Barcelona’s sizzling beach season typically goes from April to October. Yup, I said October! (This past fall it got up to 24°C). Typically, the best months for hot weather are May to August and sometimes September. Some days are cloudier than others in the off-season but it doesn’t stop the locals from spending hours at the beach, sometimes until dusk. Catalans will tell you, any day with sunshine is a good day for the beach. Here are 3 local beaches to head to in beautiful Barcelona, Spain.
Tip: Europeans love to roast in the sun so sunscreen is not exactly a hot commodity around here. You can find it, but expect to fork over at least 20 euros a bottle.
Platja Mar Bella
Mar Bella is a fairly new beach since the city re-developed the coastline for the 1992 Olympic Summer Games. It is one of the farthest beaches from downtown Barcelona and because it’s not easy to get to, it makes for a great escape from the large crowds of tourists. It is the more youthful beach, where all the locals flock to, and the best option for a more relaxing, tranquil day. You’ll have nearly one kilometre of beautiful sand and crystal blue waters. The waves here are a lot fun often getting up to a few feet in height just at the shoreline alone. Windsurfing and volleyball are popular sports among the locals at Mar Bella. A large sand dune to the south gives loungers their privacy and, although it is not officially a nudist beach, topless is the norm. In fact Spanish law says that it is permissible to be nude anywhere in Spain as long as it does not cause a disturbance. It’s no wonder the Spanish have some of the most seamless tan lines.
At Mar Bella, there seems to be a demographic shift, with an older or retired crowd in the morning, a larger and younger group arriving early in the afternoon, around siesta time, and a smaller gay crowd later in the day. Some vendors may roam every half hour or so selling cold drinks or offering massages but they are not aggressive and certainly far fewer than you will find on the tourist beaches. For solo travelers, the beach’s local climate makes this a fairly safe area so go ahead and leave belongings on your towel while you go for a dip.
Best way to get there: Metro Selva de Mar (Line 4). About 5 euro by taxi from Port Vell or take the cycle track for a 20-minute scenic bike ride along the waterfront.
Port Olimpic
Most beach goers head to La Barceloneta (it’s the closest beach by the city-centre and the easiest to find) . It’s full of restaurants and bars along the boardwalk, and popular nightlife that goes until 6am. It’s definitely worth the visit – in fact, Discovery Channel named this the third best beach spot in the world – but to escape the throng of tourists head further east to Port Olimpic. It’s just a 20-minute walk along the coast and you’re sure to get a good-size spot on this sandy stretch.
Best way to get there: Metro Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica (Line 4) or 20 minute walk from the end of La Rambla.
Sitges
Sitges is the St. Tropez of Spain and home to the renowned Sitges International Fantasy Film Festival. Only 35 minutes southwest of Barcelona, the city makes for a great day trip.
The charming beach town has 17 beaches to choose from with some of the clearest waters and sandy shores. The maze of cobblestone streets will almost always lead you to one of them! My recommendation is to walk to the city’s main and narrow pedestrian street, Cap de la Vila. It is full of traditional Spanish shops but make sure to stop in to one of their tasty bakeries on this road. Take in the main shore which lies in the backdrop of the 17th century church of Sant Bartolomeu i Santa Tecla. Further from town, you can find a couple of nudist beaches as well as Playa del Muerto, known for its lively and vibrant gay scene.
While temperatures easily reach 30°C and higher in the summertime, October averages 20°C and about 13°C in the winter months. August is great for Festa Major but when the beaches cool down, check out the Santa Tecla Festival in mid-September – one of the most traditional and oldest festivals since 1321 with human towers, parades and fireworks. The film festival also takes place for 10 days in October and the Sitges Carnival in February or March.
Best way to get there: Take the direct RENFE train leaving Passeig de Gracia or Sants stations in Barcelona . Four trains run every hour and costs about €3.60. Make sure to buy your tickets from a kiosk first.
Ben says
Looks like a great place to visit – I love great beaches with clear water.
Private Rentals Umina says
great tips! lovely barcelona!
Christina says
It’s easy to see why you love the shot with the little boy. Your comments about the nudity laws influencing the Spanish tan lines are valid.
Adam says
Nice article! I hope to take my family on a European Cruise out of Barcelona this Summer!
lee says
Thanks for a great run down of the beached to look out for, have not been to Spain yet, they will probably laugh ay my Spanish as I got most of it when in Colombia/Medellin. Love the little fat baby pic, haha.
Morgan says
This is awesome! Those beaches are absolutely beautiful. What an amazing destination to explore! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us!
Harshwardhan Azad Singh says
We’re headed to BCN soon now I think we should check out Port Olimpic. Will definitely tell you about the trip soon.
Dolly says
Nice, I would love to visit Barcelona.
Ale @ Cheap Flights with iFly says
Wow! Cool places. Im looking forward to spend a week before the summer season ends, probably by May. But I prefer not to go in crowded beaches. It would be much better to stay in a less crowded one.
Cristina says
Have a great time Ale! Spain is one of my favourite places!
Christian says
I Love Barcelona. Great tips
Teresa says
Thanks for you great post , it is amazing .
I can get the image of wonderful beaches in Barcelona . A friend have talked to me about Port Olimpic as the same way you described it.
Paul says
Nice post! It worth to go to Sitges, it’s a great place to stay a beach day and go for tapas diner in the inner streets of the town. Don’t miss all the shops and bars where you can taste the PAta negra ham, this special Spanish ham which is the most deliciosus thing I ‘ve ever eaten!!!
Critina says
Julie, I couldn't agree more. Sitges is a hidden gem. I had the opportunity to take in the local castellers there!
My recent post The Human Towers of Spain
Julie Sheridan says
Great article, Cristina. Having lived in Barcelona for the past year, I heartily recommend the day trip to Sitges to take in the 17 beaches there. The water's much cleaner than in the city and the town has such a relaxed, happy vibe it's lovely to walk around and go in for lunch. Plus it's only 35 mins away by train.
My recent post The city and I