Montgat — Beach Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Give us the wide-angle view: what kind of beach are we talking about? When the train pulls into Montgat Nord station, a mere 20 minutes northeast of Plaça Catalunya, you'll feel as if you could leap from the platform straight onto the squishy white sand. (We suspect that's why someone built a fence there.) Exit the station the conventional way; there are stairs to the right, a ramp to the left, and then, before you, some 30 meters of sand standing between you and the water's edge. Lovely. How accessible is it? If you have a T-Casual travel pass—which, for €11.35, lets you take ten journeys on a bus, train, metro, or tram within zone 1—you'll be covered, no sweat. Take the R1 train toward Mataró, Blanes, or Maçanet-Massanes. Got it. Decent services and facilities, would you say? There’s a smattering of beach bars offering cervezas , cafés con hielo (hot espresso shots poured over ice cubes), and snacks. But one of Montgat's best facilities is more of an appetite generator than an appetite quencher: Escola de Mar, where you can rent paddle boards, sailboats, and surfboards. You'll find it next to the volleyball courts. How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf? The water is cleaner and more inviting than others in the area; it's warm in the summer and great for surfing. Palm trees, restaurants, and the occasional market add to the chilled-out scene. Anything special we should look for? The paved promenade that stretches along the coastline is popular for cycling and running, should all those watersports not have burned off your paella habit. Looking inland, keep an eye out for an old defense tower; called Torre de Ca L’Ansina, it was built in the 16th century. If we’re thinking about going, what—and who—is this beach best for? Tranquility, when Barceloneta (Barcelona’s main beach) gets so crowded that you’re hopping over legs and towels just to get to the sea. If you fancy a buzzier scene before heading back to the city, walk (or train it) to Badalona, a popular beach city that’s right en route." - Gemma Askham
