Castelldefels – Beach Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about? At sunset, Castelldefels is one of those of broad, dreamy, spacious stretches of sand that makes you vow to move beside the sea, adopt a dog, and spend every evening strolling by the water with said dog. The beach wraps around like a pale-yellow paint stroke and never seems to fill up completely, even in peak season. It’s still well-loved though—by kite-surfers in April and May, by locals after work, by families on weekends, and by Barcelona visitors who’ve caught wind of its reputation. Lovely. How accessible is it? Castelldefels is located 11 miles south of Barcelona, and the best way to arrive is by train. Start at either Sants or Passeig de Gràcia rail stations and take the R2 (or R2S – S for south/ sud ) to Platja de Castelldefels. The train will be heading in the direction of Vilanova or Sant Vicenç de Calders, and you’ll be seaside in 25 minutes. Got it. Decent services and facilities, would you say? There are bathrooms, showers, water sports, and plenty of relaxed places to eat and drink. At the southernmost end, Django Surf House brings the carefree vibe of a beach bar to the port – expect burgers and quesadillas, live music, and plenty of smiles. Taberna Tibu-Ron serves tapas with a side of fun atmosphere. Or grab a table on Unlugar’s roomy terrace for an excellent three-course daily menu, including gelato from Barcelona’s insanely good DelaCrem. How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf? The open nature of the coastline makes it a big hit with surfers, though the waters are friendly and inviting for all, including kids. Excellent. Can we go barefoot? Most definitely – find lots of space and lots of foot-scorching sand in high season. Anything special we should look for? If you can resist buying a giant inflatable pool float from one of the shops just off the beach, then you probably got better beach toys than us as a child. Our pick? A lobster, which doubles as an excellent sunbathing mattress. If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for? City escapism. Be sure to catch a sunset—with no city buildings to block your view, you're in for a soothing spectacle of pinks, yellows, and dusty grays." - Gemma Askham
