Information on the golden sandy Barcelona beaches. There are 4.2 km of golden sandy beaches only 10 mins from the city centre and 4 main beach areas. Below is a summary of these in order of closeness to the city centre.

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 mins. Barceloneta is the first of the Barcelona beaches and can therefore get quite busy during the summer months.

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 mins 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 de Barcelona, a picturesque port with a beautiful view of the sea and marina.

Barceloneta beach is the closest beach to Barcelona city centre. If you walk to Colom at the end of the Ramblas you have about a 15 mins walk to the beach, alternatively see below for metro information. Barceloneta has many great sea food restaurants serving up fresh catches of the day. Barceloneta beach can get busy during the peak season (June to Sep) in which case you could try visiting Icaria Beach the next beach along from Barceloneta.

Icaria Beach

Metro stop "Ciutadella Vila Olimpica" (Yellow Line, L4). Turn right on exiting the metro and walk towards the twin towers. 10 mins walk from metro.

Icària beach is the next closest beach to the city centre after Barceloneta beach.

Icaria beach is generally quieter than Barceloneta during the summer months and is worth visiting if you want more space and want to relax.

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

2) One moderately priced hotel that is close to the beach but about 20 mins by metro ride to the centre of Barcelona is the AC front Maritim.

3) You can stay in top first 5 star hotel - Hotel Arts Barcelona

Mar Bella Beach (Marbella Beach) : (Nudist beach)

Metro stop "Poblenou" (Yellow Line, L4). You'll have a 20 min 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.

Sitges Beaches

This beach is outside Barcelona and you'll need to catch a train from Sants station - journey time approximate 30 mins.

All of Barcelona beaches are clean and well maintained. The sea water is clear and great for taking a swim.