Barcelona has plenty of wonderful beaches, but youll have to arrive at dawn to have them for yourself ©Arsenie Krasnevsky/Shutterstock

From ribbons of honey-colored coast that stretch 3.1 miles (5km) north from the Port of Barcelona to secret southern sands that  shh!  the locals want to keep quiet about, these are the best beaches in Barcelona.

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Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona is the most popular strip of sand in the city ©tkemot/Shutterstock

This is it: the epicenter of Barcelonas beaches; the most popular strip of sand in the city. Just east of its namesake neighborhood,Barceloneta Beachthrongs with sun-seekers, mojito vendors and sarong sellers during the height of summer.

Entirely manmade, its pharaonic gold sands were shipped over from Egypt and the palm trees along the promenade once called Hawaii home. For some, it might feel like a circus, but for many others, this iconic stretch of parasol-lined paradise epitomizes the energy of the city. Were firmly in the latter camp.

Towards the north of Barcelonas coastline is this wonderfully cosmopolitan stretch of soft blonde sand, which is ever-popular with an LGBTQI+ crowd.Mar Bella Beachhas a small nudist strip, which is clearly marked, as well as a number of other amenities, including a skate park and some water sports.

Fronting the hip El Poblenou neighborhood, the fluffy golden-white sands ofBogatell Beachhost volleyball courts and a few seasonalxiringuitos(beach bars) with sun loungers and umbrellas.

There are a couple of excellent seafood restaurants on the promenade above, including much-lovedXiringuito Escrib, but down on the sand, this is as quiet a beach as youre going to get in this part of Barcelona.

Arguably Barcelonas best beach for families, the southernmost strip of golden sand abovePort Olmpicoften echoes with the excited squeals of young children. But thats unsurprising: with a wide selection of sports facilities, including table tennis and beach volleyball, lifeguards on patrol, and warm, shallow waters,Nova Icria Beachis the ideal place for parents to let their kids run down the tank.

Beneath the glass gaze ofW Barcelona, the 26-story, sail-shaped beach hotel that puffs out at the southern end of La Barceloneta, is this wonderful slice of sun, surf and sand.Sant Sebasti Beachis a handy stretch of white-gold for those looking for a quick break from the city.

This crescent of sparkling gold sand is where the locals tend to hangout. Located towards the north of the El Poblenou beaches, its usually dotted with brightly-colored beach umbrellas and sun loungers fixed in the horizontal position.Nova Mar Bella Beachstill has plenty of facilities, including showers and a couple of beach bars, but its far more chilled than most of the beaches this end of the city.

Taking its name from the 18th-century church in nearby Barceloneta, this stretch of soft honey-gold sand is one of the oldest beaches in Barcelona. Due to its proximity to the old city,Sant Miquel Beachis often busy, but its worth spreading your towel out for a while if only to see Rebecca HornsLEstel ferit (The Wounded Shooting Star), a sculpture of four stacked cubes that look like they might topple over at any moment.

Not a beach in the traditional bucket and spade sense  theres no sand here  but for all intents and purposes, the bathing area atEl Frumacts as one. With a number of diving pontoons, several shaded areas and a groyne of solid concrete cubes, this beach-by-design is architecture you can use.

Located at the most eastern point of the citys shoreline, where the massive Pergola solar panel glints in the sunshine, this sea-fed swimming area is around 375m-long (1230ft) and 30-m (98ft) wide and includes steps down into the water that have been adapted to allow access for disabled travelers too.

Stretching out like a soft golden cat between Gas breakwater and the Moll de Marina pier, Somorrostro Beach makes locals purr with delight. This stretch of sand is where Frank GehrysEl Peix (Golden Fish)sculpture dangles enticingly out-of-reach on the promenade above. It can get busy during the summer months.

Around 20km southwest of Barcelona city center, this beautiful long sweep of golden-blonde sand beloved by kitesurfers is accessible by train. Backed by some fairly hefty sand dunes,Castelldefels Beachis a blissful escape and rarely packed. Its pink-and-apricot sunsets are often exquisite.

The beach town of El Masnou is only around 30 minutes from Barcelona by train, but the journey is worth it for this long curl of burnished bronze sand. Motorway-wide, theres plenty of room for spreading out, plus its healthy number ofxiringuitos(beach bars) will allow visitors to make a day of it.

Although much more peaceful than the inner-cities beaches, beware that the drop of the beach scarp, the area between the shoreline and the seafloor, is much steeper than in Barcelona.

You might also like:The 10 best beaches in SpainTop free things to do in BarcelonaBest day trips from Barcelona

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