Who said that sightseeing was taking a plane? We have this misunderstood, and that’s why we insist on bringing you the best coastal towns near Barcelona so you can stick a beach getaway without having to use more than a car or a train card.
Because yes, the beaches of Barcelona are fine and the secluded coves too, but sometimes you want to accompany the getaway with a little urbanization. Neither so much nor so bald. Beach, but beach bar, sand, but with a promenade, rest during the day and discotheque at night. Something like that, you know what we mean.
That’s why we bring you some of the best coastal towns in Catalonia, with their respective beaches (all, in the end, near Barcelona), so you can get your fill of coastal tourism this summer and travel non-stop without missing the sea for a minute.
Table Of Contents
Sitges
Of Sitges, one of the best-known coastal jewels near Barcelona, not much needs to be said . This seaside town explains itself through the International Fantastic Film Festival. Just strolling through the town’s cobblestone streets during the festival, when every street turns into a film festival, is worth the visit by itself.
But Sitges is much more: one of the pioneer municipalities in welcoming the LGTBIQ+ community, a seaside town with a wonderful promenade and church, cultural spaces like the Cau Ferrat Museum, which houses works by the artist Santiago Rusiñol and, obviously, a great gastronomic destination that allows you to make a route like the one we explain here.
🚌How to get there?
By Train:
- From Estació de França, Passeig de Gràcia or Estació Sants stations, take the train of the R2S line of Rodalies Renfe. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.
By bus:
- Buses of the company Bus Garraf leave from Plaça España and Ronda Universitat. The trip takes about 55 minutes.
By Car:
- Take the C-32 Pau Casals highway (toll) direction Sitges, Tarragona, Exit 30. The trip takes about 45 minutes.
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is surely the most charming corner of the Costa Brava and one of the most beautiful villages in the country. The village that Salvador Dalí fell in love with will probably make you fall in love too with its narrow cobbled streets and its white houses facing the sea. You can’t miss the Dali House-Museum in Portlligat and enjoy the views from the church of Santa Maria.
But above all, you can’t miss the village. In summer it is fine, but out of season it is a marvel and take it as a starting point for a walk along the Cap de Creus, to finish eating a paella in one of the great restaurants in the village, a joy.
🚌How to get there?
By train and bus:
- Take a train from Barcelona to Figueres and then a Sarfa bus to Cadaqués. The total journey takes approximately 4 hours.
By Car:
- Drive on the AP-7 to Figueres and then follow the signs to Cadaqués. The trip takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is an old fishing village that has managed to preserve its medieval essence. The arrival may not impress, with an aspect of a typical tourist village. But when you get to the old part, its impressive walls and castle will leave you open-mouthed with the spectacular views of the Mediterranean that they allow.
In addition , the coves around Tossa, such as Cala Pola, are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sea in a natural and quiet environment. A walk through the Vila Vella, the walled old town, is like traveling back in time.
🚌How to get there.
By bus:
- Take a Sarfa bus from the Estación del Norte bus station in Barcelona. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive on the C-32 highway and then take the exit towards Tossa de Mar. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Arenys de Mar
Arenys de Mar is a perfect destination for a quick getaway from Barcelona. This charming seaside town, less than an hour away by train or car, is known for its fishing port, beaches and lively market. La Musclera beach is ideal for a day of sun and sea, and the Marès de la Punta Museum will allow you to learn more about local history.
🚌How to get there.
By Train:
- Take the Rodalies Renfe R1 line train from Estació de Sants or Plaça Catalunya. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive on the C-32 freeway towards Mataró and take the exit towards Arenys de Mar. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
Begur
In the heart of the Costa Brava, Begur has probably two of the best coves in the area, Aiguablava and Sa Riera and one of the best beaches in the country. You can not miss the castle of Begur and its defense towers dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Built on a small rocky massif, a landmark on the Costa Brava, the town has emerged as the perfect midpoint of the area, not as far as Roses but far enough away from Barcelona to have the feeling of having taken a trip in style.
🚌How to get there?
By bus:
- Take a Sarfa bus from Barcelona’s Estación del Norte. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive on the AP-7 towards Girona/France and take exit 9A-9B (Vidreres/Lloret de Mar), then follow the signs to Begur. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Calella de Palafrugell
We do not leave the Costa Brava to stay in a small coastal town that retains the charm of the old fishing villages thanks to its white houses and its coves of transparent waters. If you go, it is key to visit the Botanical Garden of Cap Roig and try to coincide with the famous Cantada de Havaneres, which we can accompany with a rom cremat after a long day at the beach to enjoy summer com deu mana.
🚌How to get there?
By Train and Bus:
- Take a train to Girona and then a Sarfa bus to Calella de Palafrugell. The total journey takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive on the AP-7 towards Girona/France and take exit 9A-9B (Vidreres/Lloret de Mar), then follow the signs to Palafrugell. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Vilanova i la Geltrú
We change sides and go south, to the Garraf region, where rocky beaches and narrow coves become wide beaches and sandy beaches. Its marina and promenade are ideal for strolling and enjoying the local cuisine, especially seafood dishes. But the good plan is to stay a few days in this small town to feel what life must be like in a Sitges without tourists. Don’t miss the Railway Museum, the Vilanova Market and the many good local menjar restaurants around town.
🚌How to get there.
By Train:
- Take the Rodalies Renfe R2S line train from Estació de Sants or Passeig de Gràcia. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive along the C-32 freeway towards Sitges and take the exit towards Vilanova i la Geltrú. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
Sant Pol de Mar
Sant Pol de Mar is a charming seaside town that combines the best of inland and coastal towns, the gateway to the Costa Brava but still in the province of Barcelona. Its quiet beaches and historic buildings, such as the church of Sant Jaume and the hermitage of Sant Pau, make it an ideal destination to unwind thinking, for example, of the legend of the village’s poorly installed sundial that has given rise to the famous (and mischievous) saying: Sant Pol, quina hora és?
🚌How to get there?
By Train:
- Take the Rodalies Renfe R1 line train from Estació de Sants or Plaça Catalunya. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.
By Car:
- Drive on the C-32 freeway towards Mataró and take the exit towards Sant Pol de Mar. The trip takes approximately 1 hour.
Tamarit
A jewel of Romanesque architecture… on the Costa Daurada. In the style of Tossa, this walled village offers quiet golden sandy beaches and a castle overlooking the sea. Climbing up to Tamarit castle and imagining what life must have been like for the fishermen who once watched pirates peek out from these towers, while their families worked or bathed on the beaches below is a wonderful experience.
🚌How to get there.
By Train:
- Take a train to Tarragona and then a bus to Tamarit. The total journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive on the AP-7 freeway towards Tarragona and take the exit towards Tamarit. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
L’Escala
L’Escala is known for its beaches and its fishing tradition. Just visit its beaches, such as Riells beach and Montgo cove, stroll through the old town and its promenade, well renovated, to understand it. Obviously, you can not miss the Anchovy and Salt Museum, or, failing that, get a good supply of anxoves de L’Escala, the most famous and richest of Catalonia. And, of course, visit the ruins of Empúries, a kind of Greek Pompeii a stone’s throw from home that we have absolutely undervalued.
🚌How to get there?
By Train and Bus:
- Take a train to Figueres and then a Sarfa bus to L’Escala. The total journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
By Car:
- Drive on the AP-7 towards Girona/France and take exit 5 (L’Escala/Empúries). The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Port de la Selva
Quieter than Cadaqués but with an equally seafaring air. This Alt Empordà village combines white houses, fishing boats, wild coves and direct access to the Natural Park of Cap de Creus. It is the perfect place for those looking to disconnect without giving up good food or the sea in its purest form.
🚌 How to get to Port de la Selva?
By train and bus:
Take a train to Figueres or Llançà. From there, there are regional bus lines (such as Teisa or Sarfa) that connect to Port de la Selva. The total journey can take between 2 h 30 min and 3 hours, depending on the connection.
By car:
Drive on the AP-7 towards Girona/France, take exit 4 (Figueres sud) and continue on the N-260 to Llançà and then the GI-612 to El Port de la Selva. The drive takes approximately 2 hours from Barcelona.
You may be interested in: The 11 best beaches on the Costa Brava to enjoy in summer.