Blanes, Seaside municipality on Costa Brava, Spain
Blanes is a coastal municipality at the southern end of the Costa Brava in Catalonia, stretching between the sea and hills over several kilometers. The old town with narrow streets stands beside modern neighborhoods, while the harbor hosts both fishing boats and leisure craft.
Romans called the place Blanda and used it as a coastal settlement, which later went through different phases under Moorish rule and Christian reconquest. In the 19th century the fishing village transformed into a growing town through the rise of tourism and the textile industry.
The botanical gardens Marimurtra and Pinya de Rosa preserve Mediterranean and exotic plants along the cliffs for over a century, offering visitors a quiet walk between sea views and rare species. Fishermen bring their catch to the Sa Palomera rock every morning, a natural landmark that divides the two main beaches and marks for many the symbolic start of the Costa Brava.
The municipality sits about an hour north of Barcelona and is accessible via the coastal road or highway, with the old town easily walkable on foot. Visitors planning to explore the botanical gardens should wear comfortable shoes, as paths along the cliffs can be steep in places.
The beach of Blanes divides into two sides at Sa Palomera, a granite rock that many consider the geographical boundary between the Costa Brava and the coast further south. Visitors arriving at night in July can witness one of the most important fireworks competitions in Europe, where international teams display their creations over the sea.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
