Barcelona, Spain is an excellent destination for a beach vacation. The city has lots of arts and architecture, but it’s also situated right along the water. So, if you’re looking for some fun in the sun, consider one of these eight wonderful beaches during your Barcelona vacation.
#1 – Barcenoleta Beach
Barcenoleta Beach is a crowded, popular beach, much like Miami Beach. It’s great for guests who love people-watching and want to be close to all the excitement of the city.
This busy beach is near some of the best food in Spain. Tapas, paella, and seafood as just some of the delicacies you’ll find during your visit. It’s also a great spot for water sports, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Barcenoleta is the name of the old fisherman’s neighborhood that connects the beach to the shore. So, while there’s lots of entertainment and tourist traps nearby, it still has some of its historic charm.
#2 – Nova Icària Beach
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Nova Icària Beach is also extremely popular, but it’s quieter with much calmer waters. Thus, it’s a great spot for all ages, especially children looking to swim.
Plus, it’s close to many exciting parts of the city, including the Olympic port and observatory. It even covers 1,300 feet of shorelines, giving visitors plenty of space to spread out during their beach day.
This beach has plenty of fun activities, including volleyball courts, ping-pong tables, and a playground. It’s even within close proximity to many restaurants, bars, and shopping centers.
#3 – Mar Bella Beach
This Barcelona beach is perfect if you’re looking for something peaceful and less chaotic. It’s further away from big attractions, so you won’t need to worry about vendors trying to sell you stuff.
It was created as a part of the Olympic Games urban development. It’s full of opportunities for adventurous tourists, including windsurfing and kayaking. The beach is also situated along a path that’s perfect for roller blading, skateboarding, or just walking.
Mar Bella Beach is known for having an exciting nightlife. However, a section of the beach is a nude beach area, so it’s best to avoid that portion if you’re traveling with kids.
#4 – Ocata Beach
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Ocata Beach is about 12 miles north of the city, so many consider it a hidden gem. It’s quieter and more secluded than some of the other beaches, allowing guests more space to spread out on the sandy shores. The sand is clean and the water is clear.
The beach is located in the smaller town of El Masnou, which is a half-hour train ride from Barcelona. However, there are still many vendors and waterfront restaurants to choose from. You’ll find plenty of tapas and seafood right by the beach.
When you’re not swimming, there are lots of activities on land too, such as volleyball, soccer, and rugby.
#5 – Bogatell Beach
Bogatell Beach is located between Nova Icària and Mar Bella. It usually attracts older travelers since it has a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also considered one of the safest beaches in Barcelona.
Despite its tranquil reputation, Bogatell Beach still has plenty of fun things to do. Volleyball, ping-pong, kitesurfing, and windsurfing are just some of the exciting activities that all ages can enjoy.
It’s a smaller beach, but it’s usually very clean. There are plenty of restaurants and attractions nearby, which are especially eventful at night. Although there are many convenient kiosks selling food and snacks right on the beach too.
#6 – Sant Sebastià
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Sant Sebastià is one of the longest beaches in Barcelona, stretching over 3,600 feet. It has a busy, exciting vibe, similar to Barcenoleta Beach. It’s especially popular in the summer, so you’ll need to get there early in the morning to find a good spot.
In addition to swimming and tanning, there are plenty of other activities for guests to enjoy. Surfing, sailing, paddleboarding, and volleyball are some of the many attractions. It’s also near many excellent dining options, so you could easily spend all day at the beach if you’d like.
This beach has a lot of history behind it. It’s one of Barcelona’s oldest beaches, and the first beach in the city to allow men and women to swim together. It also got amenities like restrooms, showers, and lifeguards well before the other beaches did.
#7 – Castelldefels
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Castelldefels is a beach that’s about a half hour south of Barcelona. Many locals consider it the best beach in the area, despite not being directly in Barcelona. While it’s in a suburban area, it can be a bit crowded and there’s always lots of do there.
It’s a great spot for families looking to be a little more adventurous. You can take sailing or windsurfing lessons right on the beach. There’s also a non-sandy path along the shore, which is perfect for walking and biking.
Once you work up an appetite, there are several delicious restaurants within walking distance. Many of them are reasonably priced, so Castelldefels is a great beach to visit on a budget.
#8 – Sitges Beaches
Sitges Beach is a luxurious beach located in a resort town. In fact, the town of Sitges actually has 17 beaches, which are all about a half hour away from Barcelona.
With so many beaches, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from, including LGBT-friendly areas, nude beaches, and areas catered to families. Some of the most popular beaches in Sitges are Patja de la Ribera, Platja de Barra, and Platja de la Fragata. Most of these beaches have plenty of space available, offering a more tranquil setting than the busy beaches in Barcelona.
Like many of the other areas, Sitges is known for having an exciting nightlife and delicious restaurants. The town is very welcoming to all, so some prefer to spend their whole vacation there as opposed to directly in city.
Barcelona has over 60 miles of coastline, so there are plenty of places to swim, tan, or try water sports. Even just walking along the tropical beaches is thrilling enough for most visitors. If you’re having a tough time deciding where to visit in Spain, consider a beach or two off this list.
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