The best beaches in Barcelona

Barcelona has almost 5 kilometers of continuous beaches along the coast, all connected by the seafront promenade and reachable by metro. You don't need to leave the city to spend a day at the beach.

Barceloneta

The most famous and liveliest beach, right next to the neighborhood of the same name. It has beach bars, sports on the sand and a lot of people almost year-round, so it's the best option if you're after a social scene rather than quiet.

Nova Icaria

A bit further north, Nova Icaria is one of the city's most family-friendly beaches: less crowded than Barceloneta, with restaurants nearby and good metro access from Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica.

Bogatell and Mar Bella

Following the seafront promenade north, Bogatell and Mar Bella tend to have fewer people since they're a bit further from the center. Mar Bella is also Barcelona's only official nudist beach, on its northernmost stretch.

Getting there

All the beaches are connected by metro (lines L4 and L10, stops Barceloneta, Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica, Bogatell and Poblenou) and by the coastal tram, so you can move between them without a car or bike.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best beach in Barcelona?

It depends what you're after: Barceloneta is the most famous and liveliest, Nova Icaria is quieter and more family-friendly, and Bogatell and Mar Bella are less crowded since they're a bit further from the center.

Are Barcelona's beaches sandy?

Yes, all of them are sandy and artificial: they were built for the 1992 Olympic Games, when the city's seafront was opened up.