Playa Cala de Sant Francesc

This is a popular family cove rather than a remote hideaway. Summer brings swimmers, snorkellers and people arriving for lunch or a few relaxed hours beside the water. The beach is small enough to feel sociable, and the central area can fill quickly during warm weekends.

The water often looks calm, but the seabed becomes deep relatively soon after entry. Families with young children should keep close watch, and all swimmers should follow flags and lifeguard instructions when services are operating. Rocky edges reward careful snorkelling in settled conditions, while the upper beach is better suited to visitors who simply want shade, food and an easy swim.

Cala Sant Francesc, also known as Cala Bona, is a compact cove about two kilometres north of central Blanes. Coarse golden sand lies between pine-covered slopes and rocky margins, while clear-looking water and a sheltered shape give the beach a more intimate character than the town's long urban strands.

Blanes is the natural anchor. Its fishing port, market streets and broad seafront sit south of the cove, while the town is widely regarded as the southern gateway to the Costa Brava. Sa Palomera marks the symbolic beginning of the rocky coast.

The Marimurtra Botanical Garden occupies the cliffs between the town and Sant Francesc. Its terraces, Mediterranean plants and sea viewpoints provide an excellent addition to a beach visit. The hill of Sant Joan also rises above Blanes and offers a wider perspective over harbour, beaches and coastline.

The cove is roughly 200 metres long and framed by wooded slopes, villas and granite outcrops. It is developed enough to provide convenient access and seasonal services, yet vegetation and rock still dominate the immediate view.

A coastal path links the area with neighbouring headlands and viewpoints. From the sand, the open horizon is narrower than at S'Abanell, creating a contained bay-like setting. Wind and swell can still enter, especially when weather approaches from the east.

Sant Francesc works best for visitors who want a manageable cove close to town, with attractive water, useful facilities and easy access to Blanes's gardens and coastal paths.