Mataró's beaches run for several kilometres along the seafront, wide and sandy with calmer crowds than Barcelona's packed strands. The main Platja de Mataró stretches south from the port, backed by a promenade of palm trees and a string of chiringuitos. The water is Mediterranean-calm for most of the summer.
The beaches are Blue Flag certified and well maintained, with showers, lifeguards in season, and sports areas. Unlike Barcelona, you can actually find a patch of sand without arriving at dawn.