In fact, Barcelona beaches are very highly regarded by visitors
, and although many locals will comment that you will find better either side of the coastal area round Barcelona, they have improved significantly in recent years and the Barcelona people are doing themselves a disservice by failing to focus on this. In fact, San Sebasti is the only beach here that has not received the blue flag, indicating its high water purity and cleanliness. The beaches at Barcelona have played an important part in Spain's record of having more blue flag beaches (493) than any other country inspected.