Badalona Holidays: Beaches, Baetulo and Barcelona Nearby
Província de Barcelona · Catalonia · Spain · 217,741 residents · on the coast
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Badalona is a sizeable coastal town of around 218,000 people on the Catalan shore, just 6 miles from Barcelona and only a few metres above sea level. It is a place where culture and the beach sit side by side: the archaeological site of Baetulo and the Badalona Museum lie within a few minutes' walk of the centre, while a string of town beaches, from Platja dels Pescadors to Platja del Pont del Petroli, runs along the waterfront. Summers are warm and fairly dry, with highs of 29°C in July and August. With Barcelona airport about 19 minutes' drive away and direct flights from the UK, it suits a family beach holiday or a base for exploring the coast.
Why go
- Baetulo and the Badalona Museum sit within a quarter of a mile of the town centre.
- Barcelona airport, with direct UK flights, is roughly 14 miles and 19 minutes' drive away.
- July and August bring highs of 29°C, ideal for Platja dels Pescadors and neighbouring beaches.
Top sights in Badalona
Archaeology, Museums and Town Beaches
Badalona's best-known sight is Baetulo, an archaeological site about 0.2 miles from the centre, with the Badalona Museum, an archaeology museum, even closer at roughly 0.1 miles. Two further archaeological sites, Casa de l'Heura and Casa dels Dofins, are each around a quarter of a mile away, and the Poblat ibèric del Turó d'en Boscà lies about 1.5 miles out. For something lighter, the Museu del Còmic i la Il·lustració de Catalunya is about 0.7 miles from the centre and works well with children.
The seafront is lined with beaches within easy walking distance. Platja del Pont del Petroli (0.7 miles) is the most recognised, while Platja dels Patins de Vela and Platja dels Pescadors are closest at around 0.3 miles. Platja de l'Estació (0.4 miles), Platja del Pont d'en Botifarreta (0.5 miles), Platja del Coco and Platja del Cristall (both about 0.7 miles) and Platja de la Barca Maria (1 mile) complete the stretch.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, with options shown in the booking cards.
Tours & tickets in Badalona
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Badalona can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Badalona
Seafront or Centre: Choosing a Base
Badalona is a working town rather than a purpose-built resort, so you are choosing between neighbourhoods rather than hotel strips. Staying near the centre puts Baetulo, the Badalona Museum and the nearest beaches, Platja dels Pescadors and Platja dels Patins de Vela, all within a short stroll.
If the beach is your priority, look along the waterfront towards Platja del Pont del Petroli, Platja del Coco and Platja del Cristall. With a population of over 200,000, expect a lived-in town feel year round. Live hotel prices for Badalona are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Badalona and the villages around it is a hire car from Barcelona (BCN), about 19 min away.
Best time to visit Badalona
When to Visit Badalona
- 13°CJan44 mm
- 15°CFeb36 mm
- 16°CMar46 mm
- 18°CApr70 mm
- 21°CMay47 mm
- 26°CJun35 mm
- 29°CJul26 mm
- 29°CAug53 mm
- 25°CSept91 mm
- 22°COct105 mm
- 17°CNov58 mm
- 15°CDec25 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
June, July and August are the most pleasant months for a beach holiday. June reaches around 26°C, while July and August are the hottest, with highs of 29°C and night-time lows of 21°C. July is also the driest month of summer, with just 26mm of rain over about four days.
Autumn is the wettest period: September sees about 12 rainy days and October brings the most rain of the year at 105mm, so pack a jacket if you travel then. April is also fairly damp. Winters are mild, with January highs of 13°C and December one of the driest months, which suits a cultural break rather than sunbathing. No sea temperature data is available for Badalona.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 4°C | 44 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 36 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 46 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 10°C | 70 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 47 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 18°C | 35 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 21°C | 26 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 21°C | 53 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 91 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 15°C | 105 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 9°C | 58 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 6°C | 25 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Barcelona airport (BCN) is the closest, about 14 miles away and roughly 19 minutes by car, with direct flights from the UK. Girona (GRO) is around 41 miles away, just under an hour's drive, and Reus (REU) is about 60 miles away, roughly an hour and 25 minutes by road; both also have direct flights from the UK.
The ferry port of Barcelona is about 7 miles away, with sailings to Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as routes to Italy and Morocco. Driving from Calais takes around 15 hours behind the wheel, best split over two days.
By air
- Barcelona (BCN)14 miles, about 19 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Girona (GRO)41 miles, about 58 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)60 miles, about 1 h 25 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 15 h 16 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (7 miles).
Badalona is good for
Around Badalona
Easy Trips Along the Coast
Montgat is the nearest neighbour, about 2 miles up the coast, with Alella and El Masnou both around 4 miles away. Barcelona itself is just 6 miles from Badalona, close enough for a day out without changing hotels.
Premià de Dalt and Mollet del Vallès are both about 6 miles away, Premià de Mar is around 7 miles, and Sant Cugat del Vallès, the furthest on the list, is about 9 miles from town.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Badalona
Badalona is a large town of more than 200,000 residents, so it keeps running outside the summer season; it is a city break as much as a beach destination, and the archaeological sites and museums make good rainy-day options.
If you are planning an autumn trip, keep a flexible itinerary: September and October are the wettest months. With Barcelona airport under 20 minutes away, short breaks are realistic even on a long weekend.
Questions people ask
How far is Badalona from Barcelona airport?
Barcelona airport (BCN) is about 14 miles from Badalona, roughly a 19-minute drive. It has direct flights from the UK, as do Girona, about 41 miles away, and Reus, around 60 miles away.
Is Badalona good for a beach holiday?
Yes. The town has a run of beaches close to the centre, including Platja dels Pescadors and Platja dels Patins de Vela at about 0.3 miles, and Platja del Pont del Petroli at around 0.7 miles. Summer highs reach 29°C in July and August.
What is the best time of year to visit Badalona?
June, July and August offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs between 26°C and 29°C and relatively little rain. September and October are the wettest months, with October averaging 105mm of rainfall.
Can I visit Barcelona from Badalona?
Easily. Barcelona is about 6 miles from Badalona, close enough for a day trip while keeping your base by the sea. Other nearby towns include Montgat at 2 miles and El Masnou at about 4 miles.
What is there to see in Badalona besides the beach?
The archaeological site of Baetulo and the Badalona Museum are both within a short walk of the centre, as are Casa de l'Heura and Casa dels Dofins. The Museu del Còmic i la Il·lustració de Catalunya is about 0.7 miles away.
Can I drive to Badalona from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes around 15 hours, so most people split it over two days. Once there, the port of Barcelona, about 7 miles away, offers ferries to the Balearic Islands, Italy and Morocco.