Today’s younger generation love nothing more than to show off to their friends on social media. If your teens are glued to their smartphones and constantly uploading snaps to Instagram, then you will want a holiday destination where they can take lots of photos to upload online.
The pretty coastal town of Lloret de Mar in Spain’s Catalonia region is an incredibly photogenic area that has plenty of culture and history to explore. They will be spoilt for choice for fantastic Instagram posts here! I think that this is an excellent way to encourage youngsters to engage with the culture of another city and take notice of their surroundings. In addition to the many cultural highlights, Lloret de Mar also boasts a gorgeous climate with inviting Mediterranean beaches – what could be better?
Looking for more outdoor activities? Read our guide here.
Be sure to take your teens to these Instagram-worthy spots:
Church of Sant Roma
A breathtaking and colourful church found in the centre of town, the Church of Sant Roma is one of Lloret de Mar’s main and most distinctive attractions. Built in a striking Catalan Gothic style between 1509 and 1522, it features a large domed roof built with a mosaic of colourful tiles. The photographs will certainly impress, particularly on a clear day when the colours contrast beautifully against the blue sky. Plenty of “likes” up for grabs here!
You can also head inside for free where it is wonderfully peaceful, but keep in mind that it is still used as a church by the locals, so remember to be quiet and respectful.
“Sant Roma, Lloret de Mar” by Heather Cowper. Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Castell d’en Plaja
Make sure that your family all have their phones fully charged before checking out this attraction, as they will want to spend a good hour or so getting the perfect shots to upload online! Castell d’en Plaja is a striking house-castle found at the end of Sa Caleta beach overlooking the sea – talk about dramatic!
In addition to photos of the medieval-style castle with the azure blue waters crashing into the rocks at the bottom, I also recommend that you walk up to the top of the castle for incredible views of the city and out to sea.
Santa Clotilde Gardens
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet? These peaceful, luscious and well-maintained gardens are astonishingly beautiful. Santa Clotilde is home to a range of colourful flowers and plants, neatly kept greens, impressive statues, pretty terraces and a lovely calm atmosphere. It is ideal for simply sitting down and taking in the sublime natural surroundings, whilst the kids can fill up their phones with pictures as they explore the area – no filters required!
Coastal Footpath
Set within Spain’s spectacular countryside, Lloret de Mar features many great hiking trails. My personal favourite is the coastal footpath, which is relatively short but showcases the great natural beauty of the area. The well-marked path will provide plenty of photograph-worthy moments, including the imposing dramatic cliffs, the sandy beaches, secluded coves and the views out to the Mediterranean Sea. If you go far enough, you could also include a visit to Castell d’en Plaja or the city’s famous Dona Marinera statue.
How to Get to There
Another reason to head to Lloret de Mar is the fact that you get to fly into Barcelona, one of the prettiest cities in the entire world! It is just a two-hour flight from London to Barcelona (BCN) with budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair and Monarch offering great deals on flights.
Lloret de Mar is then only an hour away by road along the coast. Avoid the stress and hassle of this journey by booking a Shuttle Direct transfer, which will allow you to sit back and enjoy the scenic drive all the way to your hotel. It is really important to get your trip off to a smooth start, particularly when travelling with teens – a pre-booked shuttle is a great way to do this.
Where to Stay:
Cleopatra Spa Hotel – A cool Egyptian-themed hotel that is just a 5-minute stroll from the beach, Cleopatra Hotel is conveniently located near the centre but has plenty for the whole family onsite. This includes an outdoor heated pool, a spa with Turkish baths and a Finnish sauna. There is also a restaurant serving buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Crucially, the Wi-Fi is free and available in all areas, so the teens can upload their snaps and stay in touch with mates back home. If you want to chill out in the room, each comes with a satellite TV and is air-conditioned.
H-TOP Palm Beach & Spa – This hotel is 550 yards from the centre of Lloret de Mar and 750 yards from the beach. It features both an indoor and outdoor pool, a sun terrace and hot spring bath, whilst the kids will enjoy hanging out in the games room (complete with pool table). It also has a buffet-style restaurant and 3 bars (ideal for a late night drink once the kids go to bed). The rooms come with a furnished terrace, satellite TV and a private bathroom. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge. There is plenty to keep you all happy here, but there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby if you fancy a change of scenery.
About Shuttle Direct:
The last thing you want after touching down for your family holiday is to join a huge queue for taxis or attempt to navigate public transportation. Get your trip off to a smooth start by pre-booking a Shuttle Direct transfer to your hotel. We are one of the leading transfer providers in Europe and guarantee fast, affordable and comfortable passage to your destination.
Use our simple online booking system now and a driver will be waiting for you at the airport once you touch down.
