A guide to Barcelona’s Best Beaches
You know what makes Barcelona one of the best cities in Europe? No, it’s not the architecture, food, people, festivals or laidback city lifestyle, although they do help. It’s the beaches. In what other European cities can you walk from the city centre to the beach in less than 20 minutes? Not London, Berlin or Paris although they do try to emulate what Barcelona has with a few artificial beaches during summer. Today we are going to have a look at the best beaches in Barcelona and more specifically which beach is best for you.
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Barceloneta- Without a doubt Barcelona’s most popular beach and the easiest to get to. It’s the place to come if you want to stretch out on the sand with lots of other visitors, buy cheap beer from the beach vendors and soak up the lively yet chilled atmosphere. There are heaps of bars and restaurants serving excellent paellas nearby.
San Sebastiá- Even closer to the city than Barceloneta beach it shares many of the same characteristics as its northerly neighbor except that in front of the swimming clubs there is a designated nude bathing area. From San Sebastiá beach you get a great view of the coastline stretching northwards.
Nova Icaria- A popular choice for families and those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. It’s location on the other side of Port Olímpic means it doesn’t get as crowded but it still gets busy during the summer. If you like playing beach volleyball there are permanent nets and impromptu games happening all over the place. When you’ve worked up an appetite there are plenty of restaurants in Port Olímpic to choose from.
Bogatell- Being further away from Barcelona centre makes this beach a little more difficult to get to but well worth the effort. Nowhere near as crowded as the other beaches, close enough to Port Olímpic when you get hungry and a relaxed atmosphere make this beach one of the most popular with the locals.
Mar Bella- What really sets this beach apart from the rest is, nudism. It is one of the only designated nude beaches in Barcelona. A large sand dune at one end of the beach allows for some privacy for those of you who want to work on your all over tan. At the other end of the beach you’ll find plenty of sports facilities and at the Mar Bella Port you can do some kayaking, windsurfing or sailing.
At all of the beaches in Barcelona you will find toilets, showers, lifeguards beach bars and gym equipment. The availability and services depend on the time of the year with most being available only during high season. What’s your favourite beach in Barcelona?
