|
|
Find here the best Barcelona accomodation and car hire online!
|
|
|
|
 |
 Beaches |
 |
That s the only standing rule you should follow in visiting Barcelona beaches especially with its sunshiny weather all year round. This is one place where the beaches are teeming with non-stop action especially with the opening of the city to the sea, a project first undertaken in the 1980s. The redeveloped seafront, from the Moll de la Fusta and the area around the Palau de Mar to the Rambla de Mar and the Olympic Port area, has become one of Barcelona 's most popular spaces for recreation and leisure.
Add up to that, the beaches of Sant Sebasti La Barceloneta, Nova Ic Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella , stretching more than four kilometers overall. These fabulous places of sand and sea annually receive nearly seven million visitors, and have all the facilities and services necessary for one to enjoy a pleasant and safe day at the beach. And, with the development of the shoreline around the river Bes new areas for leisure have also been developed.
|
|
And then there s the massive clean-up operation of the beach and nearby Olympic marina and village undertaken for the 1992 Olympics which also improved the city s shorelines. The area has become a magnet for Barcelonans and visitors alike, especially with a lot of effort put into maintaining the cleanliness of both sand and sea, which is tested daily. Moreover, all beaches have disabled access, lifeguards (in season), sun beds and showers.
The following are the beaches of Barcelona :
|
|
Nova Icaria
Closest to the Olympic marina, it has three spotless beach bars, two immensely popular restaurants on the promenade behind ( Mango and Chiringuito de Moncho ) and countless bars and restaurants off the Port Olímpic, just a short stroll away.
|
|
Olympic Village
This beach is a lengthy walkway perfect for jogging, roller blading, and cycling. The raised promenade cuts down on traffic noise. No beach bars here, but there are three large informal restaurants on the promenade.
|
|
Mar Bella
(Metro Ciutadella Vila Olímpica, plus 20-minute walk)
Divided from Bogatell by a breakwater and housing a school and hire center for windsurfing, hobie cats and kayaks, this is Barcelona 's only naturist beach.
|
|
Barceloneta
Along this beach lies a series of American-style eateries (pizzas and Tex-Mex mostly) plus the busy Catalan restaurant Agua . Somewhere along its length, the beach becomes San Sebastian (Metro: Barceloneta), a traditional and popular stretch.
|
|
The best beaches around Barcelona:
Catalonia beaches: North vs. South
The Catalonian capital boasts of great beaches all right, notably around the Olympic Village . But at times, when it gets overcrowded, not particularly clean and prone to bag-snatchers, hop in a train for a short trip out of town and we have scores of beaches waiting for you, just beside Barcelona .
The first decision is, north or south?
The main differences to note are: the beaches to the south are wider and longer, whose shallow waters make them safer for children, while the ones to the north are usually prettier and deeper, with bigger waves. Temperature differences can be quite marked as well.
The North
To the north, most of the beaches suffer from the presence of the coastal highway. It's best to keep going past the beaches of Badalona and Mongat , until Fecsa at San Adria are out of sight. Get off at Ocata , just after Masnou . No matter when you visit, you're guaranteed plenty of space in the North. Another plus is that the local council, in a bid to attract people away from the better-known resorts, organizes lots of activities for children.
|
|
Caldes d'Estrach
Caldes d'Estrach, or Caldetes , has a wonderful beach with few facilities other than the chiringuito. The village is pretty and it's probably the nearest spot to travel to escape the sprawl of Barcelona. Beware of the sudden change in the depth of the water.
|
|
San Pol
The water is crystal clear and the village itself is surrounded by green hills worth seeing. For the more adventurous, a beautiful little cove or cala can be found just after the train tunnel where nudist bathing is permitted.
Tossa de Mar
Only accessible by car within 90 minutes reach is Tossa de Mar . It is made picturesque with its old castle on the hill overlooking the bay.
Sa Conca
Nearby, between San Feliu de Guixols and the Platja d'Aro , is one of the six best beaches in Spain -- Sa Conca , a beautiful cove with pine trees tumbling down rocky slopes to the sandy shore.
|
|
The South
Casteldefells
In the south, the first beach is Casteldefells - five kilometers of wide, unbroken sand that is within 15 minutes' train ride from town. It is great for the kids and easy to arrive at. Perfect for your getaway, it has good facilities, bars and restaurants, all within easy reach. The downside is that it s easy accessibility means it is also noisy and very busy.
Sitges
Much better are the beaches a bit further down the tracks around Sitges where it offers over 10 beaches complete with ice-cream parlors, for rent sun-loungers and jet skis. El Garraf has good facilities, is not usually overcrowded and is an easy walk from the station (Baixador del Garraf). It is also a popular gay resort, with a relaxed atmosphere and a couple of nudist beaches. The main sandy areas in front of the town , Fragata and Ribera , are high-pose zones with trendy bar kiosks where the Barcelona crowds compare swimsuits and thongs. Just along the coast is the lesser-known Vilanova , a family beach favored by locals. Here, the facilities for children are excellent.
|
|
|
|
|
