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Barcelona is one of the best places in the world to experience world-famous architecture, incredible cuisine, and beautiful beaches all in the same city!
There’s a beach in Barcelona to suit everyone, whether you are looking to try water sports, swim, or simply relax. And best of all, they are all within easy reach of the city. Here are 9 of the best beaches in Barcelona, plus a few that lie just beyond!
1. Bogatell — Poblenou
Beautiful Bogatell Beach is set between Mar Bella and Nova Icà ria and is a designated Blue Flag Beach, so you can expect the water here to be clean and great for swimming. The white sand beach at Bogatell was completely overhauled during the 1980s; facilities now include restrooms and showers.
There are kiosks and beach bars selling food, ice cream, and plenty of nearby restaurants if you’re in the mood for something more substantial. To find a quiet spot, walk further away from Frank Gehry’s giant Golden Fish statue, where crowds tend to gather.
There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained at Bogatell. Ping-pong tables and volleyball courts are available for use, there are kayaks for hire, and windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons are on offer.
Lifeguards dot the beach here, so it feels safe to swim even if you’re traveling solo. Bogatell attracts a slightly older crowd than some other beaches in Barcelona — the average age of beachgoers is 38 — which might be something that appeals to you (or not!).
Getting to Bogatell: Take bus V25, V27, V31, H16, 59 or Metro L4 (in the direction of Poblenou & Llacuna). Take the metro to Ciutadella Vila OlÃmpica or Bogatell, both on the yellow L4. The beach is around a ten-minute walk from both stations.
Amenities: Accessible bathrooms and showers, lifeguards, police station, information point, WiFi, volleyball court, workout area, ping pong tables, basketball court, beach football, playground, lockers, beverage vendors, and beach umbrella and lounge chair rental.
2. Barceloneta — Barceloneta
Barceloneta Beach is the most popular beach in Barcelona, and it’s easy to see why. This place is crowded, boisterous, and a great spot for people-watching. You’ll know when you’ve arrived at La Barceloneta; just look out for L’Estel Ferit (known to the locals as The Cubes), a huge sculpture at one end of the beach.
Barceloneta is a great spot for foodies, with some of the city’s finest tapas nearby. But if you’d rather stay in your shorts and flip-flops, you can grab some pretty sensational paella from one of the seaside huts.
Pro Tip: A word of warning: it’s easy to lose track of your things in the chaos at Barceloneta Beach, so keep a close eye on your valuables if you go for a swim or a bite to eat.
Getting to Barceloneta: It is very easy to get to Barceloneta, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular! From the waterside end of La Rambla, it’s just a 15-minute walk. If you’ve got a Bus TurÃstic ticket, use the Port OlÃmpic stop. Buses V17, V19, 47, 59, D20, and Metro L4 (Barceloneta & Ciutadella) all go to this beach, too.
Amenities: Bathrooms, accessible showers, lifeguards, beach volleyball, playground, lockers, beverage vendors, restaurants, information point, Barcelona WiFi, bicycle rental, and beach umbrella and lounge chair rental.
3. Somorrostro — Barceloneta
Somorrostro Beach is widely considered one of the prettiest beaches in Barcelona. Located between the Gas breakwater and the Moll de Marina pier, this high-end beach is positioned close to some of the city’s most luxurious shops and restaurants.
The fine sand beach is protected by a stone breakwater, making the waters gentle for swimming and very popular with families.
Somorrostro is a great beach for people with limited mobility because there are parking areas within easy reach of the beach, plus adapted toilets and wooden walkways. There are also wheelchair-adapted showers with chairs.
Getting to Somorrostro: Buses 36, V21, V27, and Metro L4 all go here. Or get tram T4 to Ciutadella Vila OlÃmpica, which is about a five-minute walk from the beach.
Amenities: Umbrella rentals, sun bed rentals, restaurants, showers, public toilets, lifeguard towers, chairs, children’s play area, free Wi-Fi, wheelchair-adapted toilets, and showers.
4. Nova Icà ria — La Plata
Another Blue Flag beach, Nova Icà ria, is popular with tourists and locals alike. It’s quieter than nearby Bogatell, but there’s no shortage of amenities and activities. Kids and teens will love the playground, ping pong tables, and volleyball courts. Nova Icà ria is accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Nova Icà ria offers plenty of choices for food and drink, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to spend the entire day at the beach.
There are kiosks and snack bars just off the beach serving up sweet treats, traditional Spanish dishes, cocktails, sangria, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you’ve got an appetite for a larger meal, nearby restaurants offer a fantastic range of global cuisines, from Asian to Mediterranean.
Getting to Nova Icà ria: Hop on bus V21, V23, V27, H16, 59, 136, Metro L4, or Tram T4 to Ciutadella Villa OlÃmpica, which is about a five-minute walk from the beach.
Amenities: Parking, accessible bathrooms and showers, water fountains, lifeguards, police station, information point, volleyball court, playground, lockers, Barcelona WiFi, vendors, and beach umbrella and lounge chair rental.
5. Mar Bella — Poblenou
Mar Bella translates as ‘beautiful sea’, and the sea here really does glimmer, offering the perfect place for a refreshing dip during the humid Catalan summers.
The beach area was revamped as part of the Olympic Games beautification project and has since been deemed good enough to receive a Blue Flag award. If you’re looking to avoid tan lines, this may be the place to come, as there is a ‘clothing optional’ section of the beach, separated by a man-made hill and screened from the road by well-placed rocks.
If you have kids with you, you might want to head to the other end of the beach, which is more child-friendly and has a playground and climbing frame. Mar Bella attracts a young and diverse crowd, including many locals from nearby Sant MartÃ.
Mar Bella also has one of the city’s best facilities for skate, scooter, BMX, and skateboard lovers. The bowls are floodlit and suitable for all ability levels, making it a great spot to hang out, even if it’s just to watch!
Getting to Mar Bella: Catch bus H16, V25, V27, V31, or Metro L4 to Selva de Mar or Poblenou. The beach is about a ten-minute walk from the stations.
Amenities: Parking, accessible bathrooms and showers, lifeguard, police station, information point, Barcelona WiFi, volleyball court, basketball court, playground, workout area, ping pong tables, skate park, lockers, beach library, beverage vendors, and beach umbrella and lounge chair rental, and clothing optional area.
6. Sant Sebastià — Ciutat Vella
At over 1,000 meters long, Sant Sebastià in Ciutat Vella is one of the longest beaches. It’s a little less crowded than some other beaches, but you must get here early to score a good spot in the high season. The southwest part of Sant Sebastià (at the foot of the W Hotel) offers a great view of the entire Barcelona coastline, making it a favorite spot among locals in the know.
Sant Sebastià is within easy walking distance from the town center, so it’s great if you want to head to a restaurant or cafe for lunch. There are also plenty of food vendors at the beach if you’d rather stay put.
This beach has a dedicated area for visitors in wheelchairs, complete with amphibious chairs and volunteer staff who help those with disabilities to enjoy a swim in the sea.
Getting to Sant Sebastià : Hop on Bus V15 or V19, or catch Metro L4 to Barceloneta.
Amenities: Bathrooms, accessible showers, police station, lifeguards, drink and ice cream vendors, information point, WiFi, and lounge chair, and beach umbrella rental.
7. Nova Mar Bella — Sant MartÃ
North of Mar Bella beach lies Nova Mar Bella, another Blue Flag Beach with pristine sand and water conditions. Nova Mar Bella stretches from Bac de Roda breakwater to the Selva de Mar breakwater and is often considered one of the most peaceful beaches in Barcelona. You’ll find lots of locals here, which we think has to be a good sign, and it’s a great choice for a quiet day on the sand.
Nova Mar Bella was rejuvenated as part of the 1992 Olympic Games and now has wooden walkways that cross the sand all the way to the sea, which is great for wheelchair accessibility. There are all the amenities you would expect here, including beach umbrellas and deck chairs for hire.
Getting to Nova Mar Bella: Take bus V27, V29, V31, or H16, or Metro L4 to Selva de Mar & El Maresme Fòrum.
Amenities: Accessible bathrooms and showers, lifeguard, police station, information point, volleyball court, ice cream and beverage vendors, and beach umbrella and lounge chair rental.
8. Llevant — Sant MartÃ
Llevant is one of Barcelona’s youngest beaches, having been created in 2006. Llevant isn’t the largest beach in the area but it is certainly one of the quietest. There is also a massive parking area so this is a great option if you prefer to drive rather than take public transport.
This may be the perfect place for those who like to include their pets on a day out. There is a 1,250-square-meter dog beach that’s fenced off from the main beach and provides drinking troughs, pet showers, and even ‘urban-dog urinals’! There’s space for as many as 60 dogs here and it’s open from 10.30 am to 9 pm during the summer months.
Look out for the pop-up beach bar Bambú, which appears at Llevant in the summer. This popular spot serves up coffees, cocktails, nachos, gyozas, and Catalunya pan con tomate (warm bread with squished ripe tomato, olive oil, and salt). The seats at the edge of the bar offer stunning sea views, so try to grab a table for sunset.
Getting to Llevant: Hop on bus H16, V29, V31, or Metro L4 to Selva de Mar and walk for about ten minutes until you hit the beach.
Amenities: Parking, accessible bathrooms and showers, police station, lifeguard, information point, WiFi, volleyball court, and beach umbrella and lounge chair rental. There are also two surf schools located at Llevant.
9. Zona de Banys del Fòrum — La Mina
Zona de Banys has the same gorgeous sunshine and sea as the other beaches in Barcelona, but is missing one obvious feature: the sand! If you aren’t a fan of the sand, head to Zona de Banys in La Mina, made of rocky outcrops and floats that effectively create a massive seawater pool and wakeboarding zone.
This unique Barcelona attraction is a great place to swim and sunbathe, but be sure to wear something on your feet because the pavement gets very hot in the sun!
Zona de Banys is open at weekends during June and the beginning of September and daily in July and August. There are lifeguards on site, as well as changing rooms and showers.
Getting to Zona de Banys: Buses B20, B23, H16, V29, V31, V33, and 136 all stop nearby, or Metro L4 to El Maresme Fòrum heads there, too.
Amenities: Parking, accessible bathrooms, and showers, lifeguard, waterski area, boat access, information point.
Beaches Just Outside Barcelona
Castelldefels
Looking for a Barcelona day trip? Castelldefels is a 20-minute tram ride 11 miles south of Barcelona and is one of Spain’s most beautiful beaches. There is a promenade for walking and biking, sailing and windsurfing schools, and a stunning sandy beach with umbrellas.
Ocata
Ocata is around 12 miles north of Barcelona and can be accessed by getting the R1 train from Plaça Catalunya. This flat stretch of golden sand is ideal for beach volleyball or just laying out and catching some rays. Fishing is also a common activity here. In the summer, there is a lively beach bar scene with DJs and a party atmosphere.
Sitges
Sitges is home to around 17 sandy beaches, all around 24 miles south of Barcelona. This LGBTQ-friendly area is a haven for beach lovers looking for a welcoming, inclusive spot.
The beaches closer to town tend to be busier and livelier, with more amenities, so head a little further out if you’re looking for peace and tranquility. While you’re here, check out the maze of idyllic cobbled streets in Sitges itself.
You can catch the train from Barcelona’s Sants or Passeig de Grà cia train stations; the journey takes 30 to 40 minutes, or you can drive in around the same time. Once you’re in Sitges, the paved promenade makes beach-hopping easy.
Soak Up the Sun in Barcelona
There are so many incredible beaches in and around Barcelona that it would be impossible to see them all in one trip! But rest assured, whether you’re looking to party or for total tranquillity, there’s guaranteed to be the perfect spot for you.
