Alright, so I’ve gotta tell ya about my little adventure hunting down decent nudist spots near Barcelona. Always wanted to give it a proper go, soak up the sun properly, y’know? So I did my homework and picked five beaches that kept popping up. Here’s how it actually played out.
The Mission Starts
First things first, I packed super light – just a big towel, a ton of sunscreen (learned that lesson the hard way before), water bottle, sunglasses, and a hat. That’s it. Hopped on the metro early-ish to beat the worst of the crowds. Felt kinda strange heading out just like that, but kinda exciting too.
Spot #1: Somorrostro Beach
Kicked things off right in the city center. Got off at Barceloneta station and walked south. There’s this section kinda tucked away near the end, past where the regular beach loungers end. Saw some dedicated folks already stripped down. Went for it! Laid out my towel. Sand was pretty soft, water alright, but honestly? Felt the city vibe creeping in. You got buildings, people walking the promenade in clothes kinda glancing over… Didn’t stay long. Packed up after about 45 minutes feeling a bit… on display.
Spot #2: Mar Bella
Okay, heard this was THE place locally. Took the metro to Selva de Mar and walked down towards the sea. Found the nudist section easily enough, it’s marked and separated from the main beach. Wow, busy! People of all shapes, sizes, ages – felt way more relaxed immediately. Plenty of space though. Got a decent spot, slathered on the sunscreen, laid back. Blissful. Heard some music from a nearby beach bar. Water was nice for a dip. Ended up chilling here for a couple of hours. Very chill.
Spot #3: Montgat Nord
This one required more effort. Took the R1 train north to Montgat Nord station. Then it was a hike down past the residential streets to the coast. Took maybe 15-20 minutes walking. Found it! Felt way quieter, way more local. Mostly couples or small groups. This is natural nudism – no frills. Beach isn’t huge and has pebbles mixed with sand near the water, so walking barefoot takes some care. Beautiful views up the coast though. Very peaceful, very real. Spent a lazy hour just listening to the waves before getting peckish.
Spot #4: Cala Vallcarca (Garbí)
Fancied something more scenic. Headed up towards Sitges direction. Bus ride was long, then a solid walk down from the road – proper downhill trail, decent trainers needed. Found the little cove. Absolutely stunning! Rocks, clear turquoise water. More popular than I expected, crowd was mixed nude and textiles near the entrance. The further along the rocks you go, the more nudist it gets. Found a comfy rock perch. Felt adventurous and free. Views were unbeatable. Refreshing swim! Took loads of mental pictures. Top spot for feeling away from it all.
Spot #5: Nova Icaria
Finished closer to the city. Got off at Ciutadella Vila Olímpica. Walked towards Bogatell beach and kept going east. Nova Icaria has a small section at its east end. Very mixed vibe – proper nudists, some folks just topless, plenty of textiles nearby. It’s… fine. Clean beach, decent facilities. But the energy felt a bit uncertain. Like, it wasn’t really embraced? Sunbathed for maybe half an hour, felt a bit of Mar Bella’s crowdedness without its dedicated spirit.
What I Actually Thought After Doing It
- Mar Bella nails it for convenience and pure acceptance. Busy but delivers.
- Montgat Nord is the real deal for authenticity. No tourists, no fuss.
- Cala Vallcarca (Garbí) is pure magic. Worth the journey.
- Somorrostro is handy but feels too exposed.
- Nova Icaria is meh for dedicated nude sunbathing.
Honest Takeaway? If you want easy vibes, go Mar Bella. If you want beautiful and wild, hike to Cala Vallcarca. Montgat Nord is my pick for feeling local. Pack more sunscreen than you think you need, don’t overthink it too much, and just enjoy the freedom. It’s pretty normal out there once you’re doing it.
