by There are seven impressive kilometers of sandy beaches in Barcelona, each of them perfectly suited for a morning splash, but for a less urban background and more towel space there are many other accessible options located just north and south of the city. Train lines hug the beaches in both directions, although you’ll need a car if you want to head north from Tossa de Mar to the wooded coves of the Costa Brava proper.
For more inspiration in Barcelona, check out our in-depth guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife, shopping, attractions and free things to do.
Find a beach by area
In Barcelona
Platja Sant Sebastià
The character of the southern end of Barcelona’s beach chain has changed since the construction of the tall-sail-shaped W Hotel has inspired a range of restaurant openings and unleashed the glam factor. It’s still a good place for families, though, with rock pools and a giant rope climbing frame.
How to get there: Take the V15 bus from Via Laietana or it’s a 15-minute walk from La Barceloneta metro.
Insider tip: Pez Vela is a smart but sunny restaurant for paella and Mediterranean food. Book early for a table on the terrace, near the beach.
Platja Mar Bella
Barcelona’s beaches are much larger but generally you will have more sand to yourself the further north you walk. Mar Bella is where things start to get quieter and there are less hawkers, masseuses and so on. The area backed by large sand dunes is usually used by nudists.
How to get there: Take the L4 metro to Poblenou and walk for 10 minutes or so, or take the H16 bus.
Insider tip: For those with a sports bent, there is a skate park behind the beach, ping pong tables and a water sports center (La Base Nàutica) at the south end.
North of the city
North Montgat
You don’t have to travel far out of town for softer, cleaner sand and clearer waters, and these are in abundance at Montgat, or at the next stop, Montgat Nord. The water gets deep quite quickly, so not suitable for smaller children, but otherwise it makes for a relaxing day.
How to get there: Trains run every 15 minutes from Plaça de Catalunya and take just over 20 minutes.
Insider tip: For no-nonsense tapas on a shaded terrace, try Banys Verge del Carme, which sits just halfway between Montgat and Montgat Nord stations.
Caldes d’Estrac
Also called Caldetes, Caldes d’Estrac is a former spa town, famous for its fin-de-siecle modern and classical noucentista building. Many of these are along the seafront, overlooking the Passeig dels Anglesos promenade which skirts a long beach of golden sand. In the warmer months you will find some xinguitos (beach bars).
How to get there: Two to four trains run every hour from Plaça de Catalunya (journey time is around 50 minutes).
Insider tip: In the summer months there is a zone of inflatable rafts and slides in the water; perfect for older children.
Sant Pol de Mar
A picture-perfect fishing village where the train stops right on the beach, Sant Pol is a must-do day trip from Barcelona. Walk south on gradually quieter beaches, and look out for a Civil War casement (fortified enclosure from which guns were fired) and a cormorant colony along the way.
How to get there: Two to four trains run every hour from Plaça de Catalunya (journey time is around an hour).
Insider tip: If you’re there during the week, the Margot Restaurant offers an excellent menu for a three-course lunch at a fixed price of €17.
Tossa de Mar
Tossa is two towns in one: the medieval walled village of winding stone streets on a headland at the end of the beach, and the rowdy resort town behind it. It’s a fun day out however you decide to spend it and, despite its popularity, Tossa still has plenty of character.
How to get there: Coaches run from Estació del Nord 16 times a day and the journey takes one hour and 20 minutes. See moventis.es for tickets.
Insider tip: The coastal path south of Tossa makes a beautiful hike, with small coves for swimming and plenty of views.
South of the city
Castelldefels
Just south of Barcelona, Castelldefels beach is neither secret nor particularly beautiful, but it is long and particularly wide, with plenty of space for volleyball and other sports enthusiasts as well as sun worshippers. Hire sunbeds and parasols from any of the different types xinguitos (beach bars).
How to get there: Trains run every ten minutes or so from Passeig de Gràcia, and the journey takes just under half an hour.
Insider tip: Castelldefels is the only place in the province of Barcelona where you can learn to kitesurf, with a designated zone.
Garraf
A picturesque crescent of a bay famous for its row of green and white wooden huts from the 1920s, once the site of fishermen’s tools and now wildly popular with beachgoers. A front of Soho House dominates the north side, but this is still a family favourite, with warm, shallow water.
How to get there: There are two hourly trains from Passeig de Gràcia (journey time 37 minutes), and the train deposits you almost on the sand.
Insider tip: There are few options for eating and drinking in Garraf, but jump back on the train and you’ll arrive in the lively town of Sitges five minutes later.
Sits
This sparkling coastal ideal is a party town by night, but a relatively chilled place during the day, with a variety of beaches. For a little more space go to Aiguadolç, between forested hills and the marina of the same name, but the nicest is the Balmins, where there is an enthusiastic (and mostly naked) LGBT community.
How to get there: There are four trains an hour from Passeig de Gràcia (journey time around 40 minutes). The beaches are within a 10 to 20 minute walk from the station.
Insider tip: The GR92 coastal path includes a picturesque 8km stretch from Sitges to Vilanova, where you can catch the train back to Barcelona.
Fonda Harbor/Waikiki
Commonly known as Waikiki, this is perhaps the most beautiful beach in Catalonia, and completely unspoiled thanks to the difficulty of getting there – even with a car it sometimes requires a 20-minute walk on a rocky path through the pine woods. Waikiki is mostly a nudist beach and swimwear is not really encouraged.
How to get there: Park cars near the La Mora campsite and follow the path. Or take the train to Altafulla or Tarragona (just over an hour from Barcelona) and walk seven kilometers or so along a nice coastal path.
Insider tip: Take plenty of water and food, and don’t expect beach bars, showers, lifeguards or trash cans.
