Platja de la Mar Bella

The basics

Built for the 1992 Olympics, Platja de la Mar Bella stretches for 1,680 feet (512 meters) and offers everything you need for a day in the sun. Rent an umbrella or lounge chair, and enjoy dips in the sea. More active visitors can play volleyball, basketball, and table tennis, or take advantage of the children’s play area or skate park. There’s also a beach library, restaurants, drink kiosks, and pop-up bars during the high season.

It’s easy to visit Platja de la Mar Bella independently, though you can also visit as part of a self-guided 3-wheel GoCar tour or on other tours of the Barcelona waterfront. Sailing tours along the coast often pass by the beach as well.

Things to know before you go

• There is a designated nudist area at Platja de la Mar Bella.

• Amenities include lifeguards, showers, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.

• Platja de la Mar Bella offers numerous accommodations for wheelchair users, including accessible showers with chairs, restrooms, parking, and a wooden walkway to access the water.

How to get there

Platja de la Mar Bella is on the waterfront in the Sant Martí district. By public transport, take the metro L4 line to Llacuna, Selva de Mar, or Poblenou, or the tram to Selva de Mar. Buses 36, 71, and 141 stop nearby, as does the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Parking is available.

When to get there

Platja de la Mar Bella is at its most popular over the summer when local Sant Martí residents flock to the beach in large numbers. During the high season, the beach is also home to a number of pop-up beach bars. For a quieter and less crowded experience, visit in April and May or September and October.

What to do nearby

Located on the western end of Platja de la Mar Bella, the Base Nautical nautical center offers sailing, catamaran, kayaking, surfing, and paddle surfing courses and excursions. On the eastern end, the Municipal Sporting Complex Mar Bella offers a running track certified for competitions, a sports complex, a grass field, and fitness rooms. Nearby, VavasDive offers diving courses for both PADI and SSI certifications.