S'Abanell vs Playa de Blanes: which to choose 2026

The two biggest town beaches in Blanes are separated only by Sa Palomera, the rocky outcrop the town is built around. At first glance they look the same: golden sand, seafront promenade, parasols. But the differences are real, and depending on what you want from the day, one will suit you noticeably better than the other. This is the honest side-by-side.

In 30 seconds: which to pick

If you want…	Better beach
A long beach with palm-tree shade and buzz	S’Abanell
The genuine fishing-village shot	Playa de Blanes
Families with kids	S’Abanell (more room, less concentrated)
Fresh fish or seafood 100 m from the towel	Playa de Blanes
Easy parking	S’Abanell (more options)
To walk back into the old town	Playa de Blanes
A full beach day (sun + services)	S’Abanell
Quick swim + walk + tapa	Playa de Blanes

The detailed comparison

Size and sand

• S’Abanell: 1.2 km long, coarse golden sand. The longest in the municipality. High capacity — even in August you’ll find space (though you may have to walk a bit).
• Playa de Blanes: 600 m, golden sand with small pebbles mixed in. Medium capacity. In August at midday it saturates and feels noticeably denser.

Atmosphere

• S’Abanell: clearly touristic. Parasols for hire, beach bars, life on the promenade. A wider mix of Spanish and international visitors (families, couples, retirees).
• Playa de Blanes: more “of the town”. Fishing boats are hauled up on the sand, the older fishermen gather at the end of the promenade, local life is visible. It gets touristy in August too but keeps its character.

Services

Service	S’Abanell	Playa de Blanes
Beach bars	4–5 along the length	2–3 at the north end
Public toilets	Yes, several	Yes
Showers	Yes	Yes
Lifeguard	June–September	June–September
Parasol rental	Yes, easy	Yes
Pedalo / kayak hire	Yes	Limited
Reduced-mobility access	Good	Acceptable

Parking

• S’Abanell: large paid car park behind the seafront, plus several smaller ones. More options to the south (free, 5–10 minutes’ walk).
• Playa de Blanes: parking is harder. Pay-and-display kerb space with limited slots. If you’ve come by car, you’re better off parking at S’Abanell and walking up.

Connection to the rest of the town

• S’Abanell: the promenade leads south into the hotel and residential strip. Heading north it reaches Sa Palomera in about 10 minutes.
• Playa de Blanes: glued to the old town. The seafront finishes at restaurants, bars and fishmongers. 3 minutes from the fishing port and from the bus stops.

Views

• S’Abanell: clean horizon, nothing breaking the postcard. Sunset is striking from the southern end.
• Playa de Blanes: Sa Palomera rock to the north and the white houses of the old town behind. A more interesting composition for photos, especially early morning.

Real cases

Family, 5 days, staying at a resort hotel

S’Abanell. Long, full services, direct walk back to the hotel without the car. If the kids tap out, you head back and return later.

Couple, 2 days, hotel in the old town

Playa de Blanes for the ordinary day + a trip to Cala Sant Francesc the other. Playa de Blanes glued to the old town lets you string together a swim, a walk, a tapa and a stop at the fishmonger without ever changing out of your swim shorts.

Group of friends, day trip

Either one. If you’ve come by car, S’Abanell for the parking. If you’ve come by train (Rodalies R1 from Barcelona terminates at Blanes), Playa de Blanes is closer to the station.

Family with a baby / reduced mobility

S’Abanell. Flat access, more room for the pushchair, services close by.

Beach day + dinner with fresh local fish

Playa de Blanes. Walk off the sand and in 10 minutes you’re at a harbour restaurant eating proper Blanes prawns. Not really doable from S’Abanell without getting moving.

What they share

• Blue Flag (both, historically)
• Very similar water quality
• The same jellyfish when it’s that kind of week
• The same midday August crowding
• The same honest beach bars (decent paella, cold beer, Maresme tomato salad)

What you don’t see at first

The westerly wind hits Playa de Blanes harder because of its orientation. On afternoons when the Garbí is blowing, S’Abanell handles it better; Playa de Blanes becomes uncomfortable with sand in the air.

Mauve stingers tend to drift into S’Abanell first because it’s more south-facing. If there’s a jellyfish warning in August, check the flags before laying out the towel.

The beach bars at the southern end of S’Abanell do grilled octopus and sardines that are worth the walk. The ones in the middle are more standard fare.

Frequently asked questions

Which has better water? Equivalent. Both Blue Flag, same water tests. The perceptible difference is the day, not the beach.

Which is cheaper for hiring a parasol? Similar prices (16–22 € for a parasol plus two sun loungers per day). The bonus at S’Abanell is choice — more vendors, more room to compare.

Which has a specific area for small children? S’Abanell, because of its length, tends to have an identifiable family zone in the middle. Playa de Blanes is denser, with no clear “family” sector as such.

Which is better at sunset? Visually, the southern end of S’Abanell for the sun dropping into the horizon. For the shot with the town in frame, Playa de Blanes looking toward Sa Palomera.

Which is less crowded? On identical conditions, S’Abanell wins on sheer surface area. But in August at midday they’re both heaving.

In short

If your priority is space, comfort and full services, S’Abanell. If you value village character, connection with the old town and local food right there, Playa de Blanes. And if you’ve got several days, combine them: S’Abanell for the full-service day plus Playa de Blanes for tapas afterwards. They belong to the same town and are an easy walk apart.

For quieter alternatives, follow on to Cala Sant Francesc or to the best beaches in Blanes guide for all the options.