The 11 Most Beautiful Beaches in Barcelona, Spain

Barceloneta Beach is Barcelona’s most bustling and touristy stretch of sand and sea, which inevitably makes it one of the most crowded, but it is compensated by a surplus of entertainment and seafood options. The most popular places to feast on fresh seafood, even for locals, are at chiringuitos, or seaside huts. On the entertainment side of things, you can not only swim, but also try water sports – with windsurfing and kitesurfing the most popular options. Lively and easily accessible, this beach is perfect if you still want to be close to the city’s main attractions.

With more than 400m (1,300ft) of sandy beaches and sea, Nova Icària is considered the most peaceful beach in Barcelona, so it’s a perfect choice for families or if you’re just looking to relax. Although quiet, the beach still has a range of great restaurants and bars, making it a popular destination for foodies as well as holidaymakers. One of Barcelona’s most diversely equipped beaches, Nova Icaria boasts a game area complete with a ping-pong table as well as volleyball courts, paying homage to its proximity to the Olympic Park.

North of Barcelona and just a half-hour by train out of the city, Ocata Beach is a pristine, tranquil stretch of beautiful golden sand. Much quieter than other beaches, Ocata is more of a peaceful getaway and less of an entertainment area. Long and wide, the beach is spacious and attracts fewer tourists than those nearer to the city, making it nice and private – somewhat of a luxury in summertime when you have to compete for towel space elsewhere. Much like any Barcelona beach, it also has its share of chiringuitos selling drinks and fresh seafood.

Bogatell Beach, created as part of an urban planning scheme to rejuvenate the area, attracts slightly older beachgoers seeking a more relaxed experience, but still provides the opportunity to play ping-pong or volleyball. At 600m (2,000ft) long, it is smaller than the main touristy spots, but it’s clean and safe – and part of the scheme to incorporate beaches into green spaces, gardens and neighbouring districts.

This beach is the closest to the southwestern end of Barcelona and stretches for more than 1km (0.6mi), making it one of the longest beaches in Barcelona. Much like La Barceloneta, there’s a busy and lively vibe here for much of the year, and particularly in summer. You can play volleyball or, if you’re daring, take part in extreme sports. Its popularity also means there are lots of dining options, making it a perfect place to spend the whole day.

Mar Bella is another of those beaches created as part of the urban development for the Olympic Games. Much more tranquil than La Barceloneta and Sant Sebastià, and lacking slightly in bars and restaurants, Mar Bella is still bursting with opportunities for water sports, offering the chance to windsurf, kayak and even try out something new. Twice the size of Nova Icària, it offers plenty of space to sunbathe, do sports or even rollerblade on the beautiful promenade. Head here to rent a sunbed or even a yacht, and relax in this clean, calm spot.

Formerly part of the Barceloneta beach, Somorostro beach was renamed in homage of the residents of a shanty town which once stood here – and was removed for the development of the Port Olimpic area which it borders. These days it’s where you’ll find some of the city’s glitziest nightclubs and late-night bars such as Pacha, Carpe Diem and Barcelona Ice Bar.

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Located around half an hour by train south of Barcelona, just before you get to the popular resort town of Sitges, is the charming bay of Garraf. A crescent sweep of sand backed by traditional white and green fishermen’s huts, this is a simple beach with just one chiringuito (beach bar) and one restaurant on the clifftop. Garraf is especially ideal for swimming as the water is slightly warmer and protected by a bay.

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A long, sandy stretch punctuated by rocky outcrops and verdant green hills, Sant Pol de Mar is said to be one of the most picturesque beaches in the area. Located an hour-and-a-half north of Barcelona by train, it may be one of the furthest on our list, but start out early enough and you’ll still be able to have the whole day there to enjoy it. There are a few beach bars and restaurants scattered along the shoreline, and if you head into the village you’ll find the 11th century Church of Sant Pau, as well as the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Sant Pau.

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A long carpet of sand, backed by colorful Catalan Modernista-style houses, Caldes d’Estrac can be reached in just 45 minutes from the center of Barcelona. Situated north of the city, the beach here is so long and wide that it’s hardly ever packed, even in the height of summer. Many hiking routes leave from the village, and there are also kayaks for rent along the shore. Come here in winter and you can warm up afterwards in the village’s thermal baths, which date back to the 19th century.

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The first beach you come to after leaving the city confines of Barcelona and Badalona, Montgat is one of the Maresme beaches and is both long and very wide. It may still get crowded in the middle of summer like most beaches within easy reach of the city, but it’s generally cleaner and you’ll be sure to get a bigger stretch of sand to lay out your towel on. The beach can be reached by train from the center in just 20 minutes.

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