¡Vamos a la Playa!
Get Familiar with Barcelona's Amazing Beaches..
The first thing that strikes you when flying into Barcelona is the amazing coastline. You swerve over the water and can almost hear the waves. Then you ask yourself, what doesn't Barcelona have to offer?
There are many great beaches to visit in the "city". Let's start with San Sebastia. Take the L4 to Barceloneta or even L3 to Drassanes and walk down to the beach. You will pass a great deal of fish and seafood restaurants as well as many other touristy places which is easy to get trapped in. My personal favorite is Foc. They serve great food, cocktails and have a fabulous staff. Further down you come to the beach with the first Chiringuito (small cafe/huts selling drinks, food and playing music). Walking down the promenade you see people strolling, rollerblading, running, biking and skating. Barceloneta will soon be in your sight and you will pass the infamous beach restaurants/lounges/clubs - Carpe Diem Lounge Club (CDLC), Opium Mar, Shoko and IceBarcelona. The nightlife is kicking, bottles popping and bodies moving to all kinds of different music. From Monday to Sunday, most of these lounges are open until 3 A.M whereas Opium Mar keeps it rolling into the wee hours of the morning.
Moving right along, past Hotel Arts you arrive at Nova Icaria. This beach offers volleyball nets and you will see the Brazilian volley/football players on the court playing volleyball with their feet and heads. This 400 meter long beach hosts many Spanish as well as foreign visitors. In order to get there take the L4 to Ciutadella.
Right next to Nova Icaria is Bogatell. This splendid beach is where most of the younger crowd hangs out. The music from the Chiringuito is booming, getting louder by the hour. In july you are lucky if you even get a spot to lay down - the beach is packed! This 600 meter long beach will keep you going all day in the sun.
As your stomach starts to growl in the evening but the sun is still high in the air, you make your way over to the Chiringuito. Beer, Sangria de Cava and Mojitos are flowing through veins and even though it takes about an hour to get your food, the atmosphere is worth it. Further down you hit Mar Bella. This beach has a designated nudist area. It is not an official nudist beach but seeing there are no laws against being naked in Barcelona - this beach has evolved into a nudist one. You will also find people wearing clothes :) It is also the beach that includes the most for recreational activities such as water sports, volleyball and basketball courts. Young people and families come here as it has a playground as well. The L4 will take you to Poblenou and then about a 20 minute walk from there.
Don't forget your sunscreen!! The sun is stronger than it looks :)