Three floors in a magnificent 19th-century “Indiano” house hold a small museum that is ideal for learning the storied history of Lloret de Mar.
Visit the Maritime Museum for its architecture and stay for the collection inside, full of model boats, family memorabilia and photographs. It was built in the late 19th century by the family of Enric Garriga i Mataró, who left Lloret de Mar for Cuba in search of fortune. The building is emblematic of the exuberant “Indiano” style that once proliferated throughout the region. Step inside for numerous exhibits on the long relationship between the town and the sea.
Start in the ancient world in the Children of the Sea exhibit, which looks at the region’s pre-modern origins of sailing, complete with models and explanations of early seafaring. Learn how to build a ship in Mare Nostrum, celebrating the region’s long tradition of shipbuilding, including ships that once crossed the Atlantic. Learn how to make a hull waterproof or how best to hang a sail.
In Sailing the World, follow the people of Lloret de Mar as they spread around the globe in search of riches. Look out the windows toward the water and imagine when it was crowded with ships coming from the Caribbean, perfuming the air with the smell of rum, cocoa and cigars. Admire the mahogany furnishings of the house, procured during those golden years.
Explore the recent history of the subsistence fishing and agriculture of Lloret de Mar after the tall ships years. Re-emerge into the booming days of tourism. People now flock to this small town in search of some of the world’s most beautiful beaches as well as historic sites.
The Maritime Museum is on the Passeig d’Agusti Font across the street from Lloret de Mar’s main beach. Walk here in 15 minutes from the city center or drive in 5 minutes. You may occasionally find parking in the area, but it’s best to park in the lots farther away and walk here.
The museum is open daily from morning to afternoon, then again in the evening, with slight variations depending on the time of year. Pay for tickets and ask for discounts for children and seniors.
