Beaches · Barcelona · Spain
The best beaches in and near Barcelona
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Canaan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Barceloneta (15 minutes' walk from the Gothic Quarter). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- June–September
- Warmest sea
- 25°C (77°F)
The beaches
15 minutes' walk from the Gothic Quarter · Atmosphere and beach bars
1.Barceloneta
The most central and busiest city beach, lined with chiringuitos and seafood restaurants; expect crowds and hawkers on summer weekends.
20 minutes' walk from the Gothic Quarter · Swimming and sea views
2.Sant Sebastià
The southern stretch of the Barceloneta seafront below the sail-shaped W Hotel, with sea-swimming clubs and a little more space than the central section.
Near Ciutadella–Vila Olímpica Metro (L4) · Families
3.Nova Icària
A wide beach beside the Olympic Port with calm water protected by breakwaters, showers, lifeguards in season and room to spread out.
Near Llacuna Metro (L4), about 15 minutes from the centre · Volleyball and a local crowd
4.Bogatell
A long, broad beach with volleyball nets and a more local feel, popular with joggers and cyclists on the promenade.
Near Poblenou and Selva de Mar Metro (L4) · LGBTQ+ travellers and naturists
5.Mar Bella
A laid-back beach with a water-sports base, an LGBTQ+-friendly scene and a small naturist section.
About 20 km south; 20 minutes by Rodalies R2 Sud · Long sandy beach and water sports
6.Castelldefels
About 5 km of fine sand south of the airport, with beach bars, kitesurfing and far fewer visitors than the city beaches.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C (57°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| April | 14°C (57°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| July | 24°C (75°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 25°C (77°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| October | 20°C (68°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| December | 15°C (59°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, families and food lovers
Barceloneta
The narrow grid of Barceloneta, laid out in the 18th century for fishing families, runs down to the most central city beach. Its streets have traditional bars serving bombas and seafood, and the Port Vell marina and Passeig Joan de Borbó lead back to the Gothic Quarter in about 15 minutes on foot.
- Good
- Beach on the doorstep; Seafood restaurants and tapas bars; Walk to the old town
- Watch out
- Crowded beaches in summer; Mostly apartments rather than hotels; Tourist crowds along the seafront
- Nearby
- Barceloneta beach, Port Vell, Aquarium, El Born
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — Colour-coded Metro lines reach most sights, including the Sagrada Família (L2, L5), Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4) and Barceloneta (L4).
- Bus — TMB buses fill gaps the Metro misses, such as Park Güell and the upper slopes of Montjuïc, and the Nitbus network runs overnight.
- Train — FGC trains from Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça d'Espanya serve upper Barcelona, Tibidabo and Montserrat, and Rodalies trains run to Sitges and the airport.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is June, so book early.
Beach safety
Barcelona is generally safe, but pickpocketing and bag snatching are common on La Rambla, on the Metro, at the beaches and around the Sagrada Família. Keep bags zipped and in front of you, and be wary of distraction tricks such as a stranger pointing out a stain on your clothes. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Barcelona have beaches?
Yes: Barceloneta, Sant Sebastià, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Castelldefels.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Barcelona?
Usually June–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Barcelona?
Barceloneta: The most central and busiest city beach, lined with chiringuitos and seafood restaurants; expect crowds and hawkers on summer weekends.