There are at least six beaches near Barcelona which are accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with other disabilities. Details on accessible bathing possibilities:
Because Barcelona's public transport network is so accessible, all of these beaches can be reached by bus or metro.
Development of Barcelona's Accessible Beaches
Access to Barcelona's beaches has improved vastly since 1996 thanks to a project between the Institut Municipal de Persones amb Discapacitat (IMD) and the Institut Municipal de Parcs i Jardins, the group responsible for the city’s coastline.
Volunteers from the Residents’ Associations and the Red Cross also help provide the assisted bathing service, which allows disabled bathers to enter the water in floating wheelchairs. 234 people used the service in 2005 and many appear to return frequently – in 2005 the service was used on 1395 occasions. Usage is increasing.
The assisted bathing service is only currently available at three beaches, but other beaches have accessible toilets, wooden ramps down to the sea and adapted showers as well as well thought-out visual information and itineraries.
Accessible beaches which offer an assisted bathing service are Nova Icària, Sant Sebastià and Nova Mar Bella. See linked article for general information and below for details on accessibility.
San Sebastià
San Sebastià beach is excellent for disabled bathers. There are two disabled parking bays and five accessible public toilets, as well as adapted changing and showering areas. A wooden walkway leads right down to the sea to allow wheelchairs to cross the sand.
If you want to take a dip, a bathing assistance service is on offer. Volunteers are on hand to help wheelchair users transfer to amphibian chairs (specially designed floating wheelchairs). A lift hoist is available if needed. Volunteers can help bathers get into the water and will stay with them while bathing to make sure everything is safe.
The bathing assistance service operates 11am-2pm daily in July, August and the first week of September, and 11am-2pm Sat, Sun and bank holidays during June and the second fortnight of September.
Nova Icária beach
Facilities for disabled bathers are similar to those at Sant Sebastià. There are 16 disabled parking bays and 15 accessible public toilets, plus two showers with chairs underneath.
The assisted bathing service is available 9am-2pm and 4pm-7pm daily in July, August and the first week of September, and 9am-2pm and 4pm-7pm Sat, Sun and bank holidays during June and the second fortnight of September.
Nova Mar Bella Beach
Facilities for disabled bathers are at Nova Mar Bella Beach are similar to those at Sant Sebastià and Nova Icàra. There are five accessible toilets and one adapted shower. You should take proof of age along to the beach information centre to request the service, as children cannot unfortunately be helped into the amphibious chairs.
The assisted bathing service operates 11am-6pm in July, August and the first week of September, and 11am-6pm Sat, Sun and bank holidays during June and the second fortnight of September.
