Day trips near Blanes: 7 destinations in 1 day 2026
7 one-day trips from Blanes: Tossa, Begur, Girona, Montseny, Caldes de Malavella, Sant Feliu and Roses. How to get there, what to see and tips.
Blanes is an excellent base for exploring the northern Costa Brava and the Girona hinterland without going far. Within an hour by car you’ve got everything from medieval castle towns (Tossa, Begur) to a UNESCO-level heritage city (Girona) or mountain nature (Montseny). This guide covers 7 real one-day trips, ordered by distance and difficulty.
If you specifically want a boat trip, see Blanes to Tossa by boat.
The 7 recommended trips
1. Tossa de Mar (12 km, 25 min)
The nearest and the unmissable one. A medieval town with a 12th-century fortified castle directly above the sea. Walled old town (Vila Vella), beaches, seafood restaurants. A comfortable full day.
- How to get there: GI-682 coastal road (spectacular bends) or N-II.
- Don’t miss: climb the castle, wander Vila Vella, paella at one of the seafront restaurants.
2. Lloret de Mar (10 km, 20 min)
Much closer than people think. If you’re staying in Blanes but want to see Lloret (Castell d’en Plaja, Santa Clotilde Gardens, the coves), a short half-day is perfect.
- How to get there: GI-682 or coastal N-II.
- Don’t miss: Santa Clotilde Gardens + Castell d’en Plaja + lunch at La Tapeta.
3. Girona city (50 km, 50 min)
Heavyweight cultural heritage. Medieval old town, cathedral, Jewish quarter, city walls, the Onyar river with painted houses. You need a full day and comfortable shoes.
- How to get there: AP-7 towards France, exit Girona.
- Don’t miss: the Jewish quarter, cathedral, walk the city walls, Catalan lunch in the old town.
4. Begur and its coves (60 km, 1 h)
A whitewashed medieval town with a castle on top, plus 7 coves around it (Aiguablava, Sa Tuna, Fornells, Sa Riera). One of the most photographed parts of the Costa Brava.
- How to get there: AP-7 + C-31 secondary road.
- Don’t miss: the town + 1 or 2 coves + lunch at a seafood place in Fornells.
5. Sant Feliu de Guíxols (35 km, 50 min)
A traditional fishing town with a Benedictine monastery. Wide seafront promenade, well-kept old town, less touristy feel than Lloret.
- How to get there: GI-682 along the coast (the best one by motorbike or car).
- Don’t miss: the promenade + the monastery + lunch at one of the harbour seafood places.
6. Caldes de Malavella + Sant Hilari Sacalm (40–60 km)
For escaping the coastal heat in August: an inland thermal area with historic spas. Caldes for a short visit (3–4 hours) or combined with Sant Hilari (forest landscapes, springs).
- How to get there: AP-7 + AP-2 (inland).
- Don’t miss: a thermal bath (some spas accept day visitors), a meal with mountain produce.
7. Roses and Cap de Creus (130 km, 1 h 45)
The most ambitious. Roses (broad bay, restaurants), Cadaqués (Dalí’s town), Cap de Creus (the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, unique landscape). Requires a full day starting at dawn.
- How to get there: AP-7 to Figueres + minor roads.
- Don’t miss: Cadaqués at midday, Cap de Creus at sunset, late return.
Quick comparison
| # | Destination | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tossa | 12 km | 25 min | Easy | Half day / full day |
| 2 | Lloret | 10 km | 20 min | Easy | Half day |
| 3 | Girona | 50 km | 50 min | Moderate | Full cultural day |
| 4 | Begur | 60 km | 1 h | Moderate | Full postcard day |
| 5 | Sant Feliu | 35 km | 50 min | Easy | Relaxed day |
| 6 | Caldes / S. Hilari | 40–60 km | 1 h | Moderate | Heat-escape day |
| 7 | Cap de Creus | 130 km | 1 h 45 | High | Ambitious day |
How to organise yourself
- Own car: the best for all 7. Parking varies by destination.
- Motorbike / scooter: ideal for Tossa, Sant Feliu, Begur (bendy roads). For Cap de Creus, mid-to-large engine.
- Regular bus: Tossa, Lloret and Girona have frequent lines. The rest are tricky.
- Guided coach trip: some agencies do Girona + northern Costa Brava by coach.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the 7 is the highest-value in a single day? Tossa for proximity and quality of visit. Begur if you’ve got the whole morning.
Is there a direct train to Girona from Blanes? Not direct. Sarfa/Moventis bus Blanes-Girona, ~1 h.
Is Cap de Creus doable in one day? Tight but yes. Depart 7:00–8:00, late return.
In short
For a first trip, Tossa or Lloret are the honest pick — near, easy, a complete day. With more days, Girona or Begur are culturally memorable. And for the more adventurous, Cap de Creus once in a lifetime is worth the long-day investment.
For sea-based options, follow on to Blanes to Tossa by boat or to what to do in Blanes from the sea.