Beaches NEAR BCN
Leaving the city beach behind you, it is amazing how quickly the crowds thin and the water becomes cleaner. We highly recommend putting in a little bit of effort to try the beaches just outside the city. There are tons more than are listed here - once you're on the bus or train and you see a spot you like, get off!
If you are looking to go farther, the Costa Brava is well worth the trip.
Check out this guide for the best beaches outside of BCN and Barcelona Yellow - Beaches around Barcelona.
TO THE NORTH
Getting there: You can take the Renfe Rodiales train R1 (from Sants, Plaça Catalunya, Arc de Triomf and Clot stations) in direction Blanes or Mataró. The trains go by every 10-15 minutes.
Badalona is the closest suburb to the north of Barcelona. It is still busier than the small beaches of the Costa Brava, but not nearly as busy as Barceloneta, and it tends to be cleaner. You will notice fewer tourists here and many more locals. You can arrive in 20 minutes on the R1 train from Plaza Catalunya, and the train leaves you right at the beach!
Ocata is about 30mins away. Ocata tends to be less crowded than the city and has a bigger beach. There are plenty of beach restaurants and facilities, like restrooms, showers, and chair rentals, so it is perfect for spending the day there. To get there: take the R1 train (see above) with a roundtrip ticket to Ocata (should be about 4€). Get off at the station called Ocata and you can't miss the beach! If you have less time, get off at Montgat (the stop before Ocata).
Sant Pol de Mar. If you stay on the same train to Ocata but ride a bit further, you'll reach Sant Pol de Mar. It's a cute fishing village with a great beach - perfect for enjoying a paella and a siesta by the sea. More info on Sant Pol de Mar and how to get there.
TO THE SOUTH
Getting there: You can take Renfe trains R2 or C2 (from Sants, Passeig de Gracia and Clot stations) heading south. The trains go by every 10-15 minutes.
Castelldefels is only about 20 minutes away, with 5 km of beaches. It has plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants, and is a great way to get out of Barcelona if you don't want to go too far. It can still get pretty crowded, especially on weekends, but there is a bit more space to spread out. You can get here by train (R2 or C2 out of Sants, Passeig de Gracia or Clot) or by bus.
Garraf is the next stop after Castelldefels on the R2 train. It is a quiet beach, with a few restaurants but none of the chiringuitos (beach bars) playing loud music that you find at some of the other beaches. There is also a little wine cellar designed by Gaudí.
Sitges is about an hour south of BCN and is home to several beaches. It has a beach for everyone - from nudist beaches to very family friendly beaches. In February, it is home to Carnaval, so there are parades, events, and tons of people, but the rest of the year Sitges is a quiet, quintessential Mediterranean town with narrow streets and white and blue buildings. There are plenty of places to go for lunch or dinner or go shopping, so it's perfect for spending the day. How to get to Sitges
Tarragona is an hour to an hour and a half south of Barcelona, with a lot to do and see. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the capital of Spain during Roman times. It has some wonderfully preserved ruins, great shops, and restaurants. The main beach in town is nice, but the best ones are just outside of town (available by public bus and others by hiking). It is great for spending the day or even a weekend, and is a favorite city for both locals and tourists.
Tarragona has beaches in the city center (near the ruins of the amphitheater). But you can also take a bus to other beaches like L'arrabassada.
