Secret beaches and coves
Leisure 19/09/2024
Known for its iconic urban beaches and vibrant coastal life, Barcelona is also the starting point for more hidden and secluded corners that few tourists know about. Along the Catalan coast, just a short distance from the city, there are some secret places of great beauty: secluded coves, quiet beaches and natural enclaves that invite you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a more intimate and authentic landscape. In this article, we will take you to discover some of the best beaches and secret coves near Barcelona, where the crystal-clear sea and tranquility are the protagonists.
Both on the Costa Brava in the north and on the Costa Daurada in the south, you can find the wildest and most spectacular beaches and coves. True paradises that you will want to return to again and again, but if we focus on an area closer to the city of Barcelona, in Garraf, we can also find small paradises hidden among the rocks where you can enjoy the sea and tranquility. Between Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú, the Camino de Ronda is preserved, a steep and rugged route next to the train tracks that borders the entire Catalan coast and leaves small, completely natural beaches and coves at its feet. Below we explain how to get to this path so that you can find secret coves and beaches and enjoy their wonderful crystal-clear waters and the peace that is breathed in these corners.
This stretch of road that runs along part of the Garraf coast can be started from Sitges or from Vilanova i la Geltrú, but our route starts from Sitges and goes down towards Vilanova:
From the Renfe station in Sitges, head towards the Paseo Marítimo and, once there, turn right towards Playa de les Anquines, leaving behind the famous church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla. Before reaching the end of the promenade, there are some stairs that indicate the GR-92 route (signposted with 2 lines, one red and one white), which is the identifier of the Camino de Ronda and the one you must follow throughout the entire route.
On this route, the first beach we come across is PLATJA DE L'HOME MORT , this is not a particularly secret beach, in fact it is one of the most famous in Sitges and the most popular for the LGTBI community, but to get to the rest of the "secret" coves you will have to pass through it first.
Following the marked path, you will find different coves, where you will want to stay and spend hours and hours of relaxation, some of the most beautiful are:
GIANTS' COVE
From Platja de l'Home Mort you can reach this cove in a matter of seconds. It is a beach with similar characteristics, with fine sand and crystal-clear waters. It is also known as Playa de la Desenrocada.
XICA COVE
Just after Cala dels Gegants, skirting Punta Grossa, you will reach this beautiful cove. It is 77 metres long and 8 metres wide, making it a somewhat larger cove, but completely natural, sunken between rock cliffs. It is also known as Cala Raldiris.
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CALA PATI BLAU
Another secluded, quiet cove surrounded by rocks. It is about 12 metres long and 9 metres wide, meaning it is a very small cove with very few people in it, making it an oasis of calm with the smell of salt.
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COLLS BEACH
It is a small natural beach made of gravel and pebbles, 17 metres long and 11 metres wide. It is the only cove in this area that belongs to Sant Pere de Ribes, as from here you can reach Vilanova i la Geltrú.
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These are some of the treasures that can be found in the southern area closest to Barcelona on the Camino de Ronda, but if we move north, towards Maresme, we will also find towns such as Sant Pol de Mar, Calella, Arenys de Mar or Caldes d'Estrac, among others that are a clear example of a Mediterranean town with incredible beaches and coves:
LES BANYERETES BEACH
It is the most natural beach in Sant Pol de Mar. In fact, neither fishing nor animals are allowed, as it is a resting and moulting area for the Mediterranean Plumed Sea Raven (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), a protected bird species that is in danger of extinction.
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In PLATJA DE LAS ROCAS , one of the most beautiful beaches in Calella surrounded by pine trees and rocks, you can find four hidden coves: Rocapins, la Viñeta, la Roca Grossa and Cala d'en Pere , the latter is a nudist beach where we can also find a boulder climbing wall, for the most daring.
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If you have time and can escape to more remote places, the number of secret coves and beaches to visit multiplies, especially on the Costa Brava where every corner is an unforgettable gift. We recommend that you visit the area of coves that runs along the section of the Camino de Ronda between Platja d'Aro and Palamós , where you will find places such as Cala del Pi, Cala Sa Cova, Cala Paller, Cala Rovira. Incredible places where we are sure you will want to return.
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It is important to note that the vast majority of these natural beaches and coves are considered naturist beaches, meaning nudism is permitted. Especially those in the Garraf area. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring a swimsuit.
Both on the Costa Brava in the north and on the Costa Daurada in the south, you can find the wildest and most spectacular beaches and coves. True paradises that you will want to return to again and again, but if we focus on an area closer to the city of Barcelona, in Garraf, we can also find small paradises hidden among the rocks where you can enjoy the sea and tranquility. Between Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú, the Camino de Ronda is preserved, a steep and rugged route next to the train tracks that borders the entire Catalan coast and leaves small, completely natural beaches and coves at its feet. Below we explain how to get to this path so that you can find secret coves and beaches and enjoy their wonderful crystal-clear waters and the peace that is breathed in these corners.
This stretch of road that runs along part of the Garraf coast can be started from Sitges or from Vilanova i la Geltrú, but our route starts from Sitges and goes down towards Vilanova:
From the Renfe station in Sitges, head towards the Paseo Marítimo and, once there, turn right towards Playa de les Anquines, leaving behind the famous church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla. Before reaching the end of the promenade, there are some stairs that indicate the GR-92 route (signposted with 2 lines, one red and one white), which is the identifier of the Camino de Ronda and the one you must follow throughout the entire route.
On this route, the first beach we come across is PLATJA DE L'HOME MORT , this is not a particularly secret beach, in fact it is one of the most famous in Sitges and the most popular for the LGTBI community, but to get to the rest of the "secret" coves you will have to pass through it first.
Following the marked path, you will find different coves, where you will want to stay and spend hours and hours of relaxation, some of the most beautiful are:
GIANTS' COVE
From Platja de l'Home Mort you can reach this cove in a matter of seconds. It is a beach with similar characteristics, with fine sand and crystal-clear waters. It is also known as Playa de la Desenrocada.
XICA COVE
Just after Cala dels Gegants, skirting Punta Grossa, you will reach this beautiful cove. It is 77 metres long and 8 metres wide, making it a somewhat larger cove, but completely natural, sunken between rock cliffs. It is also known as Cala Raldiris.
CALA PATI BLAU
Another secluded, quiet cove surrounded by rocks. It is about 12 metres long and 9 metres wide, meaning it is a very small cove with very few people in it, making it an oasis of calm with the smell of salt.
COLLS BEACH
It is a small natural beach made of gravel and pebbles, 17 metres long and 11 metres wide. It is the only cove in this area that belongs to Sant Pere de Ribes, as from here you can reach Vilanova i la Geltrú.
These are some of the treasures that can be found in the southern area closest to Barcelona on the Camino de Ronda, but if we move north, towards Maresme, we will also find towns such as Sant Pol de Mar, Calella, Arenys de Mar or Caldes d'Estrac, among others that are a clear example of a Mediterranean town with incredible beaches and coves:
LES BANYERETES BEACH
It is the most natural beach in Sant Pol de Mar. In fact, neither fishing nor animals are allowed, as it is a resting and moulting area for the Mediterranean Plumed Sea Raven (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), a protected bird species that is in danger of extinction.
In PLATJA DE LAS ROCAS , one of the most beautiful beaches in Calella surrounded by pine trees and rocks, you can find four hidden coves: Rocapins, la Viñeta, la Roca Grossa and Cala d'en Pere , the latter is a nudist beach where we can also find a boulder climbing wall, for the most daring.
If you have time and can escape to more remote places, the number of secret coves and beaches to visit multiplies, especially on the Costa Brava where every corner is an unforgettable gift. We recommend that you visit the area of coves that runs along the section of the Camino de Ronda between Platja d'Aro and Palamós , where you will find places such as Cala del Pi, Cala Sa Cova, Cala Paller, Cala Rovira. Incredible places where we are sure you will want to return.
It is important to note that the vast majority of these natural beaches and coves are considered naturist beaches, meaning nudism is permitted. Especially those in the Garraf area. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring a swimsuit.
