The town of Llafranc, situated on the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain, is an idyllic holiday destination. It’s a coastal village with a stunningly beautiful shoreline, perfect for beach-lovers, and surrounded the natural beauty. With its range of accommodation, restaurants and activities, Llafranc has something to offer everyone.
A view of Llafranc. Photo by Manuel Torres Garcia.
Llafranc has a long and fascinating history; it was first settled in the stone age and under the Romans thrived until the 4th century AD thanks to wine and pottery. Nearby is the Iberian settlement of Sant Sebastià de la Guarda and the ruins of a number of Roman villas have been excavated. The promontory also has a 15th century watchtower perched high on the promontory of Sant Sebastià with a 19th century lighthouse nearby. There is also a hermitage and religious shrine.
The area first became popular with local tourists in the 1920s, when it began to attract those looking for a peaceful and picturesque seaside town. It was also then that Russian colonel Nicolai Woevodsky and his aristocrat English wife, Dorothy Webster, left London for nearby Cap Roig. They enjoyed architecture, drawing and gardening and so decided to build a castle within botanical gardens full of plant species from around the world suited to the local climate.
Foreign tourists began arriving in the 1940s and for a while Llafranc was one of the Costa Brava’s go-to destinations for the Hollywood set. Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas, and Sophia Loren all stayed at Hotel Llafranch as did Salvador Dalí. Earnest Hemmingway also spent time in the town.
Tom Sharpe, author of satirical novels such as Riotous Assembly, Wilt and Blot on the Landscape spent time in the town after visiting it during a book tour in the 1980s. Splitting his time between Cambridge and Llafranc, he and his wife would stay at Hotel Llevant, where he became a familiar face in the bar. In 1995 he bought a large villa which he owned until his death there in 2013.
Today, the town is a popular spot for holidaymakers from around the world, looking to experience its stunning scenery, high-quality restaurants and cultural events.
Accommodation-wise, Llafranc has something to suit all budgets and tastes. For those looking for a luxury stay, there are a number of luxury villas and boutique hotels, while for those looking for something more affordable, there are a range of apartments and family-run hotels.
Llafranc is also an excellent spot for water sports enthusiasts and has a small sheltered harbour. From kayaking and sailing to scuba diving and snorkelling, there’s something to suit everyone. The town also has a range of restaurants serving up delicious Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a number of bars and cafes for those looking for a bit of nightlife.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or a more active one, Llafranc is the perfect destination for holidaymakers looking for a little bit of everything.
Beaches
One of the main attractions of Llafranc is its stunning sandy beach that stretches for around 300 metres. The beach is approximately 25 meters wide and is situated in the heart of the town, making it easily accessible to visitors. Although it is quite busy during peak season it can be relatively quiet during the off-season.
It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Costa Brava, and it’s a perfect place for swimming and sunbathing. The beach has a wide promenade that runs along it, which is great for walking and enjoying the views of the sea and the town. There are also several beachside restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a bite to eat while taking in the views. In addition, the beach is equipped with showers, toilets, and lifeguard service, making it a safe and comfortable place to spend a day.
The beaches of Calella de Palafrugell are also nearby but if you have a car there are numerous coves and beaches to explore along this stretch of coastline.
Where to stay
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Llafranc, there are plenty of accommodation options available. Most holiday accommodation is in the form of rental properties, but there are a number of hotels and camping facilities.
Hotel Llafranch (Plaça del Promontori, 2) is a great option, offering a range of rooms with private balconies and terraces, as well as an onsite restaurant. The Hotel BlauMar Llafranc (Carrer de Farena, 36) boasts stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, and offers a range of luxury rooms and suites. View more hotels in Llafranc here. Alternatively, there are plenty of self-catering apartments and villas and cottages to choose from.
If you’re looking for a camping experience, Llafranc has a moderately sized but well-equipped campsite, Camping Kim’s (Avinguda del Mar, KM 2). It that doesn’t suit you then there are a number of other campsites within the municipality of Palafrugell. You’ll find a range of pitches and amenities, including toilet and shower blocks, swimming pools and communal areas.
Eating in and eating out
Llafranc offers a range of restaurants to choose from, with something to suit every palate. For a classic Catalan experience, head to the unpretentious Restaurant León where you can eat typical seafood dishes such as suquet. Foodies will want to head to the Michelin-starred Restaurant Casamar or elsewhere you can find establishments serving pizza and pasta.
For a more casual dining experience there are plenty of bars and cafes to choose from offering excellent tapas to go with a beer or glass of wine. Just outside of Llafranc, you’ll find the nearby towns of Calella de Palafrugell and Palafrugell, both of which offer a variety of restaurants and cafes to choose from.
For those looking for self catering options, there are a few local supermarkets and in the summer months Spar, as well as greengrocers selling fresh fruit and veg. In addition, there is a variety of butchers, fishmongers and bakeries, providing all the necessary ingredients for a great meal. For those looking for imported products and speciality items, the larger nearby town of Palafrugell is the best option. Here you will find larger supermarkets with a wider selection of items.
What to see and do
It’s certainly true that with its stunning views, soft golden sand and crystal clear waters, Llafranc Beach is the perfect spot to spend a day relaxing in the sun. But if you’re feeling more energetic and want to explore the area a bit you’ll find there’s plenty to do both in town and the surroundings.
By car it’s relatively easy to explore other beaches and coves both nearby and further afield such as day trips to Girona, Figueres, Barcelona or Cadaqués. But if you like to explore on foot then the the stunning coastal cliffs that overlook Llafranc offer some of the most spectacular views in the area. Take a hike along the jagged coastline and enjoy the stunning scenery.
The town has a marina located just a short walk away from the beach. There you’ll find an array of services and activities including boat tours and boat rental. Tour boats will take you up the Llafranc coastline and get close to the cliffs and caves. You’ll enjoy the stunning views of the coastline and maybe even spot dolphins.
The spectacular Cova d’en Gispert – Gispert Cave – is the longest sea cave on the Costa Brava and can be accessed by kayak from Aiguablava or Aiguaxelida. The cave stretches for almost 150m, with two distinct sections: la Galeria and the Sala Final, which has a small rocky island known as the Taula or table.
The cave’s acoustics were so impressive that in the 1960s Salvador Dalí organized a private concert in the Sala Final. An event is also organized in mid-August called “Waking up to the sun in the Cova d’en Gispert” which is a pre-dawn kayak expedition that offers the chance to witness the start of the day from within the cave.
And of course you can take advantage of the perfect sailing conditions in Llafranc and explore the area for yourself by boat. Rent a rib, a speedboat or sailing boat or take a sailing class to explore these waters. The waters of Llafranc offer some of the best fishing in the region so you might like to charter a boat and spend the day fishing and exploring the coastline.
If you’re interested in what’s below the surface then the clear waters of Llafranc are perfect for diving and snorkelling. Explore the depths of the Mediterranean and discover the vibrant sea life that inhabits the area. There are a couple of dive centres in the town offering classes and daily excursions in the summer.
Back on dry land, make sure you don’t miss the Sant Sebastià lighthouse: Built in the mid-nineteenth century, the lighthouse stands watch over the town, offering stunning views of the coastline. Climb to the top and take in the views of the Mediterranean. Next to the lighthouse is an Iberian settlement dating from the 5th century BC, a hermitage and a 16th century tower used to watch out for pirates.
Located just outside of Llafranc, the Cap Roig Gardens offer a stunning array of plants and flowers. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens and take in the beauty of the Mediterranean.
Created in the 1920s by the Russian colonel Nicolai Woevodsky and his wife, these botanical gardens have a unique combination of Mediterranean and exotic plants and feature a variety of pathways, terraces, ponds and sculptures as well as an amphitheatre. The gardens have been maintained and enhanced by the Jardins de Cap Roig Foundation since 1998. The Cap Roig gardens are a popular tourist attraction and have been sometimes used as a backdrop for films and music videos.
It is here every summer that one of the most popular music festivals in the region, the Cap Roig Festival is held. Enjoy a variety of music and performances, as well as food and drinks from local vendors.
After a day exploring the town and its surroundings you’ll need to recharge and Llafranc is known for its delicious seafood dishes. Visit one of the local restaurants and try the fresh seafood, paired with some of the local wines.
How to get to Llafranc
Llafranc is easily accessible from the French border. Simply follow the AP7 south until you reach the junction 5 for the GI-623 exit. Follow the GI-623 for approximately 13km, then turn right onto the C-31 for 31km and then the GIV-6591 until you reach Llafranc.
From Barcelona, take the AP7 until junction 9A and onto the C-35 in the direction of Tossa de Mar, Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Platja d’Aro. Continue past these towns until the road becomes the C-31. After around 30km turn off at exit 331 toward Platges/Mont-Ras/Palafrugell Sud and follow signs to Llafranc.
If travelling by public transport, the nearest airports are Barcelona and Girona. From Barcelona Airport T1 take the bus direct to Palafrugell bus station. During the holiday season you can use the local bus service to complete your journey to Llafranc, otherwise use a taxi from the bus station.
