Cala Bona Beach

Cala Bona is right in Blanes, so getting here is straightforward. Drive from Blanes centre in around 8 minutes, walk it in 30, or take the bus from Plaça Catalunya toward Marimurtra Botanical Garden and walk the rest — about 20 minutes total. Street parking in the blue zone costs €0.80–€1.50 per hour in July and August; a private underground option runs €33.19 per 24 hours. Outside June 15–September 15, most parking is free, though free spaces near the development fill fast in high season.

The Marimurtra Botanical Garden sits right next to the beach and is genuinely one of Europe's finest Mediterranean gardens — over 4,000 plant species and panoramic coastal views make it worth at least two hours. From there, the GR34 coastal path connects you northward along the cliffs, offering some of the most dramatic walking on the Costa Brava. Castell de Sant Joan, an 18th-century hilltop fortress about a kilometre away, rewards the climb with sweeping views over Blanes and the bay. Sa Palomera rock is a five-minute stroll and a landmark no first-timer should skip.

Restaurant Cala Bona is the obvious beachside choice — it's right there, so you won't need to go far between swims. For something with a more polished setting, Santa Marta Hotel about 1.5km away holds a strong reputation and is worth the short walk or taxi ride.

Hotel Cala Bona sits directly at the beach and carries an impressive 4.6-star rating across more than 10,000 reviews — that consistency is hard to argue with. A short distance away, Hotel htop Amatista (4.4 stars) and Càmping La Masia (4 stars) offer solid alternatives at around 2.8km from the shore.

Shoot Sa Palomera rock at sunrise when the light hits the formation from the east and the beach is still quiet — the turquoise water catches colour fast. For elevated shots, the Castell de Sant Joan viewpoint 1km away frames the full arc of Cala Bona and the golden shoreline below.

Come before 10am in July to claim your patch of golden sand — this beach gets packed fast and there's no polite way to say otherwise. Jellyfish blooms can occur seasonally, and rip currents have been recorded here: always check the flag colour before entering the water and follow lifeguard instructions without exception. Never swim when the red flag is flying. Accessible facilities are available on-site, making this one of the more inclusive beaches on the Costa Brava.