Barceloneta is the most convenient of Barcelona's sunny beaches, but there's a lot more to see. A string of golden-hued beaches (mostly created using artificial sand for the 1992 Olympics) stretches along the waterfront districts, including El Poblenou and Sant Martí, all the way to Parc del Fòrum. Here’s all you need to know about the beaches Barcelona locals go to.
Barceloneta & Around
The city’s liveliest beachfront is framed by large palm trees and narrow lanes. Platja de Sant Miquel and Platja de la Barceloneta are a throng of activity year-round, with beach bars, volleyball, paddleboarding and swimming. Homenatge a la Natació, a steel sculpture by Alfredo Lanz, marks the beginning of narrow, slightly quieter Platja de Sant Sebastià. For a breather, walk the sea promenade stretching south behind the sail-shaped W Barcelona hotel. Platja del Somorrostro sits opposite Frank Gehry’s Peix – a 35m-tall sculpture of copper-colored steel scales – bordering the newly renovated Port Olímpic.
Poblenou Beaches
Next to the Port Olímpic, Platja de la Nova Icària is the busiest of Poblenou's relaxed beaches, with typically tame waves. Its larger neighbor Platja del Bogatell is locally popular, too; the main promenade connects walkers to the Parc del Poblenou. Hidden by shrubbery, more peaceful Platja de la Mar Bella is Barcelona's main nudist beach and an LGBTIQ+ hangout with beach bars. Platja de la Nova Mar Bella is another small, laid-back beach beloved by locals. Dog-friendly Platja del Llevant was completed a decade after the Olympics.
