It is that time of year when European hotspots start  getting warmer and filled with sunshine, which might be inticing you to get away from your daily commiments at home with a trip abroad.

You can get some pretty good deals at this time of year, but a travel lover insists that rather than travelling to the most popular spots, you should try a hidden gem.

Just a short train, taxi ride or less than an hour walk from the Spanish city of Barcelona lies a stunning place with picturesque views, beautiful walking spots, bright blue waters, fantastic beaches, and a bustling night life.

Content creator Mini Adventures insists that you travel to Blanes, known as the ‘Getaway to Costa Brava’. There is plenty to do for all ages in the town – every Monday morning there is a market that takes place by the sea, plenty of shops and highly recommended eateries from The Shack to Koh Pucket Restaurante Tailandes, as well as Restaurante Pizzeria Dolce Vista.

From the month of May the temperatures surpass 20 degrees and you can even go swimming.

For families, Marineland Catalyuna is a great activity spot. It is just 10 minutes from Blanes by car and you can watch dolphin and sea lion shows, and even have a meet and greet with some of the animals. And a must visit is the breathtaking Marimurtra Botanical Garden, priced at £8.37 for a ticket.

The Spanish resort may have a smaller entertainment area than most party hotspots in Europe, but there are plenty of cosy bars, atmospheric clubs and lively nightclubs are certainly not inferior to this. There are also wine and tapas tasting trips you can enjoy.

@miniadventures says it is a great idea to visit the spot for the day if you are already in Barcelona. She shared that you can get the R1 train from central Barcelona (I went from the Barcelona-Arc de Triomf station) to Blanes. “A one-way ticket should only cost €7 (£5.89),” she insisted.

“You can also walk 48 minutes and admire the beautiful views of the Spanish coastline along the way. Or if you would prefer, you can get a taxi or Uber for €12 (£10.09).”

“Don’t miss out on this gorgeous section of Spain’s Costa Brava!” @miniadventuresss added.

“Went there for a good five years and it was magical,” commented one. “My second home,” said another.

One other shared: “I want to go back to the botanical gardens, they were out of a fairytale.” “Wow, beautiful,” added one other.

One other suggested that this is a good time of year to go, and pointed out: “Deffos go when it’s not spring or summer because it gets busy and you can’t enjoy it’s beauty as much.”

“Spent many times out there in my youth,” shared another. One other commented: “Absolutely adding to our bucket list. Now we need to be proactive.”

To get to Blanes from the UK, you can fly to Barcelona from London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, or Edinburgh direct. Flights tend to be cheapest on a Tuesday and Thursday. Once there you can easily get to Blanes via coach, train, car or foot.

Have you visited Blanes? Comment below.