Barcelona – the perfect nakation?

I know that public nudity is now banned in Barcelona, but given the number of fantastic naturist beaches within close proximity, I wondered whether Barcelona is the best place to go for the perfect nakation?

Let me know what you think.

Here’s what Barcelona has to offer naked traveller:

1. Playa de las Rocas

This beach located just west of Calella’s main town beach has several coves where nudists.

Click here for some photos showing the coves and the town’s main beach.

See map below for location.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.607004,2.644848&num=1&vpsrc=0&sll=41.608865,2.646782&sspn=0.009434,0.0156&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=14&ll=41.607693,2.645988&output=embed
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2. Platja de la Musclera

This popular beach is located to the north of Barcelona in Arens de Mar.  The beach is just off the coastal highway N-II therefore access is easy.  Car parking provided.

The fantastic Bare Beaches book describes the beach as the following:

“A well managed official naturist beach of clean fine-grain sand, looked after by the local authority.  Popular with families, young people and male groups.  Care required when swimming – steeply shelving shore with some submerged rocks.”

The beach is located between Arenys de Mar and Caldes d’Estrac and easily reached by the train from Barcelona.

Train –

The rail journey from Barcelona is 35 minutes; get off the train at Caldes and it’s a 10 minute walk along the promenade towards Arenys, by the Restaurant Hispania and the sailing club.  The nude beach is clearly signposted.

Road –

Take the N11 along the coast for 37km north-east of Barcelona and turn for the beach by the km-marker 655.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.571681,2.5361&num=1&vpsrc=0&sll=41.573848,2.537863&sspn=0.009439,0.0156&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=14&ll=41.573848,2.537863&output=embed
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3. Playa de la Mar Bella

Just a few kilometers from Barcelona’s central square, this may well be the most urban nude beach in the world.  This beach is almost always very crowded, and nudists are almost always a rather small minority even though nudity is perfectly acceptable.

Bare Beaches describes the beach as:

“Swimming is good but steer clear of the breakwater.  It has bars, showers, toilets, children’s play areas, parking, disabled access, lifeguards and safe drinking water.

Location –

The beach is next to the Mar Bella sports centre at Villa Olimpica, 1km north of the marina and 2km from the Christopher Columbus statue in the city centre.  Nearest metro stations are: Poblenou (line IV); or Selva de Mar (line IV).  Buses 36, 71 and 141.

See link for map of the beach

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.398188,2.211746&num=1&vpsrc=0&sll=41.398284,2.211041&sspn=0.009464,0.0156&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=14&ll=41.398284,2.211041&output=embed
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4. Playa de Sant Sebastià (Barceloneta)

Playa de Sant Sebastia lies at the southern end of Barceloneta and is covered in golden sand and is 1.1 km long.

Playa de Sant Sebastia offers everything that you can expect from a city beach: showers, toilets, lifeguard stations, etc.  The beach has a high number of local visitors plus Barcelona’s surf community meets here when the swell is good.

The nudist area is at the southern end of the beach.

See link below for map of the beach

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.372107,2.189301&num=1&vpsrc=0&sll=41.372848,2.189026&sspn=0.009468,0.0156&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=14&ll=41.372848,2.189026&output=embed
View Larger Map

In addition to the above beaches, there are also weekend naturist sessions at Bernat Picornell Olympic pool.  Click here for details.

If any of you have been to these beaches we would love to here from you.

We are planning a trip to Barcelona next year and are looking for any nudist-friendly properties that we could stay in.  If anyone has any ideas please let us know!