Barcelona Beaches

As you head further along the southern coastline from Barcelona the beaches become less crowded with El Garraf which has good facilities and Sitges is a popular gay resort which is only half an hour away and has 10 beaches (2 nudist) complete with ice-cream parlours, sun-loungers and jet-skis. The parking facilities are good here as long as you arrive early. Just along the coast is the lesser-known Vilanova which is family beach favoured by locals with a great park right next to the beach.

To the north the coastal highway is not so straightforward and it is best to keep going past the beaches of Badalona and Mongat until the electricity plants of Fecsa at San Adria are out of sight. Ocata which is just after Masnou has clear waters and an enormous stretch of golden sand surrounded by palm trees and with climbing frames for the children and clear seas dotted with trees and climbing-frames for children.

There are lots of wonderful beaches within 90 minutes which are only accessible by car with picturesque Tossa de Mar with its old castle on the hill overlooking the bay and San Feliu de Guixols with its working fishing port and the Platja d'Aro is one of the six best beaches in Spain. Worth a final mentions is Sa Conca which is a beautiful cove with pine trees tumbling down rocky slopes on to the sandy shore.

Barceloneta Beach and the Sant Sebastia Beach are over 1,100 metres in length and one of the biggest stretched of sand in Barcelona. It is also one of the oldest beach in the city and because it is close to the metro and a number of bus routes can be easily reached by public transport.

Because of its size it offers a number of leisure activities including volleyball courts, a table soccer area in front of the Hospital del Mar and a children's play area beside the Gas breakwater where there is also table tennis and a gym area. The Barceloneta beach also has a skating area.

Nova Icaria is a wide sandy beach which is closest to the Olympic marina and therefore always crowded. Since the massive clean up of the beach and nearby Olympic marina and village which was built for the 1992 Olympics this area has become a magnet for Barcelonans and visitors. A lot of effort goes into maintaining the cleanliness of both the sand and sea, which is tested daily, and the beaches have disabled access, lifeguards (in season), sun beds and showers.

There are three spotless beach bars, two very popular restaurants on the promenade (Mango and Chiringuito de Moncho) and numerous bars and restaurants off the Port Olímpic which is just a short stroll away.

Bogatell Beach is twice the length of adjoining Nova Icaria, fringed by a long stretch of stone walkway which is perfect for jogging, roller blading and cycling. It has a raised promenade which reduces traffic noise and makes it fell like you are a million miles from the city. There are no beach bars here, but you will find three large informal and relaxed restaurants on the promenade.

Mar Bella Beach is divided from Bogatell by a breakwater where there is a school and hire centre for windsurfers and kayaks. It is the only naturist beach in Barcelona which is screened by a long hillock of bamboo. There is a very quiet park nearby which is ideal for a picnic or afternoon siesta under the trees.

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Barcelona Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on other sporting and leisure amenities in Barcelona including a Barcelona Area Guide, Barcelona shops , Barcelona Markets, Golf Courses in Barcelona, the different types of Beaches in Barcelona, Barcelona Amusement Parks for family days out, recommended Restaurants in Barcelona and Barcelona Local Attractions