This southernmost resort of the Costa Brava is undeservedly forgotten by tourists. Most of them immediately rush to Lloret de Mar - there, where the casino, bus station, the darkness of entertainment and picturesque cliffs. But Blanes has sights, and even what! Maybe this is not so striking, but it is worth getting to know them. Blanes is the only point on the Costa Brava where the train stops. The rest of the resort villages are available only by car. So the easiest way to get here. A bus runs from the railway station to the city center, and, as a rule, its schedule is “adjusted” for the arrival of the train. So, we set off to inspect Blanes.
Attractions begin immediately from the sea. Along the coast stretches the huge Del Paseo Maritimo Boulevard. It is beautiful in itself, like any embankment of Catalonia. But here you can immediately see that the city is divided into two conventional parts - the old, with narrow shady streets, as well as the resort - with a chain of hotels by the sea, with parks and gardens. She extended to the river itself, which serves as the border of the Costa Brava. In fact, at the intersection of these two urban areas, right at sea, there is a rock, which in the old days served as a customs tower. There you can climb, take a walk, take a picture. The rock is surrounded by pebble beaches with clear deep blue water. From it all Blanes is visible. The historical sights of this town do not end at all on this rock.
Directly above the resort you will see a rather high, almost two hundred-meter hill San Juan, on which is located something like the ruins of a castle. If you are by car - nothing is easier. But if you walk, you have to sweat - there are a lot of steps, and they are all steep. But nothing, the reward will be a stunning view of the mountains, the sea and Blanes, the sights of which you see, but also on the entire Costa Brava. Even Barcelona can be seen with luck. Once upon a time there was a Roman fort, and then a fortified settlement with a castle built in the twelfth century by the freedom-loving Viscount de Cabrera - the local lord. Now the tower and the remains of the walls remained from the castle, and even a small chapel was attached near them (hence the name of the mountain).
The ups and downs led to the fact that
Blanes was no longer independent
. Spain, whose attractions, as a rule, reflect the Castilian desire for luxury, has left its mark on the harsh Catalan customs. Therefore, palaces and gardens appeared here. Lovers of all kinds of parks will have a walk in the city. Right on the spurs of San Juan is the beautiful botanical garden of Marimutra, founded by Karl Schmidt. And a little further from the city itself, towards Lloret de Mar, you can visit the real cactus museum, Pigna de Rosa Park.
After walking through the gardens, return again to the promenade. On Sundays, Catalan dances are held here - the locals love to dance. And walking along it from one end to the other, you will inspect all the beaches and choose the one that you like. From the widest sixty-meter-wide and four-kilometer-long - to small bays, rugged rocks and built up with white villas. But they are all wonderful for relaxation, and each year they are awarded “blue flags” for quality and cleanliness. By the way, if you decide to stay here, you may need a map of Blanes with attractions. So ask her at your hotel. It is completely free.