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BEACHESBARCELONA Your Ultimate Beach Guide!

WHERE’S THE PARTY? BOOGIE DOWN IN YOUR BIRTHDAY SUIT AT Top 10 MARBELLA! Beach Essentials

THE PAGE DESCRIPTION PAGE

BARCELONA BIBLE SL www.suitelife.com 1 the suitelife barcelona bible

I arrived to Barcelona in August of 2004. I was 23 years old, about to start an MBA program, and Barcelona Flat Rentals & Lifestyle Services without a clue in the world. Luckily, I had my good friend Carlos to show me the way and give “ me great advice as I learned the ropes. The Barcelona Bible series of free eBooks is meant to give you concise info and recommenda- tions from the eyes of a local. Whether you’re letter visiting,from moving theto, or living editor in Barcelona, expe- riencing the beaches is feeling the magic of the city, the pulse of the people, all coming together with one common objective... some fun in the sun!

Enjoy this labour of love and pass it on to your friends!

BENNY MOUCKLEY MANAGING DIRECTOR ” FLATS SERVICES INFO See our Check out our Get true BCN apartment new lifestyle insider info rentals services with our blog

www.suitelife.com barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible MAP 6 INTRODUCTION 7 TA BARCELONETA 8 NOVA ICARIA 10 BLE BOGATELL 12

MARBELLA / NOVA MARBELLA 14 LLEVANT 18 OF BEACHES TO THE NORTH 20 BEACHES TO THE SOUTH 21 CON 10 ESSENTIAL BEACH TIPS 22

SANT JOAN 24 HOW TO GET THERE 26 TENTS BUT WHO ARE WE 28 SHOUTOUTS 29 01-15 PAGE DESCRIPTION PAGE

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SELVA DE MAR

L4

POBLENOU SUN OF L4 LLACUNA A BEACH Barcelona’s Cool!

CIUTADELLA

n 2010, National Geographic named Bar- ist, there’s a BCN beach just for you! Don’t Icelona as the World’s Best Beach City. waste your time trying to figure it out your- It beat out such hot spots as Honolulu, Ha- self though. We are decade-long Barcelona waii, Miami Beach, Florida, Rio de Janeiro, veterans, and within this eBook you’ll get all Brazil, Sidney, Australia, and even Tel Aviv, the insider info you’ll need to learn quickly Israel. Barcelona is certainly a Mediter- about each beach and figure out which is ranean metropolis, and its coast (7 beaches the one that most tickles your fancy, or your in total) is the beating heart of the city and mood. We’ll also tell you about the best undeniably what skyrockets the quality of beaches outside of the city, for when your life found here. pale skin is begging you to take it away for

the day or weekend. MAP Whether you’re old or young, a tourist or an expat, into sports, or alcohol or eating, par- Enjoy the beach SuiteLifers! tying, vegging out, or being an exhibition- 7 barcelona beaches BAR The Loca CELoca Beach

arceloneta is certainly the most popu- Blar Barcelona beach. As it’s the closet PROS: LOCATION, LO- beach to the city centre and one of the most CATION, LOCATION! THE easily accessible, it attracts hordes of both BEACH PARTY’S OVER locals and tourists in search of some fun HERE FOLKS! in the sun. It’s funky, lively, a bit chaotic, and sociologically interesting as hell. CONS: PACKED WITH LOUD, SOMETIMES If you’ve lived in BCN for a while, your idea OBNOXIOUS, AND OFTEN of a nice beach afternoon may not be being LON DRUNK TOURSTS. surrounded by drunk, sun burnt and giddy tourists, but hey, to each their own right? Barceloneta Beach is absolutely fantastic and is a must visit. If you’re look- ing for amazing people-watching, architec- tural wonders, cutting-edge cuisine, and a

buzzing nightlife, this is the Barcelona beach BARCELONETA for you!

Click here to see our Barceloneta beach video!! ETA 9 barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible

NOVA The Olympian Beach

ICARIA PROS: A WIDE SPACIOUS BEACH, EASILY ACCESSIBLE, AND PERFECT FOR BEACH SPORTS NUTS CONS: STILL A BIT TOURISTY FOR MOST LO- CAL’S TASTE AND CAN GET PRETTY CROWDED IN HIGH-SEASON

ova Icaria is nestled right up next Nto the ‘twin towers’ (Hotel Arts & Mapfre building) and is right in front of the Olympic Village area. It’s very spacious, a little less crazy than Barce- loneta, an excellent spot to take your family, and is probably the ‘sportiest’ of all the Barcelona beaches. Volleyball courts, Ping Pong tables, you name it. This is the perfect beach to meet friends at when you’re all too lazy, or hungover,

to go any further up the coast, but still ICARIA NOVA want a nice chilled-out atmosphere.

Click here to see our Nova Icaria beach video!! 11 barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible BOGATELL The Frisbeeelicious Beach ogatell is maybe our favourite of all the Barcelona beaches. Very wide, very chill, mostly Blocals and international expats, tons of room for frisbee, paddle ball, futbol, etc... It’s close to the city centre but yet just far enough away too. There are a couple of groovy ‘chir- inguitos’ (beach bars) to grab a cocktail and people-watch. Lots of young people here so flirt away single people! If you’re looking for some quality seafood with a sea view, try L’Oca, which is located at the end of the pier on the North side of Bogatell.

Click here to see our Bogatell beach video!!

PROS: WIDE, CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED BEACH WITH A GREAT CROWD AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE. BOGATELL CONS: NOT TOO MANY AT ALL, BUT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A MOTO, THERE COULD BE ABOUT 15 MINS WALKING INVOLVED FROM THE METRO STATION. 13 barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible ar Bella means wanna take a load off and PROS: BE COOL AND BEACH IT UP M“beautiful ocean” maybe a nap, we suggest WITH THE LOCALS! IF YOU LIKE GOING and we must say that this hitting up Nova Mar Bella, TO THE BEACH IN YOUR BIRTHDAY SUIT is one hell of a beach! This which is just a little further YOU’RE IN LUCK! is where the people in the up the shore. Also, the THE AVERAGE AGE OF BEACH “know” go to find a little southern part of the beach, CONS: GOERS HERE IS A BIT OLDER (MID 20’S peace and quite and escape just above Bogatell, and - EARLY 40’S) SO IF YOU’RE LOOKING the shenanigans of the oth- somewhat hidden behind FOR THE TEENYBOPPER CROWD TRY er more central beaches. sand dunes, is the nudest BARCELONETA. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, The further up the beach beach, so if you like to let THE CATALUNYAN GOVERNMENT SITE you go the more chill it it all hang out then Mar SAYS VISITORS TO MAR BELLA ARE 60% MARBELLA gets, and if you really Bella’s for you! FEMALE, SO BOYS...

Click here to see our Marbella and Nova Marbella beach video!! & NOVA MARBELLA Naked as the Day You Were Born MARBELLA & NOVA MARBELLA MARBELLA & NOVA

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PROS: ENJOY THE ZEN-NESS, BECOME ONE WITH THE OCEAN, DO SOME YOGA... CONS: IF YOU DON’T HAVE A MOTO, THIS BEACH IS A BIT OF A SCHLEPP, BUT HEY, IF IT WERE THAT EASY TO GET TO THEN... WELL, YOU GET IT. f you really wanna reading, or serious Iget away from napping, this beach EV it all, yet not leave is quiet with a capi- Barcelona, this is the tal Q. Not even the last beach along the pesky beer vendors The northern coast before or massage ladies you reach the city venture this far up limits. Most BCN the coast. Not even locals don’t come Richard Simmons Snoring this far up the beach can find a beach this and if you’re looking quiet to do his work- Beach to do some serious outs on! LLEVANT Click here to see our IIlevant beach video!! ANT 19 barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible beaches to the... Pronounced ‘See- Castelldefels is locat- Garraff is a small Chez’) is one of the ed just 18 km south seaside village lo- best beach day trips, of Barcelona, and if cated between Sitges just 1/2 hour train you’re looking for a and Castelldefels. It ride from BCN. Lots wide, very relaxed used to be a small of nightlife, nicer and peaceful beach, fisherman village beaches than BCN, this is a great escape and the small town but if you’re look- for the day! The retains its old-time ing to escape tourists beach is over 5km charm. There are no then try somewhere long with a small chiringuitos on this else. Very big gay town behind it where beach but there are scene here and a you can grab lunch. some great places Carnival party like to eat lunch in town no other! How to get there: if you take a stroll TOSSA DE MAR MONTGAT SANT POL DE MAR Jump on the RENFE around. How to get there: Train from Passeig The fastest way is to de Gracia, take the How to get there: Tossa is a true gem Montgat is a beauti- Between Tossa and jump on the RENFE C-2 line, and get C-2 RENFE line of the Costa Brava. ful beach. Clean, Barcelona you’ll find train (leaves every off at “Castelldefels from Passeig de Gra- It’s a tiny romantic large, peaceful. If Sant Pol de Mar, a 30 minutes) from Platja”! cia and you’ll get off town that has a gor- you’re looking to Barcelona Day Trips Passeig de Gracia at “Estació de Gar- geous beach, excel- read a book, take a golden choice. The station. It shouldn’t raf”.

NORTH lent restaurants, and nap, or play some town has a beautiful cost more than about even ancient ruins! volleyball, this is beach surrounded 5-8 euros roundtrip. SOUTH Just lay out in the sun your beach. It never by its typical white For rates and sched- and you’ll be glad gets crowded so no houses that cover the ules check out their you got away from need to jump over surrounding hills. website (www DOT BCN, even if just for towels, legs and The old Benedictine renfe DOT es). a day. arms to find a 1m2 monastery gave rise patch of beach! Try to this town and on How to get there: the cafe con hielo at the outskirts you can Go to Estación de the chiringuitos it’s check out the ruins CASTELLDEFELS GARRAFF Nord (North Station). great! of the Iberian-Roman SITGES The closest metro is town of El Farell. L1 “Arc de Triumf”. How to get there: Hop on a bus from Take the train from How to there: the company SAR- Plaza Catalunya to- Take the RENFE FA, which will take wards Mataró (takes Line 1 train from you directly there in only 20 minutes). Clot (Metro L1 about an hours time. Jump off the train at “Clot”) the “Montgat Nord” THE NORTH AND SOUTH TO BEACHES stop and you’re there! 21 barcelona beaches 4 TOPLESS Topless sunbathing is pretty much the norm here, but if you wanna get nek- kid (read naked), you better find the nudist beach on Mar Bella, or you AVOID could end up getting dragged by your Stay away from the bollocks into a paddy wagon and taken incessantly annoying off by the police! ladies peddling massages GO NORTH ESSENTIAL (you’ll hear them chant In5 general, the further North you go “Maassaaajjjeeee Mas- from Barceloneta, the beaches will be- saaajjjeee”. Sure, it’s a come progressively less touristy. Some- Barcelona cheap message, but from times you can handle the sunburnt tour- what we’ve unfortunate- ists prancing around in their sandals and ly witnessed, you never tube socks, and sometimes, the extra Beach Tips really know where their metro ride, or walk, is more than worth it hands have been last, or to escape them. who they were giving a happy ending to.

9 6 The Barcelona sun is strong. The boardwalk rocks! Whether Unless you wanna come BYO

10 2 you have your own bike or home looking like a freshly BYO (Bring Your Own) rollerblades, or even if you rent boiled lobster, wear sun- Head to the beach with your a Bicing bike, you can zoom screen, and don’t go to the friends and a ton of supplies along the coast from the W beach till about 3-4pm. In (beach blanket, food, drinks, Hotel all the way to the Forum. the summer you’ll still be beer, guitar... whatever your Do it at dusk and you’ll experi- able to tan till about 7pm. pleasure or vice may be). ence the magic of the Barcelona There’s really no need to Pasta salad is a great beach WATCH OUT coast. BOARDWALK

SUNSCREEN literally fry yourself under Watch your stuff! lunch. Bring your own and the midday sun. you’ll be doing it like the Barcelona is one of 7 CHIRINGUITOS the petty theft capitals “Chiringuitos”, or Barcelonés do!

CERVEZA of Europe. You might beach bars, are on ev- Buy your beer right on the think your things are ery beach and provide beach! Beach bar prices safe on your beach a very relaxed scene See page can be steep. Just listen towel as you frolic in to have a little snack, 24 for for the vendors peddling the waves, but you’re some cocktails, and details on their wares: “Cerveza, safest to have a friend to watch the world go the biggest Coca-Cola, Agua Frrrrri- stay behind or ask a by... Not the cheapest party of the aaaa!”. Don’t pay more TIPS BARCELONABEACH 10 ESSENTIAL friendly neighbor to option, but a great treat. year in Bar- than about a Euro and a keep an eye on your Take your girlfriend, or celona! 10 half for a frosty one. SANT JOAN things. your mom. 3 8 23 barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible

SHORTEST NIGHT = BIGGEST PARTY he night of Sant Joan is the celebration kicks off all the beach party animals, who Tof the summer solstice. It takes place on then wander off bleary-eyed to find their the 23rd of June and is the official kickoff of beds. In ancient, more agricultural times, this summer, as this day has the longest period was the most important holiday of the year of sunlight during the whole year (the sun and it was celebrated with fire, which was a SANT sets at around 10pm). Since the next day is sign of abundance and purity for the upcom- always a bank holiday, the whole city ex- ing growing season and harvest. To this day, plodes in celebration and 100’s of thousands fireworks are a huge part of the Sant Joan of people all go down to the beach to party celebration (be careful though! drunk people the short night away. When the sun comes and fireworks don’t always make for the saf- JOAN up at about 7am a cleaning team comes and est combination!). SANT JOAN FESTIVAL SANT JOAN

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ow for the slightly boring, yet quite to get to and around the different beaches. Nimportant issue of how to get to the Also, there are about a million different beaches! We’ll be mentioning the metro bus routes from different parts of the city stops and where to walk once you’re come that will take you right to the beach of your HOW out from the metro, but there are many choice, and you can investigate that with other options. Bicing (the public bicycle this site: http://www.tmb.cat/en/home transportation system) is a really good way

BARCELONETA TO GET Metro stop “Barceloneta” on the yellow end of the beach then stay on one more line 4 (L4) is the stop you’re looking for. stop and get off at “Ciutadela / Villa Olim- When you come out of the metro, turn pica” on the yellow line 4 (L4), take a right right, walk down the street Joan de Borbó, upon leaving the station, walk towards the along the harbor, and you’ll arrive at the twin towers, and take another right once THERE beach! If you want to end up at the other you reach them.

BOGATELL POBLENOU

NOVA ICARIA MARBELLA & NOVA MARBELLA Metro stop “Ciutadela / Villa Olimpica”, Metro stop “Poblenou” on the yellow line turn right out of the station, go towards the 4 (L4). Another right out of the station L4 twin towers, and once you reach the port, and head straight to the water, about 10-15 turn left and walk about 8 minutes along minutes walking. the water to get to the beach.

CIUTADELLA BOGATELL LLEVANT VILA OLIMPICA Metro stop “Llacuna” on the yellow line Metro stop “Selva de Mar” on the 4 (L4). Another right out of the station, yellow line 4 (L4) and then walk about 10- and head straight to the water, about 10-15 15 minutes to the water. GET THERE TO HOW minutes walking.

BARCELONETA 27 barcelona beaches the suitelife barcelona bible

written and directed by: BENNY MOUCKLEY RANALD WARD design and creative direction by: HILARY ARCHER

SuiteLife Barcelona is a Real Estate and Lifestyle company located in beautiful Barcelona, Spain. We have hundreds of apartments all over Barcelona and specialize in helping our clients find the home of their dreams. A big shout out and thank you to our entire team We also publish a ton of unique and expert content on our blog, and and our loyal and growing SuiteLife fans and in our ongoing series of free ebooks called The Barcelona Bible. friends. These books are for you and we hope you find them useful! If you’re looking for a great apartment in Barcelona, or just some great info on the best the city has to offer, you can follow us here: Facebook Twitter SuiteLife TV Youtube Flickr Linkedin SHOUTOUTS BUT WHO ARE WE? 29 barcelona beaches

Barcelona Flat Rentals & Lifestyle Services

FLATS SERVICES INFO See our Check out our Get true BCN apartment new lifestyle insider info rentals services with our blog

www.suitelife.com