Author: Irina
In addition to architecture, jamon and sangria, Spain has at least 566 other trump cards. This is how many beaches in the country have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award. This means that most of the Spanish coastline is clean, safe and well maintained.
In the capital of Catalonia, there are 7 out of 10 such beaches, and all of them are a priori designated as the best beaches in Barcelona. Nevertheless, the other 3 are also not lagging behind, earlier a flag of the color of the sky fluttered above them.
We walked through Barcelona's seaside holiday destinations and put together our own rating! We did it in 2016, 2018 and 2019. The photo was taken in the morning, so there may be several times less people than during the day 🙂
By the way, if you are looking for accommodation, then the link will give you a discount of 2100 rubles for booking in Airbnb. Very convenient and, most importantly, cheaper than a hotel.
Our top starts at San Sebastia Beach. But first, we will tell you about Barceloneta, because he is the most popular.
Barceloneta beach
Note that for us it is on the LAST position in the rating of beaches.
You will either fall in love with Barceloneta at first sight, or you will burn with contempt and, after lying on the sand for an hour or two, run to look for another place. 🙂 This is a real city beach in Barcelona, the oldest and most visited. Can you call it one of the top ones? Yes and no:
- Excellent location with a wide beautiful promenade, 20 minutes walk from the Ramblas.
- Has a scattering of cool restaurants, cafes and bars that turn into the center of nightlife in the evenings.
- Cleared of debris daily and renews the Blue Flag annually.
- Meets all the needs of people with limited mobility; there is a special group of volunteers to help with bathing.
There are probably more negative moments. In Barcelona, Barceloneta Beach is not just famous, but insanely popular! It attracts both local residents and only arriving tourists like a magnet. Lying / sitting / standing bodies 20 centimeters apart is a typical situation during the high season. By the way, our photo was taken in the morning. See how many people are already?
Therefore, this is not the cleanest beach in the city. Yes, garbage is collected and removed regularly, but to cope with so much of people cigarette butts, wrappers, bottles - unrealistic. Besides, the sea can be dirty too. When we were on Barceloneta for the first (and last) time, we did not dare to go swimming right away, because some labels, cigarettes, foliage floated in the water; there were large stones at the entrance.
And so it would seem that they managed to relax, to abstract from the hubbub around and finally indulge in the Barcelona sun ... as another businessman barks in his ear with an offer of beer or a towel! There are a lot of merchants on Barceloneta, and there is no rest from them. In principle, as well as from partially, or completely, naked people. Spain is a country of free morals. 🙂
From the point of view of equipment, there are toilets, showers, changing cabins, lockers for storing things (the last two points should be tried to be found), but their condition is not always perfect. There are special workout areas where real macho tense their muscles, there are marked paths for cyclists and skaters on the embankment (you can rent them on the beach), a playground and a place for beach volleyball are organized. Wi-fi catches mediocre.
In general, our impressions, like the reviews of most tourists, are as follows: Barceloneta beach is clearly overrated. Rather, it is a place for party people and those who like to be in the crowd. If you go here in order not to sunbathe, but, say, sit in a cafe overlooking the sea or take a walk along the embankment in the evening, then the option is excellent.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Barceloneta + 13 min walk
- by bus - D20, 59, 45 to the stop. Pg Marítim-Almirall Cervera + 2 min walk
Helpful information:
- the cost of renting sun loungers and umbrellas - 10 € each;
- a glass of sangria from a nearby bar - 5 €
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Sant Sebastià beach
It can rightfully be considered the best beach in Barcelona. Despite the proximity to Barceloneta and some common features - the places were organized at about the same time and both are crowded - it is one level higher.
- San Sebastia Beach is well maintained: it really deserves the Blue Flag. The sand is fine and pleasant, without any debris. Due to its location - in a cozy bay - the water in the sea is clean and bright.
- The territory is wide and long (only Bogatel is longer), so it copes with the constant flow of tourists - there is enough space for everyone.
- It is quiet and calm here: the merchants do not bother. Even this quality alone makes San Sebastia worthy of the category of the best beaches in Spain!
- Most of the public are local (adequate) residents. Everyone does their own thing - sunbathes, bathes, goes in for sports. The atmosphere is light and truly relaxing.
- The location is convenient, less than a kilometer from Barceloneta; not far - the famous aquarium of Barcelona. Easily recognizable by the W Barcelona sailing hotel.
- There is a separate zone for those who like to bask in the topless sun.
There is nothing to complain about in the level of equipment. All conditions have been created for a comfortable stay by the sea, except that there are not enough safes for valuables and, possibly, entertainment. There is a place to play for children, and adults can surf the Internet or go to a surfing and swimming school.
All in all, our hot recommendations! A beach holiday in Barcelona is ideal on San Sebastia. 🙂
How to get there:
- by bus - V15, 39 to the stop. Pg Joan De Borbó - Pl Del Mar + 2 min walk
Helpful information:
- umbrella and sunbed rental - standard 10 €
Sant Miquel beach
We got here by pure chance, leaving at the Barceloneta metro station and turning off the road leading to the beach of the same name. And, honestly, this place was like a balm for our beach strings of the soul, tormented by the horrors of the first day.
San Miguel is located between Barceloneta and San Sebastia and therefore "absorbed" several negative aspects from the first and, fortunately, a lot of advantages from the second.
- The sand is impeccably clean, the sea is turquoise and it is very convenient to enter it. By the way, the beach is shared with San Sebastia by one Blue Flag for two.
- It is also located in the center, in a nice area. On the way from the metro, you can appreciate the yachts, boats, boats of any degree of luxury moored in the harbor.
- Good organization of a standard set of services on the beach; there is also bike rental and a couple of interesting restaurants
Of the items with a "minus" sign - a pandemonium of tourists and loud (but rare) massage gurus. However, in comparison with Barceloneta, even here the situation is much better!
As there are few bars on site, the beach is relatively quiet. By the way, the advice of tourists suggests that it is worth going to San Miguel with children. Shallow water and ample space for making Easter cakes make it easy to rest with your baby.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Barceloneta +12 min walk
- by bus - V15, 39 to the stop. Pg Joan De Borbó-Almirall Aixada + 5 min walk
by bus - 45 to the stop. Almirall Cervera + 5 min walk
Helpful information:
- sun loungers with umbrellas and here for 10 €
Bogatell Beach
Represents 700 meters of sandy strip, completed at the highest level. Renovated for the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona's Bogatell Beach is considered one of the premier places to connect with the sea for several reasons.
- The beach is cleaned every day, and not such a massive flow of tourists affects the amount of garbage left.
- The sea water is cleaner. Until the waves come 🙂
- The rich man regularly receives the Blue Flag award, i.e. from year to year confirms compliance with quality standards.
- Adapted to any category of tourists: from lazy lovers of frying in the sun to restless little ones.
- Has all the conditions for people with disabilities
Bogatel is one of the most popular non-touristy beaches in Barcelona. Due to the remoteness from the center, which can be seen on the map, people do not have enough patience to get to the location. But finding an empty seat at noon is still difficult. Reviews from tourists indicate that the atmosphere is friendly, calm, and there are no annoying cola and massage vendors.
The entrance to the sea is smooth. Showers, toilets, drinking fountains and valuables are of course available. Tanned Catalan rescuers are watching the situation from their towers and shouting out especially hard-core swimmers for the buoys over the loudspeaker.
For fans of sports and outdoor games, basketball baskets are hung, volleyball nets are stretched, ping-pong tables are placed, and there is even a territory to drive a ball. For children there is a playground. We also took care of the sloths: you can rent a sun lounger and an umbrella, buy a mojito at a nearby bar and post photos from the scene on Instagram - the wi-fi is excellent.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Llacuna + 15 minutes walk
- by bus - H16 to the stop. Pg Calvell - Rambla Del Poblenou + 7 min walk
by bus - 59 to the stop. Cementiri De L'Est - Carmen Amaya + 9 min walk
Helpful information:
- rental price of an umbrella or sun lounger - 8-10 €
Once in Barcelona, we came up with the idea to walk along the promenade - from Barceloneta to the Forum (the extreme "beach"). We walked 5 kilometers, got burned, but liked it :) Plus, we made great pictures of the beaches. |
Mar Bella beach
This location is very good for relaxing by the sea, but there is one frank "but" - it is a nudist beach. In Barcelona, only this place is officially designated for liberated citizens, plus a separate zone on San Sebastia.
Mar Bella is also dearly loved by gays. However, turning a blind eye to these facts, it must be admitted that this is one of the best beaches in Barcelona.
- Cleanliness is present everywhere - both on land and at sea. A blue flag flies alongside a rainbow LGBT canvas.
- The beach is beautiful, located between two breakwaters, with a golden edge of sand and clear water.
- There are only a few bars and cafes along the territory, so the atmosphere is calm. Despite the controversial impressions of the number of naked bodies, everything is eminently adequate.
- It is even better staffed than the rest of Barcelona's beaches.
Mar Bella Square is by no means small, there are enough people, and on weekends - a lot. The merchants are not embarrassed, they roam here too - thanks for being dressed. 🙂 The entrance to the water is convenient, but it goes down sharply.
In terms of entertainment, the beach will probably please anyone: playgrounds, basketball court, volleyball nets, table tennis, skateboarding area, wi-fi, library. Nearby there is a diving center, catamarans, boat trips, windsurfing and kayaking are available.
The nudist area, firstly, is hidden by a hill from the pedestrian street that runs along the beach. Secondly, it is marked with clearly visible signs. However, this does not deter tourists from nearby hotels, who then, in a state of shock, scribble negative reviews about Mar Bella. 🙂
Purely theoretically, the territory is marked as follows. At the beginning of the beach, families with children (and there are), then there are groups of men and women of traditional orientation, behind them - a scattering of gays right up to the bar with the symbolic name BeGay, then those same nudists, at the end of the beach - everyone. But in practice, a topless grandmother can be found among families and young hot guys. 🙂
By the way, no one objects to swimsuits, as well as to their absence. At the Mar Bella beach, everyone is free to choose their own attire!
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Poblenou + 15 min walk
- by bus - H16 to the stop. Jonquera - Taulat + 7 min walk
by bus - 59 to the stop. Cementiri De L'Est - Carmen Amaya + 15 min walk
Helpful information:
- umbrella cost - 5 €,
- sun lounger - 8 €
Nova Mar Bella beach
The farther from the center, the more comfortable - and the place fully confirms this. Many people confuse the beach with just Mar Bella and go around it so as not to see too much. This is a great delusion! Nova Mar Bella is one of the best beaches in Barcelona, where stripping is not encouraged. 🙂
- Clean, calm, fine sand. The water is crystal blue so that you can see fish at the bottom. The beach has been deservedly awarded the Blue Flag.
- There are visitors, and a lot, but, basically, they are residents of nearby areas, tourists are not particularly observed. On weekdays, schoolchildren frolic here, on weekends families, couples, groups of friends relax.
- There are several bars on the territory, and the prices here are an order of magnitude lower than those on the central beaches.
- Showers, toilets and paid sun loungers are available all day; there is a medical aid station, a police station, and, of course, rescuers.
- For entertainment: an outdoor gym, a volleyball net, swimming with a mask (there are more living creatures at the breakwaters), special complexes for children are set up where you can climb, hang upside down, etc.
Entry into the sea is gradual, but short, stones are not found. The masseurs and drink carriers are nimble and not so annoying here, because they are caught in a timely manner by the brave policemen. Wi-Fi does not catch.
Nova Mar Bella is a beach where people come to really relax from the stuffy city. The sun is hot, the sea is warmest, people are not glued to each other, and therefore there is complete serenity and the absence of prying eyes.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Selva De Mar + 20 min walk
- by bus - H16, V27 to the stop. Pg Taulat - Bac De Roda + 12 min walk
Helpful information:
- there is a free spacious parking near the beach
By the way, about cars. Getting around Barcelona and the suburbs on your own, outside of public transport, is very convenient. Consider renting a car! Moreover, there are parking lots on the distant beaches of Barcelona. We recommend choosing and booking online at RentalCars.com
Somorrostro beach
Somorrostro is located next to Barceloneta, so if Barcelona's main beach surprised you unpleasantly, moving here is a good option.
- Between the bodies resting here, you can move freely, and you will even be able not to step over someone when approaching the sea 🙂
- The beach is kept in fair condition, cleaned thoroughly, they do not have time to litter.
- It will not be difficult to get there - Somorrostro is also located in the center, nearby there are bus stops and metro stations.
Here, as well as on all the beaches of the city, a standard set of services is provided. On the border with Barceloneta there are sports grounds, in the middle there is a beach library and a volleyball court, closer to Nova Icaria there is a surf school, boat and catamaran rental. Wi-fi catches poorly.
What sets it apart from other places is the Center de la Platja information center, which organizes excursions, lectures, performances on the history of the Barcelona coast in the summer, and also lends paddles and buckets for children.
However, the beach is not calm. A line of the coolest clubs and restaurants in the city lined up, which explains the lion's share of young people hanging around Somorrostro day and night.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica + 12 min walk
- by bus - 59, D20 to the stop. Hospital Del Mar + 3 min walk
Helpful information:
- umbrella - 10 €,
- sunbed - also
Levant beach
Levant is such a typical city beach in Barcelona, completely non-touristy, and therefore calm and "homely". Few travelers living in the city center drive to the beach, or even know about it. But for some reason it is still full of people, especially during the summer months.
- The place is decent, seaweed and debris are not seen in the sea, just like on the beach itself.
- There are, of course, fewer vacationers than in popular locations, but in order to play with a star, you will have to look for space.
- There is a separate area for visitors with animals. The best beaches in Barcelona could take an example from the Levant.
- Massage and cola are rarely offered.
Among other advantages - livability (outdoor shower, toilets, rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, Wi-Fi), adaptation to people with disabilities, conditions for beach volleyball and surfing. There are problems with the entrance to the sea, it is not entirely flat, and rather large stones come across underfoot.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Selva De Mar + 15 min walk
- by bus - H16 to the stop. Pg Taulat - Diagonal Mar + 10 min walk
- by tram - T4 to the stop. El Maresme + 12 min walk
Helpful information:
- if you are by car, it is better to arrive in the morning, by lunchtime the small parking lot is completely packed
Nova Icària beach
Nova Ikaria is an ambiguous place. Like other beaches, it is well equipped, the scenery is pretty, there are many cafes and entertainment. But for every plus there is a minus.
- The beach has a Blue Flag. The award, of course, is given not only for the cleanliness of the territory and water, but this moment is frankly lame. Due to the proximity to the port, the sea can be dirty, with drifting bottles, bags, etc. Especially littered at the pier.
- There are fewer people than on Barceloneta, but the places are not empty.
- There are showers, toilets, lockers for things, but there are no changing rooms, so there are queues for the toilets.
- Traders scurrying to and fro interfere with focusing on the noise of the surf.
Many kids run on Nova Ikaria, families like the beach. Probably because of the convenient entry into the water, it is smooth and long, and clean sand on the coast. In addition, there is a fun playground and animation. For adults - volleyball, tennis or wi-fi.
Still, with children, we recommend visiting the beaches near Barcelona, which are much more suitable for families than beaches within the city.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica + 15 min walk
- by bus - 59, H16 to the stop. Av Icària - Av Bogatell + 5 min walk
Helpful information:
- umbrella and sun lounger - 10 € each
Swimming area of the Forum Park (Zona de baños Fórum)
An unconventional look at Barcelona beach destinations, but it is nevertheless classified as a beach.
It is a huge sea pool enclosed by mounds of boulders, which, by the way, protect from waves, but not from debris. The entrance to the water is via a wide staircase with handrails and a smooth exit. The place is well equipped for people with disabilities. Of course, there is no sand here; instead, they sunbathe on a wooden deck.
There are enough visitors. Shower, toilet - everything is provided; you can go water skiing and jump from an impromptu pier.
How to get there:
- by metro - line L4 to the station. El Maresme - Fòrum +20 min walk
- by bus - H14 to the stop. Metro Maresme - Fòrum + 20 min walk
- by tram - T4 to the stop. Campus Diagonal - Besòs + 15 min walk
Helpful information:
- it happens that colonies of sea urchins wander, it is recommended to swim in special shoes
Not to say that there is absolutely nothing to do near Forum Park. Nearby is a small amusement park, packed with Barcelona on weekends, across the road is the Diagonal Mar shopping center and the architecturally interesting Diagonal ZeroZero building. In general, we were looking for the recommended Granier bakery - which, it turned out, is scattered throughout the city, and opened a pleasant route for walking: from the Forum along Diagonal Avenue to the Agbar Tower. The San Martí area is so calm, green, local. Here you could buy an apartment 🙂 |
Barcelona beaches map
Spanish beaches (near Barcelona)
For a real beach holiday - with children, couples, alone, with parents - they do not go to the capital of Catalonia itself, but to resorts located on the neighboring coasts.
The map shows that the beaches of Spain, especially in its eastern part, run in an almost continuous strip. They are not all identical, as in Barcelona. Somewhere sandy beaches stretch, with white sand or gold, and somewhere - it turns into small pebbles.
In the south, Barcelona is bordered by the Costa Dorada, with the center in the city of Salou. Without exaggeration, some of the best beaches in Spain are concentrated here. For families, the Central, or Main, beaches of Salou and Playa Ponente are suitable; for a friendly company - the Bay of Capellans. By the way, white beaches in Spain can be found not only in Mallorca, but also in La Pineda, neighboring Salou.
Excellent beaches near Barcelona are also located north of the city. The coastline of the resorts of Calella and Pineda de Mar, with golden braids and turquoise waters, will perfectly fit into the feed of any travel blogger. 🙂
The port from where we took a yacht excursion with friends
Costa Brava beaches
The pearl of the coast north of the Catalan capital is, of course, Lloret de Mar.
Places for relaxation by the sea are great here - from wide public beaches (Lloret beach), where both locals and tourists have fun, to uncrowded picturesque corners immersed in greenery (Santa Cristina beach, Sa Boadella). Sand is also in any color - white, gold, gray, and its texture defies definition - either large grains of sand, or the smallest pebbles. 🙂
Barcelona hotels near the beach
Yes, local hotels can only be by the sea, but not own their own piece of land. Hotels in Barcelona with a beach are, alas, a pipe dream of a tourist, because all sandy locations belong to the municipality. If you're heading to Barcelona, here's our list of the best places in the Catalan capital.
Top 5 hotels located at the very water's edge are as follows (3-5 places are inexpensive options):
- Pullman Skipper 5 *
- W Barcelona 5 *
- Hotel Arts Barcelona 5 *
- Hesperia Barcelona del Mar 4 *
- Hotel Barceloneta 54 3 *
