Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona is a long stretch of gold sand and deep, dark blue waters offering swimming, water sports and relaxation for adults and kids alike. The beach is among the longest in Barcelona and is located in the Ciutat Vella district. This beach is famed for its water sports, and it hosts some of the most important sports clubs in the city. It's also adjacent to another beach, stretching the area even farther.
Sant Sebastià Beach is one of the oldest and most traditional beaches in Barcelona. Here you can enjoy everything from bodyboarding to a fitness area and table tennis.
Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona - one of the highlights of 10 Best Beaches in Barcelona (Read all about Barcelona here)
photo by Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 2.0) modified
A brief history of Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona
Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona was established for visitors in the 19th century as one of the rare beaches that allowed men and women to swim in the same area. At the time, it was used only by society's wealthy and elite. It was one of the first beaches to offer amenities like umbrellas, deck chairs, showers and public toilets.
As swimming became popular across society, the beach opened up to everyone. In 2004, a statue was added to commemorate the sport of swimming, and the addition of a massive hotel in 2009 preceded other development in the area including shops and restaurants.
photo by Teresa Grau Ros (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
What else is good to know about Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona?
Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona is packed with amenities, including showers, public toilets, sun loungers, beach umbrellas, and kiosks serving drinks, ice cream and snacks, plus sporting facilities and public WiFi. A beach information point provides answers to visitors' questions. This is also one of the few beaches with a dedicated area for people with disabilities and offers amphibious chairs with volunteers to help people who need mobility assistance to enjoy the ocean.
The beach is also lined with many quality shops and restaurants to peruse between relaxation time. The sports area at one end offers everything from a gym to table tennis.
Sant Sebastià Beach in Barcelona
Location: Barcelona, Spain