El Prat de Llobregat Holidays: Delta, Beaches and Airport
Província de Barcelona · Catalonia · Spain · 63,418 residents · on the coast
Far del Llobregat
Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat
El Prat Museum
Platja de Can Camins
Platja de la Ricarda - Ca l'AranaEl Prat de Llobregat is a town of around 63,000 people on the flat delta of the Llobregat river, barely 9 metres above sea level and a few minutes from Barcelona's main airport. Most British travellers know it only from the runway, but there is more here than a departure lounge. The protected wetlands of the Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat begin under 2 miles from the centre, a lighthouse stands at the river mouth, and a string of beaches runs along the shore about 3 miles out. Barcelona itself is under 6 miles away, so the town works as a quieter base with the city, the coast and the airport all close at hand.
Why go
- Walk the protected Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat, under 2 miles from the town centre.
- Barcelona airport is about 3 minutes' drive away, with direct flights from the United Kingdom.
- July brings highs around 28°C with only about four rain days across the month.
Top sights in El Prat de Llobregat
Wetlands, Lighthouse and Delta Beaches
The most notable landmark is the Far del Llobregat, the lighthouse at the river mouth about 3 miles from the centre. Closer in, the Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat, a protected area of Catalonia, starts roughly 1.7 miles away, and its network of viewpoints makes it easy to explore: Mirador de Cal Lluquer (1.6 miles), Mirador de la Fillola Quatre Hores (2 miles), Mirador de Cal Beitas (2.4 miles) and Mirador de la Desembocadura (2.7 miles), the last looking over the river mouth. For something different, there is a viewpoint over the Barcelona airport landing area about 1.7 miles from town, a favourite with aircraft spotters.
In the centre, El Prat Museum sits just a couple of hundred metres from the heart of town and suits families on a cooler or wetter day. The beaches line up along the coast: Platja de la Ricarda - Ca l'Arana (2.7 miles), Platja Naturista (2.9 miles), Platja de Can Camins (2.9 miles), Platja de la Roberta (3.2 miles) and Platja del Remolar (around 3.5 to 3.7 miles).
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
1lighthouse- 2protected area
Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat
2 miles from the centre · Photo
protected area in Catalonia, Spain
- 3museum
- 4beach
- 5beach
6beach
7beach
8beach
9viewpoint
11viewpointMirador de la Desembocadura
3 miles from the centre · Photo
12viewpointMirador de Cal Beitas
2 miles from the centre · Photo
Platja Naturista
beach · 3 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in El Prat de Llobregat
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around El Prat de Llobregat can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in El Prat de Llobregat
Town Centre or Towards the Coast
El Prat de Llobregat is a working town rather than a purpose-built resort, so the choice is mainly between the town centre, close to El Prat Museum and everyday life, and the edges nearer the delta and the shore. The beaches sit roughly 2.7 to 3.7 miles from the centre, so plan on a short drive or ride to reach the sand.
With the airport only about 2.5 miles away, the town also suits a first or last night of a longer Catalan trip. This page shows live hotel prices for El Prat de Llobregat so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach El Prat de Llobregat and the villages around it is a hire car from Barcelona (BCN), about 3 min away.
Best time to visit El Prat de Llobregat
When to Visit El Prat
- 14°CJan25 mm
- 15°CFeb41 mm
- 17°CMar38 mm
- 18°CApr74 mm
- 20°CMay43 mm
- 25°CJun64 mm
- 28°CJul42 mm
- 29°CAug52 mm
- 25°CSept73 mm
- 23°COct113 mm
- 19°CNov59 mm
- 15°CDec26 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July is the standout month, with highs around 28°C, nights near 21°C and only about four rain days. August is the hottest, peaking at around 29°C, but it is noticeably showerier, with roughly eight rain days.
Autumn is the wettest stretch: October brings around 113 mm of rain over about ten days, and September and November are also damp. Winter is mild and comparatively dry, with January highs near 14°C and only three rain days, which makes a short off-season break for walking the delta perfectly reasonable. Spring warms from around 17°C in March to 20°C in May, though April is surprisingly wet.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 6°C | 25 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 7°C | 41 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 9°C | 38 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 10°C | 74 mm | 11 h |
| May | 20°C | 14°C | 43 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 64 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 28°C | 21°C | 42 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 22°C | 52 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 73 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 113 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 19°C | 11°C | 59 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 7°C | 26 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
Few towns in Spain are easier to reach. Barcelona airport (BCN) lies about 2.5 miles away, roughly a 3-minute drive, and has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Reus (REU), about 50 miles away or 1 hour 10 minutes by car, and Girona (GRO), about 53 miles away or 1 hour 15 minutes, also have direct UK flights and are useful alternatives.
The port of Barcelona is around 5 miles away, with ferries to Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as to Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres in Italy and Tangier Med and Nador in Morocco. If you prefer to bring your own car, the drive from Calais takes roughly 15 and a half hours.
By air
- Barcelona (BCN)2 miles, about 3 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)50 miles, about 1 h 11 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Girona (GRO)53 miles, about 1 h 15 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 15 h 28 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (5 miles).
El Prat de Llobregat is good for
Around El Prat de Llobregat
Day Trips Around the Llobregat
Barcelona is the obvious outing, under 6 miles away. Closer still, Gavà and the small town of Santa Coloma de Cervelló are each about 5 miles off, while Torrelles de Llobregat lies around 6 miles away.
Castelldefels, about 7.5 miles along the coast, makes an easy beach day. Further out, Sant Cugat del Vallès is around 10 miles away, and Badalona and Rubí are each roughly 12 miles away.
_-_1.jpg/500px-Castell_de_Fels%2C_Esgl%C3%A9sia_de_Santa_Maria_i_Torre_de_guaita_(Castelldefels)_-_1.jpg)
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
The town sits only 9 metres above sea level on the delta, so walking and cycling between the viewpoints is flat and easy going, though the beaches are a few miles from the centre and worth planning transport for.
If you are visiting in autumn, pack a waterproof: October is by far the wettest month. And with the airport so close, consider booking your final night here to make an early flight home far less stressful.
Questions people ask
How far is El Prat de Llobregat from Barcelona airport?
Barcelona airport (BCN) is about 2.5 miles from El Prat de Llobregat, roughly a 3-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making the town one of the quickest places in Spain to reach after landing.
Does El Prat de Llobregat have beaches?
Yes. Platja de la Ricarda - Ca l'Arana, Platja Naturista, Platja de Can Camins, Platja de la Roberta and Platja del Remolar all lie between about 2.7 and 3.7 miles from the town centre, along the delta coast.
What is the best month to visit El Prat de Llobregat?
July is the best month, with highs around 28°C and only about four rain days. August is slightly hotter at around 29°C but wetter, while October is the rainiest month of the year with about 113 mm.
How far is El Prat de Llobregat from Barcelona city?
Barcelona is under 6 miles away, so the city makes an easy day out. Many travellers use El Prat as a quieter base with the airport, the delta wetlands and the coast all close by.
Are there other UK airports options besides Barcelona?
Yes. Reus is about 50 miles away, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by car, and Girona is about 53 miles away, around 1 hour 15 minutes. Both have direct flights from the United Kingdom.
Can you drive to El Prat de Llobregat from the UK?
You can. The drive from Calais takes roughly 15 and a half hours, so most people break it over two days. Barcelona's port, about 5 miles away, also has ferries to the Balearic Islands, Italy and Morocco.