Barcelona’s beaches filled up early this week as warm weather brought a summer feel to the city’s coastline. On a public holiday, residents and tourists headed to the sand, with many taking their first swim of the year.
On Monday, beaches including Bogatell and Nova Icària were busy with families, groups of friends and visitors. People spread towels, opened parasols and played beach games. Sara Villeta, a young Barcelona resident, visited Nova Icària beach with her parents and said, “We have declared the summer season open.” She added that the water was “still cool and very clean.”
The holiday atmosphere stretched along the Barcelona coastline. Lucía Gerolés, another local resident, spent the day at the beach with friends. She said, “Last weekend we already came, and today we repeat.” She added, “We want to get tanned, and we must use this change in temperatures.”
Visitors from outside the city were also making the most of the weather. Pilar Murillo, who was visiting her daughter from Vigo, spent time at Bogatell beach. Rubén García, from La Línea de la Concepción in Cádiz, said he was surprised by the quality of Barcelona’s beaches. International tourists were there too, including Pamela and Philipe, an Austrian couple with two children, and Artem and Cristina, a couple from Russia living in Slovakia.
The early rush is a positive sign for Barcelona’s tourism sector and beachfront businesses. José Muñiz, manager of the Escamarlà restaurant, expects a stronger summer than last year, saying May has been very good. He said weekend occupancy at beachfront restaurants and chiringuitos has reached nearly 80%, according to El Periódico Barcelona, with weekday lunchtimes also busy.
Barcelona’s coastline stretches for more than 4.5 kilometres and includes ten beaches, making it a major part of city life as well as a draw for visitors. The early start to beach season points to a busy summer ahead for the Catalan capital, with benefits for local commerce and a popular option for residents looking to make the most of the sunshine.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
