Buying in Blanes: areas and advice

Blanes marks the start of the Costa Brava. It is here, at the Sa Palomera rock, that the wild coast officially begins. For many buyers from abroad, it is also the most convenient gateway: a real town, close to Barcelona and its airport, with a wider choice of properties than elsewhere on the coast. Here is what you need to know before buying there.

A town in its own right, all year round

With more than 42,000 inhabitants, Blanes is one of the largest towns on the Costa Brava. People live here twelve months a year: shops, markets, schools, a hospital, a port, community life. The famous international fireworks competition at the end of July, and the Marimurtra and Pinya de Rosa botanical gardens, are part of its identity.

For a buyer, Blanes has two advantages that are rare on the coast: a varied choice of property, from a flat in town to a villa on the hills, and easy access to Barcelona, including by train.

The areas to know

The centre and the port: flats within walking distance of the promenade, the shops and the fishing port. Convenient for living without a car, livelier in summer.
S'Abanell: the long sandy beach south of the centre, flat and family-friendly. Many developments with pools, popular for letting and for family stays.
The coves to the north, towards Lloret: around Sant Francesc and Santa Anna, houses and villas among the pines, with sea views. The most sought-after properties in Blanes.
The hillside developments: houses with gardens, more space for the same budget, but steep streets and a car is essential.

What to check before buying

Here are the checks we carry out every time for our clients in Blanes.

Low-lying areas: near the mouth of the Tordera and along the beach, check the area's exposure to flooding and storms on the official maps, and talk to your insurer about it.
The status of the development: on some older estates, the roads and utilities have not always been adopted by the town hall. This can mean maintenance costs falling on the owners.
Holiday lets: a property without a licence cannot be let by the week. Check the licence and the community of owners' rules, as explained in our article on letting your property.
The community of owners: many developments have a shared pool and gardens. The service charges and approved works weigh on your budget.
Access and parking: in the centre as on the hills, check where you will park and how steep the streets are, especially for a retirement plan.

What budget should you plan for?

Blanes is often more affordable than the central Costa Brava, around Begur or Calella de Palafrugell, with big differences between a flat in town and a villa near the coves. To work out your budget, use our method for setting a realistic budget and our article on prices on the Costa Brava, not forgetting the buying costs in Catalonia.

Getting there from the UK and Barcelona

Blanes is about an hour from Barcelona by car, and the R1 train line links the town to Barcelona in just under an hour and a half. Girona airport is about half an hour away and Barcelona airport about an hour, both with flights from the UK.

And the surrounding area?

Just to the north, Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar continue the coast, with very different atmospheres. Further up, Palamós offers another port town that is lively all year round. Our article which towns to choose on the Costa Brava covers all the main areas.

Is Blanes right for you?

You want a real town, lively all year round, close to Barcelona: Blanes is a very solid choice.
You want a family beach and a development with a pool: look at S'Abanell.
You dream of a house among the pines with a sea view: the coves to the north are worth a visit.

Either way, the right choice depends on how you will really use the property. That is what we clarify with you from the first conversation, before any viewing.