-art Brunswich
professional courts approved by the Catalan, Spanish
and European bowling federations to host national and
international championships.
In addition there is a coffee shop and restaurant where
you can enjoy a great variety of appetisers, pastas,
sandwiches, hamburgers, mixed dishes and salads, as
well as a selection of beers such as San Miguel,
Mahou and Alhambra.Eating out in Blanes
There are many good restaurants (over 150 restaurants) and bars in Blanes most of which are located along the
beachfront promenade (Passeig de Cortils i Vieta). Try also the area just behind the promenade (Passeig de Dintre)
which also has many good restaurants that only the locals know about.
As you would expect with Blanes being a working fishing port, seafood dishes are the best choice. For some local
specialities try the Blanes prawns, fish stew (Suquet de Peix) and Anchoas al Estilo de las Medas (anchovy dish). Of
course for dessert you have to try the local equivalent of crème caramel known as Crema Catalan.
Dining out and eating out is good value for money, try the local cuisine which as well as local Catalan dishes. Also local
restaurants includes Italian, Mexican, Dutch, Greek and Chinese.
Here are a few to try…..
Bar Restaurant Carlo Av. Vila de Madrid, 3
Their extensive menu offers you very varied dishes, fish,
meat, pasta, pizzas, salads, paella or fideua as well as a
wide assortment of combination dishes.
Since it opened in 1984 the "Bar Carlo" has been a
reference of tourism in the area. Already they have gained
the appreciation of the people, thanks to their friendliness
and cordiality. The thousands of national and foreign
tourists who have visited during these years have felt at
home, in a family atmosphere.
Restaurant Sa Malica C. Sant Andreu de la
Palomera, 2
This restaurant is located right on the Costa Brava
offering exceptional views. It also has an outdoor
terrace overlooking Sa Palomera’s rock and a small
indoor dining area.
They offer home-cooked, local and Mediterranean
food, specialising in fish, rice dishes and fideuàs.
Fosters Hollywood, Av. d´Europa 40
In this restaurant, you can enjoy the taste of America in
an authentic experience. Cooking real American food
since 1971.
Meals include: Tex mex, Salads, meats, Ribs, Chicken
Sandwiches and burgers as well as a great selection of
drinks and desserts.Shopping in Blanes
First-time visitors to Blanes tend be pleasantly surprised when they discover that the town includes a fantastic
shopping district.
There are many shops of all kind, specially in the centre of the city. Those historic establishments have been
changing over time adapting to the needs of their customers. But it is also possible to find modern and designer
international shops.
Blanes also has a lot of famous street markets and
fairs which held in the city, such Sant Tomás Fair,
Sabors Catalans Fair and several craft fairs.
Also, in the old city, there is the fruit and vegetables
market, the Fish Portal, the clothing and souvenir
market and the weekly market. They are attractive and
lively places with high-quality products.
You can discover an important event in which friendly
street vendors are combined with the maritime tradition
of the city.
Shopping and culture are merged in every corner of the
old city. It is possible to find many different shops
together with an excellent cultural legacy from the time
when the city was a group of small white fishermen’s
houses. It is just enough to go snooping around to see
amazing 19th-century houses and examples of gothic
Catalan style.
Large shopping centres
Finally, In Blanes, you will find that traditional shops are
not incompatible with specialised shopping centres, so
food, DIY, furniture, computer, toy, home decoration,
clothes and shoe shops are in the industrial area of the
city.
A complete range of shops that has been adapted to
the consumer habits of the citizens and touristKnow before you go Voltage in Spain is 220 AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are two pin. The main tourist office in Blanes is located at Paseo Catalunya 2, 17300, Blanes (Girona). Telephone: +34 972330348 Email: turisme@blanes.cat Website: http://www.blanes.cat Opening Hours/Times: From April to October 9am – 9pm. Emergency Telephones numbers: Ambulance - Telephone: +34 972 331 350 Local Police - Telephone: +34 972 358 666 Guardia Civil - Telephone: +34 972 359 167 Comarcal Hospital - + 34 972 353 264 How can I make a phone call from Spain? If you wish to call abroad from Spain, dial 00 + country code + the phone number. You can place international calls from a public phone. Phone booths use coins or cards, which can be purchased at tobacconists' shops. If you wish to make a phone call within Spain, just dial the number with no prefixes. The phone number always has 9 digits, whether it is a cell phone or a regular phone. If you wish to use your mobile in Spain, you should contact your service provider to make sure you will be able to use your phone in Spain (some carriers will have to activate international service for your phone). Once those steps are taken at the country of origin, use your mobile in Spain as if you were calling from a Spanish line. That is, you will need to dial 00 + country code + phone number to make international calls. Is smoking prohibited? In Spain, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public areas (including public transportation vehicles and buses). It is also not permitted to smoke in health facilities (including outdoor areas that are part of its premises), any educational or training centres (except in outdoor spaces in universities and adult education centres) and playgrounds or play areas (outdoor spaces equipped for children). Other than cash how else can I pay? With credit cards: Payment using recognised international credit cards is also commonly available in Spanish shops. They usually have signs indicating this option at the entrance to the establishment. When you make a payment you should show your passport or ID card. With traveller's cheques: Traveller's cheques, accompanied by a passport, are also accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Where can you change foreign currency? You can change currencies in bureaux de change and some banks. This service is also available in many hotels and travel agencies. Is tipping mandatory? No; in every single establishment in Spain, service is included with the price of the meal or drink. However, tipping is a common practice at bars and restaurants, hotels, and taxis, depending on the total price for the service, and on the generosity of the client. It is usually around five to ten percent of the total price.
Public Holidays 2021 15 Aug Sun Assumption of Mary
1 Jan Fri New Year's Day 12 Oct Tue Columbus Day
1 Nov Mon All Saints' Day
04 Apr Fri Good Friday
6 Dec Mon Constitution Day
1 May Sat Labour Day 25 Dec Fri Christmas Day
How can you go online and check your emails?
If you want to connect to the internet, numerous establishments in Spain offer free WiFi connections: cafes,
restaurants, kiosks… You'll also find it in a number of airports, train and bus stations, and some shopping centres
and hotels. You may sometimes need to ask for the password. What's more, many venues offer free WiFi in
public spaces like parks or squares.
WiFi connections have a maximum speed limit, so they're mainly useful for finding specific information. You can
also connect to the Internet via your mobile device. Another advantage is that in Spain you can enjoy extensive
4G mobile coverage . Remember to check your usual mobile phone operator's conditions and rates before you
travel.
How can I send a letter or a postcard?
You can send a letter from anywhere in Spain. In order to do it, you need
to find stamps, which you can buy at any tobacconist's shop or
"Estancos". To send your letter, put it in a mailbox.
Mailboxes are yellow, and they can be found in the street, at railway and
bus stations, and at the airports. It is also possible to leave your mail in
the reception of your hotel, if it offers that service, for the staff to take care
of the mailing for you
Getting There
The nearest airport to Lloret is Girona-Costa Brava which is 19 miles away. The following airlines fly there from the
UK and Ireland.
Jet2 from Belfast-International, Birmingham, East Midlands,Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, London-Stansted,
Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne. RyanAir from Belfast-International, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cork,
Dublin, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Knock, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, London-Luton, London-Southend, London-
Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle. TUI from Birmingham, Bristol, Doncaster/Sheffield, London–Gatwick and
Manchester.
Another option is Barcelona El Prat which is 55 miles away. These are the airlines that fly there from the UK and
Ireland.
Aer Lingus from Cork and Dublin BA from London-City, London-Gatwick and London-Heathrow. easyJet from
Belfast-International, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London-Gatwick, London-Luton, London-Southend,
London-Stansted and Manchester. Jet2 from Leeds/Bradford KLM from Aberdeen, Belfast-City, Birmingham, Bristol,
Cardiff Cork, Dublin Edinburgh, Glasgow Humberside, Inverness, Leeds/Bradford, London-City, London-Heathrow,
Manchester, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Norwich. Level from London-Luton. Ryan Air from Dublin.You can also read
