Badalona: Coast, Culture and Roman Traces

Badalona combines a distinctive coastline with places to experience culture, relaxation and local traditions. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can start by considering whether the beaches, Roman history, a visit to a park or a cultural event will shape your stay. The different themes offer concrete starting points for planning your trip.

Coast and Urban Life

Badalona has almost five kilometres of coastline and nine beaches. They are very close to the urban and commercial centre. In Badalona, the coast and city life are therefore close together: you can make the beaches a focus of your stay while also taking in the urban side of the town.

The Passeig Marítim runs between the beaches and the railway line. The promenade is suitable for walking, skating, relaxing and dining. The options there therefore range from being active to taking a quieter break. This offers a practical distinction for planning: depending on your interests, you can think of the promenade as a place for activity or somewhere to linger.

Nautical activities are offered at Port de Badalona, including surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, rowing and snorkelling. These options include different ways to spend time on the water. Offerings from individual providers may change.

Roman Traces and Historical Accounts

Beneath the Museu de Badalona is a 3,400-square-metre archaeological site containing remains of the Roman city. Its size gives the archaeological site a tangible scale; at the same time, its location beneath the museum points to Badalona’s long history. Those interested in the Roman past will find a distinct cultural focus here alongside the coast.

The monastery of Sant Jeroni de la Murtra is also associated with a historical account: it was there that Christopher Columbus presented the discovery of the new continent to the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Fernando. Fernando also recovered there after a long period of convalescence. The connection between these people and events makes the monastery another historical topic in Badalona.

Park, Festes de Maig and Cuisine

Can Solei i de Ca l'Arnús Park is located in the centre of Badalona and has historical, artistic and landscape value. It has areas for recreation and children’s environmental education. There is also a signposted botanical trail with more than 100 different native plant species. The park therefore brings together a range of interests: its history and design sit alongside the botanical trail and the areas intended for recreation and environmental education.

If you would like to plan your trip around a cultural event, the Cremada del Dimoni is a key part of the Festes de Maig, celebrated around 11 May. It is one of the most emblematic parts of the festival programme. Traditional cuisine also tells the story of Badalona: it includes a fish stew made with fish, potatoes and allioli, closely linked to the city’s fishing past. The festival tradition and the dish offer two different ways to experience local culture—through a recurring festival and a traditional meal.

Discover more destinations: Canovelles, Matadepera, El Pont de Vilomara, Sant Pol De Mar, Sant Llorenç d'Hortons, Castellet i la Gornal, Viladellops, Calders.

For the wider travel overview: Barcelona.