Beaches in Barcelona

If you visit Barcelona, you do it to see some of the amazing marvels there, from local artifacts to the rich history and, of course, you want to go to the beach. The fact that Barcelona is right near the Mediterranean Sea is very compelling, and checking out these local beaches can be a lot of fun. A lot of people love Barcelona for its beaches, but you want to know what are the top beaches here and why you may want to check them out.

Tips to consider when visiting beaches in Barcelona

Whenever you go to any beach, you always want to respect beach etiquette. Nudity is legal on all beaches in Barcelona, but if you want to focus on that, Mar Bella is usually the best spot for it, so try to keep that in mind.
If you are going to the beach, it does make a lot of sense to get some sunscreen. The sun can be very powerful and the last thing you want is to deal with any problems.
Hydrate as much as possible. There are water spots near the beach where you can hydrate. But at the same time, it does make a lot of sense to carry your own bottle of water, if you can, as it will come in handy.
Check for any red flags added by the lifeguards. If you see red flags, that means the section of water near those red flags is dangerous. That way, you know you are not supposed to swim there, and it only leads to a better experience in the end.
Naturally, thieves are everywhere, and this is no different. You always want to watch your belongings and stay safe, since petty theft can be rather common. Ideally, you want to go with other people and as you bathe, they watch over your items. It’s a great idea to consider, and it will only make things better in the end.

How can you reach the beaches in Barcelona?

Most beaches in Barcelona are accessible via walking, but you can also rent a bike to get to the beach. Another popular way to reach the beaches is via metro. It’s inexpensive and you don’t have to deal with any traffic. So yes, there’s no need to worry about checking the local beaches, and that’s a thing to consider here.

Barceloneta

If you want to visit the beaches in Barcelona and you only have time for one, this would be the best option. Not only is it the most famous beach in Barcelona, but it’s close to the city center as well. You can enjoy a lot of beach bars, and here you can try out some of the water sports you like as well.

Aside from that Barceloneta is known for skating and biking opportunities, which is certainly something you want to try out. And on top of that, there’s the iconic W Hotel right at the southern end of the beach. Since Barceloneta is quite popular, you do want to go there early in the day. That’s especially true during the summer, as it can get very crowded, and that’s something to keep in mind here.

Nova Icaria

It’s the beach more suitable for families and casual swimmers. It’s north of Barceloneta, which is a plus, since you can visit both. Why would you come here and not other beaches? A lot of people like the calm waters as well as the soft sand that you can find in here. On top of that, the beach volleyball courts are very popular as well.

It’s close to the Twin Towers and the Olympic port, so once you unwind and relax here, there are other cool things for you to do or see, which is always nice to have. On top of that, the beach prides itself with many accessibility features and benefits. Add to that the fact that it’s more of a laid-back spot, and you can see why a lot of people appreciate it.

Bogatell

Bogatell is a very popular beach between locals, it’s less chaotic, with great facilities and a jogging crowd. One thing to note is that the people here tend to be more mature, so it’s not a noisy spot, which could be a great thing for a lot of people. Another piece of info you want to know is that the beach is maintained very well, there are some low-key vibes and overall, the experience is a lot of fun. It’s a clean beach, one of the cleanest ones in Barcelona, so you should consider it if you want a more rewarding, clean and enjoyable experience at the beach.

Mar Bella

If you want a beach that’s suitable for the more open-minded beachgoers, then this is the spot to be. It’s great for people in the LGBTQ+ community, but also for nudists. Due to the crowd that it addresses, the beach has a more youthful, alternative vibe, which is not a bad thing. They even have green space here, a skate park, along with really cool beach bars.

When you go to Mar Bella, you will notice that they have a clearly marked nudist section. So yes, if you want to enjoy nudism, that’s the best spot for you. Aside from that, you can find a wind surfing school in here as well. And not only that, but they do have DJs here as well, so you can enjoy some cool music. It’s definitely worth it, but you have to remember that this is a more different type of beach, so that’s certainly important to consider.

Nova Mar

You can also go to Nova Mar, which many consider to be one of the nicest beaches in Barcelona. It’s very peaceful, since not a ton of people go here. That’s why it can be the perfect beach in Barcelona if you want to just lay back and have some fun. Locals tend to come here, and it’s a clean beach, which is always something nice to see. Additionally, the beach can be great for solo travelers, couples, and families that just want a more quiet spot in here.

The fact that there are fewer crowds when compared to other places is very interesting and useful. You can finally relax after a challenging day, and you can also find a lot of expats coming here, just to step away from areas that are filled with tourists. It’s a lot of fun to explore for sure, and totally worth taking into consideration as well.

San Sebastia

The beach itself is great for those that want to enjoy some scenic views, it’s close to Barceloneta, and it comes with a more traditional feel. It’s in the historic part of the city, another thing that people appreciate quite a bit. Here you can enjoy some of the stunning views of the city skyline.

With that in mind, there can be quite a lot of crowds here, which is a downside in some situations. But that being said, the beach can be a very interesting place for you to explore, especially if you love the idea of going for a longer swim. There are some great restaurants near this spot as well, so you won’t have any problem enjoying the experience here, and that alone can prove to be a game changer, which is always something to keep in mind here as well.

Is it a safe beach? That’s a question a lot of people ask. Most beaches in Barcelona can have some thieves, so it does help if you pay attention to your stuff. But for the most part, if you have that covered, it’s usually a safe spot. You just have to check it out because it truly is one of the better places for you to explore, and the experience as a whole is certainly worth considering.

Llevant

The Llevant beach has less-developed surroundings, and that means it’s quieter when compared to the other beaches in Barcelona. The layout is also more spacious because of it, and that’s what a lot of people appreciate and enjoy. With that in mind, there are pet-friendly zones, so even if you have a pet, you can still visit this beach, which is something we found to be incredibly interesting. And not only that, but people like it because there are food trucks and a lot of great ways to enjoy some local food after/before you bathe.

Conclusion

All of these beaches in Barcelona are very interesting and enjoyable. People appreciate them because they provide a unique vibe, and many of them are quiet. Of course, you also have Barceloneta which is a great spot for tourists. But at the same time, there are smaller beaches that are off the beaten path so to speak, and where you can go to enjoy some time without a lot of crowds. Regardless of what you prefer, there are many options here, and the experience is excellent. That’s why we highly recommend checking out all these beaches!