Day Trip to Lloret de Mar from Barcelona: Full Guide + Tips

A day trip to Lloret de Mar from Barcelona is a surprisingly scenic way to explore this part of the Costa Brava.

I live in Barcelona and recently took a day trip to Lloret de Mar, and I’ll be honest, it wasn’t super high on my list at first. 

I had always heard it had more of a party reputation, but I finally decided to go and ended up being so pleasantly surprised.

In this Lloret de Mar day trip guide, I’ll cover how to get there, the best things to do, and helpful tips to plan your visit.

I do think Lloret de Mar is worth visiting for a day trip, but only if you focus on the coastal and beachfront areas.

The town does have a reputation for nightlife and party tourism, but that’s really concentrated in certain parts of town. If you stick closer to the beaches, gardens, and coastal paths, it feels completely different.

The coastline here is honestly stunning, with turquoise water, rocky cliffs, and some really beautiful viewpoints. 

There are also seafront gardens, two different castles, and sections of the Camí de Ronda trail where you can walk between hidden coves.

It ended up being way more beautiful than I expected and I’m adding it to my list of the best day trips from Barcelona.

Tip: Lloret de Mar is often confused with Tossa de Mar, but they are two separate towns in Costa Brava that are right next to each other.  From Barcelona, Lloret de Mar comes first, then Tossa de Mar is about 20 minutes further.  Tossa is definitely more popular for a Barcelona day trip, but I think Lloret is still worth visiting too.

Taking the bus is the easiest way to get to Lloret de Mar if you don’t have a car.

There’s no direct train, so this is the most straightforward option. The Moventis bus leaves from the Estació del Nord bus station in Barcelona and takes a little over an hour to get there.

There are a few different stops in Lloret de Mar. The main one is Lloret de Mar, Estació, but you can also get off earlier at Lloret de Mar, Fenals if you want to visit the gardens first since it’s closer.

The bus continues on to Tossa de Mar after Lloret, so just make sure you’re getting off at the right stop.

You can book tickets on the Moventis website or through Omio.

If you have a rental car, it takes about 1 hour to drive from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar.

This is a good option if you want more flexibility or plan to explore Tossa de Mar or more of the Costa Brava.

The Jardins de Santa Clotilde are one of the most beautiful spots in Lloret de Mar and were honestly one of my favorite parts of the day.

These gardens sit right above the sea and have perfectly manicured hedges, staircases, and statues with views over the coastline.

It feels peaceful and way more upscale compared to the busier parts of town. There’s also this really pretty mermaid staircase that was cool to see. 

The gardens are about a 13-minute walk from the Fenals bus stop and it costs around 6€ for entry.

The Camí de Ronda is a coastal walking path that runs along the Costa Brava, and the section around Lloret de Mar is really beautiful.

You’ll pass by rocky cliffs, small coves, and some incredible viewpoints along the way.

Just be prepared because it’s definitely a hike, not a flat walk. There are stairs, uneven paths, and some steeper sections.

There are a few different Lloret de Mar beaches to choose from depending on what kind of vibe you’re looking for.

Platja de Fenals is more calm and relaxed and feels more local.

Platja de Lloret is the main beach right in the center and is much busier.

If you want something more secluded, Platja de Sa Boadella is a smaller cove near the gardens that feels more hidden away.

Castell de Sant Joan sits on a hill between the beaches and offers some of the best views over the coastline.

It’s just a cylindrical tower so it’s not super impressive but you can climb up to the top for panoramic views.  

And if you want to go inside the tower, check the opening hours in advance because it’s not open all day.

Castell de Lloret de Mar is the second castle at the end of the beach and it’s one of the best castles near Barcelona to visit.

It’s set right on the edge of the cliffs, which makes it one the best photo spots in Lloret de Mar.

You can’t go inside, but you can walk up to it and around the area.  There’s also a very photogenic tunnel leading to a cove on the other side.

There are lots of restaurants along the beachfront where you can sit down for a relaxed lunch.

It’s a good chance to take a break, enjoy the views, and try some local dishes or seafood.

The restaurants at the end of the beach near the Lloret de Mar castle were a lot busier so I’d recommend trying one of those.

The Museu del Mar is a small museum near the main beach that focuses on the town’s maritime history.

It’s not a must-see, but it’s a nice option if you want to add a quick cultural stop to your day.

The Església de Sant Romà is one of the most recognizable buildings in Lloret de Mar.

This church has a really unique, colorful exterior with mosaic tiles and a mix of architectural styles that makes it stand out.

I grabbed an ice cream from a nearby shop and just walked around the area.

Here’s a simple walking route that flows really well and lets you see the highlights without backtracking:

1. Start at the Jardins de Santa Clotilde and spend some time exploring the gardens and viewpoints.
2. Walk down to Platja de Fenals and enjoy the calmer beach atmosphere.
3. Pick up the Camí de Ronda and follow it along the coastline.
4. Climb up to Castell de Sant Joan for panoramic views.
5. Continue along the path until you reach the main beach Platja de Lloret.
6. Walk along the beachfront promenade, stop for lunch, and take a break.
7. Head toward Castell de Lloret de Mar at the end of the beach for one of the best photo spots.
8. On your way back, stop by the Church of Sant Romà before heading to the bus station.

This route gives you a good mix of gardens, beautiful beaches, coastal views, and viewpoints, all in a really logical order.

I’d recommend spending about 5 to 7 hours in Lloret de Mar for a day trip.

That gives you enough time to explore the gardens, walk part of the Camí de Ronda, stroll along the beach, and grab lunch without feeling rushed.

I arrived on the bus around 1:00pm and left at 6:00pm and felt like that was a decent amount of time to see everything.

If you want to do more hiking or spend extra time at the beach, you could easily stretch it into a full day.

Follow these tips to make the most of your Lloret de Mar day trip:

• Book bus tickets in advance: Buses can fill up quickly, especially during weekends and the summer months, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets ahead of time and make sure to book a roundtrip ticket. You can book on the Moventis website or through Omio.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about a day trip from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar:

I hope this guide has given you everything you need to plan the perfect day trip to Lloret de Mar from Barcelona!

From exploring the Santa Clotilde gardens and walking along the coastline to relaxing on the beach and taking in the views from the castles, there’s a lot more to do here than you might expect.

I went in with pretty low expectations, but it ended up being such a beautiful and easy day trip, especially if you focus on the coastal side of town.

If you’re already planning a Costa Brava itinerary, I still think Tossa de Mar is worth visiting, but Lloret de Mar definitely deserves a spot on your list too.

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