If you’re visiting Barcelona and want a quiet break from the busy city, let me tell you about our favourite coastal town, Castelldefels. This sunny beach town is my pick for the best beach town near Barcelona by train. And after spending time here with my husband and kids, I think you’ll find it’s perfect for families.
The best part? It’s super easy to get to. You don’t need a car or a tour. You can just hop on a train!
Let me show you in this guide how to have the best beach day (and night!) in Castelldefels and why your family will love it too.
Getting to Castelldefels From Barcelona (Super Easy!)
Getting to Castelldefels is one of the biggest reasons I call it the best beach town near Barcelona by train. It’s fast and easy to navigate.
Start in the centre of Barcelona and make your way to Barcelona-Passeig de Gràcia train station. This station is right across the street from Casa Batlló, the famous Gaudí landmark that looks colourful and wavy. You can’t miss it. Check out the train schedule here: Rodalies de Catalunya
Look for the R2S line. This is the train that goes straight to Castelldefels. No transfers or confusing switches. Just one train ride so you can enjoy the ride.
The ride is only 30 minutes and just goes through four stops. You’ll pass through a few small towns before pulling into Platja de Castelldefels station.
When you arrive at Platja de Castelldefels station, you are practically at the beach. It’s only a 3 minute walk!
This simple and fast train ride makes Castelldefels perfect for day trips. But trust me, I think you will find yourselves wanting to stay overnight, just like we did.
Where to Stay in Castelldefels
We stayed at Hotel Ciudad de Castelldefels and it was such a pleasant surprise. Yes, it’s an older hotel. But it was so perfect for us.
The rooms were big, clean and bright. A great part about the rooms was that there was a divider that pulled out so the kids had their own private space to sleep. If you travel with kids, you know how amazing this is.
Another couple bonuses to this hotel was that there was a buffet breakfast included and there’s a huge outdoor pool with a poolside bar. The whole place feels peaceful and relaxed. And everything is close by. The hotel is a 5 minute walk to the beach and a 5 minute taxi ride to the train station.
It’s also very affordable for being so close to Barcelona and the beach. We loved staying here and would choose it again in a heartbeat.
Other places you might want to stay
- Masd Mediterráneo Hotel & Apartamentos. Beach views, kitchenette in room, indoor and outdoor pool.
- Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo. Free breakfast, pool, 3 minute walk to beach
Platja de Castelldefels: A Beach Kids Will Love
When I imagine the perfect family beach day, I picture Platja de Castelldefels.
This beach is long. Really long. You can walk for a long time and still have room around you. I loved that we were never crowded. We could spread out, relax, and let the kids run wild.
The sand is soft and golden. The water can be wavy since it sits right on the Mediterranean Sea. But my kids actually loved this. Their favourite part of the whole trip was jumping over waves and swimming under the waves.
You can visit the beach any time of day. But remember, the sun is strongest between 11 and 2. Make sure to bring hats, wear sunscreen, and bring buckets and shovels to make the best sandcastles.
And here’s a little tip for families visiting from Canada like us: in Spain, it’s normal for some women to go topless at the beach. It surprised us at first, but it’s common here. Luckily, the beach is so big that we easily found quiet spots. My kids didn’t even notice. Just something to keep in mind so you aren’t caught off guard.
Strolling the Boardwalk
Another thing that made Castelldefels the best beach town near Barcelona by train for our family was the boardwalk.
The boardwalk runs along the beach and is such a fun place to explore. There are shops, cafés and sometimes local markets. We went for an evening stroll and it became one of my favourite parts of our trip. The warm air, the sound of the waves and the families walking by made it feel so peaceful.
If you keep walking along Pg. Marítim, you’ll find even more restaurants, coffee stops and places to grab ice cream. No beach vacation is complete without ice cream!
Where We Ate (Kid-Approved!)
We found some great spots in Castelldefels, and they are perfect for families. We ate breakfast at our hotel, Ciudad de Castelldefels which is perfect so you are not wandering around hungry in the morning looking for somewhere to eat!
Lunch: Rober’s Frankfurt Castelldefels
We had lunch here and it was great. The food was simple and tasty which is exactly what kids want after a morning in the sun. There’s inside and outside seating and everything came fast.
Dinner: Pizzeria Pasta Mi Piace
What kid doesn’t love pizza? Ours sure do. We sat outside on the patio and watched the street around us. It was lively and fun and the pizza was delicious. This place is a great stop after a beach day.
Ice Cream: La Viciosa Ice Cream Premium
This ice cream was so good. We grabbed cones in the evening and walked along the boardwalk. It was the perfect way to end our day.
Why Castelldefels Is the Best Beach Town Near Barcelona by Train
There are many beach towns near Barcelona. But Castelldefels checks every box for families like ours (or anyone!):
- Easy train ride
- Big, beautiful beach
- Lots of space to spread out
- Kid-friendly restaurants
- Affordable hotels
- Fun boardwalk
- Calm and relaxed vibe
- Great for a day trip or an overnight stay
It felt close to Barcelona, but also like a totally different world.
We swam in the waves, strolled the boardwalk and ate good food. And also, we felt rested afterward, something that doesn’t always happen when traveling with kids!
Final Tips for Your Trip
A few things we learned that will help your family enjoy Castelldefels even more:
- Bring sunscreen and hats
- Pack sand toys for the kids
- Take a break at your hotel pool during peak sun. Hotel Ciudad de Castelldefels has a great pool with lots of trees surrounding for shade.
- Choose a quiet area on the beach (easy to find!)
- Enjoy the train ride because it’s part of the adventure
Looking for the ultimate beach packing list, check my blog post here.
If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona and want an easy family getaway, add Castelldefels to your list. It might become your family’s favourite spot too.
You might also be interested in: 3 Day in Barcelona Itinerary
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