Costa Brava, located in the province of Girona, in the north of Catalonia, is mostly known for its stunning beaches, cliffs, medieval villages and gastronomy. We have an entire article where you can find information and what not to miss about the city of Girona. However, it is also home to a variety of stunning botanical gardens that you can’t miss, so this time it’s time to talk about those.
If you are looking for an oasis of tranquillity and natural beauty, Shuttle2Sun takes you from Barcelona airport or Girona airport to Blanes, Calella de Palafrugell or Lloret de Mar, to stroll among trees and wildlife. Here are the 4 best Botanical Gardens to visit the Costa Brava.
Marimurtra Botanical Garden
Located in Blanes, 60 kilometres north of Barcelona, there is Marimurtra Botanical Garden. This garden is one of the oldest in the area, founded in 1921 by the German Karl Faust. The origin of the name Marimurtra comes from the union of the first syllables of his wife’s surname and his own hometown, Murten.
Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the garden extends over an area of 16 hectares and contains more than 4.000 plant species from all over the world. Particularly noteworthy are its collections of cacti, succulents and palms. It also has a wide variety of trees and shrubs, many of them of great size and antiquity.
The garden is divided into three terraces, each with its own character and landscape style. From the upper terrace you can enjoy breathtaking views of Costa Brava.
In addition to its value as a natural and botanical space, it is a place of great historical and cultural interest. During the Spanish Civil War, the garden was used as a field hospital by the Republican troops, and remains of this period can still be seen in some corners of the grounds.
The opening hours are from Sunday to Friday from 10:00h to 15:00h and Saturdays from 10:00h to 17:00h, with an entrance fee of 8€. In addition, they also offer different corporate events, weddings, shootings and guided tours.
Pinya de Rosa Botanical Garden
Also located in Blanes, in the province of Girona, you can visit Pinya de Rosa Botanical Garden. It was created with the aim to show the diversity of plants that grow in hot and dry climates, in particular plants from Mediterranean regions.
This garden has an extensive collection of plants, including more than 7.000 different species of tropical, subtropical and coastal plants. The plants are distributed in different thematic zones, such as the Cactus Garden, the Palm Garden, the Mediterranean Plant Garden and the Tropical Plant Garden.
The garden also has a botanical museum where you can see tools and objects used by Karl Faust, also its creator, as well as an exhibition of photographs showing the history and evolution of the garden.
Pinya de Rosa Botanical Garden is a very popular place for tourists visiting Costa Brava, and is a must for plant and nature lovers. The entrance fee is 5€ and it can be visited from Monday to Friday from 10:00h to 17:00h and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00h to 15:00h.
Cap Roig Botanical Garden
If you are planning to visit the famous Calella de Palafrugell, about 50 kilometres from Girona, you cannot miss the Cap Roig Botanical Garden, as it is located very close to it. The garden was created in 1927 by Russian aristocrat Nicolai Woevodsky and his wife, opera singer Dorothy Webster. The aim of the garden was to create a botanical and landscape paradise on Costa Brava, and its name comes from the rocky promontory overlooking the coast on which the garden is located.
Cap Roig Botanical Garden has an extensive collection of Mediterranean and subtropical plants, including more than 1.000 different species of plants from all over the world. The plants are distributed in different thematic areas, such as the Mediterranean Garden, the Subtropical Garden, the Cactus Garden, the Aromatic Garden, among others.
In addition to its large collection of plants, the garden has a series of fountains, ponds, sculptures and other decorative elements that make the visit an unforgettable experience.
It is also popular for its music festival, Cap Roig Festival, which is held in its gardens during the summer months and attracts some of the best national and international artists such as Pablo Alborán, Dani Martín, Miki Núñez and Rigoberta Bandini.
Santa Clotilde Botanical Garden
Santa Clotilde Botanical Garden is a garden located in the town of Lloret de Mar, 45 minutes from Girona airport. The garden was designed by the architect and landscape architect Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí in 1919 and built between 1921 and 1924. The garden’s design is influenced by Catalan Modernisme and the Arts and Crafts movement, and features a wide variety of Mediterranean and subtropical plants and trees. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 10:00h to 20:00h and the entrance fee is 6€.
The garden is situated on a hill overlooking the sea, and is divided into different themed areas, such as the Palm Garden, the Cypress Garden, the Olive Garden, the Cactus Garden, among others. It also has a series of fountains, statues and sculptures that complement the natural beauty of the garden.
This space is known for its careful design, which combines the natural beauty of Costa Brava with architectural and decorative elements. In addition, its location on a hill with panoramic views of Costa Brava Sea makes it a perfect place to enjoy a day outdoors.
These gardens are emblematic locations that display some of the most spectacular monuments and landscapes of the Costa Brava. Remember that with Shuttle2Sun you can enjoy these magnificent botanical gardens without worries. We offer private transfer services or shared transfer services from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Girona airport, Reus airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
