Major Seafront Revamp Underway at Mar Bella
Barcelona's Passeig de la Mar Bella is being transformed into a greener, more accessible waterfront space, with construction now advancing on a €17.8 million urban renewal project. The overhaul, which began in mid-2025 and will continue until spring 2027, aims to revitalise the final stretch of Barcelona’s coastline still awaiting rehabilitation, connecting Poblenou and Diagonal Mar more seamlessly to the Mediterranean. The redesigned promenade will feature around 15,000 square metres of green space and approximately 1,000 new trees, creating a shaded, permeable corridor resilient to heat, wind, and salt spray. Pedestrian walkways of 4 to 5 metres wide will ensure continued beach access, while a dedicated cycle and scooter lane improves mobility along the coast.
Sports and Community Spaces Take Centre Stage
Recreational use is being prioritised, with new volleyball courts and integrated leisure zones replacing isolated facilities. The beachside food kiosks known as guinguetes, currently located on the sand, will be relocated to the new promenade, enhancing visitor comfort and service access. Two photovoltaic pergolas will be installed to provide shade and generate renewable energy, part of the city’s broader Climate Plan to adapt public spaces to climate change. The project also includes coastal protection measures: part of the seawall at Nova Mar Bella will be removed to widen the beach and retain sand, while reinforcement of the sea walls at Nova Mar Bella and Llevant beaches will improve resistance to storm surges.
The transformation will dignify the last pending stretch of Barcelona’s seafront and complete the connection with the Forum area.
Phased Works Minimise Disruption
Works span the entire perimeter of Passeig Marítim del Bogatell, from Carrer de Bac de Roda to Carrer de la Selva de Mar. The city council has confirmed that vehicle traffic along Avinguda Litoral will not be affected, with interventions implemented sequentially to reduce disruption. This project forms part of a wider city initiative to create a continuous, climate-adapted coastal route from Mar Bella to the Fòrum. The investment is included in Barcelona’s 2026 budget, which allocates 861.8 million euros to major urban transformation projects across the city. Residents and visitors can expect a more inclusive, sustainable seafront by mid-2027, with the completed promenade offering improved access, leisure options, and environmental resilience for one of Barcelona’s most popular beach areas.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Ajuntament de Barcelona. Reported by 20 Minutos Barcelona.
