Barcelona is known for its beautiful beaches, and now that the weather is starting to get much hotter, it’s a wonderful time to cool down at the beach. Along Barcelona’s famous stretches of sand are the beach bars (guinguetes in Catalan; chiringuitos in Spanish), which open at the beginning of the summer season. They are the perfect place to get drinks, seafood, desserts, listen to music, or just relax by the Mediterranean, and here we review 5 of the best guinguetes in Barcelona.
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5 of the best beach bars in Barcelona
While Barcelona has many amazing beach bars, Barcelona’s beaches extend for miles and there are too many beach bars to visit during a shorter trip. Barcelona’s beach bars have a variety of different menus and locations. Most guinguetes are quite expensive, but some have more bang for the buck.
1. La Deliciosa
With an incredibly expansive drinks' menu with numerous different options for both entrées and tapas, La Deliciosa has it all. Located on Barcelona’s most popular beach, Barceloneta, La Deliciosa is right at the centre of one of the busiest regions of the city. The bar is right on the beachfront, with a gorgeous view and easy access to Barceloneta’s beach sports. The bar has an open-air building with hammocks for sunbathing outside. Its drinks' menu includes many cocktails, sangria, vermut, and coffee and cold-pressed juices for those looking for non-alcoholic options. This is the perfect place to relax at one of Barcelona’s busiest beaches.
2. Via Moana
Via Moana is located on Bogatell beach, a beautiful, yet less crowded beach than Barceloneta. The bar has a Polynesian aesthetic and an open-air building incredibly close to the water, and it’s a beautiful place to sunbathe. Its menu is also incredibly diverse, with a good look at many of Barcelona’s most famous drinks and a great variety of both Mediterranean and international tapas. For the perfect beach bar experience in a calmer and relaxing area, this is the place.
3. Somos de Playa
Higher up from the beach than many other chiringuitos, Somos de Playa has a relaxing view over Nova Mar Bella beach, one of the quieter city beaches. The bar is very accessible from the nearby road and many nearby hotels, so it’s one of the closest for many tourists. It is also right next to Diagonal Mar, the most visited shopping centre in Barcelona. Somos de Playa has two beach bars, with Asian and African inspiration in their dishes. Another bar with a wide variety of drinks and quick access to other great attractions in Barcelona, Somos de Playa combines many of the best aspects of a beach trip in one.
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4. Xiringuito Escribà
Xiringuito Escribà is more closed off from the wind and sun than most other beach bars, and it combines the ordinary beach bar vibe with a more complete dining experience. Escribà has a much larger food menu than almost any other beach bar. The bar’s specialty is rice dishes like paella alongside fresh seafood. It’s also one of the few beach bars to stay open during many different seasons, with a changing menu for each season. While Barcelona’s beach bars are expensive, Xiringuito Escribá provides a delicious dining experience at a cheaper price than a lot of the competition.
5. Chiringuito Las Sardinitas
Located on Nova Icària beach, Chiringuito Las Sardinitas is right in the middle of one of the busiest places in Barcelona. The bar is right in between Barceloneta beach and Bogatell beach, with quick access to nearby clubs, shops, and public transport. Sitting just above the sand, this guingueta has a great view of the beach and the surrounding city. The menu focuses on fresh seafood dishes, paellas, and tapas. It has a great combination of Spain’s most famous cuisine with the drink menu of a traditional beach bar. For something a bit in between La Deliciosa and Somos De Playa, this is the perfect bet.
