Fira de Sant Tomas
Christmas market with local crafts and gastronomic products.
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Blanes
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ℹ️Practical info — Blanes
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Marimurtra Botanical Garden right at opening time to avoid crowds and get clear photos along the cliffside.
- Blanes is very accessible via a direct Rodalies train (R1 line) from Barcelona, unlike the resort towns further north.
- The train station is located inland; you'll need to catch a local bus or grab a taxi to reach the beach and historic center.
- Head to the port in the late afternoon to watch the fishing boats return with their daily catch, a great local experience.
- The Pinya de Rosa garden is a bit out of the way but features a massive, world-class collection of cacti and succulents.
🍽 Food
🍽
Suquet de Peix
A hearty traditional Catalan fish stew, best enjoyed in the seafood restaurants clustered around the port.
🍽
Gamba de Blanes
The local red prawn is a delicacy; try it grilled at tapas bars or seafood spots along the seafront promenade.
🍽
Crema Catalana
Look for this classic dessert with a torched sugar crust in traditional Catalan restaurants in the old town.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Passeig de Dintre Market
Just one block inland from the sea, this street hosts an animated daily morning market for fruits and vegetables.
🛍
Catalan Ceramics
Browse the small independent boutiques in the historic center for traditional, locally made pottery.
🧘
Sant Joan Castle Ruins
The hike up is quite steep, but you'll be rewarded with a peaceful atmosphere and panoramic coastal views.
🧘
Pinya de Rosa
Since it is further from the center, this sprawling cactus garden tends to be much quieter than Marimurtra.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
6
Festa Menor
Local summer festival with guided walks and family activities.
Festa Major de Santa Anna
The main festival of the town with concerts, dance, and cultural activities.
International Fireworks Competition
International fireworks competition lighting up the sky over the Costa Brava.
Nit de Sant Joan
Traditional summer solstice celebration with bonfires on the beach.
Blanes Carnival
Colorful parades and costumes on the streets.
Regarded as the official southern gateway to the Costa Brava, Blanes marks the beginning of Catalonia's rugged and scenic coastline, symbolized by the prominent Sa Palomera rock extending into the sea. Unlike some of its more boisterous neighbors, Blanes has carefully preserved a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that remains deeply rooted in its maritime traditions. The working fishing port is a hub of daily activity, where visitors can watch the fleet return each afternoon and deliver fresh seafood directly to the town's renowned restaurants. The undisputed highlight of Blanes is the magnificent Marimurtra Botanical Garden, perched high on the cliffs and boasting thousands of exotic plant species alongside wide-open panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Every July, the town hosts one of Europe's most prestigious international fireworks competitions, turning the night sky into a dazzling spectacle of color. Beyond the long sandy stretches of S'Abanell beach, the welcoming old town invites exploration with its Gothic fountains, traditional bodegas, and the historic Sant Joan castle ruins, offering sweeping vistas of the entire coastal landscape.
- Location: Spain
- Top sights: Jardí Botànic Marimurtra · Castell de Sant Joan · Pinya de Rosa
- Nearby: Malgrat de Mar (5 km)
- Population: ~38.500
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 13 |
| Rain mm | 53 | 45 | 65 | 78 | 69 | 40 | 39 | 47 | 73 | 105 | 71 | 43 |
Live webcam – Blanes
See what it looks like near Blanes right now.
Blanes › South: Port de Blanes · 0.6 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The Sa Palomera rock marks the border between Maresme and Costa Brava
- Marimurtra was founded in 1924 by the German Karl Faust
- Sant Joan Castle dates back to the mid-13th century
- S'Abanell beach is over 2 kilometers long
- The fireworks competition has been held since 1970
- The city has a long-standing tradition in shipbuilding
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:212.2 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Start your day in the historic center of Blanes by admiring the 15th-century Gothic fountain, followed by a visit to the nearby Church of Santa Maria. Late morning, walk to the iconic Sa Palomera rock, which divides the bay and marks the symbolic gateway to the wild Costa Brava. After a fresh seafood lunch at the harbor, climb up to the Marimurtra Botanical Garden, one of Europe's most stunning cliffside botanical displays. Finish your day at the Sant Joan Castle ruins, offering the absolute best panoramic views over the town and the sea during sunset.
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09:00→15:212.2 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Start your morning at the Gothic fountain, then seek shelter in the church of Santa Maria from the rain. At noon, the covered restaurants in the port offer protection from the coastal wind and weather. In the afternoon, explore the greenhouses and pavilions of the Marimurtra botanical garden. In the evening, head to the Sant Joan castle ruins, but be careful on the slippery paths.
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Day budget: ≈ 20–28 €Entries 24€ · Transport 0€
Enjoy the clear winter air at the fountain and in the quiet church of Santa Maria. At noon, the low-lying sun warms the terraces in the port of Blanes. The afternoon in the Marimurtra garden shows hardy plants and magnificent views. End the day at sunset at the castle before it gets chilly.
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13:06 · 47'
Marimurtra Botanical Garden
The winter flowering of some exotic plants is worth seeing.
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09:00→14:042.9 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 27–37 €Entries 20€ · Transport 12€
Enjoy a cycling tour along the Blanes coastline. Start at Sa Palomera and pedal leisurely towards the port. The route gets more challenging as you climb towards Marimurtra Garden, but the views reward every effort. Spend the afternoon at the idyllic Sant Francesc bay before cycling further to the Pinya de Rosa cactus garden. This is a sporty way to discover the hidden natural gems north of the town center.
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Cycle carefully to Sa Palomera and enjoy the roaring spray. At noon, the port offers good shelter for both bike and rider. Spend the rainy afternoon in the protected parts of the gardens. The ride to Sant Francesc beach is a real refreshment in the rain.
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Marimurtra Botanical Garden
Leave your bike in a safe and dry place at the entrance.
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09:00→14:042.9 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 27–37 €Entries 20€ · Transport 12€
Fresh breeze at Sa Palomera ensures a wakeful start. Cycling in winter means enjoying empty paths along the port. The visit to the Marimurtra garden is particularly peaceful in winter. The ride to Sant Francesc beach is ideal for soaking up the winter sun.
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By car, you can easily reach the attractions located on higher ground. Start with Sant Joan Castle for the best morning light. Follow up with Marimurtra Garden and the quieter Pinya de Rosa cactus garden further north. Spend the afternoon at the relaxing Sant Francesc beach, then drive along the stunning coastal road towards Tossa de Mar. This route saves you from steep climbs on foot and offers maximum flexibility.
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Drive safely to Sant Joan castle and enjoy the view from the car. At noon, the parking at Marimurtra garden provides a short walk to the entrance. Explore Pinya de Rosa and its covered areas in the rain. The detour to Tossa de Mar is worth it even with grey skies.
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Marimurtra Botanical Garden
The walk from the parking to the ticket office is short.
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09:00→14:4517.3 km drive5 places0/5
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Clear views from Sant Joan castle in the morning are guaranteed in winter. At noon, finding parking at the Marimurtra garden is much more relaxed. Visit Pinya de Rosa and enjoy the tranquility of the off-season. The coastal road to Tossa offers spectacular light conditions in winter.
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Platja de Sant Francesc
The parking right next to the beach is mostly free in winter.
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🧰 Tools at hand▼
📅 Best time to visit
May-June and September are ideal. The highlight is the International Fireworks Festival in late July, when the town packs out and hotels need booking months ahead. Marimurtra botanical garden is loveliest in spring.
⚠️ Where to be careful
Blanes is safe. Watch pickpockets near the station and at S'Abanell town beach, especially on fireworks nights. The Sa Palomera rock is slippery in the evening and poorly lit.
🗣️ Language quick-tip
Blanes is the gateway to Costa Brava and linguistically mixed: Catalan, Spanish, and in summer plenty of French and English. The station is the terminus of Rodalies R1 from Barcelona, so day-trippers bring lots of Spanish too.
Sights in the town Blanes (14)
Frequently asked questions
Which botanical garden is in Blanes?
Marimurtra is one of the most beautiful gardens on the Mediterranean, with exotic plants and cliff views.
What is 'Sa Palomera'?
A large rock in the sea that divides the bay and symbolically marks the beginning of the Costa Brava.
Can you visit Sant Joan Castle?
Yes, the castle tower has the best 360-degree views of Blanes and the coast. You can hike or drive up.
When does the famous fireworks festival take place?
The international competition takes place in late July during the Fiesta Mayor de Santa Anna festival.
Is there a train station in Blanes?
Yes, there are frequent trains (Rodalies R1) to Barcelona. The station is slightly inland, with buses to the center.
Blanes: where is it located?
Blanes is located in Spain.
Blanes: what is there to see?
Highlights include Jardí Botànic Marimurtra, Castell de Sant Joan, Pinya de Rosa.
Blanes: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
Blanes: why is it worth visiting?
Regarded as the official southern gateway to the Costa Brava, Blanes marks the beginning of Catalonia's rugged and scenic coastline, symbolized by the prominent Sa Palomera rock extending into the sea.
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