Barceloneta Beach

Barcelona’s most famous beach takes its name from the small district where it is found – Barceloneta. Despite being as authentic as Pamela Anderson’s cleavage (it was remodelled for the 1992 Olympics), Barceloneta’s beach has become one of the Catalan capital’s foremost attractions; and, although you’re unlikely to find acres of golden sand all to yourself, the human carnival unfolding all around you can compensate for a lack of space.

Hippies practicing handstands, sculptors carving monsters in the sand, Pakistanis touting cold beers and fresh slice of coconut and Chinese women offering massages… just a few of the vibrant characters you’ll have fun observing on Barceloneta. Those with an eye for golden skin and exposed bodies will also find plenty to gaze at throughout summer, as modesty is not a quality much practiced on these sands. You can also practice water sports like stand up paddling, or retire to the shade of a chiringuito (beach bar) for a glass of sangria.

In the colder months there is still plenty of life, as locals love to stroll, jog, skate or rollerblade along the promenade year around. There’s also a surf scene during winter, when enough swell gathers to make it worth donning a wetsuit.

Read more about Barcelona’s beaches here.