5 Dreamy Beach Stays Around Barcelona

Barcelona is a dream destination for beach lovers. Apart from being blessed with close to three miles of easy-to-access city beaches, there are some 360 miles of jaw-dropping coastline to explore within just a couple of hours’ drive of the city. The Catalan coast stretches from the wild shores of the Ebro Delta in the south, through the sprawling golden sands of the Costa Dorada, past Sitges and Barcelona, to the pebble beaches of the Maresme and the secluded rocky coves of the Costa Brava, all the way up to the French border in the north. 

Barcelona, there are some 360 miles of jaw-dropping Catalan coastline to explore within just a couple of hours’ drive of the city. Pictured: Fortress Vila Vella and Badia de Tossa Bay in Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava.

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And while summer may be all but over in most of Europe, Barcelonians in the know will tell you September is the ideal time for some fun in the sun. As the sweltering August heat gives way to far more pleasant daytime temperatures, locals head back to their daily routines, leaving the lucky few with some extra time on their hands to enjoy Catalonia’s spectacular beaches in peace.  

Here are five beachfront hotels to dream about visiting on your next trip to Barcelona (from south to north):

Dorada, where the nutrient-rich sea is said to have healing properties.

IMAGE COURTESY LE MERIDIEN RA

Le Meridien Ra

Situated just 45 minutes from central Barcelona and 35 minutes from Barcelona Airport, elegant Le Meridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa is set right on the golden sands of the Costa Dorada (or golden coast) overlooking the brilliantly blue Mediterranean Sea. Boasting just under 400 square feet of beach per hotel room, this is the ideal getaway for travelers who prioritize personal space in the post-COVID era. Housed in a former sanatorium dating back to 1929, the nutrient-rich sea along this particular stretch of coast is said to have healing properties. This family-friendly beach resort also features a pool, beach club, state-of the-art spa and kids’ club. 

from your own private terrace at Little Beach House Barcelona.

IMAGE COURTESY SOHO HOUSE

Little Beach House Barcelona

Opened by private members’ club Soho House in 2018, Little Beach House Barcelona is the London-based group’s second property in Barcelona. Complete with 17 bedrooms, a rooftop terrace, restaurant, spa, and beach access, this boutique hotel and club enjoys an unbeatable location on Garraf beach, between Barcelona and Sitges. Guests are invited to kick back on the plush green-and-white striped sun loungers on the beach, or enjoy massages in the small outdoor Cowshed Spa, before drifting off to sleep to the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the beach outside. While access to Little Beach House Barcelona is reserved for Soho House members, non-members can book stays in the bedrooms via the Soho House website.

with direct access to its own small private beach.

IMAGE COURTESY W BARCELONA

W Barcelona

Few hotels in Barcelona enjoy the emblematic status of W Barcelona, standing proudly at the edge of the iconic Barceloneta boardwalk. Apart from its multiple bars and restaurants, three pools and excellent spa, W Barcelona is the only hotel in the city center with its own small stretch of private beach. And while the sand may not be as powdery as it is in the Costa Dorada, and the water is less clear than in the Costa Brava, W Barcelona makes up for it in spades with its upbeat approach to contemporary luxury and easy access to all the hedonistic pleasures of the rambunctious Catalan capital. 

Mediterranean and direct access to one of the Costa Brava’s most beautiful sandy beaches, Playa de Santa Cristina.

IMAGE COURTESY HOTEL SANTA MARTA

Hotel Santa Marta

The Costa Brava (translated as brave or wild coast), with its jagged rocks, tiny coves and crystal-clear aquamarine waters, is one of Spain’s most immaculate stretches of coastline. Mostly accessible by car, this unspoiled seaside region has only a handful of large sandy beaches and even fewer hotels with beach access. However, every rule has its exception, and, in this case, it goes by the name Hotel Santa Marta. Set amid 17 acres of woodland, this sophisticated five-star hotel offers stylish rooms with killer views of the Mediterranean, as well as direct access to one of the Costa Brava’s most beautiful sandy beaches, Playa de Santa Cristina.

Pol beach on the Costa Brava.

IMAGE COURTESY HOSTAL DE LA GAVINA

Hostal de La Gavina

Unlike Spain’s famous Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca, which welcome travelers in their droves, the Costa Brava has remained relatively untouched by the blight of overtourism. Nowhere is its exclusivity more apparent than at Hostal de La Gavina, a classic Grand Dame hotel that has been playing host to European aristocracy and international A-listers for almost a century. Located in S’Agaro, within easy strolling distance of the charming coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guixols, Hostal de La Gavina is just a few minutes’ walk from family-friendly Sant Pol beach. More adventurous guests will want to embark on the short hike along the breathtaking Camino de Ronda trail to nearby cove Cala Sa Conca for an authentic Costa Brava experience.

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While international leisure travel is not advised given the global pandemic, I am sharing this as inspiration for when it is safe again.