Bathing season
The mild Mediterranean climate means that the city's beaches can be used throughout the entire year for all kinds of activities, although it is clear that main demand starts in springtime and above all throughout the summer months. It is throughout this period that the Barcelona City Council has to equip and service the beaches to enable their use as a bathing and sunbathing space, fulfilling all possible guarantees in terms of security, rescuing, health and environmental assistance.
Each year a Plan of Uses is drawn up for the Barcelona beach season, covering all the requirements set by the competent authorities as well as the equipment and services that the City Council considers vital for the recreational use of this important part of the city.
The services and equipment are activated in line with the influx and needs of each of the two periods into with the bathing season is divided. Thus, in mid season services and equipment vary from weekdays to weekends and depending on weather conditions. In high season all services and equipment are on offer every day, although they may vary in intensity depending on the rate of activity.
Information on beach occupancy levels will still be provided on the website, in accordance with the current regulations and for improved user comfort.
Bathing season calendar
Mid-season for beaches: from 23 to 31 March, on 1, 29 and 30 April and every weekend in April, from 1 to 24 May and from 12 to 29 September. The lifeguard/rescue and assisted swimming facilities on the beaches are open to the public from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.
High season for beaches: from 25 May to 11 September. Opening hours are from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm, in all premises.
Related files
Mid-season for swimming: from 23 to 31 March, on 1, 29 and 30 April and every weekend in April, from 1 to 24 May and from 12 to 29 September. The rescue/lifeguard and assisted swimming facilities on the beaches are open to the public from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. All public toilet facilities are open from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm, except for those on the Sant Sebastià, Sant Miquel, Nova Mar Bella and Nova Icària beaches.
In March and April, the information facilities are open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, and in May from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm on the Sant Sebastià, Barceloneta, Bogatell and Mar Bella beaches; in September, they are open Monday to Friday on the Sant Sebastià, Barceloneta and Bogatell beaches. On the Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and Llevant beaches, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
High season for swimming: from 25 May to 11 September. The rescue/lifeguard and assisted swimming facilities on the beaches are open to the public from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm. All public toilet facilities are open from 10.00 am to 7.30 pm. The information facilities are open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Low season: the rest of the year. There is no lifeguard service or first-aid facility, only the 112 emergency freephone line. Only the Beach Management offices on the Bogatell breakwater and the public toilets on the Gas, Somorrostro and Bogatell breakwaters are open from 9.00 am to 2.30 pm.
The rescue and Lifeguard Service resumes with the start of the bathing season on all beaches during the mid-season, operating from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm, with an extended service during the high season from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm.
This season, due to the 37th edition of the America’s Cup taking place in Barcelona, beach services will be extended from 30 September to 27 October on all beaches, from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.
Outside the bathing season, there are no lifeguard or rescue services, only the 112 emergency freephone service. This means that everyone using the beach will be responsible for their own safety.
In the Beach Management department building on the Bogatell jetty, there is a lilac point which provides a service to Barcelona’s beaches. Specifically, it offers an awareness-raising, prevention and attention service for victims of gender violence and LGBTI-phobia, and it also has mobile members of staff who work on the various beaches in the city.
This purple point will operate during daytime hours until 11 September, from 10 am to 8 pm, seven days a week, and from 12 September to 27 October, during daytime hours from 12 noon to 6 pm, to cover the activities for the America’s Cup and complement the night-time purple points at the beaches.
For further information: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dones/ca/bcn-antimasclista
Barcelona's beaches have been awarded Sustainable Biosphere Certification, which recognise tourist operators that opt for responsible management which respects the environment, culture, working conditions, gender equity, a social and economic return and, therefore, promote a more balanced and sustainable tourist model in their sphere.
More specifically, the certification highlights good practices, in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that are carried out on the beaches, as part of the fight against climate change, the environment, the social return, economic practices and their cultural environment.
In other words, this certification consolidates Barcelona's beaches as a service that promotes responsible tourism and, in that regard, works hard on greening and the continuous improvement of the service.
By adhering to the Barcelona Biosphere Commitment to Sustainable Tourism, the beaches are now part of the Citizen Commitment to Sustainability and the More Sustainable Barcelona Network.