Banys del Fòrum Beach

When is a beach not a beach? When it’s Barcelona’s Banys del Fòrum, a sand-free modernist pool of constantly refreshed seawater protected from the open waves of the Mediterranean by a series of screening posts made – elegantly – from concrete.

Constructed in 2004, Banys del Fòrum Beach is a great place to head for anyone most interested in the swimming side of being beside the coast, with the enclosed pool area some 375 metres long by 30 metres wide.

Reached via a run of steps and ramps, Banys del Forum is less crowded than many of the city’s beaches, though it also boasts a large expanse of ground that is perfect for dozing in a deck chair, or sunbathing in a lounger.

The on-site diving centre can provide equipment and tours for those interesting in every water sport from canoeing to scuba diving, with an artificial island 60 metres from shore and a manmade reef located within Parc del Esculls to dive at.

Banys del Fòrum has its own stop on metro line 4 and on the tram network, and can also be reached by various buses. It is generally open from June until September, from 11 in the morning until between seven and eight at night.