The heady allure of the mediterranean permeates Barcelona, and a dip into its azure waters is only a few metro stops (or a brisk walk) away. Barcelona’s beaches were once hidden behind an industrial wasteland, but things changed radically in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. The rallying cry was to create a new Barcelona oberta al mar (open to the sea); the result is phenomenal, as is the presence of large crowds seeking sun and sea. Tons of sand were transported to create miles of silky beaches from the fisherman’s quarter of Barceloneta to Port Olímpic and beyond. Palm trees were planted, water cleanliness standards implemented and, this being design-obsessed Barcelona, numerous contemporary sculptures erected. The city’s first two skyscrapers, the Torre Mapfre office building and the five-star Hotel Arts (Luxury Hotels), punctuate the port’s skyline, while the nearby Port Olímpic throbs with the highest concentration of bars and clubs in the city.
Take a boat tour of the port area (Tours & Trips) . The rooftop café at the Museu d’Història de Catalunya has sweeping views of the city, the port area & Montjuïc. For more on boat and cable cars trips see Tours & Trips You can’t miss Frank Gehry’s massive, glistening Peix sculpture on Passeig Marítim (Top 10 Quirky museums/Monuments)-
The spacious terrace at this restaurant boasts views of the sea. Superb seafood and Mediterranean fare feature on the menu.
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On the seafront of Barceloneta, with a magnificent sea view, the cuisine has a creative, international flair. Sweet roasted scallops with truffleperfumed mash is recommended.
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Good-looking beach boys and girls encourage everyone to dance in this California-style beach club. Meals are served on the terrace overlooking the sea.
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A portside warren of narrow streets, small squares and ancient bars, this traditional neighbourhood of pescadors (fishermen) and mariners (sailors) seems worlds apart from the megamalls and disco lights of nearby Port Olímpic. A refreshing foray through this tight-knit community yields a glimpse into the way Barcelona was 150 years ago. Older couples still pull chiars out onto the street to gossip and watch the world go by, and small seafood restaurants serve a menú del dia of whatever’s fresh off the boat. Running the length of Barceloneta’s western edge is Passeig Joan de Borbó, which is lined with restaurants serving mariscs (shellfish) and paellas.
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Fancy a splash in the Mediterranean? Trot down to the end of La Rambla, wander along the palm tree-lined Moll de la Fusta, down restaurant-packed Passeig Joan de Borbó, et voilà , the sea beckons. Over four km (2.5 miles) of blue flag beaches stretch north from Barceloneta to Port Olímpic and beyond. Facilities are top-notch, including showers, deck chairs, beach volleyball courts and lifeguards. Convenience, however, means crowds, so finding a spot among the masses of oiled bodies can be a challenge, particularly in the summer.
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See Barcelona’s port activity from a different perspective, either from the air or the sea. The telefèric cable cars offer sweeping, bird’seye views of Barcelona and its coast, while the old-fashioned Les Golondrines boats and the Orsom Catamaran sweep you around the port area.
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Before hitting the clubs, get fired up on caffeine or cocktails at this café-bar, full of antiques from the former Yugoslavia, birthplace of the original owner.
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An old-style, family-run tapas bar that has been serving fresh seafood tapas to locals for decades.
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The oldest restaurant on this strip serves time-honoured Catalan cuisine, specializing in catch-of-the-day dishes.
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One of the oldest restaurants in the area, this place serves seafood and paella, including their signature paella Can Ramonet , piled with seafood and meat.
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Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
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Barcelona International Jazz FestivalAs the sizzling summer heat dies down, Barcelona chills out with the Barcelona International Jazz Festival. Big band, bebop, gospel and Latin-jazz concerts take place at venues across the city,... Read more
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World Press PhotoThe Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona takes its turn at hosting the World Press Photo exhibition. Regarded as the most important display of photojournalism in the world, the award-winning... Read more
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Procession of the Three KingsThe Cabalgata los Reyes Magos, or Procession of the Three Kings, is a popular Hispanic Christmas tradition. In Barcelona, crowds gather at the harbour steps of the Moll de Fusta to witness... Read more
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