The best beaches in Lloret de Mar (and the hidden coves of the Costa Brava)
Lloret de Mar and its surroundings squeeze some of the prettiest beaches and hidden coves on the entire Costa Brava into about 15 kilometres of coastline. We're not talking about the postcard-busy main beach with rows of umbrellas: this guide takes you to the sands that are actually worth your time, the coves you reach on foot via the Camí de Ronda, and the water-based activities that genuinely change how you experience the Mediterranean. Written from home, the way we'd want it explained to us if we were arriving for the first time.
Lloret main beach: the busy classic, no surprises
Platja de Lloret is the village's classic postcard view: 1.6 kilometres of coarse sand framed by two headlands, with every imaginable service a step away from the Passeig Camprodon. It's the obvious choice if you're travelling with kids, want sunbeds, beachfront restaurants or fancy renting a jet ski without complications. The southern stretch, near Castell d'en Plaja, tends to be quieter in the morning. It holds a Blue Flag, has lifeguards in season and showers along the entire promenade.
Fenals: the quieter, more residential side of Lloret
A 700-metre walk west along the Camí de Ronda gets you to Fenals, a beach many regular visitors actually prefer to the main one. The sand is finer, there's a pine grove giving natural shade and the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed. It's the right call on days with a north wind because it sits sheltered behind the southern face of the Sant Pere del Bosc ridge. You'll find low-key beach bars, kayak rental near the Riviera section and free street parking if you arrive early enough.
Santa Cristina: pine forest and an old hermitage
Santa Cristina shifts the register entirely. There's no promenade, no buildings: the cove opens at the foot of a protected pine wood crowned by the 17th-century hermitage that gives the place its name. It sits right next to Cala Treumal, so in practice you've got two beaches you can combine in a single visit. Basic facilities are there (one beach bar, toilets, sunbed rental) but the overall feel is one of nature and swimming in transparent water. Reach it by car on the GI-682, with paid parking in July and August.
Sa Boadella: the wild cove next to the Santa Clotilde gardens
If we had to pick a single cove to show someone arriving for the first time, it would probably be Sa Boadella. Sheltered by cliffs and ringed by pines, it keeps a wild feel despite being only a 10-minute walk from the Santa Clotilde gardens car park. The southern half is a traditional nudist area; the northern half is mixed. There's no beach bar, so come down with water and a snack.
Cala Banys: rocks, snorkelling and sunsets
Cala Banys isn't really a sandy beach: it's a small rocky inlet at the end of the Lloret promenade, with an excellent viewpoint-bar perched above the water. It's the favourite snorkelling spot for many locals: the rocks fall away cleanly, the water is very transparent and there are always fish around. Bring water shoes because the entry into the water isn't easy. Bonus: sunset from the bar terrace is one of the best free experiences in town.
Cala Canyelles: the only marina in the Lloret municipality
Exactly 4 kilometres from the centre of Lloret de Mar, Cala Canyelles is the only beach in the municipality with a marina, making it the natural starting point for boat trips, jet ski rentals and short kayak excursions. The sand is coarse, there are umbrellas for hire and a couple of restaurants. It's perfect if you want to complement your beach day with a water activity without going far.
Cala Treumal: pine cover, fine sand and calm water
Treumal sits right next to Santa Cristina but has its own identity: finer sand, a shallower entry and natural shade from the pines of the old botanical garden. It's the cove we recommend to families with very small children because the water rises slowly and there's rarely any meaningful surf. The right-hand side, looking out to sea, is the calmer end.
Cala Morisca: the wild cove on the Camí de Ronda
To reach Cala Morisca you have two options: walking the Camí de Ronda from Cala Canyelles (45 minutes if you're in decent shape) or arriving by sea on a kayak. There are no facilities, no proper sand (it's pebbles) but the water is an intense blue and you get the feeling of having a half-empty cove even in mid-August. The reward after the walk is total.
Cala Giverola: the jewel of the Tossa coast
We jump to Tossa for Giverola. It's probably the cove with the most turquoise water in the whole Lloret-Tossa stretch: pale sand, a shallow seabed and an amphitheatre of pines framing it. There's a tourist resort above, but the beach is public. Reach it by car on the GI-681 from Tossa (4 km) or on foot via the Camí de Ronda from Mar Menuda — a roughly two-hour walk that's one of the most beautiful in Catalonia.
Platja Gran de Tossa: the medieval postcard
There's no way to talk about the best beaches around here and leave out Platja Gran de Tossa. The sand, slightly darker than Lloret's, is framed by the Vila Vella, the only fully preserved medieval walled enclosure on the entire Catalan coast. It's the most recognisable postcard view of the Costa Brava and, outside the absolute peak of August, it keeps an enormous amount of charm. Full services and direct pedestrian access from the old town.
Kayak and paddle surf: the best way to discover the coves
If you only have time for one water activity, make it this. The prettiest Costa Brava coves between Lloret and Tossa are unreachable by road: kayak and paddle surf are the only realistic way to get there without a serious walk. Guided trips (half a day, 35-50 € per person) usually include snorkelling in a sea cave, a stop at a hidden cove and water on board. For beginners we recommend the Cala Canyelles departures; for more experienced paddlers, those from Sant Feliu de Guíxols towards Cala del Vigatà.
Snorkelling in clear water: where, when and what you'll see
The Costa Brava Mediterranean doesn't have the spectacular reef life of the tropics, but it has very enjoyable coastal life: salema, sea bream, rainbow wrasse, the occasional red starfish and, with luck, an octopus tucked between rocks. The best spots near Lloret are Cala Banys (rocks accessible from the promenade), the northern end of Sa Boadella and, above all, the stops on the kayak trips. Sea temperature between June and September runs between 20 and 25 °C, so a short wetsuit really stretches the session.
Ferries and golondrinas: seeing the coast from the water
The 'golondrinas' are the small passenger ferries that connect Lloret, Tossa, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Calella de Palafrugell throughout the season. They're not just transport: they're the best way to see the real shape of the Costa Brava, that maze of coves and cliffs that only makes sense from the water. The Lloret-Tossa line costs around 18 € return, takes 30 minutes and passes Cala Banys, Sa Boadella and Cala dels Frares. Glass-bottom versions add a marine-watching element.
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Looking for a place to stay near the best beaches?
Apartamento Remo is an 18-minute walk from Sa Caleta and a short stroll along the Camí de Ronda to Cala Banys. Terrace with views, communal pool and free cancellation up to 15 days before arrival.
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