Barcelona is famous for being welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers. The city celebrates differences, and its beaches, which are friendly to gay people, showcase its inclusivity. However, the most popular gay beaches are located in front of Sitges, a town that is only a 40-minute car ride away from the city of Barcelona.
If you are wondering about the best gay beaches and hotels in Barcelona and Sitges, you have come to the right place. Here, you will find a comprehensive list and all the information you need to know about them.
Best Gay-Friendly Hotels in Barcelona
1. The Axel Hotel Barcelona & Urban Spa-Adults Only
2. TWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel 4*Sup-Adults Only
Best Gay-Friendly Hotels in Sitges
1. Elite Hotel Gay Men Only
2. Parrots Sitges Hotel
Gay Beaches in Barcelona
1. Mar Bella
This is probably the first beach you will be referred to when asking about gay beaches in Barcelona. It is almost 500 meters long and 42 meters wide, located in front of the Sant Marti district.
This beach is officially gay and has a designated area for nudist visitors.
Two other popular gay beaches in Barcelona are on each side of Mar Bella: Nova Mar Bella and Bogatell.
Mar Bella Beach boasts a Blue Flag certification (2023), assuring the quality of the beach and the services you will enjoy there.
You will find showers, toilets, lifeguards, public phone booths, and free WiFi. There are rentals of sun lounges and umbrellas, spaces to play volleyball, and motorcycle rentals, along with all the required services for disabled individuals.
Mar Bella is the most popular gay beach in Barcelona, attracting not only locals but also visitors from all over the world.
The resto-bar “BeGay” is a classic on this beach, providing a total gay ambiance.
How to arrive:
By metro, the Llacuna metro station (L4) is the closest one to Mar Bella Beach.
2. Sant Sebastiá
This is one of the oldest gay beaches in Barcelona and is very lively. Like Mar Bella Beach, it has some areas dedicated to nudist users.
Sant Sebastiá is located between the Sant Miquel beach and the iconic sail-shaped W Hotel on La Barceloneta beach. It is 1,100 meters long and 81 meters wide.
The beach holds a Blue Flag certification (2023) and offers several services, including public showers and toilets, kiosks for beverages and ice cream, and sports areas. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent. There is also an area for people with reduced mobility.
Adjacent to the beach in the port area, the Sant Sebastiá Tower stands as one of the iconic structures in Barcelona. The tower, 78 meters in height, serves as one of the cable car stations that connect the port with Montjuïc Mountain
How to arrive:
The Barceloneta metro station (L4 Yellow Line) is an 8-minute walk from the beach.
3. Chernobyl Beach
This beach is located 15 minutes from the center of Barcelona, in Sant Adrià de Besòs.
The area is known for a massive thermal power station that is no longer in use, easily identified by its three chimneys.
The original name of the beach, which nobody seems to remember now, was Playa de la Mora. However, it began to be called Chernobyl due to the Soviet-style appearance of the building.
This is a nudist beach and is frequently visited by gay tourists.
How to arrive:
By metro, Sant Adria metro station (T4 and T6) is the closest one to Chernobyl beach.
Other Nice Beaches in Barcelona
1. Sant Miquel
Some years ago, it was a popular gay beach. Sant Miquel is a small beach, about 400 meters long and 60 meters wide. However, it remains one of the busiest spots along the city’s coastline.
You will find it between the Sant Sebastià and La Barceloneta beaches. It’s well-equipped with showers, toilets, lifeguards, sun lounges and umbrella rentals. There are restaurants and sports clubs in the vicinity.
How to arrive:
The Barceloneta and Ciutadella metro stations (L4 Yellow Line) are the closest to the beach.
2. Nova Icaria
This is a very nice beach located between the Olympic Port and the Bogatell beach. It is quiet, a contrast to the busy nearby ones. Gay visitors feel welcome at Nova Icaria.
Nova Icaria beach is about 400 meters long and almost 70 meters wide.
This beach provides convenient facilities like showers, restrooms, and equipment rental. There are facilities for disabled individuals.
What sets this beach apart is its abundant recreational options. People can try water activities like kayaking or paddle surfing, join beach volleyball games, or simply unwind under the sun. It offers a top-tier beach experience.
How to arrive:
The Ciutadela-Villa Olimpica station (L4 Yellow Line) is 10 minutes away of the beach.
3. Barceloneta Beach
This beach, spanning over 1 km, is the oldest one in Barcelona. Some years ago, it was more popular among the gay community. In recent years, it has attracted a more mixed public, particularly foreigners.
Barceloneta is almost 600 meters long and 90 meters wide. Its extensive sports facilities make it a very attractive beach for young people. It has several volleyball fields, a ping pong table, and a gymnastics area.
It’s fully equipped, and you can find very good restaurants all along the beach.
The landmark of the beach is a tall sculpture made with 4 steel blocks on a concrete base. The blocks are stacked on top of each other and appear to be balanced by chance.
How to arrive:
The Barceloneta and Ciutadella metro stations (L4 Yellow Line) are a 7-minute walk from the beach.
4. Bogatell Beach
This beach is near Nova Icaria and Mar Bella. While not as crowded as Barceloneta, it is preferred by those who are not as young as the visitors to the other beaches.
Bogatell beach is more than 600 meters long and 40 meters wide.
The beach holds a Blue Flag certificate (2023) and offers showers, toilets, sun lounge and umbrella rentals. There are also sports areas available.
How to arrive:
Poblenou and llacuna are the closest metro stations to the beach (L4 Yellow Line).
Recomended Gay-Friendly Hotels in Barcelona
The Axel Hotel Barcelona & Urban Spa – Adults Only is a four-star hotel located in the LGBT area of Barcelona. The hotel exudes elegance with a lively and cheerful ambiance. It features a splendid rooftop area with a pool and jacuzzi, along with a sky bar on the 7th floor offering a stunning view.
Book your stay at the Axel Hotel Barcelona & Urban Spa-Adults Only here
TWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel 4* Sup – Adults Only is located in the Gayxample area. It features a restaurant, fitness center, massage services, and an on-site golf course. The rooms offer king-size beds and are fully soundproofed
Book your stay at the TWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel 4* Sup-Adults Only here
Gay Beaches in Barcelona: Sitges
Sitges is a town located 30 km south of Barcelona, famous for its welcoming atmosphere towards the LGBT community.
Every September, an event called Sitges Bears Week takes place, bringing together more than 8,000 gay men from different countries. Also, in June, Sitges celebrates the Gay Pride Day on a grand scale.
Here, you can find information on various ways to travel from Barcelona to Sitges, along with details about its nightlife, restaurants, and more.
The following list presents the best gay beaches in Sitges. These beaches embody Sitges’ essence: inclusive, vibrant shores radiating freedom and a welcoming atmosphere.
1. Bassa Rodonna Beach
This is essentially the primary gay beach in Sitges, stretching almost 300 meters in length.
To get there from the village, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the seaside path until you reach the third beach, which is right across from the Calipolis hotel.
A trendy beach bar is available for cocktails and beer at any time, with music typically starting around 4 pm.
Just behind the beach lies the Picnic Cafe and Restaurant, which operates throughout the day, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner services.
2. Cala Els Balmins
This Blue Flag beach (2023) is a haven for nudists and the LGBTQ+ community.
Situated adjacent to Aiguadolç Port, it’s only a short 10-minute walk from the center. This 240-meter-long beach is entirely enclosed by rocks. Despite being a nudist beach, families also visit without any issues.
Three small coves form this beach from where you can get picturesque views of Sitges’ iconic skyline.
Showers and a beachside bar are available on the beach.
3. Home Mort Beach
This beach is away from the urban core and has been considered one of the world’s first gay-friendly beaches for decades.
Home Mort is also a nudist beach. If you are interested in learning more about natural Spanish beaches find here all about nude beaches in Mallorca.
The designated beach spans 200 meters in length. There are no services or lifeguards available.
To access the beach, start by parking your car at the Atlàntida nightclub in Sitges. Then, follow the path to the parking area. Reaching this beach can be a bit challenging as it’s surrounded by cliffs. You’ll need to walk about a kilometer along a steep trail.
4. Desenrocada
This beach is next to Home Mort beach and measures 90 meters in length and 15 meters in width. It features golden sandy shores and shallow waters.
Similar to the Home Mort beach, Desenrocada benefits from a privileged natural setting. It’s also a nudist beach and very popular among gay visitors.
Sun lounges and umbrellas are available for rent.
Accessing the beach from the cliff is straightforward.
Recommended Gay-Friendly Hotels in Sitges
Elite Hotel – Gay Men Only is a beautiful boutique hotel located in the heart of the old town and just by the beach. It boasts a lovely rooftop terrace with a bar and jacuzzi, offering beautiful views. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast. The hotel is conveniently close to the gay nightlife scene, so booking in advance is recommended.
Book your stay at the Elite Hotel – Gay Men Only here
Parrots Sitges Hotel is a charming hotel with an exceptional location. It is situated right in the center of town, surrounded by vibrant nightlife. Moreover, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Balmins Beach. The hotel offers excellent rooms and a high standard of service.
Book your stay at the Parrots Sitges Hotel here
Gay Beaches in Barcelona: Sant Pol de Mar
Sant Pol de Mar is a small and beautiful coastal town north, located at 40 minutes by car from Barcelona. With less than 6,000 people, it has a nudist beach, La Murtra, which also attracts gay visitors.
Once in San Polt de Mar it is worth to pay a visit to the picturesque town which features two historical religious buildings: a hermitage of the 11th century and a Gothic church of the 16th century. This little town holds 3 Michelin restaurants.
La Murtra Beach
This is a natural and isolated beach and also frequented by gays.
It’s a sandy beach of more than 1200 meters long and 30 meters wide and surrounded by mountains.
The beach offers showers, toilets, rent of hammocks and umbrellas.
The access is not difficult at all. The nearest road is the N-II
