The picturesque coastal town of Lloret de Mar, on Spain’s Costa Brava, is often referred to as an “open air museum”. There aren’t many places in the world that can lay claim to that, but rest assured, this gorgeous Catalonian town has earned the title. The former fishing village wears its heritage on its picturesque sleeve, and even if you only have a few days you’ll be able to get right under the skin of its history and culture simply by walking around.
- Santa Clotilde Gardens
- The Church of Santa Roma
- The Modernist Cemetery
- Can Garriga
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
The Open Air Museum of Lloret de Mar
Getting to know this sunny, laid back town is easy, when so much of its heritage can be observed in its well-preserved streets, gardens, buildings, monuments and squares. And even though it’s a very popular place with tourists from all over the world (and also the local Spanish folk), it never feels overwhelming or spoiled. This is partly because much of the attraction is in the nature of the town itself, and immersing in its culture is really just a matter of taking a pleasant stroll at your own pace – interspersed with regular stops for coffee, wine and tapas, of course.
While half the fun is discovering Llloret for yourself, here are a few landmarks to look out for.
Santa Clotilde Gardens
These beautiful gardens, which are located on the cliff top between Cala Boadella and Fenals Beach, are not exactly a secret (in fact they’re one of the town’s proudest attractions), but sometimes it feels like it. Against a backdrop of stunning ocean views, you can alternate between shaded and sun-drenched paths, taking in the beautiful sculptures, fountains, lakes and mazes, along with a vast array of Mediterranean plants and flowers. It’s a fantastic place to go for some peace and tranquillity, but also to learn more about the gardens’ interesting Renaissance heritage. They were declared a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1994, and, as such, are incredibly well-curated and kept.
The Church of Santa Roma
As the church of the Patron Saint of Lloret de Mar, Santa Roma is an important cultural landmark not only to the town, but the entire parish. For those interested in architecture and history, there’s an added bonus in that the church displays a very attractive mix of Gothic and Catalonian Modernist architecture. Dating back to the early 1500s, the original construction is, as was common for the times, quite simple and austere. However, the addition of two stunning colourful mosaiced domes, at the end of the nineteenth century, gave it a unique, and very beautiful look. The church has undergone several incarnations over the centuries, so grab a leaflet from the information centre in the historic centre and delve into a bit of history as you wander through its cool interiors.
The Modernist Cemetery
As any keen historian will attest, a stroll through a cemetery can be the most illuminating history lesson of them all! Lloret de Mar’s Modernist Cemetery is a perfect example of this, and its importance to the preservation of Catalonian funerary art is such that it has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Unless you have a specific headstone or mausoleum you wish to see, the best idea is to simply wander around and read the detailed information as you go. It’s quite fascinating to discover the meanings of the various funerary symbols, and the mausoleums feature the architecture and construction of some of the most important artists of the times, including Antoni M. Gallissà Soqué, Bonaventura and Eusebi Arnau, among others.
Can Garriga
Located on the waterfront, Can Garriga, the town’s maritime museum, is an absolute must-see for history buffs. Home to an extensive collection of artefacts, documents and photographs, to visit this fascinating museum really is to walk through the town’s storied past. Every room tells a different story in the stages of Lloret’s humble fishing village past, to its vital role as a site for ship builders, and an important link in the trade chain of tobacco, cotton and coffee around Europe and the world. Spend an hour or spend a day – it’s up to you.
These are just a few of the accessible cultural attractions you’ll encounter on a walk around the town – there are so many more. The appealing thing about a few days in Lloret de Mar is that you can take things as energetically or easily as you like. Even a walk through the historic centre to find a restaurant for lunch or dinner can turn into a history lesson in itself if you open your heart and mind to this beautiful and vibrant town.
Where to Stay
Hotel Roger de Flor: In a fabulous location just 150m from the beach, this lovely hotel is both welcoming and well-appointed. Featuring attractively furnished rooms with all the mod-cons, including air-conditioning and balconies, the comfort is offset by extensive onsite amenities like a restaurant, cafe, snack bar, and large outdoor pool and terrace with ocean views.
Hotel Marsol: Set on the magnificent seafront of Lloret de Mar, just 5 minutes’ walk from the town centre, the 4-star Hotel Marsol is your home-from-home with everything on the doorstep – including the sun, sea and sand! The contemporary rooms feature attractive furnishings, extensive luxury appointments, and air-conditioning, while the onsite facilities include a fitness centre, restaurant, rooftop pool, terrace and more.
GHT Miratge: The unbeatable seafront location of the GHT Miratge is complemented by its premium amenities and comfortable modern rooms, which feature stylish decor, top quality appointments, and some with balconies. The rooftop terrace is the ideal place for drinks overlooking the ocean, while the buffet breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant will set you up for the day’s sightseeing, and the outdoor pool is the perfect place to relax.
How to Get There
Getting to Lloret de Mar for your relaxing cultural holiday is easy! You’ll need to book a flight into Barcelona Airport (BCN), which requires a flight time of around 2.5 hours from various UK airports. A range of carriers service the route, with around 750 flights a week from British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, and Iberia, among others.
When you land in Barcelona, getting the rest of the way to your final destination is easy if you pre-book a ride with Shuttle Direct. Services from Barcelona Airport to Lloret de Mar include affordable shared shuttles and luxury private airport transfers right to your door.
Overview
UK to BCN Flight Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes approx.
BCN to Lloret de Mar: 93 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour approx.
Types of Transfer
Getting from Barcelona Airport to Lloret de Mar is easy when you pre-book with Shuttle Direct, because we offer something for every kind of traveller. Our range of options mean that you can rely on our punctuality, reliability and great communication to get you to and from wherever you need. Choose the airport transfer service that suits you best.
Shuttle Bus: When it comes to value for money, you can’t beat our shared shuttles for your Lloret de Mar transfers. Pre-book our most cost-effective solution and you’ll meet a friendly driver at the airport then travel with other passengers to a designated central drop-off point convenient to your accommodation in Lloret de Mar.
Taxi: If door-to-door is preferable for you and you don’t mind paying a little more, a pre-booked local taxi will help you jump the queues when you land! Once you’ve met your professional taxi driver at the airport, you’ll be straight on your way without having to wait for other passengers. A pre-booked taxi from Barcelona Airport to Lloret de Mar is the perfect way to ensure maximum convenience at an affordable price.
Minibus Transfer: For anyone travelling on holiday with a large group of friends or family, a minibus airport transfer from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar is the answer to all your logistical problems. This larger capacity vehicle means all the passengers and luggage can travel together and solves a lot of problems with space and timings. The ideal Barcelona transfer for groups.
Private Transfer: If you want to travel in the ultimate style, comfort and convenience, one of our luxury private transfers from Barcelona Airport will suit you. You’ll meet with a friendly, professional driver inside the terminal, then be whisked in comfort to the door of your accommodation with no other stops along the way.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Every traveller has their own requirements and budget, which is why we offer a range of alternatives to get you from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar. Only you can decide which one suits you best, but it will most likely come down to the emphasis you place on cost and convenience.
Convenience: If getting a door-to-door service is a top priority for you, one of our private transfers or a pre-booked local taxi will be the most appropriate Lloret de Mar transfer for you. You’ll travel in a comfortable luxury vehicle and you’ll arrive in the fastest time as the ride is dedicated solely to you.
Cost: However, if you’re looking to save money and you’ve got to keep an eye on the holiday budget, one of our shared shuttles is the ideal way to get from Barcelona Airport to Lloret de Mar. Because you’ll travel with other passengers and be taken to a convenient central drop-off point, the cost is cheaper. But no matter how affordable, we never compromise on your safety or comfort.
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct we’re proud of our stellar reputation for providing the most affordable and reliable onward ground transfers in destinations around Europe and the world. We offer a range of rides to and from airports – from budget-beating shared shuttles right up to luxury private transfers. Known for our punctuality, great communication, and friendly, professional drivers, no matter where you need to go, we’ll get you there on time and in style. Book with us as soon as you’ve booked your flights, then simply sit back, relax and let us take care of the logistics.
