Barcelona beach guide

Let us know, which is your favourite of these Barcelona beaches?

A Complete Guide to Barcelona Beaches

Barcelona beaches are on on our mind right now. With summer just around the corner, we’re planning long weekends with fun, sun and waves, and what better place than our beloved city?

Without a doubt, Barcelona’s all-year-round sunny climate makes it the ideal beach destination. So let’s enjoy its nine beaches spanning almost 5 km to catch some rays.

This complete guide to Barcelona beaches brings you the best the city’s coastline has to offer, all within the province. Dreaming of sand between your toes and the sea breeze in your hair? Let us take care of the rest!

Table of Contents

Platja de la Barceloneta

Named after the city’s famous maritime neighbourhood, La Barceloneta is one of everyone’s favourite Barcelona beaches. Thanks to its central location – only a five-minute walk from the metro station – its plethora of bars and restaurants, its fantastic views of the W hotel and over 1 km of coastline to enjoy.

The privileged location of this Barcelona beach next to la Barceloneta that is open to nudists makes it popular among locals and tourists alike. Look out for the Wounded Shooting Star Sculpture that pays tribute to the city’s fishing district.

Platja del Somorrostro

Between the Hospital del Mar and Carrer Marina lies this Barcelona beach that used to be part of La Barceloneta. This central beach boasts a huge selection of restaurants perfect for taking in the beautiful views and people watching. Named after the shantytown that was demolished, this beach is popular among the young population of the city.

Alongside some of the most famous Barcelona beaches, Platja de Sant Sebastià is located in Ciutat Vella. One of the city’s oldest beaches, it offers fully accessible facilities, sports clubs with an array of activities and great bus and metro connections.

Platja del Bogatell

The renovations to one of the most popular Barcelona beaches in the 80s makes this beach – with ping-pong tables, volley ball pitches and sun lounger and parasol hire – one of the most visited by people above all in their late 30s.

One of the Barcelona beaches that is open to nudists and a favourite among the LGTBQI+ population, these sandy shores can be easily accessed on bikes and public transport. What’s more, it boasts a great kids play area and basketball pitches for a great deal of fun in the sun.

A Guide to Barcelona’s Best Beaches

View of Barcelona’s beaches | © Robert Brands

Tara Jessop 12 June 2018

Being a bustling, cosmopolitan city with beaches on its doorstep is just one of the reasons Barcelona is such an incredible city. Though some of the beaches can be a little too popular in the summer months, there’s plenty of choice as to where you lay down your towel and these beaches have something for everyone.

For beach bars: Bogatell beach

The Bogatell beach is one of the city’s most popular among local residents thanks to the fact that tourists are generally less inclined to make the short walk away from the Barceloneta. This beach generally attracts a young, laid-back crowd and the residents of the hip Poblenou neighbourhood. This is also where you’ll find a concentration fo some of the best chiringuitos or seasonal beach bars in Barcelona. In fact you can pretty much eat and drink your way from one side of the beach to the other.

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For iconic architecture: Barceloneta beach

The most famous of Barcelona’s beaches, the Barceloneta beach is actually just one segment. However this is where you’ll find the most buzz – not always the most pleasant, mind – and where you’ll get some of the best views of the surrounding architecture. Frank Gehry‘s giant statue of a golden fish, El Peix, as well as the two towers of the Mapfre Building and Arts Hotel plus one of the most iconic Barcelona views.

Barceloneta and Somorrostro beaches | © Nikolaï POSNER / flickr

For swimming in the sea: Mar Bella beach

Located to the north of the city, the Mar Bella beach is generally more relaxed than the beaches to the south of the Port Olimpic. What’s more, here you’ll find some of the best spots for open sea swimming. The local council has been known to designate special sea swimming lanes to protect swimmers from jet-skis and boats. It’s also popular with locals going for a solo swim on their lunch break in the summer and there’s more of a, ‘I’ll watch your back if you watch mine’ atmosphere when it comes to leaving your stuff on the beach.

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For playing beach volley: Nova Icària beach

The beaches in Barcelona are generally well provided for when it comes to facilities for outdoor activities. There are a total of 14 public beach volley nets on the beaches across the city, four of which can be found on the Nova Icària beach. These are very popular and can get busy quickly but the atmosphere is generally very friendly and you’re more than likely to find someone willing to play with you and share.

Playing beach volley in Barcelona | © Manuel Martín / flickr

For a skinny dip: Nova Mar Bella beach

Continue to the far end of Mar Bella beach and you’ll soon notice some small changes, namely the increasing absence of clothing on your fellow bathers. The Mar Bella and Nova or ‘new’ Mar Bella beach blend seamlessly into one another but there’s much more of a nudist vibe around Nova Mar Bella. What’s more, this is also a popular gay beach with the BeGay chiringuito offering not only fun cocktails but also a super-fun atmosphere.

For nearby partying: Somorrostro beach

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.

The bright lights of Port Olimpic | © Jorge Franganillo / flickr

For people watching: Sant Sebastià beach

Located at the very tip of the Barceloneta neighbourhood, the Sant Sebastià beach is quite possibly the city’s quirkiest. Once a nudist beach, it no longer officially is – but that doesn’t deter the die-hard nudists who have swum here for years. Add to that the mix of tourists from every corner of the globe and the more adventurous of the guests from the luxury W Hotel, which stands besides it and you get some rather interesting people watching.

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Barcelona Beaches

Do you enjoy beaches and the sun? Barcelona is your destination!
The Catalan capital has more than 4.5 km of beautiful beaches.

These beaches offer many advantages:

> Beaches that are easily accessible from the city centre on foot, by bike, and of course by public transport.

> Well-maintained, clean, and now tobacco-free beaches with activities and entertainment for all ages.

> Lots of bars and restaurants on the beaches, as well as the famous chiringuitos where music and cocktails flow in the evening.

And some disadvantages that you should know in advance:

> The beaches are very busy and crowded in summer, which can make it difficult to find a place to stay.

> Fees for services and facilities can be high.

> The safety of the water can be compromised due to the presence of algae and other chemicals. However, they are fully monitored from a health point of view.

Barcelona Beach: Where to swim? Which are the best beaches?

We recommend these 4 beaches, well equipped, supervised and easily accessible from the city centre:

Barceloneta is probably the closest beach to the city centre, only 20 minutes on foot or by taking the yellow metro line. Barceloneta beach is special in that it stretches along a dyke full of very good and friendly restaurants.

Nova Icaria, which is close to the Olympic marina, is full of restaurants and beach bars. Very nice to have a break too!

The beach of Mar Bella is for sportsmen. Here you can enjoy windsurfing, kayaks and hobie cats.

Bogatell beach, twice as long as Nova Icaria beach, is a paradise for rollerbladers, cyclists and joggers. A nicer seawall without restaurants and bars. A bit wilder

All the beaches in Barcelona are adapted for disabled people and supervised by lifeguards!

The best beaches for couples are :

La Barceloneta, Santa Monica, Somorrostro and Mar Bella.

The best beaches for children are :

La Barceloneta, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Icaria.

The best beaches for evening entertainment are:

La Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Mar Bella and Nova Icaria.

Barcelona’s beaches in Video:

Map of Barcelona’s beaches

Barcelona’s swimming season calendar.

The high season, with all facilities and equipment in working order, is generally from 31 May to 28 September.

The rest of the year the beaches are practicable but less comfortable and unsupervised.

The beaches of Barcelona from the north of the city to the south:

Sant Sebastiá Beach
Sant Sebastiá Beach is located at the tip of Barceloneta beach, west of the city centre. It is lined with restaurants and bars. Its white sands are well maintained. It is a large beach and very popular among tourists and locals. There are showers, toilets and lockers for storing your belongings. The beach is supervised by lifeguards and has full disabled access.

Length: 1,100 m
Average width: 81 m
Location: From the left of the port estuary to Carrer Almirall Cervera
Transport: Buses: 14, 16, 17, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64, 157
Metro: Line 4 – Barceloneta

Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta beach stretches from Barcelona’s Olympic port to the neighbourhood of the same name, south of Sant Sebastià beach. It is the oldest beach in Barcelona and is a favourite of both Catalans and tourists. Very long and lively, it offers activities for all ages. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, or just relax on the sand. Perfectly equipped with showers and all the usual services for city beaches. It has two beaches at its ends: one near the Olympic port with the Paseo Marítimo beach and the other near the Port of Barcelona.

Length: 1,100 m
Average width: 89 m
Location: From Carrer Almirall Cervera to the Olympic Port
Buses: 14, 16, 17, 36, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64
Metro: Line 4 – Barceloneta and Ciutadella
Tram: Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Cycle routes

Somorrostro Beach

Somorrostro beach is located between Barceloneta beach and the Olympic port. Somorrostro beach is easily accessible and is ideal for all users, especially for people with reduced mobility. There are many activities available: gymnastics, volleyball, and play areas for children. Lockers and showers. There is also a Beach Centre which is an environmental education area dedicated to promoting the city’s coastline.

Average width: 114 m

Location: From Espigon del Gas to the Olympic Port.

Buses: 14, 16, 17, 36, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64
Metro: Line 4 – Barceloneta and Ciutadella
Tram: Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Cycle routes

Nova Icária Beach
This is the beach next to Barcelona’s Olympic port. The promenade goes to the Barceloneta area. Near the beach, there is an esplanade with stone benches facing the horizon. It is considered one of the quietest in the city, frequented mostly by families with their children. On the seawall, there are restaurants and bars that are popular with everyone.

Length: 400 m
Average width: 63 m
Location: From the Olympic port to the Bogatell breakwater
Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92, 141
Metro: Line 4 – Ciutadella y Bogatell
Tram: T4 – Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Cycle routes

Bogatell Beach
Bogatell beach is located close to the Olympic port and is separated from the other two neighbouring beaches by two stone breakwaters. Lifeguard service, showers, ramps, bars, restaurants, parking. In short, it is very convenient to get there and is also quieter and more peaceful than Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta.

Average width: 39 m
Location: From Bogatell breakwater to Mar Bella breakwater
Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92, 141
Metro: Line 4 – Poblenou and Llacuna
Cycle tracks

Mar Bella Beach
La Mar Bella beach is located between the beaches of Nova Mar Bella and Bogatell. There is a sports centre not far from the beach. The promenade extends to the beach of La Barceloneta. Good beach for windsurfing and windy days. Mar Bella beach is also known as the beach for young nudists on the whole. It has restaurants, bars and lockers for storing your belongings.
Length: 500 m
Average width: 42 m
Location: From the Mar Bella breakwater to the Bac de Roda breakwater
Bus: 36, 71, 141
Metro: Line 4 – Selva de Mar
Tram: T4 – Selva de Mar
Cycle tracks

Nova Mar Bella Beach
Its promenade stretches all the way to Barceloneta. It is the favourite beach for women, who make up more than 60% of the population. Very well equipped with showers, lifeguard, bars, parking.
Length: 500 m
Average width: 45 m
Location: From the breakwater of Bac de Roda to the breakwater of selva de mar
Transport: Bus 36, 43, 141
Bus: 36, 43, 141
Metro: Line 4 – Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Tram: T4 – Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Cycle tracks

Llevant beach.

The “Platja de Llevant” in Catalan, is located to the right of Nova Mar Bella. A marine zoo was to be built here but the idea was abandoned and the beach was opened with all its facilities in 2006. Llevant beach is well known for its easy access, especially for people with reduced mobility.

Average width: 74 m
Bus: 36, 43, 141
Metro: Line 4 – Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Tram: T4 – Selva de Mar and El Maresme
Cycle tracks

“Smoke-free beaches: Smoking is now banned on Barcelona’s beaches.

Following the success of the pilot project “Smoke-free beaches” launched in 2021, Barcelona City Council has decided to ban smoking on all the city’s beaches from the summer 2022. Initially, only four beaches were affected: Sant Miquel, Somorrostro, Nova Icària and Nova Mar Bell.
Now all the beaches are.
The councillor for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Eloi Badia, explained at the time that the aim of the project was to protect the health of citizens and the environment, as around 15% of cigarette butts in Barcelona end up in the sea and those that remain on the beach take almost 10 years to decompose completely. This anti-smoking campaign has made it possible to reduce the number of cigarette butts found on the beach by 50% between 2021 and 2022. We can now imagine that there are no more.

After an information campaign, repeat offenders are now fined 30 Euros. For the inveterate smokers, there is a solution: smoking in the chiringuitos – when these beach bars allow it.

This may be of interest to you:

> Barcelona beach hotels: this section will allow you to find the ideal accommodation, close to the beaches of course, for a dream stay. So take advantage of our site to prepare your trip to Barcelona. Enjoy your visit and your stay!