Beaches around Barcelona: public transport options!
One of the major charms of Barcelona is the whole host of beaches which you can visit without even leaving the city! During high season, though, things can get very busy, very quickly – not necessarily the ideal setting for relaxation and farniente.
Thankfully, there are plenty more options outside the city! For a calm, quiet dip, head outside Barcelona, and in less than an hour, you can be somewhere much, much more peaceful.
Beaches around Barcelona: our selection
1- Badalona – the closest one
Badalona beach is quite distinct from those you’ll find in Barcelona itself, despite being just down the road. There’s a calmer, more local vibe, and the water is noticeably cleaner.
- Our first photo was taken at Badalona! If you, too, fancy setting up camp under a shady tree, head out of the station and toward the right hand side of the beach (toward Barcelona, when you’re facing the sea).
- Hungry? Take a stroll down the Passeig de la Rambla, a charming avenue lined with palm trees which is home to a whole host of bars serving tapas on the terrace.
- For sporty types, there are volleyball courts set up on the sand.
- Showers are also available.
- Getting there: Take the R1 toward Maçanet-Massanes or the metro (L2) to Badalona-Pompeu Fabra
- Price (one way): €2.20 (or €1 if you have a 1-zone T10 ticket)
- Journey time: 20-25 minutes from Plaça Catalunya by train (R2)
2- Montgat Nord – the quietest one
Two stations down the line from Badalona, the beach at Montgat Nord is quieter still. Enjoy views of the Fòrum park and Hôtel W from the comfort of your towel. Not bad!
- As at Badalona, there are volleyball pitches and free showers available.
- If you’re feeling peckish, head for one of the chiringuitos (beach bars) or the tapas bar near the station.
- There’s less on offer by way of refreshments than at Badalona, so if you’re planning on spending the say, we recommend packing a picnic.
- Getting there: Take the R1 to Maçanet-Massanes. Follow the railway line and take the underpasses to get to the beach.
- Price (one way): €2.20 (or T10 1 zone)
- Journey time: 30-35 minutes from Plaça Catalunya
3- Sitges – the most varied one
Sitges is a pretty town on the Catalan coast, which features both a beach and a picturesque town centre, with winding streels full of little shops and typical bars. A great place for exploring, swimming and relaxing!
- For more information, see our article on Sitges: a fun and friendly seaside resort
- Getting there: Take the southbound R2 towards Sant Vicenç de Calders.
- Price (one way): €4
- Journey time: 50 minutes from Passeig de Gràcia
4- Garraf – the prettiest one
Located between Barcelona and Sitges, Garraf beach is the perfect location to top up your tan in peace. It’s tucked away in a quiet cove, with pretty wooden huts which add to the charm of the place.
- The beach is very clean, as is the water.
- There’s only one chiringuito, but it offers excellent value for money. We were unable to resist the patatas bravas, which come with our seal of approval!
- Get there early – the beach is small and can fill up quickly. If you’re not a morning person, then head for a bigger beach with more room.
- Getting there: Take the southbound R2 towards Vilanova i la Geltru.
- Price (one way): €3
- Journey time: 40 minutes from Passeig de Gràcia
5- Castelldefels – the biggest one
Half-way between Sitges and Barcelona is Castelldefels. Whilst it lacks the charm of Garraf, Castelldefels is a great choice because, put simply, it’s huge!
- You’re not going to struggle to find a space here – there’s plenty of room for everyone!
- There are also lots of chiringuitos and a whole host of bars, making this beach almost as lively as the one at Sitges.
- Getting there: Take the southbound R2 towards Vilanova i la Geltru. Get off at Castelldefels Platja (the main station at Castelldefels is a fair way from the beach).
- Price (one way): €2.20 (or T10 1 zone)
- Journey time: 35 minutes from Passeig de Gràcia
Before you go…
Trains, times and stations
- The trains have air conditioning, making the journey particularly pleasant when it’s hot.
- Note: If you’re going to Garraf or Castelldefels, make sure your train stops at the station you want – not all of them do! Check the station list before you get on.
- There are no station announcements on the train, so it’s up to you to pay attention!
- Pick your return time carefully: trains back to Barcelona can get very, very busy, especially between around 6 and 8.30pm. If crowds aren’t your thing, we recommend leaving earlier or later.
Tickets and prices
- For more information on public transport tickets in Barcelona, see our article on the subject.
- Note: The 1-zone T10 card is not valid beyond Montgat Nord.
- If you’re going to Garraf and Sitges and travelling as a group, consider buying a 2- or 3-zone T10 card, which can be shared by several passengers and works out cheaper than buying individual tickets.
Thanks to Maite for her dedication in testing out new spots for this article!
