Beaches in Barcelona

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Beaches

Barcelona's platjas (beaches) have improved and multiplied in number from Barceloneta north to the Fòrum site at the northeastern end of the Diagonal. At Barceloneta's southwestern end is the Platja de Sant Sebastià, followed northward by the platjas de Sant Miquel, Barceloneta, Passeig Marítim, Port Olímpic, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella, and La Nova Mar Bella (the last football-field length of which is a nudist enclave), and Llevant. The Barceloneta beach is the most popular stretch, easily accessible by several bus lines, notably the No. 64 bus (which runs all the way from Pedralbes at the top of the city) and by the L4 metro stop at Barceloneta or at Ciutadella-Vil.la Olímpica (for the northernmost beaches such as Mar Bella). The best surfing stretch is at the northeastern end of the Barceloneta beach, and the boardwalk itself offers miles of turf for walkers, skaters, bicyclers, and joggers. Topless bathing is the norm on all beaches in and around Barcelona. There are public toilet facilities, but people often stop into a nearby bar to use the facilities. There are showers (free) at the edge of the beach.

North of Barceloneta

Running north of Barceloneta, the first beaches are Montgat, Ocata, Vilasar de Mar, Arenys de Mar, Canet de Mar, and Sant Pol de Mar, all accessible by train from the RENFE station in Plaça de Catalunya. Sant Pol is a good pick, with clean sand, a lovely old town, and the gourmet restaurant Sant Pau (popularly called La Ruscalleda after its chef, Carmen Ruscalleda), one of the best restaurants in Catalonia (or, for that matter, Europe). Another beach with a top-notch gastronomical opportunity is Arenys de Mar with the famous Hispania restaurant a minute's walk from the beach across the NII road. Canet de Mar's beach extends for 10 km (6 mi) and offers rental options for surfboards or Windsurfers, as well as beach restaurants such as (in summer) La Roca or (all year) El Parador. The farther north you go, toward the Costa Brava, the more pristine the beaches tend to be, though this rocky coast specializes in tiny calas (coves or inlets) rather than lengthy strands.

South of the City

Ten kilometers (6 mi) south of Barcelona is the popular day resort Castelldefels, with a long, sandy beach and a series of happening bars and restaurants. A 15-minute train ride from the Passeig de Gràcia RENFE station to Gavà or Castelldefels (be sure your train actually stops at these stations, or you'll go much farther than you intended) deposits you on a 10-km (6-mi) beach. In winter, this makes for a unbeatable walk: from November through March the sun sets into the Mediterranean, thanks to the westward slant of the coastline here. There are several good places in Castelldefels for lamb chops, calçots (spring onions), and paella; the best, Can Patricio, serves lunch until 4:30.

Sitges, 43 km (27 mi) south of Barcelona, is a popular resort with good sand and clear water. Trains from Passeig de Gràcia RENFE station head here.