5 fabulous beaches an easy train ride from Barcelona

19.07.2024 - 15:18 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 19, 2024 • 5 min read

Not just a city of modernista masterpieces and nightlife that doesn’t quit, Barcelona has also earned a reputation as one of Europe’s beachiest urban playgrounds.

The thousands of blissful sunbathers lying out at a city beach for the first time might be unaware, though, that Barcelona’s nine consecutive crescent-shaped beaches are all completely artificial, built in anticipation of the 1992 Olympics. For a midday dip or nap on the sand, a visit to Platja de la Barceloneta, the city’s most popular beach, or local favorite Platja del Bogatell can be a perfect treat.

And you’d be wrong – very wrong – in thinking this is the best waterfront the Catalonian coast has to offer. 

If you’re looking for a natural beach for a full or even half-day getaway from bustling Barcelona, consider leaving the city limits to discover beaches that any local would recommend. And you don’t even need a car to get to any of them. 

Best beach for partying

Add some flair your beach day by catching a train for the 40-minute trip to Sitges. With over a dozen sandy beaches to boast about, this busy resort town has long been a favorite among Barcelonins and has a decades-long reputation as perhaps Spain’s most prominent LGBTQ-friendly destination. Jubilant displays come out in all colors during Pride Month in June and Carnaval in the winter. This is a town that loves a party, so if you’re looking for an in-between between good vibes and sand, check out the Beso Beach Club.

Detour: For a hike with a worthy reward, take the train one stop further down the line to Villanova i Geltru. Follow the trail up north toward Sitges and you’ll discover some less crowded beaches and calas along the way.

Best beach for architecture buffs

Stretching northeast from Barcelona lies a bevy of beach towns, from Badalona to Blanes. Everyone has their favorite spot; mine might be Canet de Mar, home to a stunning – and under-visited – architectural gem. Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the architect behind the floral wonderland that is the Palau de la Música Catalana, spent his summers in Canet de Mar – and left his mark on the seaside town. One of his most impressive works is the Castell de Santa Florentina, a medieval-style castle that he was commissioned by his uncle to refurbish, and a masterful meld of the Catalan Gothic and Modernisme styles. (Tours are limited, so you will need to buy tickets in advance to make sure you get inside.) After your visit, you can plop on the sand right just steps from the center of town, or walk a little bit north to find a wilder coast where submerged boulders form tide pools.

Planning tip: If you’re struggling to find elbow room on Barcelona beaches, there are beach towns all along the R1 line, which