Not far from Barcelona is the pearl of the Costa Brava, famous for its sights and cultural heritage sites. In addition to a beach holiday in Lloret de Mar, you will see interesting places, including architectural masterpieces, museums, parks and natural beauty. If you know what to see, you can always plan your trip yourself.
Holiday season in Lloret de Mar
Lovers of the warm sea and sunny weather are better off going to the resort between June and October. It was at this time that the air temperature rises to + 24-32 degrees, and the water warms up to + 23-25 degrees.
From November it begins to get colder up to + 17-15 degrees, but this weather is ideal for walks and excursions. The only negative of the November weather is the presence of heavy rainfall.
Winter in the city is rather mild and is characterized by air temperatures from +10 to +12 degrees. There is practically no snow in this region of Spain, so you can be sure that your winter holiday will not be overshadowed by bad weather.
Since March, the thermometer has been growing rapidly and becomes hot in summer. In June, the beach season begins, characterized by a temperature of + 25-27 degrees. The most active influx of tourists is observed in July, as this month the weather is optimal for any type of tourism.
TOP 10 interesting places in Lloret de Mar
Church of San Roma
The construction of the shrine dates back to 1522. As conceived by the masters, the architectural ensemble of the church was embodied in the Catalan-Gothic style. In addition to its main function, San Roma was a refuge for the townspeople.
The fact is that in the 16th century, pirates often attacked the Spanish coast, so the inhabitants of coastal cities had to hide in the church. At the same time, it was possible to get inside the building only through a massive gate, which was connected to the bridge. A deep moat was dug around the church and a wall with loopholes was built.
In the 20th century, San Roma underwent a number of reconstructions, after which elements of Muslim and Byzantine cultures appeared in its appearance, complementing the Gothic style. Later, a parish school was opened on the basis of the church.
Today anyone can come to San Roma absolutely free of charge and listen to the service in different languages.
Pigna de Rosa garden
To see this natural landmark, you need to take a regular bus and travel 15 kilometers from Lloret de Mar towards the city of Blanes. The Pigna de Rosa Botanical Garden is considered one of the most unusual in Spain.
Back in 1945, a wealthy Spanish engineer Fernando Rivier Pigna de Ros acquired an area of 50 hectares. He decided to create a unique landscape consisting of exotic plants on it. Over time, the garden was filled with rare species of flora brought from different parts of the world. A separate place in the garden is allocated for representatives of the cactus family.
Tourists enjoy wandering around the garden, looking at plants, original statues installed between flower beds, and relaxing in the lap of nature.
Maritime museum
This place is recommended for everyone who wants to learn more about the history of the development of navigation in Catalonia and get acquainted with the unusual exhibits. The museum is located in the central part of the city in a mansion that belonged to the Garriga family in the 19th century.
On three floors, a collection is exhibited that fully reveals the features of the maritime business at different stages of its development in Spain. Models of fishing vessels, old maps, telescopes, diving equipment, navigation equipment, instruments - all this is included in the rich exposition of the museum.
Upon request, visitors are invited to feel like a real sailor or captain and stay inside the cockpit, as well as the captain's cabin. After the tour, on the ground floor, you can buy souvenirs related to the marine theme.
Town Hall Casa de la Vila
The construction of the building dates back to the neoclassical era, as evidenced by the severity of the lines, muted color tones, high rectangular window openings and an arch-shaped entrance. The building is one of the oldest in the city and is located in the center of Lloret de Maar. Since 1956, the local mayor's office has been located in the town hall.
In the general architectural appearance of Casa de la Vila, the bell with a clock, crowning the roof, stands out clearly. To this day, the bell beats with resounding beats every 15 minutes. 4 flags (Catalonia, the European Union, Spain, Lloret de Mar) are flying over the entrance, which are considered a symbol of political tolerance of the city authorities.
The entrance to the inside of the town hall is prohibited, as it is an object of state importance. However, tourists have the opportunity to view the facades of the building and the square opposite.
Archaeological Museum (Can Zaragossa)
The museum rightfully occupies a worthy place among the sights of the city. There are several reasons for this:
- A unique collection dedicated to the life, culture and life of the Iberian people;
- Modern equipment allowing to demonstrate exhibits;
- Imported exhibitions from other museums in the world;
- Qualified staff providing tours in multiple languages.
The first mentions of the construction of the building where the museum is located date back to 1631, when the fact of construction was recorded in historical documents. In 1885 the house was bought by Narsis Ametlier and reconstructed.
The building housed a hotel, an art gallery, a city hall, and in 1984 an archaeological museum was opened. The exposition numbers about 4500 exhibits, among which it is worth noting products made of clay, ceramics, marble and iron, made by the inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula many centuries ago.
Castle of Sant Joan
Between the beaches of Fenals and Lloret there is a beautiful castle, which served as a fortress during the period of attacks by pirates, Turkish, British and French troops.
During its existence, the structure was destroyed several times (1356, 1427, 1428), after which it was restored again. Only in the 16th century, the castle acquired its final appearance: the western and eastern enfilades were connected to the main wall, which formed an inner courtyard.
During the war of Spain against England, the central tower of Sant Joan was badly damaged, and in 1841 and 1924 most of the castle was destroyed by the strongest hurricanes.
In the second half of the 19th century, the building was recognized as the country's cultural heritage and was completely reconstructed. For 2 years, archaeological work was carried out near the castle, after which a museum was created, inviting visitors to exciting excursions all year round.
Saint Clotilde Gardens
This park complex is an example of landscape design of the 20th century. The gardens owe their creation to the young architect Nicolau Rubia, who, at the request of the Marquis Roviralta, began to develop an unusual project.
The Marquis wanted to dedicate the gardens to the memory of his wife who died prematurely. Therefore, the architect carefully thought out every detail that decorates 23 thousand square meters. The concept of the park was based on the Renaissance style, which was considered the most popular in the 20th century.
The gardens are distinguished by a dense plantation of Mediterranean vegetation, which gives the general appearance of the territory a special elegance. Inside the garden, stone paths have been made, monuments have been installed depicting mythical characters of the Spanish folk epic. After walking in the garden, tourists like to sit in the gazebos and relax under the shade of spreading trees, enjoying the views of the numerous fountains.
Water World Water Park
The aquatic entertainment world is located in the city center and attracts thousands of tourists every year. The territory is divided according to thematic and age principles. The first zone is intended for children under 7 years old. Modern attractions and a high level of service make it possible to make children's rest as safe as possible.
The second zone is designed for adults and adolescents who love extreme sensations and are ready to try their hand at surfing. Special attention should be paid to the 261 meter long water slope, which is considered one of the longest in Europe.
In the third zone there are cafes, restaurants and shops selling a variety of souvenirs, swimwear and water sports equipment.
Modernist cemetery
In 1896, a unique cemetery appeared in Lloret de Mar, combining features of 20th century funeral art with the tragic atmosphere of death. From an architectural point of view, the cemetery is a recognized example of the Art Nouveau and Gothic styles.
The center of the architectural composition is the chapel of St. Kyrik, where services are regularly held. The cemetery is divided into 6 sectors, in which family tombs, pantheons, hypogea are located in a linear order, intended for collective burials.
At the site of each burial, sculptural compositions have been created that embody the classic canons of modernism. In addition, they were built, as a rule, according to individual projects and were ordered from eminent craftsmen.
Cat museum
An interesting museum, opened in 1990, is located near the building of the old city hall. The owners of the museum are a Russian couple who have dedicated their lives to collecting exhibits related to cats.
Today, 6 rooms house rich collections, showcasing the work of sculptors and artisans from around the world. Figurines of cats of different breeds made of precious metals, inlaid with stones, wood, porcelain, white marble are everywhere.
An additional advantage of the museum is that excursions for Russian tourists are conducted in their native language. On request, a professional guide will tell you in detail about the history of any figurine and give a master class on clay modeling.