Resorts near Barcelona - any advice?

wm3010

I am considering a twin centre type holiday for myself and my husband in September with 5 days in Barcelona and then 5 days at a nearby resort to relax. We are not really into the stag/hen do locations with roast dinners and fish and chips on the corner, just want somewhere that has a few nice restaurants and bars and a nice beach where we can relax. The travel agent has said that any of Tossa De Mar, Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Santa Susanna, Pineda De Mar or Calella might be a possibility. Does anyone have any experience of these or is anyone able to suggest which might be the best?

Thanks in advance.

nicoc

Although it's not on your list I can highly recommend Sitges. It's not far at all from Barcelona, has tons of lovely beaches, some fab tapas bars and restaurants and a beautiful promenade to walk along. We got the train from Barcelona there - seem to think it was about 3 euros per person and about 20 mins.

It's a very laid back resort, not too many British tourists and I don't recall seeing anywhere promoting fish & chips/ roast dinners or full english breakfasts!

Let me know if you want anymore info.

Miss_J

Tossa de Mar is beautiful. We spent one of our best holidays here a few years ago.

Also a second for Sitges, I love the place. We visited it frequently a few years back when we were staying in Vilanova. Vilanova is also lovely, typically spanish, you won't find any British geared bars or restaurants here, but it is very quiet with the most gorgeous unspoilt beach.

This year we're heading to Calella because I've managed to bag a really cheap holiday. Hoping I enjoy it as much as the other places.

Raventec

I would also recommend Sitges even though I did not stay there myself.

My wife and I stayed in La Pineda, which was OK, with enough bars and restaurants to keep you interested, but not too busy like we found Salou was. What spoils La Pineda was despite having a lovely clean beach, it has a clear view across the bay of a working port and a petrochemical factory.

La Pineda was an excellent base for exploring however and we found it quick and easy to get into Barcelona as well as visiting Monserrat, Reus, Stiges, Tarragona amoung other places. The Gaudi Museum in Reus is well-worth a visit and the Roman ruins in Tarragona are excellent.
My daughter also went for a weekend in Sitges with friends and highly recommended it.

elisebutt65

You won't find this tiny resort in any travel agents, but a few years ago I rented an apartment from Homelidays.co.uk (.com?) in Casteldefells. Just 30 mins outside Barcelona and you can drive or get train from Sants. It is beeyootiful!! No English tourists at all as it is where the residents of central Spain go to get away from the stifling cities. The beach is wonderful with some restaurants leading straight onto the sand, some lovely heladerias (for ice cream) and good bars for just relaxing into the wee hours.

Tossa is great as well but everything shuts down at midnight due to their zoning laws and no noise allowed.

I found Sitges and Lloret just too touristy IYSWIM? But you can visit on the train or bus easily enough.

Just got back from Barcelona on Friday and it is heaving!!! Also bumped into Kobe Bryant(sp) on the beach before he flew into uk for Olympics. Lol.

joerugby

Sitges is a top quality resort with excellent restaurants and very nice beaches. There's a good choice of hotels.

We usually stay at the Melia which is very good indeed although there are many other, smaller and more romantic hotels.

Sitges is more upmarket than the resorts immediately to the north of Barcelona such as Tossa, Lloret and Blanes, and compared with Casteldefels. It's not cheap but you do get what you pay for. It's our favourite