Barcelona’s most iconic and popular beach, with up to 4 million visitors a year, is left off the 2026 Blue Flag list, while the other six beaches in the municipality have retained the distinction for the second consecutive year.
La Barceloneta, the city’s iconic tourist destination and postcard-perfect spot, will not appear this year among the beaches recognized by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (Adeac) (FEE) with the Blue Flag. It is the only exclusion for the city of Barcelona on the 2025 list.
A situation similar to that experienced in another Mediterranean capital, Valencia, with the exclusion of Cabanyal Beach.
The beaches in Barcelona that do retain the Blue Flag in 2026
The seven Barcelona beaches that held the award last year are now reduced to six. Those retaining the distinction in 2026 are Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Icaria, Nova Mar Bella, Sant Sebastià, Somorrostro, and the Banys Fòrum area.
In total, Catalonia will have 101 Blue Flags during the summer of 2026.
Beyond the capital, the province of Barcelona has seen some changes. Three beaches have regained the Blue Flag this year: Canet de Mar Beach (Canet de Mar), Mota de Sant Pere Beach (Cubelles), and Pescadors Beach (Pineda del Mar).
On the downside, Barques-Estació Beach in Sant Andreu de Llavaneres has lost the recognition it held in 2025.
The complete list of Blue Flag beaches for 2026 can be viewed here.
