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hikemontserrat
Sant Jeroni is the highest point of Montserrat Mountain at 1237m in elevation. The hike from the Monastery to Sant Jeroni is my favourite route to take and with the best views. On clear day you will see the Pyrenees to the north and sometimes even the island of Mayorca to the south.
Living in Barcelona we’re very lucky to not only have beaches on our doorstep in the city but also close to the North and south of Barcelona, where some impressive beaches can be found. Easily accessible by train, it’s the perfect day trip to do with your family, to escape the busy city beaches, especially in July and August.
Below have made a list of my best beaches in Barcelona city and nearby:
My favourite beach in Barcelona City is definitely Playa de Bogatell, which sits at the bottom of Rambla Del Poblenou and is one of my favourite places to visit, swim or have a walk along the beach.
Generally a lot quieter and sometimes cleaner than it’s neighbours, specially Barceloneta Beach, which can be filled with stag parties etc and busy tourists in the summer.
There’s lots to do from Bogatell Beach, from Beach Tennis https://www.beachtennisbarcelona.com/ and hiring paddle boards https://www.escuela-sup.com/ from the Base Náutica Municipal de Barcelona. In addition you can do some great swimming, where in summer they place yellow boys around 50m out from from the beach and you can swim, following them along to the Forum or the Whotel in Barceloneta if you wanted. In summer you’ll find lot’s of people doing this, but always recommended to do it with a friend. Would definitely recommend to do this at sunrise, an incredible experience to start your day.
Down the coast the other side of Barcelona Airport next to Castelldefels you’ll find Platja de Gava and in the busy summer, when the beaches of Barcelona will be packed, you’ll always find it considerably quieter here.
Only 20 minutes in a car or you can take the train from Barcelona-Sants Station and take either the R2 or R2S line and get off at Platja de Castelldefels. A nice beach in itself at Castelldefels but always busy in the summer. You can enjoy the beach here or walk for 15 minutes along the coastal path and you’ll find it lots quieter at Platja de Gava.
If you have kids or anyone in the group keen to do something active, it’s a great place for you all to locate yourself. The sea is shallow to swim, so great for kids to enjoy the water. There’s a path that follows the coast along for nearly 10km, ideal for a run or if you’re into road cycling, you’d got the hills of the Garraf National Park behind, with some incredible routes to choose from.
For something to eat there’s an amazing place to eat on the beach called Guingueta Iguana Gavá Mar http://www.quesadagavamar.es/en/ , would definitely recommend.
Up the coast from Barcelona our favourite beach close to Barcelona, is Platja de Can Tana which is right next to Platja Montgat Nord. You’ll find Mongat Nord a bit more busier because it’s right next to the station but a short along towards Barcelona, you’ll find the beach Can Tano, which is a lot quieter.
In the busy summer months you’ll always find the beaches of Barcelona packed and sometimes depending on the current, the water can be a little dirty. Here you’ll find it quiet, water cleaner and it always feels more local and chilled out, with less people trying to sell you random sun glasses and all sorts on the beach.
It’s also very easy to get to and you can take the R1 line from various stations in Barcelona including, Barcelona-Sants, Catalunya, Arc de Triomf and El Clot-Arago. Takes approximately 30min and it’s a great journey, where the train line follows right next to the coast line for pretty much the duration of the trip.
If you’re not one for sunbathing, you’ll find a water-sports centre called Escola de Mar http://www.escolademar.cat/ , where you can hire paddlle boards, windsurfing equipment, Sailing and also they have Sailing/Windsurfing lessons.
To eat you’ve got lots of places to choose from with Chiringuito Mil Olas on the beach and also a nice friendly place called Original Can Faba, which is on the other side of the railway line. Don’t worry the trains are surprisingly very quiet and you hardly notice them.
Sant Pol de Mar is definitely one of my favourite, sitting further north up the coast from Mongat Nord, taking approximately 1 hr from Barcelona and once again you can catch the R1 Line from most stops in Barcelona, including Arc de Triomf, El Clot, Sants and Catalunya.
A charming village positioned in a cove between the towns of Calella and Canet de Mar, the historical architecture and history, combined with stunning beaches, makes it a perfect day trip from Barcelona.
There is several beaches to choose from when leaving the station, with Sant Pol having 10 beaches to it’s name, but if you turn left out the station and walk 5 min along the beach, you’ll find smaller coves with less people. Also if you’re keen for a small hike, you can walk even for 20 min up the coast towards the picture perfect Platja Rocagrossa , which is just before Calella.
To eat would recommend a restaurant called Banys Lluís https://www.banyslluis.cat/es/ , which is on Platja del Morer and is a family owned business with an incredible range of seafood.
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There is lots of soft hikes available in Montserrat where you can start from the Monastery passing Sant Miquel Cross, then a small ascent to Sant Joan funicular. Here you have three option: 1 - You can take the funicular back down to the Monastery. 2 - Continue to ascent for another 30 minutes approximately and visit the Ermita de Sant Joan, Ermita de Sant Onofre and Ermita de Santa Magdalena. 3 - Passing the funicular station on the right and approximately 20m after you will see a trail that descends down towards Ermita de Santa Anna. After this you will arrive at many steps, where you can continue to descend until you are back at the Monastery.
Discover how to hike Montserrat Mountain. Only 1 hr from Barcelona, Montserrat Mountain is one of the most iconic places to visit in Catalonia.
