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.
2023 bathing season calendar
Bathing mid-season: from 1 to 10 April and every weekend in April, from 1 to 26 May and from 12 to 25 September. Lifeguards are on patrol and first-aid facilities are available at the Barceloneta, Bogatell, Nova Mar Bella and Fòrum beaches from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. All public toilets are open from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., except for those at the Sant Sebastià and Fòrum beaches. Information points at the Barceloneta, Bogatell and Nova Mar Bella beaches are open.
Bathing high season: from 27 May to 11 September. All beach rescue services and first aid facilities on Barcelona's beaches are available from 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Public toilets are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Beach low season: the rest of the year. There are no lifeguard patrols, only the 112 emergency freephone service. Only the Beach Management offices at the Bogatell groyne, the public toilets on the Gas groyne, and the Somorrostro and Bogatell beaches remain open, from 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m
Life Saving Service and Life Guard Service
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.
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.
Purple service points
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 until 25 September, during daytime hours from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm seven days a week, complementing the night-time purple points at the beaches.
At nights, the point will provide service from 11 pm to 6 am during the nights and early morning hours of weekends and public holidays, from 8 to 25 September, including 11 September.
For further information: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dones/ca/bcn-antimasclista
Sustainable Biosphere Certification and Safe Travels Seal
Barcelona's beaches have been awarded Sustainable Biosphere Certification and a Safe Travels Seal, 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.
Bathing season calendar
Beach mid-season: from 1 to 10 April and every weekend in April, from 1 to 26 May and from 12 to 25 September. All beach rescue and first aid facilities on Barcelona's beaches are open to the public from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Beach high season: from 27 May to 11 September. User support hours are from 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. at all sites.