Marimurtra Botanical Garden, Blanes: complete 2026 guide
Marimurtra in Blanes: 2026 opening hours and prices, how to get there, what to see (Linnaeus, cacti, Mediterranean) and tips for visiting without queues.
The Marimurtra Botanical Garden is the most visited site in Blanes and, without much argument, one of the most beautiful coastal botanical gardens in the Mediterranean. Created in 1921 by Karl Faust (a German entrepreneur who fell for the area), it brings together over 4,000 plant species from every Mediterranean climate in the world across 16 hectares of cliffside, with spectacular sea viewpoints and a classical temple that is the defining postcard of the garden.
This guide covers the practical side: opening hours, current prices, how to get there, what to prioritise inside, and the small details most visitors find out too late.
What to know before going
Marimurtra isn’t a town park, it’s a cliff. The route has gradient, steps and dirt paths. It’s accessible to most people but you want comfortable shoes and 2–3 hours for an honest visit. Not a “tick off in 30 minutes” kind of place.
It’s not a zoo or theme park: it’s a teaching botanical garden, with information panels in several languages. The audience is mostly adults and families with children aged 6–7 and up who’re interested in plants.
Best hours are the first and the last. In August at midday it’s hot and the viewpoints get busy. Early morning (opening) or last hour (1–2 hours before closing): better light, fewer people, cleaner photos.
2026 opening hours and prices
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| October–March | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| April–September | 9:00 – 20:00 |
| Public holidays | Same hours, check the website |
Last entry: 1 hour before closing.
Prices (indicative, check the official website):
- Adult: ~9 €
- Children 5–14: ~5 €
- Under 5s: free
- Over 65s / students: discount
- Audio guide: ~3 € extra
Tickets: at the box office or online (online recommended in July–August to skip the queue).
How to get there
On foot from central Blanes
About 25–30 minutes walking from Blanes beach. The route goes up the northern coastal path and then a surfaced road to the entrance. Moderate gradient with sea views. Doable in good weather, not in extreme heat.
By car
Free car park in front of the entrance, but small (60–80 spaces). In July–August it fills up before 11:00. Alternatives:
- Car park at the nearby residential development (free, 10 min walk)
- Cala Sant Francesc car park + walk (15 min)
By public transport
The Blanes tourist bus in peak season stops nearby. No direct regular service.
By car from Barcelona or Girona
- Barcelona: AP-7 → exit 9 (Blanes) → follow signs for Marimurtra. ~70 min.
- Girona: AP-7 → exit 9 → ~50 min.
What to see inside: 5 must-do zones
1. Cactus garden
One of the most complete cactus and succulent collections in Europe. Columnar cacti several metres tall, forms that look like natural sculptures, species from America, Africa and Madagascar. Best visited first thing (side light brings out the shapes).
2. Linnaeus temple
The defining postcard of the garden: a small classical temple with Doric columns set on the cliff edge, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. Dedicated to Carl Linnaeus, the father of botanical taxonomy.
It’s the photo everyone takes. To get it clean, avoid midday (overhead sun burns the composition) and August weekends (queues for the shot). Best at 9:00–10:00 or last hour.
3. Mediterranean garden
A zone with species of the historic Mediterranean — holm oak, kermes oak, mastic, olive. The most “timeless” section, pleasant for sitting and resting. Several benches with sea views.
4. Subtropical garden
Plants from warm humid climates: cycads, palms, bamboos, adapted tropical species. The leafiest, shadiest section — perfect for the hottest part of the day.
5. Sea viewpoints
Marimurtra has several cliffside viewpoints with benches. The two most spectacular:
- Temple viewpoint (next to the Linnaeus): view of Sa Forcanera and the coast to the north.
- Southern cliff viewpoint: view of Cala Sant Francesc and, on clear days, of Blanes and Sa Palomera.
Recommended route (90–120 minutes)
| Time | Section |
|---|---|
| 0–15 min | Entrance + Mediterranean garden |
| 15–30 min | Subtropical garden |
| 30–45 min | Southern cliff viewpoint |
| 45–65 min | Cactus garden |
| 65–90 min | Linnaeus temple + viewpoints |
| 90–120 min | Easy walk back + final photo |
With kids, allow 2–2.5 hours because they’ll stop to look. With serious botanical interest, allow 3 hours.
Combine with other plans
- Marimurtra + Cala Sant Francesc: the path between the two is right next door. Morning at Marimurtra, light lunch, afternoon at the cove. Full day.
- Marimurtra + Castell de Sant Joan: above the garden (a separate hill, reachable on foot or by car) is the medieval castle with sweeping views. For walkers with the fitness.
- Marimurtra + Blanes old town: down from the garden for fresh fish at the harbour + walk through the old town.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes (trainers, closed-toe sandals)
- Cap or hat (sections with no shade)
- Water bottle (some fountains, not many)
- Sunscreen
- Camera (you’ll use it)
- Audio guide, or your own field guide if you’re serious about botany
Accessibility
Partial accessibility. There are adapted routes for wheelchairs and pushchairs in the flat zones (Mediterranean, part of the subtropical), but the viewpoints and the Linnaeus temple involve steps. Confirm with the garden before visiting if you have reduced mobility.
No dogs. Not permitted.
What most guides don’t tell you
1. The plants change a lot by month. In spring (March–May) most Mediterranean species flower; in summer, the cacti are at their best; in autumn, warm colours.
2. The garden café is honest but limited. If you’re going to be there 3 hours, bring a snack or plan to eat afterwards (Cala Sant Francesc has a beach bar 10 minutes’ walk away).
3. There are one-off events in summer — sunset concerts at the temple, themed guided visits. Check the website before going.
4. Photography without a tripod is allowed. For weddings, press or professional sessions with bigger kit, you need advance permission.
5. The audio guide adds a lot if you want to actually understand what you’re looking at. Worth the 3 €.
Frequently asked questions
Is it open year-round? Yes, every day apart from a few specific public holidays (Christmas, New Year — check the website).
How long does the garden take? Quick visit: 1.5 hours. Full visit at a relaxed pace: 2.5–3 hours. Serious botanical visit: 4 hours.
Are there group or card discounts? Yes — groups of 15+ and certain tourist cards (Costa Brava Card, Catalunya Card). Confirm at the box office.
Suitable for kids? Yes, from 5–6 onwards. For younger children, the gradient and the pace of a botanical visit may tire them out.
Can you buy plants or souvenirs? Yes, there’s a shop at the entrance with guides, books and gifts. They don’t sell live plants.
In short
Marimurtra is the most recommendable cultural visit in Blanes and an essential stop on any southern Costa Brava itinerary. Go in the morning, wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and give it the 2–2.5 hours it deserves. The Linnaeus temple with the sea behind is the photo you’ll keep; but the whole — cacti, viewpoints, Mediterranean garden — is what justifies the trip.
To round off the day with more local culture, follow on to Castell de Sant Joan with its panoramic view or to the walking route through the Blanes old town.