Complete guide
BLANES
Costa brava, Spain
The gateway to the costa brava
#Everything
EAT DRINK HIKE SWIM
EAT DRINK HIKE SWIM
If I made a dollar for everytime I had sent people on trips to Blanes it would be my full-time job.
Since I moved to Barcelona and after discovering Blanes I've sent so many people here and they always come back with positive things to say.
Fresh fish & a daily fresh fruit & vegetable market.
Blanes is a small coastal town located just 86km north of Barcelona making it a perfect getaway from the city. Blanes is known as the gateway to the Costa Brava which starts from Sa Palomera and runs all the way to the border of France. Blanes is one of the many seaside villages scattered along this pristine coastline.
Unlike many of these towns along this coastline Blanes has a certain charm that I adore. It attracts more of a local crowd which means the city isn't destroyed with the generic tourist scene with cheap stores and people trying to sell you things.
The community cares about this area and it shows, the beach is clean, the water is clean, and you will see this as the bird life is thriving here.
Fresh fish & a daily fresh fruit & vegetable market.
Blanes is a small coastal town located just 86km north of Barcelona making it a perfect getaway from the city. Blanes is known as the gateway to the Costa Brava which starts from Sa Palomera and runs all the way to the border of France. Blanes is one of the many seaside villages scattered along this pristine coastline.
Unlike many of these towns along this coastline Blanes has a certain charm that I adore. It attracts more of a local crowd which means the city isn't destroyed with the generic tourist scene with cheap stores and people trying to sell you things.
The community cares about this area and it shows, the beach is clean, the water is clean, and you will see this as the bird life is thriving here.
Sa Palomera
Gateway to the costa brava
Gateway to the costa brava
WHOSYOURBRAD
LET'S TALK FOOD
Below are few restaurants that you can't leave without trying if you want to leave impressed.
The first thing to look out for when eating in any tourist areas is if the menu is the same as the other 5 next door don't dine there, these restaurants are mostly found along the beach. Although there are a few fine dining restaurants near the habour that are of a high standard there are alot in between that are not. So unless you want packet pallea and frozen deep fried goods it's best to check reviews, look at their interior design or pick a restaurant from this list, you will have a wounderful dinning experience. Blanes has an out of this world food scene when you know where you're going.
The first thing to look out for when eating in any tourist areas is if the menu is the same as the other 5 next door don't dine there, these restaurants are mostly found along the beach. Although there are a few fine dining restaurants near the habour that are of a high standard there are alot in between that are not. So unless you want packet pallea and frozen deep fried goods it's best to check reviews, look at their interior design or pick a restaurant from this list, you will have a wounderful dinning experience. Blanes has an out of this world food scene when you know where you're going.
SA BARRA
EVERYTHING COOKED & GRILLED WITH WOOD FIRE
Sa Barra has the type of food you dream about. Everything is cool on a woodfire grill or inside a woodfire oven add an immense amouth of flavour to every dish that's served. there is only has outdoor dining making it a very popular place to spend the night during the summer months. This place is more of a tapas style bar so it's worth going with somebody or a small group and trying a few different dishes, there was only two of us and we ordered about 10 different plates because it was so good. Seafood, breads, tender cuts of meats, salads, smokey tomatoes and the list goes on. I would go on a day trip just to eat here.
The food and drink here comes with a very reasonable price for the value and standard. We spent around €15-20 PP
The food and drink here comes with a very reasonable price for the value and standard. We spent around €15-20 PP
SA CLASSIC PIZZA
TRADITIONAL ITALIAN THE BEST OUTSIDE OF ITALY
Sa Classic Pizza is the best italian experience I've had outside of italy! The food here was outstanding and it was so cheap, a meal for two only set us back €25 which was crazy for the size and standard of the food. For starters we ordered Sa Classic, which came with garlic potatoes covered with a rich boloniges and aoli, I wish I orderd 10 of these. For mains we had a boloniges pizza, the ground beef was so tender in both of these dishes, we also got a bottle of wine and we got all of this for such a good price.
Bolognese Pizza
WHERE TO STAY?
SA MALICA HOSTAL
THE BEST VIEW IN TOWN
We stayed in the Sa Malica hostal with is a seaside accomodation looking out to Blanes famous land mark and the Arch. There are only 7 rooms so they get booked out very quickly, we booked a double room on the 2nd floor with a balcony looking out on the sea. The paid €110 per night which is a bit pricey for the area but it was definitly worth that view, they also have family rooms and she let us know if we want it cheaper it's best to call and book with them directly rather than booking through booking.com as they can offer a better deal. The only downside for me was that the room didn't have a fridge but the restaurant down stairs was very helpful and let us pu tour drinks in their fridge ans supplied us whit any cutlery, plates and glasses during our stay.
CATCH THE PERFECT SUNSET
Castillo de san joan
The view from here is stunning and is one of the must do walks in Blanes. If I remember correctly this walk took us about 45mintues - 1 hour to complete, the option to drive is on the list and they have free parking but you will need to check what time they shut they gates for cars. The walk is of a moderate level and I recommend walking rather than driving. There are so many beautiful homes with vibrant purple flowers drapped over the orange brick you will see when making your way to the top and there is also a beautiful stairway that cuts through the middle which is a must see for other photograpers out there looking for some creative shots.
DON'T MISS A BLANES SUNRISE
SEE A SUNRISE FROM SA PALOMERA
Sa Palomera is the rock that marks the gateway to the Costa Brava, it was our view from our room and I was lucky enough to see how beautiful the tranquility of Blanes is when the sun is rising. At 6am the city is silent, all you can hear is the water, the birds waking up and a boats making their way back to the shore. Between 6am-6:30am the daily fishing boat comes through the orange lit seas with thousands of birds in its trail trying to get the fresh fish on board, it's really gives you the chance for some amazing photography.
FAVOURITE CALAS NEARBY
Cala de Sant Fransesc
This cala is a dream come true, it really is a piece of paradise and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.
This cala is only a 30 minute walk from Blanes and you can walk along the coast most of the way, on a day with zero wind your body will be transported to an oasis in the Mediterranean.
This cala is only a 30 minute walk from Blanes and you can walk along the coast most of the way, on a day with zero wind your body will be transported to an oasis in the Mediterranean.