Looking for a beachside base to see Barcelona and area for one week in August. Any suggestions? Max. one hour from Barcelona, with easy train access to various day trips.

Thank you!

Salou has a nice beach and is about 70 minutes by train. You can daytrip to Tarragona.

Sitges has a lot to offer. Close to BCN, frequent trains, lovely old town as well as beach, lots of accommodations, good dining. Only problem might be that it's likely to get packed at that time of year but then I'd guess anything within an hour of Barcelona on a beach would. We also liked Tossa del Mar but it's very small in comparison to Sitges and probably wouldn't afford as much variety. Whatever you do, do not go to Lloret del Mar. Very Wisconsin Dells-like.

Julie!!!..does it have a water slide ???(how I wish)..I would agree with Sitges especially with the frequent rail connections.

yes it gets crowded but there's a good reason for that.

I've never been to Wisconsin Dells but I have been to Lloret de Mar which was incredibly crowded and unpleasant.

I agree with Julie's warning to avoid it!

Do as Julie says. Go to Sitges (which I personally find much more pleasant than Salou) and avoid Lloret like the plague.

Thank you all. Do you know approx. how long the train is from Sitges to Barcelona?

About 45 minutes from the Cercanías station at the Passeig de Gracia.

Sitges is also one of europe's premier gay meccas so it can be more crowded than some beaches some times

To me it added an interesting aspect to the town - guys were kissing on the train station platforms so be prepared for open gay affection. I found this openess refreshing and in part i think it's why it's a gay magnet