Barcelonathe Catalan capital on the shores of the Mediterranean and its beaches...
And that's why we love this city!
A cultural mecca teeming with activities and strolls, Barcelona also offers the chance to go take a sea bath between two visits.
Or a cocktail in one of the Xiringuito bars along the beach...
The Barceloneta beach and its lively little district for a bite to eat and a cool drink!
The town's best-known beach is the Barceloneta.
From May onwards, the beach is packed!
For a little more peace and quiet, I recommend the following beaches Bogatell or even further Nova Icària.
But when the heat is on and it's the weekend, don't expect to enjoy solitude, as it's sometimes a necessity to go and cool off at a certain time of day. It's also the place to go for a drink after work.
In short, you get the picture, enjoying the beach in Barcelona !
I also recommend that you take the time to visit in the small squares of the Barceloneta district. There are tapas restaurants and terrace bars. Especially around the Barceloneta market, just a few minutes' walk from the sea.
Of course, there are plenty of bars and restaurants along the seafront. These are not to be discouraged, as they offer a pleasant magnificent but of course, prices are higher.
All Barcelona beaches...
On Barceloneta, it's the beach the fullest and the one where you'll find all the main tourist attractions, with sand sculptures, artists of all kinds and hawkers selling cocktails, beach equipment, cold beers... Barceloneta beach is a gathering place for sharing a drink.
The next range is the Sant Sebastià. Also very lively, it's a place where you'll find bars, discos and restaurants.
Then, in order, the ranges of Bogatell, Mar Bella gay friendly with a naturist area.
The quietest and most remote beach is Nova Icària. A good place to go to the Poble Nou district, a pleasant area frequented mainly by Barcelonians.
How do I get to the beach?
The best-known promenade of course is to start at Plaça Catalunya and work your way down the RamblasThis long avenue, with a central passage reserved for pedestrians and cars on both sides, leads along the Old Port (Port Vell) to the most central beach: the Barceloneta.
A walk that can take between half an hour and an hour if you're wandering along the way...
Visit metro is still the easiest way to get around the city, with several stops along the seafront (you may have to walk ten to fifteen minutes to get there): Barceloneta, Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica, Bogatell, Llacuna. Poblenou, Selva de Mar or El Maresme Fòrum.
Are the beaches clean in Barcelona?
Barcelona's beaches have bad reputation in terms of cleanliness.
Yet they are cleaned every day, and the city goes to great lengths to keep all the facilities in good condition.
But the number of tourists is higher every year, and the beaches are crowded from June to September...
All the facilities you'll find on the beach: sanitary and sports facilities, lifeguard posts, water sports, children's play areas, swimming aids.
- Sanitary facilities (los baños): beaches are equipped with showers, changing rooms and sanitary facilities. In general, these facilities are relatively clean, even when the beaches are full.
- The beaches are supervised by lifeguards during the day. The sea is usually calm.
- Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented at some of the seaside Xiringuitos.
- Sports facilities such as gym equipment, ping pong tables, beach volleyball and soccer pitches are available on Bogatell beach.
- If you love sea sports or would like to take sailing, kayaking or windsurfing lessons, the Mar Bella municipal water sports centre is the place for you!
- Barcelona is a city with plenty of playgrounds for children. This is also the case on the beaches of Nova Icària and Llevant. These are the more remote and quieter beaches.
- Some beaches offer bathing assistance for people with reduced mobility.
The perfect place for cycling, rollerblading or skateboarding!
Four kilometers of beach with a long avenue running alongside the sea. Don't hesitate to get there by bike or inline skates. Barcelona is also the city of skateboarding. You won't be alone in your love of skateboarding by the sea.
Please be respectful!
Part of Barcelona's population has been complains overflow from mass tourism.
In recent years, tourism has literally exploded in the city center, and not everyone is happy about it...
One of the most common complaints we hear is about clothing... It's not uncommon to come across tourists in bathing suits or shorts on the streets of Barcelona.
Yes, it's true, it's hot, sometimes very hot, and you're probably on vacation, but Barcelona is also a city where people work.
Today, in fact, you can be fined if you go out on the streets without wearing the right clothes.
The Sant Joan festival: everyone's on the beach!
Visit St. John's Day in Barcelona!
The party begins in the morning, with children throwing firecrackers in the streets. And all day long, the people of Barcelona will be out enjoying the day.
In the Barceloneta district, residents bring out the tables and eat in the street with the neighbors!
The party takes place on the night of June 23-24 and takes place mainly on the beach to celebrate the summer solstice. Also known as the night of fire or the night of the witches.
The initial flame is lit in the Canigó, and runners carry it to the center of Barcelona to light all the Sant Joan bonfires.
It's also a good time to taste the coca de la Sant Joan, a sort of cake garnished with candied fruit jelly.
Be sure, however, to prudent because it's also a day when there's a lot of people in the streets, a lot of pickpocketing and firecrackers all over the place.
There are a lot of accidents on this night due to firecrackers and alcohol abuse. It's a festive day, but you have to take precautions.
Photo credit: Claire Ducène
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