Best beaches on the Costa Brava, Spain: Platja de Llafranc, Llafranc
Llafranc resort is a tad more cosmopolitan than rivals Tamariu and Calella de Palafrugell. So you might want to wear your most fetching bikini on its beach – a 1,000-feet tranche of golden, coral sand with invitingly clear, green waters, and a marina at one end with a mix of glam yachts, weekend dinghies and a few fishing boats.
Chiefly those Catalans again – elderly ladies take in the rays on the beach first thing; families arrive later. English voices detected are likely to have Home Counties accents.
What is there to do?
The beach gets pretty packed in peak summer, with limited space for anything but sunbathing and swimming. At the marina, boat excursions along the coast are on offer, and there are self-drive vessels for hire. If feeling very energetic, walk the path from Llafranc up to the cliff top Sant Sebastia lighthouse (great views, and a café/restaurant).
Bars and bites
On the square behind the beach, La Croissanteria de Llafranc does good sandwiches and salads. For a full meal, book a table at Casamar (00 34 972 30 01 04), a stylish little restaurant serving creative, light dishes – it is up a long flight of steps from the beach's southern end. For drinks, head for the Hotel Llafranc's bar, across the street behind the beach: it's where anyone who's anyone – Salvador Dali, Kirk Douglas, Rafa Nadal – is, or has been, seen.
Getting there
Llafranc is just along the coast from Calella de Palafrugell.
Barcelona and the Highlights of Catalonia
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