A trip to Badalona combined with swimming on the local beach and a visit to the city
If you want to make trip from Barcelona and combine it with a visit to the beach, I can confidently recommend Badalona. This seaside resort is located north of Barcelona and you can get here from the city center in about 30-40 minutes by car, train or even metro.
How to get from Barcelona to Badalona?
If you are in Barcelona, get to Pl. Catalunya. From there there are trains to Badalona (Renfe R1, direction Maçanet-Massanes; 4th stop in sequence). The advantage of this mode of transport is that the train stops right next to the beach, so as soon as you step out, you can literally be enjoying the sand and the sea in a few minutes. Moreover, according to the opinions of many, the beach in Badalona is significantly better than all of them beaches in barcelona together, so if you enjoy swimming, definitely try it.
The second option - if you prefer bulk transport - is to use it metra. In the center of Barcelona, just get on purple line L2 and reach the final station of Badalona Pompeu Fabra. The metro does not stop right by the beach, but it runs much more often than the train... The journey to the beach from the metro takes about 10 minutes, it's really short!
Barcelona is really close to Badalona
What to see and experience in Badalona
The dominant feature of the local beach – and indeed of the city – is the Pont del Petroli bridge, which in the past served oil tankers. Today, this 250-meter-long beauty is open to the public, making it the most photographed spot in all of Badalona.
Badalon beach is lined along its entire length with a promenade, which offers several bars and restaurants. Opposite the beaches in Barcelona there are significantly fewer tourists in Badalona, more locals, the beaches are cleaner, less crowded and the entrances to the sea are gradual. You will find the overall atmosphere calmer and more relaxed here.
The Pont de Petroli Bridge - The author of the photos is Jorge franganillo
When you've had enough fun at the beach, head to the city. It has a rich history behind it, which is best absorbed thanks to local museum. Next to it, the Gothic monastery of Sant Jeroni de la Murtra from the 13th century, an architecturally interesting cemetery, the Chapel of the Holy Christ or the old Anís del Mono liquor store are also worth a visit.
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- Discount tourist cards—save on city transportation and get free admission to museums and landmarks, plus great discounts at shops and restaurants.
- Buy tickets online—save money, time, and stress by purchasing admission to attractions from the comfort of your home through the Barcelona Tourist Office’s online store; if you’ve never bought tickets online before, read my detailed guide along with my personal experience on how to do it.
- Find Accommodations—plenty of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses at reasonable prices. You can book immediately and pay after your stay.
- Rent a car—if you don’t want to walk or want to venture further out of Barcelona, try Rental Cars. They’ll deliver the car to the airport, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.
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Who writes this website about Barcelona for you?
Michal Acler writes the Barcelona guide for you (more about the website and its content). He fell in love with this beautiful Catalan city on his very first visit in 2006 and has been returning here regularly every year ever since. Thanks to this, all the information on this website and on Instagram is up-to-date, verified, and based on his own experiences. If you have a question, a tip, need advice, or have found an error on the website, please send him an email.