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The 11 Most Beautiful Beaches in Barcelona, Spain

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Barcelona, in Spain, boasts a number of beautiful beach locations to suit everyone, whether you’re simply looking for a place to relax or you want to indulge in water sports like kitesurfing or windsurfing at Barceloneta. Here, we explore the best beaches in the Catalan capital.

Barceloneta Beach

Natural Feature

Aerial View Of Barceloneta Beach, Spain
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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.

Nova Icària Beach

Natural Feature

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.

Ocata Beach

Natural Feature

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

Natural Feature

Bogatell Beach In Barcelona, Spain
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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.

Sant Sebastià

Natural Feature

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 Beach

Natural Feature

Mar Bella Beach, Barcelona, Spain
Lucas Correa Pacheo / Shutterstock
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.

Somorrostro Beach

Natural Feature

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.

Recommended by Tara Jessop.

El Garraf

Natural Feature

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.

Recommended by Esme Fox.

Sant Pol de Mar

Natural Feature

Aerial Photo Of Spanish Municipality, Sant Pol De Mar
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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.

Recommended by Esme Fox.

Caldes d'Estrac

Natural Feature

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.

Recommended by Esme Fox.

Montgat

Natural Feature

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.

Recommended by Esme Fox.

About the author

From her first ever trip to Spain at 10 years old, Rebecca became obsessed with Spanish. This passion for Spanish has since developed into a love for all things language and travel related and has inspired her dream of working for the Foreign Office. Now studying for a degree in Spanish and Arabic, Rebecca has visited Spain over 10 times, and has just spent a year living, studying and teaching in the historic and cultural heart of Morocco, Fes. An adventurous and ambitious individual, Rebecca hates to be stuck in one place for too long, so next stop Nigeria! When not studying, she loves to spend time with her friends and supportive boyfriend and metaphorical rock Ayman, usually smoking shisha, and is passionate about gymnastics.

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