Barcelona beaches

The beaches in Barcelona are 6, two are located south of the Port Olimpic (St. Sebastià and Barceloneta) and four north (Nova Icaria, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella). This coastal area of Barcelona has been developed only recently, in occasion of the 1992 Olympics.

All Barcelona beaches have good facilities, such as showers, disabled access, life guards (in season), ping pong tables etc.
Also, the quality of the water and of the beach is often monitored by the City Council (for more information, see Barcelona City Council’s website.

St Sebastià Beach, Barcelona

This is a rather isolated stretch of land, at the moment. Thus it has become the unofficial naturist beach and the favourite by those who want a bit of privacy. However, all this is going to change when the Bofill Hotel complex is completed.

Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona

This is the widest and longest of the Barcelona beaches and also the busiest. It is surrounded by American style restaurants and nightclubs. The closest metro station is Barceloneta, on the line n. 4.

Nova Icaria Beach

Nova Icaria is the closest beach to the Port Olimpic and thus the busiest out of the Barcelona beaches north of the Port Olimpic. There is always somebody playing volley in its three volleyball courts and people playing other ball sports on the beach.
The water is always fairly calm, as the beach is protected by the marina.
The closest metro station to Nova Icaria beach is Ciutadella Olimpica on the line n. 4.

Bogatell Beach, Barcelona

Bogatell beach is fringed by a stretch of pavement, where it is possible to go jogging, skating, cycling. The closest metro stations are Poblenou an Llacuna on the line n. 4

Mar Bella Beach, Barcelona

Protected by a hill of bamboo, Mar Bella beach is the official naturist beach in Barcelona. The closest metro station is Poblenou, line n. 4. Read more about the naturism beach in Barcelona.

Nova Mar Bella, Barcelona

In the furthest extreme north of the Marina, Nova Mar Bella is located near an area of the city only recently developed. This beach is close to Selva del Mar and Besòs Mar metro stations, along the line n.4.

Beaches near Barcelona, Spain

If you are looking for a quiet beach, or a beach further away from the city, there are quite a few beaches located only a few minutes away by train from Barcelona centre. Going south from Barcelona you will find: Casteldefells beach, with good facilities but busy; El Garraf, not too crowded near the Garraf Natural Park; Sitges, a quaint village that is very busy in summertime, famous for its gay scene and its Carnival and with many nice beaches including naturist ones.Going north of Barcelona beaches are quieter, scenically more beautiful, with cleaner water, but also with deeper water, less suitable for children than the southern beaches. Some of the most popular beaches north of Barcelona are Caldetes, San Pol de Mar and Calella.