‘Under the Mediterranean sun’ is a delightful cliché best enjoyed at some of the many beaches in Barcelona. Barcelona is a perfect choice for a beach holiday, given the number, variety and beauty of its stretches of sand. Read on for Skyscanner’s list of some of the best beaches in Barcelona you should spend time at during your visit.
List of beaches in Barcelona
- Barceloneta Beach
- Nova Icaria Beach
- Mar Bella Beach
- Ocata Beach
- Bogatell Beach
Barcelona beaches map
Top beaches in Barcelona
1. Barceloneta Beach
Crowded, loud and fun, Barceloneta is Barcelona’s most popular tourist beach. As long as relaxing and rewinding don’t figure on the agenda, you should have a great time here. Barceloneta Beach is commercial and busy, with restaurants lining the stretch, hawkers pacing it in the hope of selling you a sangria and a snack, and everything from chairs to umbrellas available at an hourly rent. Come evening and the beach becomes a hub for lively nightlife.
Best time to visit in the day: Plan your visit before 10 AM if you’re looking for a decent spot in the sand. After that, it is all tourists and vendors. Weekends are typically more crowded than weekdays, though during the summer months, all days will be busy. Late evenings see locals join in as well.
Find flights to BarcelonaThings you can do at Barceloneta Beach: Check out the Cubes monument, the iconic fish sculpture, dig into local recipes at seafood eateries and bars, or just hang out on the beach and get a massage. Looking for action? There’s watersport options to keep you busy and the usual beachy nightlife with an atmosphere of entertainment, party and fun.
2. Nova Icaria Beach
Quieter and calmer, Nova Icaria is all sports courts and watersport. Less commercial than Barceloneta Beach, this beach is next to the Olympic Marina and Observatory, and attracts mostly younger crowd. Though busy, Nova Icaria remains clean and peaceful allowing for some peaceful time out, it also buzzes with volleyball enthusiasts looking for their time on court.
Best time to visit in the day: The best time to visit Nova Icaria is in the morning, when the water is calm and the beach is relatively less crowded.
Things you can do at Nova Icaria Beach: The beach is a hub for beach sports especially volleyball, you can eat at the many beach shacks and seaside restaurants, or take lessons in windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing. Hop across to the Icaria Shopping Centre or the casino when you’ve had your fill of the beach.
Find flights to Barcelona3. Mar Bella Beach
Mar Bella Beach is quiet and out of the way, but totally inclusive in nature. With a playground and swings at one end of the stretch and a nudist section at the other, there is everything from quiet family time to stretching under the sun in the buff. The beach is clean and not vendor infested. Choppy waves on windy days make it a popular spot for surfing and windsurfing.
Best time to visit in the day: Visit Mar Bella Beach in the mornings and during the day to get your dose of the sun and the sand. Keep weekend nights for the occasional rave.
Things you can do at Mar Bella Beach: On Sunday nights during the summer, the beach becomes a venue for late light raves. It is also a hub for surfing and windsurfing, and nude sunbathing.
4. Ocata Beach
Quiet and bordering on secluded, Ocata Beach is the place to go to when you are looking to rewind and generally stay out of people’s way. A 30-minute train ride from downtown, the beach has only enough shacks to make sure you get something to snack on and stay hydrated. The flat beach also makes it a spot for rugby and volleyball tournaments.
Best time to visit in the day: Visit at any time of the day, since the beach is not really on the tourist radar. Even in busy summer, Ocata will ensure you enjoy a peaceful, lazy sprawl on the beach.
Things you can do at Ocata Beach: Play volleyball, football and rugby, laze on the beach and get a tan, or take a dip in the clear waters.
Find flights to Barcelona5. Bogatell Beach
A pretty beach with clean water, Bogatell is ideal for some family time. It has the same facilities as Barceloneta Beach but is considerably less crowded, much cleaner and way cheaper. Bogatell offers a chilled out day of lounging, exercising, swimming and beach bar hopping.
Best time to visit in the day: Visit Bogatell at any time during the day as there is no rush to grab a spot. Daytime is recommended if you are a foodie, since there are quite a few restaurants with great brunch and lunch menus.
Things you can do at Bogatell Beach: Reasonably priced umbrellas, loungers and bars mean that you can look forward to a day filled with food, drink and relaxation; while free exercise equipment and shallow waters translate into a good workout.
Do’s and don’ts for beaches in Barcelona
Do’s: Carry snacks, sunscreen and hats to popular beaches; essentials are usually overpriced at beaches like Barceloneta. Try seafood at the chiringuitos or beach bars.
Don’ts: Don’t spend all your beach time on busy, action packed beaches. Keep some time for the out of the way ones. Choose a weekday for a trip to the beach, avoid weekends.
How to reach Barcelona
Barcelona El-Prat Airport is 12 kilometres from the city centre. There are no direct flights from India to Barcelona. To get your hands on a great ticket deal to Barcelona, sign up for Skyscanner’s Price Alerts and we will let you know when to make that booking.
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