Barcelona City Break: top beaches in charming towns?
Are you visiting Barcelona and looking for a summer city escape? Barcelona urban beaches can get pretty busy when summer is at its peak. With just an easy drive away (or public transport!), you will find many options of top beaches and charming towns near Barcelona that you should not miss.
We have talked how you can plan the perfect day in Barcelona, but a city break is an excellent option for this extra day in town, when most of Barcelona sightseeing has been done. Here’s our list with Barcelona top beaches and charming towns, distant less than one-hour from the most centric square of Barcelona, Plaza Catalunya.
If your time is a little more limited, don’t worry! There are plenty beach options in Barcelona city too and we have some tips for you. But the best choice is to take a private Barcelona City Tour by sidecar motorcycle and ask your personal guide to take you to the best beaches in town: enjoy the atmosphere and take a quick dip in the Mediterranean.
The Top Beaches near Barcelona: our shortlist.
Let´s get ready then. Comfortable shoes, sunscream, water in the backpack, light clothing, sunglasses and off we go!
BARCELONETA
Let´s start with the urban beach right off Barcelona city centre: Barceloneta Beach. It’s an excellent spot for those who have limited time in Barcelona. However, we recommend adventuring the nearby beaches to grasp the real essence of a Mediterranean destination like Barcelona.
Some key recommendations to consider:
- Try to be an early bird. Lay your beach towel early in the morning. One hour can make the difference between a couple of people on the beach to a couple of thousand.
- Barcelona Public transportation services are reliable and easy to use. Barcelona´s train, bus and subway system is clean, air-conditioned and efficient. Public transportation starts to operate around 5:00AM and finishes around midnight. The railway line runs right next to the coastline both north and south of Barcelona, so all options picked below are easily accessible.
- Cabs are widely available. Just call for a taxi passing by if the green light on top is on. Uber is available too, but keep in mind in Barcelona you need to request it at least 15m ahead, due to local regulation of transport.
- Visit during the week. Usually the weekends are busier than the week days.
- Grab a paella for lunch and make sure to avoir the tourist traps. Here are some options for the best paella in Barcelona.
- Take an insider tour with a local who will show you above and beyond the tourist tracks. Book in advance the next memorable adventure with BrightSide Tours.
SITGES
This lovely coastal town is located just 40min. by train line from Plaza Cataluña. Sitges has everything a summer destination can offer: easy access beaches for the whole family, museums like the Casa Bacardi Museum and Cau Ferrat Museum, restaurants and cafes, night life and much more. The little old town, with the church of San Bartolomé y Santa Tecla two steps from the cliffs, is one of the most photographed locations in Catalonia.
VILANOVA I LA GELTRU
Also known as the little Havana, Vilanova I La Geltrú city center is filled with colonial architecture. Plaza de la Vila is the main meeting point of locals, open air concerts and street performances. At noon, you’ll find the locals sitting in one of the bars of the square and drink a vermut, the most emblematic wine-based drink in Catalonia. When you’ll arrive at the train station you should consider paying a visit to the Catalonia Railway Museum, before heading to the beach of Platja de Ribes Roges, a wide and lovely beach right next the marina.
GARRAF
Just 30min. from Barcelona you´ll arrive at Garraf Natural Park with the homonymous beach is the closest option we recommend south of Barcelona. A unique place (amazing driving roads if you love riding motorbikes as much as we do at BrightSide Tours) where in one day you can do an easy level hike, go for a wine tasting experience in one of the vineyards of Penedés DO, swim in the sea and taste a delicious paella next by the sea. Note that the vineyards are located a few miles inland, thus you´ll need a hired car or private chauffeured tour to bring you there. The beach of Garraf stands out for its Mediterranean style white and green fishermen houses dating back to the 1920s. Like all the other options in the list, it´s a family friendly area with many services provided to the visitors.
SAN POL DE MAR
An excellent day trip north of Barcelona is San Pol de Mar. This seaside small town on Maresme coast is ideal for a short trip from Barcelona. During the summer the town lives up to the expectations of travelers from all over the world. The whole family can find something entertaining, from sailboat rentals, water sports, lovely walks and seafood restaurants. For the history lovers, a not-to-miss visit is the archaeological site in the outskirts of San Pol de Mar, the Iberian-Roman town of El Morer and the Martina tower.
Conclusion: Barcelona Top Beaches
All in all, the Spanish coast of the Mediterrean Sea is full of wonders waiting to be discovered. At BrightSide Tours we are Barcelona Travel Experts, contact us if you need any extra tip or local’s recommendations.
To finalize, our very own city break for wine lovers! If your time in Barcelona is limited and you crave to experience the best of Spanish wine making, in just haf day you can take a private Barcelona Wine Tasting and Winery Tour at a local, family-ran and award winning vineyard just 30m away from Barcelona.
