The city of Badalona stretches along the seafront with a beachfront of 4.8 km.

The old town, previously called Dalt de la Vila, is full of medieval streets and squares that can still be visited around the church of Santa Maria and the Torre Vella, the old feudal fortress. The western wetlands (currently the Gorg neighbourhood) were drained in the 19th century, and first became allotments before they were transformed into industrial areas. Industrialisation was boosted by the arrival of the railway from Barcelona to Mataró in 1848, which connected Badalona's coastline with both cities. Due to this, the coastal front embraced a dual identity, functioning as both an industrial city and a seaside town.

Today, Badalona is strengthening its green infrastructure while protecting its industrial heritage, such as the Petroli bridge.