Lloret de Mar Holidays

The resort of Lloret de Mar can be found just up the coast from Catalonia’s cosmopolitan capital, Barcelona. It used to be a bustling port along the Costa Brava, but these days the sailors have been replaced by sun-seeking holidaymakers. With some of the best beaches in north-east Spain, plus a load of lively clubs and bars, it’s easy to see why this place is so popular.

The heart of the town is a mash-up of old and new, where neon-lit bars and fast-food outlets share the narrow streets with Catalan and Gothic-style buildings. Take a short stroll from the bustling seafront promenade, and you’ll come across the brightly-coloured Church of Santa Roma. Up on the cliffs, the ruins of an ancient castle look down on it all.

A pair of beaches stretch two-and-a-half kilometres down the coastline, both with Blue Flag status. They’re a big hit with snorkellers and scuba divers, thanks to the glassy, fish-filled waters. Happy hours and daily specials pile up where the sand finishes, mainly following an English or American theme.

An hour’s bus ride will land you in Barcelona, where you can see Europe’s biggest football stadium, the Nou Camp. There’s plenty of history, too – you’ll find Gaudi’s towering basilica in the heart of the city, and a 14th-century cathedral in the Gothic quarter. In the evening things really liven up, and the bar scene is one of the best on the continent.