Which beach, depending on what you want from the day

Barcelona’s beaches are not interchangeable. Here is how to pick.

Close to town, short session

Barceloneta. The busiest one, but also the nearest, so it works when you only have a couple of hours.

Space to spread out

Bogatell. Wider sand and fewer people per square metre, still around twenty minutes on foot from Ciutat Vella.

Beach volleyball and a livelier crowd

Bogatell again, especially late afternoon when the courts fill up.

Calmer water for swimming

Nova Icària, right next to Bogatell, generally the quieter water of the two.

A full day out of the city

Sitges, around fifty minutes by train from Sants. A proper day trip rather than an afternoon.