The Forum Beach

The Forum Beach (Banys Fòrum) is unlike any other beach in Barcelona — and that's exactly the point. Located at the far northeastern end of the city coastline, inside the Barcelona Forum grounds, this is a purpose-built bathing zone with no sand, no tourists fighting for space, and no chaos. What it does have is clean, calm water, a relaxed atmosphere, and a surprising amount of things to do in and around it.

If you've done Barceloneta and want something completely different, Forum Beach is worth the metro ride.

What exactly is the Forum Beach?

Calling it a “beach” is technically generous — there's no sand here. The Banys Fòrum is a large open-air sea bathing area carved into the concrete esplanade of the Parc del Fòrum. Think of it as Barcelona's answer to the lido: a sheltered swimming zone separated from the open Mediterranean by a breakwater, with different depth areas, deck chairs, and full facilities.

It was built as part of the major regeneration of the Besòs waterfront, an area that was largely industrial until the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures brought investment, architecture, and visitors to this corner of the city. The esplanade, the solar panel canopy, and the bathing area all date from that transformation.

What you get as a visitor is a remarkably quiet swimming spot, even in peak summer. Most tourists never make it this far along the coast — they stop at Barceloneta, Mar Bella, or at most the Nova Mar Bella beach. Forum Beach sits beyond all of them, which keeps the crowds manageable even in August.

A sandless beach in Barcelona

Out of all the beaches in Barcelona, Forum Beach is the most isolated and the least crowded. The bathing area is enclosed from the open sea, and it has different swimming zones, deck chairs, water games for children, and even an area designed especially for people with disabilities.

Water depth is pretty shallow, which makes it ideal for cautious swimmers, families with small children, or anyone who just wants to float in calm water without dealing with waves. The enclosure keeps the sea gentle — on days when the open Mediterranean is choppy, the Forum baths are still smooth.

The surface underfoot is concrete and rock rather than sand, so wear water shoes if you're sensitive to rough textures. The upside is that you won't be picking sand out of your bag for the rest of the week.

The artificial island and Reef Park — hidden highlights

About 60 metres (roughly 200 feet) from shore, there's a small artificial island you can swim out to. It's a straightforward swim in calm water and gives you a completely different perspective of the Forum esplanade from the sea. Not many people bother — which is its own reward.

Below the surface, the Parc dels Esculls — or Reef Park — is one of Barcelona's better-kept secrets. A series of artificial reefs were constructed here to encourage the growth of marine ecosystems. The reefs attract plankton, which brings fish, which brings divers. The underwater biodiversity here is significantly richer than at the central city beaches, which makes it popular with diving instructors and marine biology enthusiasts.

If you're a snorkeller, bring a mask. Visibility is often good in the morning before the afternoon wind picks up, and you can see fish at relatively shallow depths near the reef structures.

Sports at Banys Fòrum

The real draw of the Forum Baths is water sports. The sheltered bay and open sea access make it one of the best spots in Barcelona for activities that require a bit more space than Barceloneta can offer.

From May through October, you can hire or join sessions in:

• Kayaking — single and double kayaks available for hire by the hour, good for exploring the coastline north toward the Besòs river mouth.
• Canoeing — guided canoe excursions run along the coast, including routes that take you past the reef park.
• Catamarans — small sailing catamarans available to hire; some experience recommended, though introductory sessions are offered.
• Water-skiing — one of the few spots in the Barcelona metro area where this is available.
• Scuba diving — the Parc del Fòrum Diving Center runs introductory courses (discover scuba sessions) and full guided dives over the Reef Park. Equipment hire available. This is the place to get your first taste of Mediterranean diving without heading out of the city.
• Windsurfing and kitesurfing — the open water beyond the breakwater catches reliable afternoon thermal winds, making this one of the only viable spots in Barcelona proper for wind-powered sports.
• Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) — the calm inside of the bathing zone is perfect for beginners; boards available to hire.

Book activities in advance during July and August — the diving center and water sports hire can fill up, especially on weekends. Off-peak (May, June, September, October), you can usually turn up and hire on the spot.

The Parc del Fòrum: what's around the beach

The beach sits within the broader Parc del Fòrum — a vast open esplanade that doubles as one of Barcelona's main outdoor festival and events venues. The scale of it catches most people off guard the first time they visit: it's enormous, windswept, and architecturally striking in a way that's nothing like the rest of Barcelona.

The giant photovoltaic canopy (the huge blue solar panel structure you see from the metro) covers several thousand square metres and generates real electricity for the city. Below it, in summer, there are often music events, food trucks, and open-air screenings. The Primavera Sound music festival — one of Europe's biggest — uses the Forum esplanade as its main venue every June.

The area also borders the Diagonal Mar shopping centre, a five-minute walk inland, if you need air conditioning, food court options, or to kill time before or after the beach.

For a longer day out, combine Forum Beach with a walk or cycle along the coastal path southward. The path runs uninterrupted past Mar Bella beach — Barcelona's nudist and LGBTQ+-friendly beach — all the way back to Barceloneta. It's roughly 4–5 kilometres of flat, waterfront cycling, and one of the genuinely pleasant things you can do in this city for free.

Who is Forum Beach best for?

Not everyone will love it. If you want a beach with that quintessential Mediterranean sand-and-parasol setup, you're better off at Barceloneta. Forum Beach has a specific appeal — here's who it actually suits:

• Families with young children — the shallow, enclosed water is one of the safest swimming environments in the city. No waves, no rips, good lifeguard coverage.
• Swimmers who actually want to swim — proper laps and long swims are much more comfortable here than in the open beach zones, where you have to weave around paddlers and inflatables.
• Water sports beginners — the calm conditions make it the easiest place in Barcelona to try kayaking, SUP, or even your first dive.
• People who hate crowds — even in August, the Forum Beach rarely feels overwhelming. It's the Barcelona coastline for people who don't like what the Barcelona coastline has become.
• Photography and architecture enthusiasts — the Forum esplanade and its structures are genuinely interesting to photograph, especially at golden hour when the light catches the solar canopy.

Practical tips before you go

A few things the guidebooks don't tell you:

• Bring water shoes. The rocky bottom and concrete edges are fine for most people but uncomfortable in bare feet.
• The area is exposed and can be very windy, especially in the afternoons. The Forum esplanade has almost no shade outside the solar canopy area. Sunscreen is non-negotiable.
• The beach is open June to September only. Outside those months, the bathing area is closed, though the esplanade and surrounding park remain accessible year-round.
• The restaurant on-site is serviceable but unremarkable. If you want a proper meal, Diagonal Mar shopping centre has more choice, or head back toward Mar Bella where there are a handful of beach bars.
• Parking is available near the Forum, but arriving by public transport is straightforward and avoids the hassle entirely.
• All prices for water sports hire and diving courses — verify directly with the Parc del Fòrum Diving Center before visiting, as rates change each season.

Services at the Forum Beach

• Red Cross and lifeguard attendance
• Local Police presence
• Toilets and showers adapted for people with disabilities
• Dressing rooms
• Restaurant
• Bicycle routes and cycle path connections
• Deck chair and sun lounger hire
• Water sports hire and diving centre (seasonal, May–October)
• Children's water play area
• Accessible bathing zone for people with reduced mobility

How to get to Forum Beach

The easiest route is Metro Line 4 (Yellow line) to El Maresme–Fòrum station. From the exit, the esplanade and beach are a 5-minute walk following the signs toward the waterfront. Alternatively, the Tram Line T4 stops at Fòrum station, which is useful if you're coming from the Diagonal or Glòries area. Buses #7, #36, #41, and #141 also serve the Forum area.

If you're cycling, the coastal bike path runs directly to the Forum from Barceloneta — roughly 25–30 minutes of flat, pleasant riding along the seafront. It's one of the best ways to arrive.

Opening hours

Pl. Fòrum 1, El Besòs i el Maresme, 08019
Bathing season: June to September.
June and September: 11:00 – 19:00
July and August: 11:00 – 20:00
Hours and services are subject to change — verify before visiting.