Things to do in Lloret de Mar- Day Trip to Barcelona

Continuing the subject of what to do on a day trip to Barcelona, if you are in the area of the Plaza Cataluna or Las Ramblas it is worth paying a visit to the Mercat la Boqueria which is situated halfway down Las Ramblas (No. 85-89) about 6 minutes walk from the Plaza Cataluna.

Situated under some arches in a square surrounded by old Catalan style architecturere, the market is made up of numerous kiosks selling an abundant variety of fruit and vegetables, fish, cheeses and meat- but what really stands out is the richly colourful displays of all manner and variety of fruits- many of them rarely- if indeed ever - seen in high street fruit stores. The brilliance of colour of the displays is an enchantment to the senses and is both a dazzling shopping and sightseeing experience rolled into one.

Things to do while in Lloret de Mar.

While on holiday in Lloret take a trip up the coast to the next resort of Tossa de Mar. Although so near to Lloret, its a completely different resort. Lloret is a very lively place, but with Tossa de Mar its like stepping back in time. The above photo is a small street which can found within the castle walls.

As you make your way up to the castle, you can look back and see how very different to Lloret this small town is. There are no tall buildings to spoil the views.

From high up in the castle grounds, the streets below all do a good value menu of the day. Most of which seem to be various fish dishes, probably fish which has been caught by the local fishermen that same day, so you always know its fresh!

Lloret de Mar Views.

A view of Lloret taken from the pathway below the castle, as you walk along the path you will see just why this coast is called the Costa Brava (rugged coast) each corner you turn brings you to a completely different view.

 

Again this photo is taken from the same pathway a little further on, looking back towards Lloret.

Another view from the same path, but this time taken looking up the coast. 

Things to do in Lloret de Mar - A day trip to Girona.

Most people flying in for holidays on the Costa Brava either land at Barcelona or Girona airport, and that is sometimes as much as they see of the city.
Debbies previous post about a day in Barcelona is a must, but also another must is a day to the other airport city of Girona. As you fly into Girona it just looks a very grey and drab place. Its not until you make the effort to take a walk round the city that you realise what a beautiful place it is - a photographers paradise! It only takes 1hr to reach Girona bus station from the bus station in Lloret, the cost is 8.50 euro return. Buses leave at 9.25 and 12 noon.
The best sights are to be found in the old part of the city, on the far side of the river (River Onyar) Looking across the river is the most unusual housing development ever! (see the above photo). These dwellings date back to the middle ages and backed onto the medieval wall which surrounded the city.

As you cross the river there is the church of Sant Feliu, constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries. Not far from the church is the Santa Maria Cathedral, dating back to between the 11th and 18th centuries. The Cathedral houses the widest Gothic nave in the world, being nearly 23 mts wide.

Leaving the Cathedral walking through the streets, brings you to the Jewish quarter. Where there is a museum dedicated to the Jewish community which lived in this area, again going back as far as the middle ages. If you like museums there are 5 in Girona - Art, History, Jewish, Cinema and the Archeological.
So there is something for everyone in Girona. Even a garden dedicated to John Lennon!

Things to do in Lloret de Mar- Day Trip to Barcelona

Barcelona is easily accesible from Lloret de Mar, the journey takes one hour 15 mins from Lloret to the centre of Barcelona by bus. There is also a train but first one must make their way to Blanes- this makes the whole thing very long winded and takes at least two and a half hours in total. The bus is slightly more expensive but much less hassle.

Directions:


Go to the bus station in Lloret, situated opposite the  Gran Casino Hotel on the main Blanes/Tossa road. If it is high season is it advisable to book your tickets in advance. This can be done by going to the bus terminal or clicking HERE.

Buses leave Lloret at:

8 h
9.30 h
10.30 h
14.00 h
16.30 h
19.15 h


Buses leave the Ronda Sant Pere (Barcelona Centre) at:

8 h
10 h
11.45 h
15.00 h
17.00 h
19.30 h

(Please check these times before leaving as they are subject to change).

The ticket price is 7.85 euros. There is a small discount for large groups.

The bus will first stop at the Estacio del Nord- do not get of there if you wish to do sightseeing, shopping etc.

The second and last stop is the Ronda Sant Pere which is just three minutes walk from the Plaza Cataluña which is a very busy square with a multitude of shops, banks, bars, restaurants and more.

Another option to see more of the city is to catch the sight seeing bus, which will give a you a tour from an open top double decker bus. There is a stop is just outside El Corte Ingles which you cannot miss- it is a huge department store selling just about every under the sun.

The Plaza Cataluña meets with the top of Las Ramblas- one of Barcalona's most famous streets and a must see for visitors.

The Jules Verne is an English Pub situated at the top end of Las Ramblas just off the Plaza Cataluña.

Decorated in dark wood, english pub style, it is a popular hangout for tourists and residents alike, and a great place to have a sit down and enjoy a pint of Guinness or Fosters.

The Jules Verne does not sell half pints and does not stock Spanish Beers.

At the time of writing a pint of beer or lager is 5 euros.


The Plaza Cataluña has it's fair share of pidgeons.
Tourists like to pose with them and if one stands with outstreched arms, they will happily come and use you as a perch.

To walk from the Plaza Cataluña to the end of the Ramblas would in theory take you about 20 minutes- however it is more likely to take an hour or two as there are many attractions to stop and look at- maybe the most famous of these being the 'human statues'.


The human statues are people dressed as statues who stay as still as stone for many hours on end with a bucket in front of them for people to put coins.
These two guys pictured have it a bit easier- everytime someone throws a coin they pedal furiously for about thirty seconds then become completely stationary again until the next coin is thrown, which is fairly frequently from what I could see.

Nice work if you are not too active.