A Hidden Garden Above the Sea

Just a short walk from Fenals Beach, perched on a clifftop overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, the Jardines de Santa Clotilde (Santa Clotilde Gardens) feel like stepping into a fairytale. These stunning botanical gardens are one of Lloret de Mar's best-kept secrets — and one of the most rewarding family outings you can do without ever getting in a car.

With shaded walkways, dramatic sea views, sculptures to spot, and wide open lawns where kids can run freely, it's the kind of place that keeps both parents and children happy. And at just a 15-minute stroll from our penthouse in Fenals, it couldn't be easier to visit.

A Little History (That Even Kids Find Interesting)

The gardens were commissioned in 1919 by the Marquis of Roviralta, who wanted to create an Italian Renaissance-style garden on the Costa Brava cliffs. Designed by landscape architect Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí — the same mind behind Barcelona's Montjuïc gardens — they took over a decade to complete.

What makes the story fun for children? The Marquis built these gardens as a gift inspired by love and beauty, and filled them with mythological statues. Kids love spotting the mermaid sculptures, the stone fish fountains, and the hidden staircases that wind through the cypress trees. It feels like exploring a secret world.

What to Expect During Your Visit

The Layout

The gardens are terraced across several levels, descending from the entrance down towards the cliff edge. Wide gravel paths connect the different areas, with stone staircases linking the levels. The paths are pushchair-friendly on the main routes, though some of the narrower stairways are better navigated on foot.

The whole garden can be explored comfortably in 60 to 90 minutes, which is just about perfect for families with young children — long enough to feel like a proper outing, short enough to avoid meltdowns.

The Views

The real showstopper is the panoramic view from the main terrace. You'll look straight out over the deep blue Mediterranean, with the cliffs of Fenals stretching to your left and Lloret's coastline to your right. It's genuinely one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the entire Costa Brava.

Pro tip: Time your visit for late afternoon (after 5pm in summer). The light is golden, the crowds thin out, and the temperature drops to a comfortable level. It's also a stunning spot for family photos.

Sculptures and Fountains

Throughout the gardens you'll find neoclassical statues, fountains, and ornamental ponds. Children particularly enjoy:

• The Mermaid Statues — two bronze mermaids sitting at the edge of the main terrace, gazing out to sea. Kids love posing next to them.
• The Stone Fish Fountain — a playful fountain in the lower garden that fascinates younger children.
• The Cypress Avenues — towering Italian cypress trees line the paths like green columns, creating a dramatic effect that feels like walking through a giant's garden.

Flora and Wildlife

The gardens feature over 80 plant species from around the Mediterranean. In spring and early summer, the bougainvillea, jasmine, and wisteria are in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance. Year-round, the evergreen cypresses, pines, and laurels keep the gardens lush and shady.

Keep an eye out for butterflies, lizards basking on warm stones, and the occasional colourful hoopoe bird — kids will enjoy a mini nature safari as you walk through.

Practical Details for Families

Getting There

From our Fenals penthouse, the gardens are approximately a 15-minute walk along the seafront promenade. Head south along Fenals Beach, continue past the small cove, and you'll see the garden entrance signposted on your left. No car needed.

Opening Hours

• April to October: 10:00 — 20:00 (last entry at 19:30)
• November to March: 10:00 — 17:00

Hours can vary slightly by season, so it's worth checking at the Lloret de Mar tourist office or online before you go.

Admission

• Adults: approximately 6 EUR
• Children (6-12): approximately 3 EUR
• Under 6: free
• Family discounts are sometimes available — ask at the ticket office.

Prices are subject to change, so check current rates when you visit.

Facilities

• There are no cafes or shops inside the gardens, so bring water and snacks, especially on warm days.
• Clean public toilets are available near the entrance.
• The gardens are partially accessible for pushchairs on the main paths, but some terraced areas require stairs.

Pro tip: Pack a small picnic and enjoy it on one of the shaded benches overlooking the sea. It's one of the most scenic lunch spots in Lloret de Mar — and it's free once you're inside.

Making the Most of Your Visit with Kids

For Toddlers (Under 4)

The wide gravel paths on the upper levels are perfect for little ones learning to walk and explore. The open lawns near the entrance give them space to toddle around safely. Bring a carrier for the steeper staircases.

For Kids 4-8

Turn the visit into a treasure hunt: challenge them to find all the sculptures, count the fountains, spot three different types of butterfly, and find the best view of the sea. The mythological statues spark wonderful imaginative play — "Who is that mermaid? Where is she swimming to?"

For Kids 8-12

Older children appreciate the dramatic clifftop setting and enjoy the independence of exploring the winding paths. Give them a camera (or your phone) and challenge them to take the best photo of the day. The mixture of history, architecture, and nature makes it a surprisingly engaging visit for pre-teens.

Combine It with a Beach Day

One of the best things about Santa Clotilde Gardens is their location right between Fenals Beach and Sa Boadella Beach (a beautiful, quieter cove just below the gardens). A perfect family day looks like this:

1. Morning: Beach time at Fenals — swimming, sandcastles, and ice cream
2. Early afternoon: Escape the midday heat with a visit to the shaded gardens
3. Late afternoon: Walk down to Sa Boadella for a quieter swim as the day cools
4. Evening: Stroll back to the penthouse along the promenade, stop for dinner at one of Fenals' family restaurants

It's the kind of unhurried, sun-drenched day that Costa Brava family holidays are made of.

Why We Love It

Santa Clotilde Gardens is one of those rare places that genuinely works for every age. Toddlers love the open spaces and fountains. School-age kids enjoy the treasure-hunt atmosphere. Teenagers appreciate the Instagram-worthy views. And parents? You get to wander through one of Spain's most beautiful gardens while your children are actually entertained.

It's also wonderfully uncrowded compared to the beaches, especially on weekday afternoons. If you're looking for a peaceful, beautiful activity that doesn't involve sand in your sandwiches, this is it.

After a morning exploring the gardens, there's nothing better than heading back to your family penthouse in Fenals for a cool shower, a siesta on the terrace, and planning tomorrow's adventure. The gardens are just one of the many reasons Fenals is the perfect base for a Costa Brava family holiday.