Barcelona Beaches
One thing that sets Barcelona aside from other Major European cities is its beaches. Similarly to the Spanish holiday islands of Majorca, Tenerife and Ibiza, Barcelona’s beaches are a haven for holiday goers. This allows you to combine a city break with a relaxing holiday by the sea. This combination of both worlds makes the city a top destination.
The Olympic Games came to Barcelona in 1992 and from then the number of beaches has increased from one to seven. From North to South, there is always somewhere you can go to enjoy the sea. From right in the centre of town, you can be at the beach in around 20 minutes. It is because of their accessibility that more and more tourists are beginning to sit up and take notice.
The city council is on a mission to make the beaches cleaner and safer. As they are continually improving services, the number of people now visiting the beaches every year is in the millions. But they don’t only come to see the sea. The Barcelona beach centre is also on-site. In it you’ll find lots of exhibitions and activities to do.
In each Barcelona beach section, from Sant Sebastian to Llevant, you’ll find a beach bar called ‘chiringuitos’. Serving a good range of drinks and food, they are always very popular. The chiringuitos can be more expensive, however, given their beachfront position.
By night, these beach bars often throw parties that go on until late. They play music, or sometimes hire DJs, and everyone is invited. You can dance on the sand while enjoying a few drinks. Or, as is always popular, take a dive into the sea, which is always warm enough for a swim in summer.
You’ll also find that the beaches are a popular place for people to do sport. The sand itself is favoured by walkers and joggers looking to push themselves to the limit. The promenade is always popular with people on skates or bikes, so just be sure and watch your step. There are also volleyball nets set up along the beaches where you and a few friends can enjoy a game.
You can also do a bit of exercise in the water, thanks to the safety of Barcelona’s beaches. With no currents, the sea is perfect for swimming. This is true every day, except when it is windy. If the wind gets up, so do the waves, so you might want to avoid getting caught too far out. As always, there are no concerns over cleanliness. With the EU Blue Star rating, all of Barcelona’s beaches are pristine.
This fact has made Barcelona’s beaches very popular with surfers. You can see surfers taking their boards to the beaches all through the year. One reason for this is the cleanliness of all of the city’s beaches. A clean beach campaign was started in 2006 to raise pollution awareness among bathers and the water quality has improved no end.
The area you stay in may determine what kind of experience you have of the beach. Undoubtedly the more lively beaches are Sant Sebastia and Barceloneta. These are most popular among young people. Wherever you stay, a good tip is to look for an apartment. With lots to choose from, they are a very popular choice. They are also a lot cheaper than a hotel.
For those looking for somewhere a bit quieter, the beaches to the North will suit better. These include Nova Mar Bella and Llevant, which are further from the city centre. They are much less busy and are used more often by families and residents looking for peace and quiet. For easy access to these you will want to find an apartment around Poblenou or Selva de Mar.
Being away from the city centre, you’ll probably find rent is slightly lower around the beach. You will also have a wide selection of holiday apartments Barcelona to choose from, catering for young groups, couples and families. There is nowhere better to base yourself.
With some truly sensational beaches, Barcelona ranks alongside Spain’s most popular destinations for a summer vacation. With seven beaches on offer, there are those to cater for every different type of people. Whether you are away with family or on a break with friends, there are lots of apartments to meet your requirements. You can also combine the best of both worlds with a city retreat coupled with a beach break. So, before you head for one of the islands, or Spain’s famous ‘Sunshine Coast’, you should always consider Barcelona.
