While many flock to Barcelona’s busy city beaches, some of the most enviable playas are a convenient train ride away. The neighboring coastline is sprinkled with beckoning shores, extending from the wide beaches of the Maresme to the "Golden Coast," otherwise known as the Costa Daurada. From picnicking in a secluded cove and admiring the natural landscape, to sipping sangria at a chiringuito and exploring charming nearby towns, you can’t go wrong. Barcelona’s well-connected transportation system makes it that much easier to reach spacious stretches of sand and clearer waters, away from the crowds and commotion of the city.
Malgrat de Mar
Malgrat de Mar is a no-nonsense getaway, in the best possible sense. A quirky seaside resort with more than four kilometers of soft golden sand, it feels far removed from urban life, with no organized activities or obnoxious nightclubs. Instead, children of all ages can enjoy playgrounds on land and inflatable jungles floating on the water, and handy picnic tables and refreshment stalls make it more comfortable to spend the whole day there. Tourism really began in the area in the 1960s, and today Malgrat de Mar is officially recognized by the Generalitat as a Family Holiday Destination.
How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya to Malgrat de Mar. 1 hour 20 minutes.
Calella
Holiday with the locals at the lively cosmopolitan beach of Platja de Garbí in Calella, around 50 kilometers northeast of Barcelona. The town of Calella has been accommodating Catalan families for more than 50 years, and the beach is well-equipped with leisure and recreational services as a result. It has dedicated space for beach football, beach volleyball and paddle, as well as yachts for hire. If you have a need for speed, you can also take a ride on a banana boat, go water skiing or parasailing. Garbí Beach has continually received Blue Flag status since 2004 because of its golden sand, which is cleaned daily, and glittering blue waves. Admire the views while lying in one of Blue Bar Beach Club’s hammocks, or stay for dinner and feast on its celebrated gourmet burgers.
How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya to Calella. 1 hour 10 minutes.
Playa de Sant Pol de Mar, photo by Alberto G Rovi. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sant Pol de Mar
Lying beside the railway, this horseshoe cove surrounded by rocks is a great alternative to the racket of inner city beaches. It has the secluded charm of an oasis, despite being so close to the train tracks. Though it becomes more popular during the summer, couples hoping to have a cozy picnic under the sun are particularly fond of it. If more of a fine dining experience is what you’re after, Restaurant Banys Lluís overlooks another of Sant Pol de Mar’s beaches and has more than 90 years’ experience serving up tasty Catalan cuisine against a picture-perfect backdrop.
How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya to Sant Pol de Mar. 1 hour.
Platja de la Musclera, photo by Isidro Jabato. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
La Musclera
Close to Arenys de Mar, La Musclera is a natural beach in every way. Primarily known as a nudist beach, the area is also regarded for its native vegetation and protected spaces. You can find some interesting species such as sea rocket, marine centinody and beach darnel here. Beyond its ecosystem, the beach’s chiringuito, H2O, gets rave reviews for its chill vibe, and its proximity to the sea will have you devouring seafood and sangria till it closes. The beach is generally peaceful, despite being popular with younger crowds, offering a sweet escape to turquoise waters and no tan lines.
How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya to Caldes d’Estrac. 50 minutes.
Platja d'Ocata, photo by Ling Travel. (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Ocata
Just beyond El Masnou, Ocata Beach is a buzzing destination. It hosts a number of seasonal rugby and volleyball tournaments, along with cultural and leisure activities, and is recognized for its characteristic chiringuitos. The beach bar Dreams often hosts DJs and bands at the weekend, and Bamboo provides comedy shows alongside fresh vegetarian fare. Though less busy than Barcelona, it seduces many visitors with its magnitude, making it easy to find a perfect spot to throw down your towel for the day. Ocata is also cleaner than most beaches in Barcelona, with finer sand, crystalline water and Blue Flag status.
How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya to Ocata. 30 minutes.
El Masnou photo, by Jorge Franganillo. (CC BY 2.0)
El Masnou
One of the best features of the beach at El Masnou is the view of Barcelona’s jagged skyline in the distance. The W Hotel, Torre Glòries, the Mapfre Towers and other landmarks of the city can all be identified clearly from the shoreline. Sunset makes for a magical time here, when the views can be enjoyed alongside live music, monologues or performances at the high-class La Rotonda beach bar. The beach’s proximity to Barcelona makes it a great day trip for families, young people and groups of friends in search of somewhere new.
How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya to El Masnou. Approximately 25 minutes.
Castelldefels, photo by Eva11975 (Public Domain)
Castelldefels
Perhaps not the most exotic escape outside of Barcelona, Castelldefels still ticks all the boxes for an easy and worthwhile day trip along the coast. The wide strip of soft sand stretches five kilometers and affords more space for sunbathers. There are many useful facilities, including WiFi access across the whole beach, and several chiringuitos entice you to stay all day. Disconnect with a cocktail in hand at the chilled-out Carita Morena, or fuel up with Iguana’s tasty burgers and special sandwiches. Castelldefels is also a hub for watersports, where those who need a break from lounging in the sun can learn how to surf, sail or wakeboard at one of the nearby schools, such as Nalu Watersports or OsteoSport.
How to get there: R2 Sants to Castelldefels. Approximately 20 minutes.
Garraf beach, photo by Eduard Maluquer (CC BY-SA 2.0)
El Garraf
This beach is named after the sleepy fishing village of Garraf. Striking green and white fishermen’s houses, now used as beach huts, run along the pebbled sand offering a picturesque facade unique to the location. The village sits beyond the huts at the foot of the rocky Sierra de Coma Rioja and Garraf National Park, perfect for nature-lovers wanting to explore beyond the beach. Many families also enjoy the calmness of Garraf beach, where shallow waters and clean sand let children roam more freely. La Cúpula restaurant is a great lunch spot close by, sitting at one end of the beach with a shiny red vintage car parked in the dining room, an elegant terrace and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
How to get there: R2 Sants to Garraf. 30 minutes.
Sitges
One of the most popular escapes for Barcelona residents is the colorful town of Sitges, known for its gay nightlife, celebrated film festival and world-renowned Carnival. The town is also home to 17 charismatic beaches, each with its own personality and following. Platja de la Fragrata has lovely views of the iconic Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, and is great for families and young people, with its volleyball courts, paddle boats for hire and nearby restaurants. East of the church, Platja dels Balmins caters to those who prefer to bathe au-natural and is one of the most popular nudist beaches of the region. Further west, Platja la Bassa Rodona is the main gay beach of Sitges, which is comparatively busier than the others and offers many facilities such as a beach bar, kayak rentals and massage services.
How to get there: R2 Sants to Sitges. 30-40 minutes.
Platja de Cunit, photo by Angela Llop. (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Cunit
Cunit is one of Catalunya’s many Blue Flag beaches, with fine yellow sand coating two and a half kilometers of coastline. Seven breakwaters form a series of half moon beaches with calm, shallow waters, which makes Cunit a popular spot for families with young children. The bays are all easily accessible and share several useful facilities, such as on-site showers, foot washers and toilets, lifeguard stations, a nearby carpark, volleyball courts and a playground. A long promenade fringes the beach, frequented by cyclists and skaters, and is great for those wanting to stroll between Cunit’s different landscapes of sand and sea, and coastal mountain range.
How to get there: R2 Sants to Cunit. Approximately 50 minutes.
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Cala Jovera
Ditch the sandcastles and opt for a real castle by the sea. Cala Jovera is a secluded cove overlooked by the Romanesque Tamarit Castle. Once used as a port, the cove managed to retain its natural beauty and has received the virgin beaches on the coast of Tarragona" award two years in a row. Its bay of golden sand and blue ocean is enclosed by pine trees planted on the castle grounds, giving you the feeling of complete isolation. Cala Jovera is quicker to get to by car, and the magic of this place makes it well worth the drive.
How to get there: 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
Platja Llarga, photo by Isidro Jabato. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Platja Llarga
A little farther to travel, Platja Llarga is around 5km east of Tarragona and is the longest beach of the province. It offers semi-urban characteristics, where sun-worshippers can savor the space and privacy, and non-bathers can relish the medley of nearby hotels, restaurants and bars. Toful de Mar is one of the popular chiringuitos posted along the beach, serving tapas and seafood on a terrace that gives way to endless sea views. Like much of the Costa Daurada, the water is calm, warm and shallow, but you can still try your hand at surfing in the practice area. There is also a nearby campsite named after the beach for those inspired by the surrounding pine forest, home to diverse species of flora and fauna and ideal for bird watching.
How to get there: Reg. Expres Sants to Tarragona, then bus 12/13 Mediterrani. 1 hour 30 minutes.
Published July 2017, updated July 18, 2021.