10 Best Beaches near Girona

A 30-minute drive from Girona, Platja de Lloret de Mar attracts a lively crowd keen to soak up the sun and enjoy the Costa Brava waves. The beach extends for over 1.5 km, or nearly 1 mile, from the popular resort town of Lloret de Mar, and visitors can rent umbrellas and sun loungers to make the most of a day in the Mediterranean sun.

The waves are not for weak swimmers, but adventurous types enjoy wakeboarding and kite surfing. More relaxed pursuits include boat trips aboard suitably sturdy vessels, and many beachgoers are content to relax and soak up the view with an ice cream or glass of sangria from one of the many beach bars.

Platja de Sant Feliu, or Sant Feliu beach, is around 30 minutes’ scenic drive from the Girona in the scenic coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guixols. The wide stretch of sand is a short stroll from the town centre, and protective breakwaters mean the water is calm enough for swimming.

It’s a favourite spot for families, with gentle waves and clear water that makes snorkelling a popular activity, along with beach games like football and beach volleyball. Nearby shops and supermarkets are handy for beach picnics, while the many beachfront bars and cafes serve easy eats like burgers and pizza alongside traditional Catalan fish and seafood dishes.

Around an hour’s drive from Girona, Platja de Castell is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Dense pine forests and jutting cliffs surround the golden sands, which are lapped by crystal-clear waters.

A large car park provides easy access to this otherwise secluded spot, and families flock here in summer to swim, snorkel and kayak in the turquoise sea. Food and drink options on the beach itself are limited, but picnics are popular at this scenic spot. Walking trails wind out along the coast from here, and history enthusiasts are just a few steps from the remains of Castell de Palamós, an important 6th century Iberian settlement.

Tucked away in a secluded residential area, Platja Santa Maria de Llorell offers serene swimming and sunbathing with a glorious backdrop of thick forest and rocky cliffs. The beach, which is famous for its clear waters and excellent sailing opportunities, is less than an hour’s drive from Girona and visitors can park at the entrance to this gated community before following a short trail to the beach. 

While facilities are more limited than the urban beaches, in the summer months beachgoers can enjoy a beachfront bar, sunbeds and sunshades for hire, and those all-important showers and toilets. Visit the nearby historic town of Tossa de Mar that offers overnight lodgings, a turreted castle and plenty of beachfront restaurants.

Clear, calm waters and curious underwater rock formations make family-friendly Platja Mar Menuda a favourite destination for snorkellers. It’s a short stroll here from the scenic coastal town of Tossa de Mar, around an hour’s drive from Girona, and is popular with families thanks to the shallow waters and summer season lifeguards.

During summer, the beach is well-equipped with sun loungers, showers and toilets, and a beachfront cafe. Be sure to allow time to explore Tossa de Mar, with its turreted medieval castle and traditional seafood restaurants.

Although there’s parking nearby, the most scenic way to access beautiful Cala Sa Conca beach is to follow the famous Camino de Ronda coastal path. This trail winds across rocky outcrops for around 15 minutes from the picturesque village of S'Agaró, before the pine forests clear to reveal this sweep of golden sand bordered by clear turquoise waters

Keep an eye out for the resident cormorant birds during a day on the beach here and be sure to bring snorkels to admire the brightly hued fish and sea creatures at play among the rocks. It’s a popular spot for beach picnics, and a cafe serves cold drinks and ice cream during the summer.

Hikers following the famous Cami de Ronda coastal trail will find a welcome break at the history-rich beach town of Platja d’Aro. The 43 km, or 27 mile, hike hugs the Costa Brava coastline from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Begur, but time-pressed visitors can follow just a short stretch of the snaking trail to arrive at this scenic beach town.

Centred around an 11th-century church, the town will appeal to history lovers as well as beach goers. Those looking to relax will find sandy beaches dotted around rocky coves. When you’re feeling peckish, head to the family-run restaurants selling delicious tapas like patatas bravas and shrimp cooked with chilli and garlic.

You don’t have to be a naturist to appreciate the unspoiled beauty of Cala Murtra, but it helps. The name translates as ‘Murtra Cove,’ and the small, sheltered beach is around 7 km, or 4.5 miles, from the nearest town of Roses. Hardy hikers access this sandy beach on foot via a rugged trail across the coastline, but boat transfers can take the legwork out of the trip during the summer months.

The calm waters and beautiful backdrop make Cala Murtra an ideal spot for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing, but visitors should bring their own supplies as there are no facilities. Nearby, Roses is home to a chance to tuck into paella, sangria and other local favourites.

A comfortable stroll or short drive from the town centre of Lloret de Mar beach town, Platja de Fenals is popular with families. It boasts golden sands and Blue Flag status. At around 700 metres long, this busy curve of sand is the second-largest beach in Lloret de Mar, so there’s always plenty of room.

The waters are clean and calm, making this an excellent spot for swimming, paddle boarding and snorkelling, and summer visitors can expect the full array of facilities like ice cream kiosks, sun loungers, toilets and showers. Nearby restaurants serve international dishes as well as local favourites like a Catalan sausage named botifarra and smoky strips of grilled vegetables called escalivada.

A short walk from the centre of Palamós town, scenic La Fosca beach sits in a sheltered cove backed by a pine-covered promontory and some handsome townhouses. The sheltered location and shallow, calm waters make this a popular spot with families, and it’s an easy, scenic drive of around 45 minutes from Girona.

The beach is divided in 2 by a jutting rock, with one side notable for its soft sand, while the other has a pebbly shore. There’s a good range of facilities such as sun loungers and public toilets. Stay the day or even longer to take in nearby sights such as the ancient settlement of Castell de La Fosca.