Relax on One of Barcelona Beaches
This page contains pictures and information on the golden sandy Barcelona beaches. There are 4.2 km of golden sandy beaches only 10 minutes from the city centre and 4 main beach areas.
Below is a summary of these in order of closeness to the city centre.
1)Barceloneta Beach
Metro stop "Barceloneta"
(Yellow Line, L4) Turn right on leaving the metro and cross the main roads, continue walking straight for about 10 minutes . Barceloneta is the first of the Barcelona beaches and can therefore get quite busy during the summer months.
The picture of Barceloneta beach above was taken on 3rd of October.. and the sun is still shining! But it's not always like this. Some days can be overcast or even rainy -it's the luck of the draw.
There are plenty of things to do on the beach besides swim. Windsurfing and kite surfing are popular. You can also enjoy a refreshing drink from one of the many beach huts.
Or, if you're in need of a rest, just lie down and soak up the warmth of the Spanish sun with a good book.
In Barcelona you are never far away from some interesting architecture.. not even on the beach! But the designer of this building may have had a few too many drinks when he was 
drawing up his designs!
The quickest way to get to Barceloneta beach is to catch the yellow line metro and get off at the Barceloneta stop.
Alternatively you can walk to Barceloneta from the city centre. It will take you about 20 minutes from the end of La Rambla.
If you choose to walk there are some great views en-route. You'll see the "Monument a Colom" a memorial to the great explorer Christopher Columbus. A little further along is the Port Vell de Barcelona, a picturesque port with a beautiful view of the sea and marina.
During peak season if you would like a little more space to relax it's worth considering going to one of the other beaches listed below.
Photo guide of Barceloneta - the busiest and most popular of the Barcelona beaches
2) Icaria Beach
Metro stop "Ciutadella Vila Olimpica" (Yellow Line, L4). Turn right on exiting the metro and walk towards the twin towers. 10 minutes walk from metro. Click here to see a photo guide of Icaria Beach
Barcelona Beach Accommodation
Beach front hotel accommodation is expensive as this is premium rate territory and there are a lot of other businesses all competing for the space. However you have a few options to consider:
1) Try booking an apartment rental instead of hotel accommodation. You will find that the rates are lower than those for a hotel in the same location and you will have all the modern conveniences of home Click here to read our holiday apartment rental guide.
2) One moderately priced hotel that is close to the beach but about 20 minutes by metro ride to the centre of Barcelona is the Hotel Front Maritim. See the hotel review by a site visitor by clicking the link below:
Review of Hotel Front Maritim near Barcelona Beach
3) You can stay in top first 5 star hotel - Hotel Arts Barcelona
Review of Barcelona Arts hotel Barcelona sea front hotel
4) Take a look at our Barcelona Beach hotel Reviews page with links to Hotels by the beach in Barcelona
3) Mar Bella Beach (Marbella Beach) : (Nudist beach)
Metro stop "Poblenou" (Yellow Line, L4). You'll have a 20 minutes walk from Poblenou metro station to Bella Beach. Although this is unofficially a nudist beach there are many people that go here that are not nude. In fact Spanish law says that it is permissible to be nude anywhere as long as it does not cause a disturbance. But this is not recommended. So there is no such thing as an official nudist beach in Spain only one's where people unofficially elect as nudist.
Take a map with you as there are no signs to Mar Bella beach from the metro
4) Sitges Beaches
This beach is outside Barcelona and you'll need to catch a train from Sants station - journey time approximate 30 minutes .
All of Barcelona beaches are clean and well maintained. The sea water is clear and great for taking a swim.
