PINEDA de MAR
Area: Costa Brava
Country: Spain


Location:
In NE Spain, midway along Costa Brava, on the coast. 10 miles SW of Lloret de Mar. 37 miles NE of Barcelona. 34 miles S of Gerona, and 30 miles S of its airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Position:
On generally flat land between the sea and steep, wooded hills.

Description:
Quieter than the closest neighbouring towns and retaining more of its original character, Pineda de Mar has a more attractive residential district, an 11th-century church and a small fishing fleet, with fewer hotels, bars and restaurants right on the sea front. The railway line separates the village from the beach as elsewhere along this part of the coast. Pedestrian subways and crossings at fairly long intervals allow access to the beach, though the main access is via a level crossing by the station.

Suitability:
Middle-aged or mature visitors, plus families with young children seeking simplicity.

Accommodation:
Mainly adequate 3-star hotels.

Shopping:
Some good-quality local shops, particularly for food. Some fashion boutiques and artisan shops in the main tree-lined square 250 yards into the town from the beach.

Beach:
A long, broad beach of coarse sand with generally calm waters and plenty of space.

Entertainments:
Daytime: simple beach activities. Occasional windsurfing; glass-bottom boat trips. Walks and bicycle rides in the hills. Nightlife: very little except the typical music and dances organised by the hotels; one main popular disco on the sea front.

Eating:
Some middle-range restaurants offering fish and local specialities; less fast food.

Public-transport:
Tourist train (on the road) operates between the other resorts every 25 minutes. Most tourists use the normal train to get up and down the coast, with trains to Barcelona running every 30 minutes. Seven buses a day to Blanes, two or three to Barcelona. Six boats a day to Tossa de Mar via various coastal destinations.

Local-excursions:
See Lloret de Mar.