If you wish to discover a great destination for a beach holiday, then one quick way is to check out the beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag. This will be particularly important if you’re travelling as a family. There are, however, plenty of other lovely beaches and coves in Catalonia that don’t have the blue flag.
Catalonia currently has 89 blue flag beaches, which are divided across its coastal provinces in the following way:
Tarragona (Costa Dorada) –38 blue flag beaches
Girona (Costa Brava) – 28 blue flag beaches
Barcelona (Costa Maresme) – 23 blue flag beaches
Here are some of the beaches close to El-Figueral that we have visited and can recommend.
For the purpose of ease of direction we refer to the Ebro Delta as the reference point to north and south. For the north beaches turn left onto the c-12 heading for Miravet and Mora. depending on the beaches you are visiting take the tv-3022 at Rosquera or the a-44 signed posted to the ap-7 and Tivissa. For the South beaches Turn right onto the c-12 and follow this through Tortosa and Amposter
L’Hospitalet de l’Infant
Has a good-sized Marina, lovely beaches and some impressive historical remains. This municipality has three blue flag beaches!
Beach: L’Arenal
This long, golden sandy beach is the one closest to the town centre. It goes on for 1800 m in length, and is also home to the Costa Dorada Water Sports Resort, which offers a great range of water sports activities. You’ll find plenty of facilities here, including those for people with reduced mobility.
The life-saving timetable at the beach is from 15th June until 15th September, between 10 o’clock in the morning and 7 o’clock in the evening.
Beach: El Torn
This is a nudist beach, that is approximately 1600 m in length. It has nice sand dunes, as it’s part of a protected natural area. There’s a good selection of facilities, including facilities for people with reduced mobility.
The life-saving timetable at the beach is from 15th June until 15th September, between 10 o’clock in the morning and 7 o’clock in the evening.
Beach: La Punta del Riu
Located next to the Marina, this beach is 700 m long, it has more basic facilities, but is ideal for those who like water sports.
The life-saving timetable at the beach is from 15th June until 15th September, between 10 o’clock in the morning and 7 o’clock in the evening.
L’Ametlla de Mar
A small town manages to retain its fishing village heritage, its definately worth a visit for its sea food restaurants alone. Within the municipality there are five blue flag beaches made up of amazing coves and beaches
Beach: Calafat
This is a pretty sandy cove surrounded by pine trees, and can be accessed either on foot or by car. It’s only around 20 m in length and 50 m wide. It does have its own shower and toilet, and from 24th June til 2nd September, there’s a life-saving team.
Beach: Cala Forn
This is another very pretty cove, with beautiful water and nature. It can be accessed either on foot or by car, and also has a life-saving from 24th June until 2nd September.
Beach: L’Alguer
Come off this sandy beach, and wander around the fishing harbour and narrow streets of the town. It is around hundred 20 m in length and 25 m wide, and it has its own snack bar, life-saving services during the high season and a toilet and shower.
Beach: Pixavaques
This smaller beach is in a semi urban area, where you can enjoy a natural environment. It is around 70 m in length and 40 m wide, and has a campsite bar. It has its own shower and toilet, and wheelchair access. During the season it has life-saving services.
Beach: Sant Jordi d’Alfama
At the foot of the Castle, is a sandy beach of around hundred metres in length that has a very handy beach bar. It has wheelchair access, toilet and shower as well is parking. It also has a life-saving during the summer season.
The Platja del Fangar
Is an extensive strip of sand that is closed off to the north by the Ebre Delta. The Fangar peninsula stretches and curves as it goes along, to the point that it forms a large enclosure of salt water, creating an interior sea known as the Port of Fangar.
The beach, semi-desert and pristine in appearance, is one of the most unique places in the Ebre Delta. The sand is ultra fine, and when it meets up with water it turns into a compact mass, perhaps earning Fangar ('mud' in Catalan) its name. This giant sandbox has an area of more than 400 hectares, and the beach stretches around 7 kilometres long. You can travel along it by car or bike; however, at certain times of the year the central area of the peninsula is blocked off to protect the nesting area of terns and gulls.
The red-and-white lighthouse is the only element that breaks up the beach landscape and provides a point of reference. The swimming area that surrounds it is spectacular. If you start seeing things when the sun is strong, like vehicles or buildings over the water, don't rush yourself to Red Cross – the peninsula is famous for mirages, caused by the effects of the water and the heat.
It's common to find fishermen at work on a boat or on foot. Taking advantage of the richness of the waters, several mussel rafts have been installed, which can be visited via kayak excursions.
The Platja del Fangar has no available services, and you won't find natural or rentable protection from the sun or wind, so don't forget to carry everything you need for a beach day, from food and drink to umbrellas and sunscreen.
