Marimurtra Botanical Garden Entry Ticket Blanes

The Marimurtra Botanical Garden

Marimurtra, whose name means sea and myrtle in Catalan, was created in the 1920s by a German-born businessman and naturalist who settled in Blanes and dreamed of a garden where young scientists could study plants from around the world. Built on terraces over the cliffs, it combines a scientific collection with stone stairways, fountains and balustrades, and it is now protected as a Cultural Asset of National Interest. A foundation still runs it today, and every visit helps fund its conservation work.

Is the Marimurtra Botanical Garden worth visiting? For many travellers it is the most beautiful stop on the southern Costa Brava, because the plants, the architecture and the sea come together in every view. Allow about two hours to see the main areas without rushing, and more if you love photography or botany.

Themed gardens from five continents

The garden is arranged by climate and origin, so a short walk takes you across very different landscapes. In the subtropical zone you find palms, cycads and giant aloes; in the arid garden of the Americas, cacti and agaves rise from dry, rocky beds; while an Australian corner and a shady jungle pergola covered in climbers bring a completely different mood. A bamboo grove, sometimes called the musical forest, creaks and whispers in the sea breeze.

Signs in several languages name the plants and their origins, so even a self-guided visit becomes a small lesson in botany. Spring brings flowering aloes, bulbs and blossoming trees, while summer and autumn are lush and green. The best time to visit Marimurtra is a sunny morning, when the light is soft and the paths are quiet.

The clifftop temple and the sea views

The most photographed spot in the garden is a small classical temple of white columns standing on a rocky ledge high above the Mediterranean. From here the view sweeps down to the turquoise cove of Sa Forcanera and along the coast towards Lloret de Mar, framed by pines and agaves. A long stone stairway descends through the garden towards the water, offering new angles at every turn.

Take your time on the benches near the viewpoint, as this is the moment many visitors remember most. The terrain includes slopes and steps, so comfortable shoes are a must. On clear days the sea changes colour from deep blue to green beneath the cliffs, and in the late morning sunlight the temple stands out sharply against the water.

Blanes, gateway to the Costa Brava

Blanes is the first town of the Costa Brava coming from Barcelona, and the rocky islet of Sa Palomera in front of its beach marks the official start of this famous coastline. The town has a lively harbour, a long seafront promenade and a fishing tradition that still shapes its daily life. The garden sits on the hill east of the harbour, about 20 minutes on foot from the centre or a short taxi or local bus ride.

If you are wondering how to get to Blanes, regional trains and buses from Barcelona take about an hour and a half, making it one of the easiest gardens near Barcelona for a Costa Brava day trip. Combine your Marimurtra tickets with lunch by the harbour and a stroll along the promenade to Sa Palomera for a relaxed, rewarding day.