Before the Olympics were hosted in the city in 1992, Barcelona was without any real beach – something that is hard to imagine today when you set eyes on its 4.5km stretch of golden sands, all of which offer an abundance of beach activities. From catching some rays under the Spanish sun to making a splash in the Med with some water sports, Barcelona’s beach activities have something to offer everyone. After all, Barcelona wasn’t awarded ‘best beach city’ by National Geographic for nothing! If you’re looking to make the most of the ‘playa’ during your stay, here are our top 10 beach activities in Barcelona.
1. Swimming
Grab your swimsuit and head straight for the sea! Situated on the Mediterranean, Barcelona’s waves are more often than not calm, making it the perfect environment for a leisurely swim. If swimming in the sea isn’t really your thing, Club Natació Barcelona, situated in Barceloneta, has a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the beach – meaning you’ll have the best of both worlds. Equipped with swimming lanes and sun loungers, this is the ultimate spot for those looking for a more chilled-out beach activity in Barcelona.
2. Hoverboard
Looking for a Barcelona beach adventure like no other? Fly above the waves with an amazing hoverboard experience! Using the same technology as a flyboard, a hoverboard is powered by jet streams that propel you a few metres above the water. One for the thrill-seekers only, a hoverboard experience will make you feel like you’re surfing and flying a the same time – a truly unique experience.
3. Boat trips
Take a boat trip with SkylineBCN and explore the very best of the Catalan coastline. One of their most popular tours, the two hour sailing trip, will see you aboard one of their sailing boats with nine other passengers, chilling out along the coast from Port Olímpic to the World Trade Center. Stop off for a spot of diving or simply kick back and work on your tan. SkylineBCN offer many other boat trips too, including yacht rentals and motorboat excursions.
4. Kick back and relax
All that sightseeing sure can make you sleepy! Grab your towel, sun cream and rest your legs for the day at the beach. Barcelona’s wonderful climate makes it the perfect destination for a summer beach holiday, and perhaps one of the most popular beach activities in Barcelona is simply relaxing at one of the city’s beautiful beaches. Whether you’re coming to Barcelona with a group of friends, your significant other or with your family, Barcelona’s stretch of golden sands are sure to exceed any expectations.
5. Jet ski 
Rent a jet ski in Barcelona for 30 minutes, an hour or even a full day and take an enthralling excursion along the coast. With great views of the city’s skyline, and a cool breeze as you bounce off the waves of the Med, this beach activity in Barcelona is a must for any adrenaline junkies out there!
6. Beach volleyball
Many beaches along Barcelona’s coastline are equipped with volleyball courts, and Barcelona’s warm climate means the locals can be found playing beach volley almost year round. If you fancy trying your hand at the sport you can get involved with some of the locals at Nova Icària beach next to Port Olímpic. If you’d prefer to play separately don’t forget to bring your own net to fix to one of the courts.
7. Parasailing
For the ultimate adrenaline rush above the Barcelona skies we recommend an amazing parasailing experience, where you’ll be able to explore Barcelona from above and even catch a glimpse of the famous attractions such as the Sagrada Família and Las Ramblas. Not for the faint-hearted, parasailing in Barcelona is offered by many of the water sports companies by Port Olímpic and costs around 90€ per person.
8. Cycling
If you’d prefer to have your feet firmly on the ground, we recommend renting a bike in Barcelona to cycle along the beachfront. Many top rental companies in the city offer hourly and daily rental rates, starting at just 1,50€ per hour. Cycle along the coast from Port Vell to Port Fòrum and explore the very best of Barcelona’s coastline. This beach activity in Barcelona is great choice for those on a budget or those looking for something a little less adrenaline-fuelled.
9. Get your workout on
The boardwalks of Barcelona’s beaches are a popular spot for enthusiastic runners, but the workout doesn’t have to stop there! From Barceloneta to El Fòrum you’ll find a range of outdoor gym equipment that is free to use for everyone. If you’d prefer to workout with a group, perhaps meet people with a common interest, Barcelona Beach FitBarcelona Beach Fit provide great beach workouts for all fitness levels.
10. Ping Pong
Like many of the city’s parks, some of Barcelona’s beaches are also equipped with full-sized ping pong tables where you can enjoy the very best of this table sport for free – but don’t forget to bring your own bat and ball! Head for Mar Bella beach where you’ll find the tables situated on the promenade next to the beach.
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