The best beaches in Blanes: honest 2026 guide
The 6 best beaches and coves in Blanes: sand, access, services, when to avoid the crowds. S'Abanell, Sant Francesc, Treumal, Sa Forcanera and more.
Blanes has 6 beaches and coves with very different personalities: from the town beach of S’Abanell with its seafront, parasols and full services, to Cala Sant Francesc — a Blue Flag cove tucked behind a pine cliff — and a couple of spots that only fill up in August. This guide covers the six that are worth the effort, with honest practical detail: when they get crowded, what services they have, and which one suits which kind of day.
If you’re still planning the trip, have a look first at the complete guide to what to do in Blanes.
1. S’Abanell Beach — the big town beach
1.2 km of golden sand running alongside the main seafront promenade. It’s the longest beach in Blanes and the one that handles families and groups best: nearby parking, beach bars, showers, sun lounger rental, lifeguards.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Town beach, family |
| Sand | Coarse golden sand |
| Services | Full (beach bars, toilets, loungers) |
| Parking | Yes, paid in season |
| When to avoid | 14:00–17:00 in August (vertical sun, no shade) |
Best in the morning (8:00–11:00) or late afternoon (18:00–20:00). The promenade runs all the way to Sa Palomera, ideal for combining a swim with a walk.
2. Playa de Blanes — the old town beach
Just north of Sa Palomera, hugging the old town. Shorter than S’Abanell (600 m) but with real character: the fishing boats are still hauled up onto the sand at the end of the day, which gives you a picture of a working fishing village you won’t get from S’Abanell.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Town beach with fishing-village character |
| Sand | Golden sand with small pebbles mixed in |
| Services | Full (beach bar, shower, rental) |
| Parking | Difficult nearby; easier south at S’Abanell |
| When to avoid | August, 12:00–16:00 (gets cramped) |
It’s the better pick if you want easy access to the old town restaurants (fresh fish, honest paellas) without changing out of your swimming gear.
3. Cala Sant Francesc — the Blue Flag cove
1.5 km north of Sa Palomera, reachable on foot via a coast path or by car. It’s the most photographed cove in Blanes: usually crystal-clear water, sandy bottom, pine-clad cliffs and a wooded outcrop that shelters it.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Sheltered cove, Blue Flag |
| Sand | Fine sand, sandy bottom |
| Services | Beach bar, shower, lifeguard (peak season) |
| Parking | Yes, small, fills up early |
| When to avoid | Saturdays and Sundays in July–August |
Arrive before 10:00 and you’ll have the cove almost to yourself. From midday onwards it gets packed in August. There’s a dedicated guide too — see Cala Sant Francesc: the most photographed cove in Blanes.
4. Sa Forcanera — the quieter middle option
Between Cala Sant Francesc and Cala Bona, reachable on foot via the coast path or by boat. Smaller and less touristy than the previous ones.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-wild cove |
| Sand | Mix of sand and pebbles |
| Services | None (bring water and food) |
| Parking | 20 min walk away, at S’Auguer |
| When to avoid | Only in August at midday |
A good option if you want to step away from the crowd without committing to the by-boat-only coves. The walk in from the car park is 20 minutes along a coast path (part of it over rock).
5. Platja de Treumal — the quiet family option
3.5 km north, on the border with Lloret de Mar. A small cove inside a residential development, with fine sand and its own car park.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Quiet developed cove |
| Sand | Fine golden sand |
| Services | Beach bar, shower |
| Parking | Own car park, free |
| When to avoid | August weekends |
It’s the favourite for families with small children: fine sand, shallow water in the bathing zone, parasols for hire, flat access with no awkward steps.
6. Hidden coves reachable only by sea
Cala Bona and the wild Cala Treumal (not the developed one above) are only reachable by boat from Blanes. If you have access to a boat, they’re the best of the stretch: transparent water, golden sand, no crowds.
Full detail: the hidden coves of Blanes reachable only by sea.
Quick comparison
| Beach | Access | Services | When | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S’Abanell | On foot / car | Full | All season | Families, first-timers |
| Playa de Blanes | On foot | Full | All season | Fishing-village shot |
| Sant Francesc | Car / coast path | Yes (in season) | Early in summer | Honest cove day |
| Sa Forcanera | Coast path | None | May–June, September | Stepping off the strip |
| Treumal | Car | Yes | All season | Families with kids |
| Hidden coves | Boat only | None | All season | Adventurers with a boat |
Practical tips
1. The tide does matter, even in the Mediterranean. It’s a discreet rise but it exists; in the smaller coves (Sa Forcanera) the strip of sand can shrink by mid-afternoon.
2. Red flag means stay out. The lifeguard doesn’t raise it for fun — it goes up for jellyfish, currents or dirty water after rain.
3. Jellyfish in August: sometimes, yes. When mauve stingers are around, the town beaches post a warning at the entrance. Cala Sant Francesc and Treumal tend to be among the least affected.
4. Parking: S’Abanell has a large paid car park. Cala Sant Francesc has a small car park — arrive early. Treumal has its own free car park. For the rest, better on foot, scooter or moped.
5. Bringing your own parasol pays off. Renting a parasol plus two sun loungers on a town beach runs to 18–25 €/day. If you’re around for four days, a 12 € parasol from any supermarket pays for itself before lunchtime on day two.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best beach in Blanes for small children? Treumal for the fine sand, shallow water and services. S’Abanell also works but it’s longer and busier.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches in Blanes? Only in marked zones and outside the peak season. In summer they’re banned from all town beaches. Some of the quieter coves (Sa Forcanera) are tolerant but not officially dog-friendly.
When is the sea temperature ideal? June: 21–23 °C, fine for everything. July–August: 24–26 °C, optimal. September: 22–24 °C, near perfect. May: 18–19 °C, fresh but swimmable.
Do the beaches have toilets and showers? The town beaches (S’Abanell, Playa de Blanes) yes, full facilities. Cala Sant Francesc and Treumal in peak season. Sa Forcanera and the by-boat-only coves, no.
How do I get there without a car from the centre? S’Abanell and Playa de Blanes: on foot (5–15 min from the train station). Sant Francesc: tourist bus or taxi. Treumal: taxi or scooter/moped (the better option if you’re staying several days).
In short
For your first day in Blanes, S’Abanell or Playa de Blanes are the honest pick — promenade, services, easy access. To level up, head north to Cala Sant Francesc or Treumal (best between 9:00 and 12:00). And if you want to see the wild side of this coast, hire a boat and drop down to the hidden coves.
To dig deeper into each cove, follow the dedicated guides: Cala Sant Francesc, S’Abanell vs Playa de Blanes or hidden coves by boat.