Beach day in/near Barcelona

A few option near Barcelona:

Garraf - just a short 20 min train ride south of Barcelona. You will find only locals at this small but quaint beach community. There are also many good chiringuitos to eat nearby and even a beach house designed by Antoni Gaudí. A very authentic place.

Sitges - the quintessential posh beach town, 30 min train ride south from Barcelona. Has multiple small sandy beaches. Known for its gay scene, Sitges also has nice historic centre lined with boutique restaurants and shops.

Tossa de Mar - a very atmospheric coastal town on the Costa Brava, north of Barcelona. Tossa has an idyllic medieval setting as it is dominated by a clifftop castle and a small cobblestone old town. Many restaurants and hotels around here, can get quite packed during the high summer months.

Calella de Palafrugell - a smaller beach town also on the Costa Brava. More laid back then Tossa de Mar. The town has twisting narrow whitewashed streets the lead up to the small craggy beaches, that are lined with the typical wooden fisherman boats of the Costa Brava. This is the farthest away from Barcelona.

Thank you Carlos. Garraf looks more like my speed, but I like the looks of Tossa de Mar too. The town looks very pretty. I am assuming you can get there by train or bus as well?

Thank you.

Yes to both sites. Sitges is also a great place to consider. Calella de Palafrugell, in Costa Brava, requires investing far more time to reach it.

Hello, both Garraf and Tossa are accessible via public transport, train (R2S via Sants) for the former and bus (Estacio del Nord) for the latter. I think that for a quick "no hassle" day-at-the-beach I would lean more towards Garraf. Tossa is good for even spending a night or two there.

Thank you both. I can see this is not going to be such an easy decision!