Spain is famous for its architecture and jamon, but travelers are also attracted to its beaches, and there are 579 of them in the country, many of them are marked with the “Blue Flag”. Only in Catalonia there are 10 beaches, 7 are marked with the “Blue Flag”. We have prepared for you an overview of the best beaches in Barcelona with photos and descriptions. We hope that the information will be useful and you will find the best place to relax.
General information
All the beaches on the map of Barcelona have several distinctive features:
- the beaches are municipal, so admission is free;
- the beach is landscaped, all beach infrastructure is available;
- there are souvenir shops, shops, cafes. Bars;
- it is not necessary to rent a chaise longue or umbrella, it is convenient to relax on a towel on the soft sand.
Many beaches are convenient for tourists — each one is reached by public transport. It is comfortable to walk barefoot along the shore — there is fine, soft sand under your feet. Rescuers are on duty everywhere, medical centers are working.
Important! There are more frequent cases of minor theft on the beaches, do not take large amounts of money, expensive things and jewelry with you.
San Sebastia
It is rightfully included in the list of the best beaches in Barcelona. Features:
- awarded the “Blue Flag” award-clean, well-groomed;
- the coastline is wide and long enough, so the beach can easily cope with a large flow of travelers;
- there are no annoying merchants, it is quiet and peaceful here;
- convenient location — there is another beautiful beach nearby — Barcelonetta, as well as the famous aquarium.
Useful to know! San Sebastia is not a nudist beach in Barcelona, but there is a separate area where you can sunbathe topless.
The infrastructure of the beach corresponds to its high status, perhaps some people will not like the lack of safes and will find the amount of entertainment insufficient.
The beach can be reached by bus V15, 39. From the stop you can walk a few minutes.
Sant Miguel
Located between the beaches of Barcelonetta and San Sebastia. By the way, Sant Miguel is also marked with the “Blue Flag”. What is remarkable about it:
- pure sand;
- gentle descent to the sea;
- on the way to the shore, vacationers admire the moored yachts;
- there is a standard set of entertainment and services, in addition to renting sun loungers and umbrellas, there are bicycle rentals, restaurants.
As for the disadvantages, first of all, it is a large number of tourists, noisy touts for massage.
A tip! Experienced travelers for holidays with children call Sant Miguel the best, because there is a smooth descent into the sea, equipped with a place for playing with sand.
The beach is accessible by public transport:
- metro — line 14, Barcelonetta station, then you will have to walk for about a quarter of an hour;
- bus V15, 39, the bus stop is nearby, you need to walk to the shore in just 5 minutes.
Bogatel Beach
The length of 700 meters, the beach is equipped according to the requirements of the most demanding tourist. The beach was reconstructed at the end of the last century, since then it has been considered one of the best in the Catalan capital.
Barcelona Bogatel Beach Features and Recommendations:
- daily cleaning service;
- there are fewer travelers than on other Catalan beaches;
- the sea is clear, and the beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for several years;
- adapted for the recreation of respectable travelers and small children, including people with disabilities.
Many people note that Bogatel is one of the few places in Barcelona where there are no annoying sellers, and massage parlors, where tourists are invited quite loudly and intrusively.
The descent to the sea is gentle, toilets are installed, there are fountains with drinking water. If you don’t like passive recreation on the beach, there are basketball baskets, a volleyball net, tennis tables, and a playground for kids.
Useful to know! Bogateli has the best Wi-Fi (compared to access points on other beaches), so you can post photos from your vacation on Instagram right on the beach.
The beach can be reached by metro line 14 to Llacuna Station or by H16 bus to Pg Calvell — Rambla Del Poblenou. In the first case, you will have to walk for a quarter of an hour, and in the second-7 minutes.
Beach equipment rental from 8 € to 10 €.
Nova Mar Bella
It should be immediately clarified that in the capital of Catalonia there are two beaches with almost identical names-Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella. So, Mar Bella is the only official nudist beach in the resort. Topless tourists on the beaches of Barcelona are almost impossible to see, only on Mar Bella, in the specially designated areas of San Sebastia and Bearselonetta. Otherwise, it is a wonderful place for beach relaxation.
Nova Mar Bella is located far from the center of Barcelona, recognized as one of the best in the resort.
Features:
- immaculate cleanliness is awarded the “Blue Flag”;
- most vacationers — locals, guests of Barcelona, often do not reach here;
- on the shore there are bars, cafes, prices are lower than on the central beaches;
- toilets, showers, changing rooms, a medical center are available for general use, rescuers and the police are working;
- Available entertainment options include a volleyball court, diving, and playgrounds for children.
The descent to the sea is smooth and clean — there are no rocks. There are sellers and massage therapists, of course, but they are looked after by the police, so they are not as annoying as on other beaches.
Important! The only significant drawback is that there is no Wi-fi on the shore.
Road to the beach-metro, line 14, Selva De Mar station (walk about 20 minutes) or bus H16, V27, Pg Taulat stop (walk about 10 minutes). Free parking is available near the beach.
Somorrostro Beach
As a rule, many travelers traditionally relax on Barcelonetta beach, however, not everyone considers a noisy and crowded place to be the best. Lovers of a more relaxed environment can move to the nearby Somorrostro beach. Advantages:
- there are not so many tourists;
- the coastline is well maintained and clean;
- beach in the center of Barcelona, close to public transport.
In addition to the traditional set of activities on the beach, there is a library, as well as a surf school invites everyone. In addition, there is an information center where you can buy an exciting tour, but the Wi-fi is not strong enough.
Important! The best night clubs are built along the coast, which explains the large number of young people here.
The beach is reached by metro-line L4, the road to the shore takes 12 minutes, as well as buses 59, D20, then you will have to walk only a few minutes.
Levant
The beach is mostly urban, many people think it is homely and cozy. Since the Levant is located far from the city center, so few tourists come here. Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of people here.
- The beach is clean, the sand and water are regularly cleaned.
- There are a lot of people, so it is difficult to find a free corner.
- A separate area is provided for guests with pets.
- There are practically no sellers and touts for massage.
Guests also note the excellent landscaping of the coast, Wi-fi is available, in addition.
Important! The entrance to the sea is quite sharp, there are stones at the bottom.
Road to the beach:
- metro – line L4, you will have to walk about a quarter of an hour to the shore;
- buses H16 (Diagonal Mar stop) or T4 (El Maresme stop), both in the first and second case, you need to walk to the coast in 10 minutes.
There is a parking lot nearby, but after lunch, as a rule, there is no free space.
Nova Ikaria
Nova Ikaria has a Blue Flag award, but the water here is often dirty, as there is a port nearby. Most of the garbage accumulates near the pier, however, there are a lot of people here.
The beach is full, however, there are no changing rooms, and merchants scurrying along the shore complete the picture.
Travelers with children like to spend time on Novaya Ikaria, which is facilitated by a smooth approach to the sea, a clean beach, the presence of children’s attractions and animators. A volleyball court and tennis tables have been built for adults. However, experienced tourists recommend choosing a beach near Barcelona, not in the city, for a holiday with young children.
The way to the beach is by metro, line L4, from the station you need to walk a quarter of an hour, but it is better to go by bus 59 or H16, stop Av Icària-Av Bogatell, the beach is nearby-only 5 minutes on foot.
Barcelonetta Beach
Barcelona’s oldest and most crowded beach. When the reconstruction of the embankment was carried out, the Barcelonetta was also updated. Now it is a safe, clean place, one of the best in Barcelona, where a full range of tourist services is provided. Young people often come here to relax, there is a special zone where nudists sunbathe.
Useful to know! The beach can be reached via the yellow metro line.
Barcelonetta is located on the coast of the eponymous district of Barcelona, near Sant Miguel, also within walking distance is one of the main tourist avenues of the capital of Catalonia — the Ramblas. Its length is about 500 m, the beach is perfectly equipped for many hours of relaxation. There are beach and sports equipment rental centers. The beach is regularly cleaned, so the fine sand is pleasant to walk on. The entrance to the sea is gentle, playgrounds are installed. Adults can play volleyball, table tennis, soccer, and roller skating. In the evening, youth parties, discos, colorful performances are held. Restaurants on the beach offer a decent selection of seafood dishes.
Despite the well-groomed, developed infrastructure, experienced tourists who have visited other beaches of the Catalan capital, the question-where is the best in Barcelona? – they don’t always call you Barcelonetta. First of all, because of the crowd and noise.
Useful to know! Barcelona’s Barcelonetta beach can be found near Sant Miguel and Somorrostro.
The route to the beach is by metro, line 4, bus or tram.
The Costa Brava
Just imagine, just a century ago this picturesque place was admired only by local fishermen, but today the Costa Brava is a luxury resort where many tourists flock.
A tip! The best time to visit the beaches near Barcelona on the Costa Brava is from mid-June until the end of October.
Of course, Barcelona is prestigious, but if you are more interested in peace and quiet, walking, you will certainly enjoy the beaches of the Costa Brava. Now read more about each of them.
From Santa Susanna to Blanes
This is the best and favorite resort place for respectable European tourists and pensioners. During high season, the resort is crowded, as it is close to Barcelona. There are no problems with infrastructure and entertainment (including night entertainment), but with silence and romance — there is.
A tip! The most popular beaches are Pineda de Mar and Calela de la Costa.
Lloret de Mar
This part of the resort is surrounded by mountains and pine trees. A few practical recommendations:
- picturesque, secluded places-at the edge of the beach, on the border with Tossa de Mar;
- budget housing can be found in neighboring villages.
Lloret de Mar has an excellent infrastructure, and many mountain walking tours start from this resort town.
Lloret de Mar: Ultimate Costa Brava Resort for Sun and Fun
Tossa de Mar
This is where the best beaches near Barcelona are located. Here is a clean beach, elite restaurants, hotels, and especially the resort is decorated with an ancient fortress that has survived to this day. In the vicinity of the town there are many bays, dense vegetation. Since all the benefits of civilization end in Tossa de Mar, it is sparsely populated.
Useful to know! The highest prices for housing in August. Some tourists, wanting to save on accommodation, settle in campsites, tents.
Sao Felu and Palamos
This is a huge beach that unites several small towns. A chain of hotels has been built on the shore with a view of the sea surface. The embankment resembles the embankment in the capital of Catalonia. The resort is designed exclusively for beach relaxation, there is not much vegetation here, since most of the territory is occupied by buildings.
Lafranc
This is an old fishing village, where white houses under red tile roofs are still preserved, galleries of arches approach the shore, which makes the resort visually similar to Italian and Greek settlements.
The beach is beautiful — with fine, soft sand, clear water. Just outside the town begins a pine forest, picturesque hills rise.
Tamariu
Previously, the tiny village turned into a fashionable resort, located in a thicket of pine trees. The beach is located in a small bay, where the amazing nature is still preserved, since the civilization here is represented only by small hotels.
Estartit
This place on the Costa Brava combines beach relaxation, walks in the pine forest, as well as the best opportunities for diving in the sea.
Important! In the forest, tourists are advised to stick to specially marked trails and not go deep into the thicket.
Tourist spots include the Torroella de Montri fortress, located on a hilltop, and the Montgri mountain range.
Kadakes
The most remote town from Barcelona, notable for the fact that it is home to the Salvador Dali House Museum. However, from the point of view of beach relaxation, the place where the master was born and created is not attractive in any way, since it is located in a remote bay. But Kadakes is located in a picturesque bay, it is a beautiful town with white houses and an old church. To get to Cadaques, you need to take the train to Figueres, and then change to a bus.
Costa Dorada
The Costa Dorada is located in the north-east of Spain. Namely, in the province of Tarragona. The coastline is 200 km long. In translation, the name means-the Golden Coast.
Interesting fact! The resort has a good geographical location, as it is protected from cyclones and strong winds.
A trip to the Costa Dorada guarantees tourists not only an excellent beach relaxation, but also an unforgettable experience of sightseeing programs, rich nightlife and exquisite taste of local wines.
There are several well-known Spanish amusement parks, a water park and a zoo on the coast. In terms of entertainment, there are excellent diving spots, as there are sunken ships, planes and picturesque reefs at the bottom.
Tarragona
The administrative center of the region on the Mediterranean coast with a rich history and architectural heritage of the Roman Empire, well-developed infrastructure.
La Pineda
The lively resort town is known for its many activities, including a water park and a disco.
Salou
A modern resort that today is considered the pride of the entire Costa Dorada. Here tourists will find wide comfortable beaches, palm tree alleys decorated with fountains, well-developed infrastructure (more than a hundred hotels, shops, restaurants, go-karting center, supermarkets and parks).
A tip! Young people choose to stay in the part of Salou that is closer to Cambrils, while families and pensioners prefer to stay near La Pineda.
Top Beaches of Salou: How to Choose Your Ideal Seaside Location
Also on the Costa Dorada, near Barcelona, there are such resorts:
- Cambrils is a modern resort with all tourist amenities;
- Miami Playa is a fashionable town with 12 km of beaches, surrounded by coniferous forests;
- Ospitalet del Infante is a leisurely, peaceful town surrounded by picturesque coves and bays, with a yachting club;
- L’amella de Mar is a typical fishing town where tourism is actively developing, the coastline is about 14 km long, and a gastronomic festival is held annually;
- La Ampolla is an old town, located next to a protected area, the resort is famous for its beautiful beaches and restaurants serving a rich selection of seafood dishes.
We took a trip to the best beaches in Barcelona and the surrounding area. Each of them deserves attention. Discover the beaches of Barcelona and get the most out of your trip.
