Barcelona's Best Beaches
It's an unusual combination in Europe: a major metropolis fully integrated with the sea. Barcelona's miles of beaches allow for its yin and yang of urban energy and laid-back beach vibe. When you're ready for a slower pace, seek out a sandy refuge.
Since the early 2000s, Barcelona’s platjas (beaches) have been improved, now stretching some 4 km (2½ miles) from Barceloneta’s Platja de Sant Sebastià at the southwestern end, northward via the Platjas de Sant Miquel, Barceloneta, Passeig Marítim, Port Olímpic, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella (the last bit of which is a nudist enclave), and La Nova Mar Bella to Llevant. The Barceloneta beach is the most popular stretch, easily accessible by several bus lines, notably the Nos. D20, V19, and the V15, and by the L4 metro at Barceloneta or Ciutadella–Vila Olímpica. The best surfing is at the northeastern end of the Barceloneta beach, while the boardwalk offers miles of runway for walkers, cyclers, and joggers. Topless bathing is common on all beaches in and around Barcelona.
Dress the Part
Barcelona is such a free city that in 2011, a law had to be created to prevent people from walking around the city in their birthday suits, as it made tourists feel uncomfortable. Being topless is allowed on any beach in Barcelona but full nudity is reserved to some beaches, like Marbella Beach in Poblenou and Playa San Sebastian in Barceloneta.
Platja de la Barceloneta
Just to the left at the end of Passeig Joan de Borbó, this is the easiest beach to get to, hence the most crowded. Along with swimming, there are windsurfing and kitesurfing rentals to be found just up behind the beach at the edge of La Barceloneta. The beach-shack restaurants that lined the beach here until 1992 have been replaced by rather more upscale versions known as chiringuitos (beach bars). Surfers trying to catch a wave wait just off the breakwater in front of the excellent beachfront restaurant Agua.
Platja de la Mar Bella
Closest to the Poblenou metro stop near the eastern end of the beaches, this is a thriving gay enclave and the unofficial nudist beach of Barcelona (but suited bathers are welcome, too). The water-sports center Base Nàutica de la Mar Bella rents equipment for sailing, surfing, and windsurfing. Outfitted with showers, drinking fountains, and a children's play area, La Mar Bella also has lifeguards who warn against swimming near the breakwater. The excellent Pescadors restaurant is just inland on Plaça Prim.
Platja de la Nova Icària
One of Barcelona's most popular beaches, this strand is just east of Port Olímpic, with the full range of entertainment, restaurant, and refreshment venues close at hand. The beach is directly across from the area developed as the residential Vila Olímpica for the 1992 Games, a popular residential neighborhood. Xiringuito Escribà, overlooking the neighboring Bogatell beach, is one of the most popular restaurants on this stretch and does an exemplary paella.
Platja de Sant Sebastià
The landmark of Barceloneta’s southwesternmost beach (at the end of Passeig Joan de Borbó) now is the ultramodern W Barcelona Hotel, but Sant Sebastià is in fact the oldest of the city beaches, where 19th-century barcelonins cavorted in bloomers and bathing costumes. On the west end is the Club Natació de Barcelona, with a semiprivate feel that the beaches farther east seem to lack.
Platja de Gavà-Castelldefels
South of Barcelona (take the 45-minute L94 bus from the Estació de Sants or the Plaça de Catalunya) is Gavà Mar, a popular outing for Barcelona families and beach partiers. Gavà Mar extends 4 km (2½ miles) south to join the beach at Castelldefels; allow for a hike down the beach to seaside shacks serving calçots and paella.
