The Costa Brava begins at Blanes, and stretches north to Port Bou, on the French border.
Blanes is a proper town with a year-round population of over 20,000, including many Barcelona commuters. It is one of the only places on the Costa Brava accessible by rail. Aside from a stroll around the old town, the main attractions are the beautiful Mar i Murtra Botanical Gardens and the surprising Jardí de Pinya de Rosa. A kilometre of so after the entrance to the Marimurtra is the first of the Costa Brava’s delightful little calas or coves, the Cala de Sant Francesc, which has a friendly little chiringuito or snack bar. There is a heavy-duty fishing port where the fleet’s catch is Dutch-auctioned every afternoon on the quay. The Festa Major is held from 24th to 28th July and includes an important International Fireworks Competition.