Barcelona Beaches
Barcelona beaches: Guide and Tips.
Do you enjoy beaches and the sun? Barcelona is your destination!
The Catalan capital has more than 4.5 km of beautiful beaches.
These beaches offer many advantages:
> Beaches that are easily accessible from the city centre on foot, by bike, and of course by public transport.
> Well-maintained, clean, and now tobacco-free beaches with activities and entertainment for all ages.
> Lots of bars and restaurants on the beaches, as well as the famous chiringuitos where music and cocktails flow in the evening.
And some disadvantages that you should know in advance:
> The beaches are very busy and crowded in summer, which can make it difficult to find a place to stay.
> Fees for services and facilities can be high.
> The safety of the water can be compromised due to the presence of algae and other chemicals. However, they are fully monitored from a health point of view.
Barcelona Beach: Where to swim? Which are the best beaches?
We recommend these 4 beaches, well equipped, supervised and easily accessible from the city centre:
Barceloneta is probably the closest beach to the city centre, only 20 minutes on foot or by taking the yellow metro line. Barceloneta beach is special in that it stretches along a dyke full of very good and friendly restaurants.
Nova Icaria, which is close to the Olympic marina, is full of restaurants and beach bars. Very nice to have a break too!
The beach of Mar Bella is for sportsmen. Here you can enjoy windsurfing, kayaks and hobie cats.
Bogatell beach, twice as long as Nova Icaria beach, is a paradise for rollerbladers, cyclists and joggers. A nicer seawall without restaurants and bars. A bit wilder
All the beaches in Barcelona are adapted for disabled people and supervised by lifeguards!
The best beaches for couples are :
La Barceloneta, Santa Monica, Somorrostro and Mar Bella.
The best beaches for children are :
La Barceloneta, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Icaria.
The best beaches for evening entertainment are:
La Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Mar Bella and Nova Icaria.
Barcelona's beaches in Video:
Map of Barcelona's beaches
Barcelona's swimming season calendar.
The high season, with all facilities and equipment in working order, is generally from 31 May to 28 September.
The rest of the year the beaches are practicable but less comfortable and unsupervised.
The beaches of Barcelona from the north of the city to the south:
Sant Sebastiá Beach
Sant Sebastiá Beach is located at the tip of Barceloneta beach, west of the city centre. It is lined with restaurants and bars. Its white sands are well maintained. It is a large beach and very popular among tourists and locals. There are showers, toilets and lockers for storing your belongings. The beach is supervised by lifeguards and has full disabled access.
Length: 1,100 m
Average width: 81 m
Location: From the left of the port estuary to Carrer Almirall Cervera
Transport: Buses: 14, 16, 17, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64, 157
Metro: Line 4 - Barceloneta
Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta beach stretches from Barcelona's Olympic port to the neighbourhood of the same name, south of Sant Sebastià beach. It is the oldest beach in Barcelona and is a favourite of both Catalans and tourists. Very long and lively, it offers activities for all ages. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, or just relax on the sand. Perfectly equipped with showers and all the usual services for city beaches. It has two beaches at its ends: one near the Olympic port with the Paseo Marítimo beach and the other near the Port of Barcelona.
Length: 1,100 m
Average width: 89 m
Location: From Carrer Almirall Cervera to the Olympic Port
Buses: 14, 16, 17, 36, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64
Metro: Line 4 - Barceloneta and Ciutadella
Tram: Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Cycle routes
Somorrostro Beach
Somorrostro beach is located between Barceloneta beach and the Olympic port. Somorrostro beach is easily accessible and is ideal for all users, especially for people with reduced mobility. There are many activities available: gymnastics, volleyball, and play areas for children. Lockers and showers. There is also a Beach Centre which is an environmental education area dedicated to promoting the city's coastline.
Length: 522 m
Average width: 114 m
Location: From Espigon del Gas to the Olympic Port.
Buses: 14, 16, 17, 36, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64
Metro: Line 4 - Barceloneta and Ciutadella
Tram: Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Cycle routes
Nova Icária Beach
This is the beach next to Barcelona's Olympic port. The promenade goes to the Barceloneta area. Near the beach, there is an esplanade with stone benches facing the horizon. It is considered one of the quietest in the city, frequented mostly by families with their children. On the seawall, there are restaurants and bars that are popular with everyone.
Length: 400 m
Average width: 63 m
Location: From the Olympic port to the Bogatell breakwater
Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92, 141
Metro: Line 4 - Ciutadella y Bogatell
Tram: T4 - Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Cycle routes
Bogatell Beach
Bogatell beach is located close to the Olympic port and is separated from the other two neighbouring beaches by two stone breakwaters. Lifeguard service, showers, ramps, bars, restaurants, parking... In short, it is very convenient to get there and is also quieter and more peaceful than Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta.
Length: 640 m
Average width: 39 m
Location: From Bogatell breakwater to Mar Bella breakwater
Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92, 141
Metro: Line 4 - Poblenou and Llacuna
Cycle tracks
Mar Bella Beach
La Mar Bella beach is located between the beaches of Nova Mar Bella and Bogatell. There is a sports centre not far from the beach. The promenade extends to the beach of La Barceloneta. Good beach for windsurfing and windy days. Mar Bella beach is also known as the beach for young nudists on the whole. It has restaurants, bars and lockers for storing your belongings.
Length: 500 m
Average width: 42 m
Location: From the Mar Bella breakwater to the Bac de Roda breakwater
Bus: 36, 71, 141
Metro: Line 4 - Selva de Mar
Tram: T4 - Selva de Mar
Cycle tracks
Nova Mar Bella Beach
Its promenade stretches all the way to Barceloneta. It is the favourite beach for women, who make up more than 60% of the population. Very well equipped with showers, lifeguard, bars, parking...
Length: 500 m
Average width: 45 m
Location: From the breakwater of Bac de Roda to the breakwater of selva de mar
Transport: Bus 36, 43, 141
Bus: 36, 43, 141
Metro: Line 4 - Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Tram: T4 - Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Cycle tracks
Llevant beach.
The "Platja de Llevant" in Catalan, is located to the right of Nova Mar Bella. A marine zoo was to be built here but the idea was abandoned and the beach was opened with all its facilities in 2006. Llevant beach is well known for its easy access, especially for people with reduced mobility.
Length: 375 m
Average width: 74 m
Bus: 36, 43, 141
Metro: Line 4 - Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Tram: T4 - Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Cycle tracks
"Smoke-free beaches: Smoking is now banned on Barcelona's beaches.
Following the success of the pilot project "Smoke-free beaches" launched in 2021, Barcelona City Council has decided to ban smoking on all the city's beaches from the summer 2022. Initially, only four beaches were affected: Sant Miquel, Somorrostro, Nova Icària and Nova Mar Bell.
Now all the beaches are.
The councillor for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Eloi Badia, explained at the time that the aim of the project was to protect the health of citizens and the environment, as around 15% of cigarette butts in Barcelona end up in the sea and those that remain on the beach take almost 10 years to decompose completely. This anti-smoking campaign has made it possible to reduce the number of cigarette butts found on the beach by 50% between 2021 and 2022. We can now imagine that there are no more.
After an information campaign, repeat offenders are now fined 30 Euros. For the inveterate smokers, there is a solution: smoking in the chiringuitos - when these beach bars allow it.
This may be of interest to you:
> The best chiringuitos in Barcelona
> Barcelona beach hotels: this section will allow you to find the ideal accommodation, close to the beaches of course, for a dream stay. So take advantage of our site to prepare your trip to Barcelona. Enjoy your visit and your stay!
19 comments
@louise - Barcelona.com (27 Apr 2023 - 09:32)
Hello Louise,
Good idea, we will prepare a special article on beaches outside Barcelona but easily accessible by train for example.
thanks for the idea and patience,
What about the beaches outside Barcelona? - Louise (26 Apr 2023 - 16:10)
I would like to know the beaches outside Barcelona ?
I know the ones in Barcelona, I stay around Barceloneta ;-) but outside of the city, does anyone have any ideas?
thanks
far from Barceloneta is better - a swimmer (18 Mar 2023 - 11:52)
The further away you get from Barceloneta the less crowded the beach becomes.
I advise you to walk a little to be safe.
;-)
great in the morning - mileyfan (6 Mar 2023 - 12:44)
I stayed long enough to discover Barcelona's beautiful and popular beaches such as Barceloneta, Mar Bella, Nova Icaria and Bogatell. Each of these beaches has its own charm and offers different activities, ranging from relaxing by the water to water sports such as surfing and kitesurfing.
Beware it can get crowded... I used to go in the morning quite early.
Bogatell Beach is best! - xiqet (1 Mar 2023 - 18:48)
Bogatell Beach is really cool..
Beaches Nude - Ricco (7 Sep 2017 - 08:50)
Are there any good nude beaches in Spain with young girls?
Beaches of Barcelona - Sophie (8 Jun 2017 - 08:54)
Try adding in how many beaches are there in Barcelona
beautiful beach - beauty (29 Feb 2016 - 09:04)
this beach is beautiful and georgeous. me and my friends really enjoyed it. :);*
Barcelona beaches - Nina (22 Jul 2015 - 08:40)
The stretch of beaches starting from barcelonaetta are definitely for a very young crowd. It is very very crowded and there is no foot for anyone to lay down without being very close to the other bathers.
The umbrellas and beach lounges are not available everywhere along the beach. The restrooms are very dirty.The beach restaurants are very nice though and a lot to choose from.
I have seen better well attended beaches in many other places such Greece, Mexico and all the Carribean resorts.
If you don't like crowds and you want to relax and enjoy the sea views, go somewhere else quieter.
Awesome - Mike (5 Nov 2014 - 07:45)
A superb city, full of hidden gems, lovely people, authentic cafes, and many famous sites. I jhope to return very soon xx
Barcelona Beaches - Spain (10 Jun 2014 - 09:30)
Your beaches are magnificent! My niece was there, and loved it! <3
Playa de La MarBella and the Chiringuito - shef (5 Jun 2013 - 09:45)
There are many beaches to choose from in Barcelona but certainly one of the best and the most entertaining, non touristic beach is playa de la Marbella (L4 metro Poble nou). Here you can skip the madness of the beaches closer to the centre of town, which tend to be polluted and full of tourists, and find yourself in a more private, easy going and clean environment where the views are great and the beach bars offer a unique and alternative seaside experience with great music and well prepared food and drinks.
Whether its early morning, mid afternoon or late evening this beautiful beach offers the best shoreline experience in Barcelona with only a very short trip out of the centre to get there; cinema nights, beach volleyball, live DJ s, standup comedy, healthy alternatives and great cocktails...what more could you want from a beach, eh?
un peu frais pour se baigner - natacha P (17 Oct 2012 - 08:45)
peut-on encore se baigner sur les plages de Barcelone en cette fin octobre? un peu froid ou est-ce jouable? merci d'avance
la Barceloneta - french tourist (24 Aug 2012 - 16:30)
les porcs qui fréquentent la plage de la Barceloneta la laisse dans un état pitoyable : bouteilles de bière, bouteilles d'eau, verres en plastiques, sacs plastiques, mégots... tout cela dans des proportions hallucinantes !
pour éviter ce triste spectacle, mieux vaut y aller le matin...
barcelona Beaches - Disapointed (22 Aug 2012 - 19:15)
if you want enjoying beaches in barcelona, avoid to go there with your car, especially if your car is not spanish one.
Unfortunately, there are lot of thieves who are practicing their racket with violence, by breaking car glasses. what is amazing, is that these thieves are acting at an open place, in afternoon, where many people are moving...but no one is there to stop them. these thieves look like uncatchable!!
No pictures have been displayed to inform visitors about that risk. it is a shame!!
chiringuito just fine - trf (8 Aug 2012 - 21:15)
many great chiringuitos on barcelona's beach. a good thing to do.
beach & dj's - great (1 Jul 2012 - 12:15)
Great time in a little chiringuito on the beach of Barcelona. They played cool music and serve great drinks. What a day!
Barcelona beache - MILON (2 Jan 2012 - 17:15)
Barcelona beach is one of the best enjoyment place in this world.But enjoy is not life.
Loco ! - Andrey Bogavatz (21 Mar 2011 - 19:15)
Barca Para Siempre,Para Siempre Barca ! ! !