Top 9: Best beaches in (and around) Barcelona

As a city by the sea, Barcelona offers locals and tourists plenty of places to sunbathe, play sports or swim. For a quick introduction to the topic, I recommend the article Harbor and beaches here on my website. However, if you are looking for a complete overview of all the best beaches, which are available in Barcelona, ​​continue reading here. 

Where to find the best beaches?

One of the reasons I like Barcelona is the location of its beaches - they are a short distance from the city center and you can walk there beautifully or you can get there in a few minutes by subway or other public transport. The total area of ​​the beaches is almost 5 km, and all of them offer you fine golden sand, which you will enjoy swimming in. Access to the sea is gradual in most places, so if you go here with children, you don't have to worry about them. 

In any case, everywhere on the beaches I recommend you to be careful, keep an eye on your things and generally be alert (see more theft in Barcelona). If you head to one of the more tourist-exposed beaches, the probability that you will encounter various thieves or other individuals increases. 

If you have more time or if you are not staying only in Barcelona, ​​I recommend trying also beaches outside barcelona.

Map: Beaches in Barcelona

Sant Sebastià beach

Sant Sebastià, along with Barceloneta, is one of the oldest beaches in the city. While it used to be a less well-equipped beach, with the construction of the nearby W hotel The level has increased considerably. Currently it is a pleasant smaller beach with several restaurants and bars. 

What you will find here: police, showers, toilets, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, sports facilities, bars, restaurants, wifi

How to get here: Bus V15, V19

Sant Miquel Beach

Like its neighbours Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta, Sant Miquel is one of the oldest beaches in the city. It takes its name from the nearby church of Sant Miquel del Port, which was built in 1755 and dedicated to the patron saint. Barceloneta districtDue to its location, it is one of the busiest and most visited beaches today.

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, showers, toilets, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, bars, restaurants, sports facilities, wifi

How to get here: Buses V15, V19, D20, 47, 59, or you can walk there from subway L4

Barceloneta Beach

Barceloneta is one of the oldest and most popular beaches in the city. Its attractive location near the port plays a role in this – Barceloneta has been inhabited since ancient times by fishermen who supplied the area with their catch. Today, it is the place to go if you want to have traditional paella, tapas or other seafood dishes. Most bars and restaurants serve food until midnight, after which they turn into nightclubs or discos. If you want to experience the real cosmopolitan atmosphere of beach fun, try establishments such as Opium or Shoko.

Due to its popularity and great interest from locals and tourists, the beach is not exactly clean. It depends a lot on what time of day you go here - morning and afternoon are of course much better. If you have time, I definitely recommend checking out other beaches.

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, children's corner, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, changing room with lockers, sports facilities (beach volleyball, table tennis,...) restaurants, bars, wifi

How to get here: Buses D20, 47, 59

Somorrostro Beach

This beach is connected to Barceloneta and carries with it all its pros and cons. Until recently, it was part of it, before the city council decided to divide it into two. In the past, it was a desolate area with a minimum of inhabitants. Everything changed when the Olympic Games were held in 1992, when a lot of investment began here. Today, Somorrostro has a rightful reputation as one of the most cosmopolitan beaches in the city. And what's more, it is located right next to the Olympic Port, which is dominated by the Mapfre and Arts Hotel skyscrapers. 

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, children's corner, library, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, changing room with lockers, sports facilities (outdoor gym, beach volleyball,...) restaurants, bars, wifi

How to get here: Buses V21, V27, D20, 47, 59, 136, or metro L4 (Ciutadella Vila Olímpica)

Nova Icària beach

Nova Icària is considered a quieter beach, which is especially suitable for families with children or groups of friends. The beach is located behind the Olympic harbor and offers plenty of opportunities for sports.

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, children's corner, changing room with lockers, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, restaurants, bars, sports facilities (beach volleyball, table tennis,...), wifi

How to get here: Buses V23, V25, V27, H16, 59

Bogatell beach

Bogatell belongs to the smaller, but quieter, cleaner and less busy beaches (compared to Barceloneta, for example). The beach as such is relatively new – it was part of the urban redevelopment for the Olympic Games in 1992. Right next to the beach across the road you will find a McDonald's – just in case you don't fancy anything you can buy on the beach ;) 

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, children's corner, changing room with lockers, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, restaurants, bars, sports facilities (beach volleyball, table tennis, basketball, beach football...), wifi

How to get here: Buses V23, V25, V27, H16, 6, or metro L4 (Llacuna)

Mar Bella Beach

If you were looking for the "most tolerant" beach, Mar Bella would surely win. This beach is popular especially among students from nearby faculties or young people in general. You will also find here the only official nude beach in Barcelona! And right next to the beach there is a great skatepark where you can go for a ride or watch the locals do it.

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, children's corner, changing room with lockers, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, restaurants, bars, sports facilities (beach volleyball, table tennis, skatepark...), nudist beach, wifi

How to get here: Buses V27, V31, H16, or metro L4 (Poblenou or Selva de Mar)

Nova Mar Bella beach

Nova Mar Bella, like several other beaches, is the result of urban redevelopment associated with the hosting of the Olympic Games in 1992. In terms of popularity, it is one of the less busy beaches where you will find mainly local people. 

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, children's corner, changing room with lockers, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, restaurants, bars, beach volleyball, wifi

How to get here: Buses V27, V31, H16, or metro L4

Llevant Beach

The easternmost beach in Barcelona is Llevant. It is the newest since it was opened in 2006. If you are looking for a quieter beach and you don't mind traveling around the city a bit, I can definitely recommend it. 

What you will find here: Lifeguards and paramedics, police, showers, toilets, sunbeds and umbrellas rental, beach volleyball, wifi

How to get here: Buses V29, H16, or metro L4 (Selva de Mar)

Beaches outside Barcelona

If you want to enjoy cleaner beaches and the sea, and at the same time you don't want to crowd the beaches with other tourists, go outside Barcelona. The riviera Costa del Maresme and Costa Brava , which includes several good vacation spots that you might like:

• Badalona
• Calella
• Castelldefels
• Can Sanc
• The Masnou
• Granollers
• kill
• Montgat
• Pineda de Mar

You can find a description of the route to these beaches in a separate section article about train travel.