Last updated: September 2026
Blanes marks the southern gateway to the Costa Brava, where the region’s dramatic cliff-and-cove coastline begins just north of the town. With a working fishing harbour, a colourful daily fish market, three good beaches and a spectacular international fireworks competition each July, Blanes strikes an appealing balance between authentic Spanish resort and well-equipped family holiday destination.
Just 65 kilometres north of Barcelona and 40 kilometres south of Girona airport, Blanes is one of the most accessible resorts on the Costa Brava. It attracts a loyal following of UK holidaymakers who appreciate its unhurried pace, wide sandy beaches and the ease with which you can reach Barcelona for a day trip on the regional train — a genuine bonus that sets Blanes apart from other Costa Brava resorts.
| Resort type | Town beach and fishing harbour |
|---|---|
| Beach type | Golden sand, wide and sheltered |
| Nearest airport | Girona (GRO) — approx. 40 min |
| Barcelona access | 1 hr 15 min by regional train |
| Best for | Families, couples, culture |
| Nightlife | Moderate — bars and restaurants |
| Average July high | 28 °C |
| Season | May – October |
Blanes has three distinct beaches spread along its coastline. Platja de Blanes is the main town beach — a broad 2.5-kilometre arc of fine golden sand backed by a promenade of cafés, restaurants and ice cream shops. The beach is well-equipped with sun lounger hire, showers and lifeguards throughout the summer season, making it an excellent choice for families with young children who want a classic bucket-and-spade holiday.
Just to the north, beyond the dramatic Sa Palomera rock — a distinctive volcanic outcrop that divides the town beach from the northern shore — lies Platja de S’Abanell, a slightly wilder 3-kilometre-long beach that tends to be less crowded than the main town beach. The water here is clean and shallow at the southern end, ideal for confident paddlers and young swimmers. At quieter times of year this beach attracts walkers and joggers alongside sunbathers.
A short drive or water-taxi ride around the headland brings you to Cala Sant Francesc, a sheltered cove with turquoise water, a small car park and a beach bar. This is the prettiest of Blanes’s beaches and is particularly popular with snorkellers who explore the rocky outcrops at either end of the cove. It gets busy in July and August, so arrive early to secure a good spot.
The sea in Blanes is typically calm and warm from June to early October, with water temperatures reaching 24–26 °C in mid-summer. The beaches are Blue Flag certified in most seasons, which is a reliable indicator of water quality and beach facilities. The gently shelving sandy bottom at the main beach makes it one of the safer swimming spots on the Costa Brava for young children.
Blanes’s most celebrated attraction is the Jardí Botànic Mar i Murtra, a clifftop botanical garden founded in 1928 and perched 100 metres above the sea. The garden contains over 3,000 species of Mediterranean and subtropical plants from around the world, arranged in a series of themed terraces with sweeping panoramic views along the Costa Brava. It is one of the finest gardens on the Iberian Peninsula and deserves at least two to three hours of your time.
Above the garden, the remains of Castle Sant Joan offer a free, short hike from the edge of town. The path climbs steeply through pine woodland and takes around 20 minutes each way. The reward is a sweeping view from the mouth of the River Tordera — where the Costa Brava officially begins — all the way north towards Lloret de Mar. The castle itself is largely ruined but the setting is outstanding and popular with photographers at both sunrise and sunset.
In late July, Blanes hosts the International Fireworks Competition, one of the most spectacular pyrotechnics events in Spain. Teams from across Europe compete over five evenings, launching displays from the Sa Palomera rock. The competition has taken place since 1960 and draws tens of thousands of spectators to the beach. If you can time your holiday to coincide with it, the display is genuinely unmissable — best viewed from the town beach with a cold drink in hand.
The old town behind the harbour rewards a morning of gentle exploration. Fish restaurants cluster around the working harbour where the morning catch is sold at the llotja (fish auction), and the Saturday street market sells local produce, clothing and crafts. The nearby Gothic fountain of Santa Maria, set into a cliff wall in the old quarter, is an unusual photogenic relic of medieval Blanes. The harbour area is also where the town’s best traditional tapas bars are found.
Day trips from Blanes are excellent. The resort lies at the southern end of the Costa Brava rail line, putting Barcelona within around 75 minutes by regional train. The city’s main sights — the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter — are all easily reachable. Alternatively, the medieval town of Girona is 40 minutes north by train and makes a superb half-day excursion, with its cathedral, Jewish quarter and colourful riverside buildings.
Most UK holidaymakers fly into Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), approximately 40 kilometres north of Blanes — a transfer of around 40 minutes by taxi or shuttle bus. Ryanair operates a particularly comprehensive schedule of flights from the UK to Girona, with year-round and seasonal routes from London Stansted, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands and other regional airports.
Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) is a viable alternative, around 80 kilometres south of Blanes. Transfer times depend on traffic but average around 75–90 minutes by private transfer or shared shuttle. The advantage of Barcelona is the sheer volume of UK flights, including direct services from virtually every major regional airport with British Airways, Vueling, Jet2, easyJet and Ryanair all operating routes.
Blanes is also reachable by Rodalies train from Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia — the R1 line runs directly to Blanes in around 1 hour 15 minutes, with trains running approximately every 30–60 minutes. This makes it easy to combine a city stop in Barcelona with a beach holiday, or to use Blanes as a base for day trips into the Catalan capital without the expense of staying there.
Blanes has a broad range of accommodation, from large three-star package hotels along S’Abanell beach to smaller family-run hotels and apartment complexes in the old town and harbour area. The main hotel strip along Passeig de Mar fronts directly onto the town beach and offers the most convenient location for families — restaurants, sun loungers and the beach are all within a short walk.
Self-catering apartments are particularly popular in Blanes for families who prefer the flexibility of their own space and kitchen. Many apartment complexes have communal pools and are within easy walking distance of both the beach and the old town. Availability from major UK operators — Jet2holidays, TUI and On the Beach — tends to be good throughout the May to September season.
For a quieter stay, look for accommodation on the northern side of the Sa Palomera rock, closer to S’Abanell beach. This area is slightly more residential with fewer bars and restaurants on the doorstep, but the beach is less crowded and the atmosphere more relaxed than the town centre. It suits couples and families looking for a genuinely restful break rather than a lively resort experience.
Search4Sun compares Blanes holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from regional airports across the UK. Whether you are looking for an all-inclusive family hotel on S’Abanell beach, a self-catering apartment close to the harbour, or a flexible package you can tailor to your travel dates, we can help you compare options and find the right deal at the right price.
Always check your booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Blanes deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates. See also our Lloret de Mar holidays and Costa Brava holidays pages for more destinations nearby.
Blanes has a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, warm springs and mild autumns. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with average highs of 28–30 °C and sea temperatures of 25–26 °C — ideal conditions for beach holidays, water sports and evening dining on the harbour front. The resort is at its liveliest in these months, with the annual International Fireworks Competition in late July adding an extra event to the calendar.
June and September are arguably the best months for a Blanes holiday. The weather is reliably warm (25–27 °C), the sea is perfectly swimmable, the beaches are noticeably quieter and accommodation prices are 20–40% lower than in peak season. Restaurants are less rushed and the town has a more relaxed, local atmosphere. Families with school-age children who can travel in early June or late September will find the combination of good weather and lower prices particularly attractive.
May and October are shoulder season options that suit visitors who prefer a quieter experience and are happy with slightly cooler conditions (20–23 °C in May, 22–24 °C in October). Most hotels and restaurants remain open, beach bars are operational and the sea is warm enough for swimming in October. The botanical garden at Mar i Murtra is at its most colourful in late spring when the flowering plants are in full bloom.
Blanes is an excellent choice for families. The main town beach and S’Abanell are wide, sheltered and gently sloping with shallow water suitable for confident paddlers. Sun lounger hire, beach bars and lifeguards operate throughout the summer season. The botanical garden at Mar i Murtra is also popular with children, and the town itself is compact enough to navigate easily on foot with young ones in tow.
Most UK flights to Blanes land at Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), around 40 kilometres north and approximately 40 minutes by transfer. Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is the larger alternative around 80 kilometres south, with more UK routes but a longer transfer of 75–90 minutes. Ryanair dominates the Girona schedule from UK regional airports, making it one of the better-served smaller Spanish airports.
Blanes is approximately 65 kilometres northeast of Barcelona city centre — around 1 hour 15 minutes by regional train on the Rodalies R1 line from Barcelona Sants, or slightly longer by bus. This makes Barcelona an easy and very popular full-day excursion. Many visitors use Blanes as a base for exploring both the Costa Brava coastline and the Catalan capital, combining beach days with city sightseeing.
June and September are arguably the best months to visit Blanes. Temperatures average 25–27 °C, the sea is warm (around 22–24 °C in September), beaches are quieter than in peak season, and accommodation prices are significantly lower. Restaurants are more relaxed and the town retains an authentic local atmosphere. July is the month to visit if you want to see the International Fireworks Competition, which runs over five evenings in the last week of the month.
Excursions from Blanes are excellent. The most popular day trips include Tossa de Mar (30 min north by bus), the medieval city of Girona (40 min by train), Barcelona (75 min by train) and the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres (90 min). Local tour operators and the resort’s excursion desks offer organised coach trips to all these destinations. Boat excursions along the Costa Brava coastline — calling at coves and cala beaches accessible only by sea — are also very popular in summer.
Most popular full-day tours
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