Barcelona Gay Beaches

MarBella is Barcelona's only nudist beach, though it attracts just as many gay sunbathers who prefer to keep their swimwear on as those happy to go without. It is the most popular gay beach in the city, with the season getting underway around early May and peak crowds arriving in August. Bear in mind it is the furthest beach from the city center, but the journey is straightforward.

Take the metro to Selva de Mar on the Yellow Line (L4), from where it is around a 10-minute walk to the shore. The T4 tram also stops nearby. A taxi from Eixample will set you back around €10.

A tip worth knowing: the Rambla del Poblenou, just a 5-minute walk from the beach, has an excellent lineup of cafes and restaurants for when you are ready to refuel. Note that smoking is banned on all Barcelona beaches, so leave the cigarettes behind.

Chiringuito BeGay has earned its reputation as the focal point of gay beach life in Barcelona, sitting right on the shore at Mar Bella nudist beach and drawing a crowd from across the world every summer.

The food offering has grown well beyond its beach bar roots: expect a menu that runs from continental breakfast and scrambled eggs through vermouth-time classics, gourmet sandwiches, burgers, pokes, Tex-Mex dishes, and raw options including ceviche and tartare, with strong vegetarian and vegan choices throughout. The bar keeps pace with a solid lineup of cocktails, beers, fresh juices, protein shakes, and coffee.

Sun beds and umbrellas are available to rent, and the atmosphere builds steadily from May onwards, with August bringing the busiest crowds of the season. Book a table for lunch in peak season well ahead of time.

Check the website for the summer events program.

San Sebastià and Barceloneta together form one long beach stretching for more than 1 km from the W Hotel towards the Olympic Marina.

Both are popular with gay sunbathers and have a good choice of cafés and restaurants. Great if you like to party. San Sebastià, in particular, is well-known for its happy crowd.

Nova Icària is one of Barcelona's most quietly appealing beaches, stretching 400 metres along the coast close to the Marina and drawing a relaxed mix of gay and straight sunbathers who are happy to leave the crowds to Barceloneta.

The atmosphere here is unhurried and the space feels genuinely your own, making it one of the better spots in the city to actually switch off.

A solid lineup of restaurants and cafes lines the promenade behind the beach for when hunger eventually wins.