Barceloneta

Barceloneta is the city's definitive neighbourhood by the sea, it contains one of the city's most loved beaches.

TravelCurious Tip

Try the classic tapas of Barceloneta, “La Bomba" - a yummy ball of potato filled with spicy meat and aioli.

Set on a triangular spit of land just south of Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella, Barceloneta wasn’t always the golden-beached go-to city hotspot that it is today. For centuries after the city was founded, its beachfront was almost entirely ignored, except by the occasional day-trippers venturing out from the centre, and Miguel de Cervantes, who included the beach as the setting for Don Quixote’s fight against the Knight of the White Moon. In the late 1980s, suddenly faced with the prospect of hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics, the city council decided that it was time to shake things up.


Beach Life

Now the former fishing district is alive with activity, and is the perfect place to unwind in the sun. There are seven kilometres of beaches in all, starting at the thriving, similarly-renovated Port Vell, and stretching all the way down past the Port Olímpic to the Fòrum. However, the first two kilometres belong to Barceloneta, and these are invariably the most lively at all times of day and night.


Keeping it Fresh

Barceloneta is without doubt one of the finest areas in the city for fresh seafood. Eateries vary from plush five-course restaurants to tiny bistros serving the catch of the day. Can Solé has perhaps the most extensive fish menu in the city, and the food is exquisite, but it is a little on the pricey side, while at the other end of the scale Can Maño is a bustling tavern where you can see fresh fish coming through the door as yours is being prepared in the kitchen.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Barcelona
El Born
A trendy neighbourhood with interesting bars, restaurants and stylish boutiques.
Barcelona Cathedral
A magnificent Gothic cathedral in the old centre of Barcelona, and the seat of the Archbishop of Spain.
Picasso Museum
A wonderful collection traces Picasso’s creative genius from his roots in Barcelona.
Church of Santa Maria del Mar
Built in Catalonian Gothic style, this Basilica has been through a lot.
Fossar de les Moreres
Memorial to the defenders of Barcelona who died in the siege of 1714
Spanish pinchos
A small snack, typically eaten in bars, made of a slice of bread and various toppings above.

Related Tours

Barcelona from Above: Private Driving Tour of the City’s Best Views
Discover several incredible panoramic views over the city of Barcelona on this half-day private driving tour around the city's most amazing viewpoints, with tickets to the amazing Glòries Tower skyscraper included. 

On your private tour, you will:

  • Enjoy hotel pick-up with a private driver and expert private guide throughout the duration of your 4-hour tour;
  • Relax and enjoy a scenic drive around Barcelona, and to the best panoramic viewing points of the city;
  • Enjoy your guide's knowledgeable commentary about Barcelona en route; 
  • Arrive at Carmel Bunkers for an amazing 360° view of Barcelona - one of the best views in all of Europe;  
  • Learn about the area, which was never a bunker, but the place where anti-aircraft guns were installed during the Spanish Civil War - locals have kept this incredible viewing point secret for years;
  • Gaze out to the horizon and the ocean beyond, and you'll see the vast architectural marvel of Gaudi’s famous La Sagrada Familia rising high above the rooftops of the city;
  • Continue the tour, driving to the top of Tibidabo, the highest peak of the capital, for more jaw-dropping views;
  • See Tibidabo Church (from the outside) - a spectacular mountaintop temple;
  • Enjoy the incredibly scenic drive down the mountain towards your last stop;
  • Your last stop is the magical Montjuïc Hill from where you can see Barcelona from every angle, including its Port;
  • Return to the city centre and finish your tour with tickets included to the Glòries Tower Observation Deck! 
  • Visit Hyperview Barcelona and the interactive artwork 'Cloud Cities Barcelona', by artist Tomás Saraceno.

Discover some of the most astounding panoramic views high above Barcelona, kept secret by the locals, on this fabulous private driving tour to the very best viewing points over this stunning city! Your private guide will meet you at your hotel, and whisk you off in search of some of the finest panoramic views, not just of Barcelona but all of Europe! 

Enjoy a relaxing and thoroughly scenic drive out of the city centre, during which time your guide will share lots of fascinating history and stories of Barcelona with you as you head up the hill, towards your first stop: the Carmel Bunkers. Rather than bunkers, this place was used during the Spanish Civil War to store firearms - specifically anti-aircraft weapons. 

Afterwards, the area became a shanty town; the residents were rehoused during the Olympic Games in 1992 and today the site is still a well-kept secret by the locals and provides a breathtaking view over Barcelona - with the city and her grand monuments stretched out beneath you.  

Next drive to Tibidabo,  which at 512 meters it is the highest hill overlooking Barcelona. It rises sharply in the northwest and enjoys panoramic views of both the city and the coastline. Perched on the summit is the astonishingly beautiful Sagrat Cor Church (Sacred Heart), which was begun in 1902 and completed 60 years later. It is a vast neo-gothic church with a massive statue of the sacred heart of Jesus on top: a truly spectacular sight to behold. 

Then drive to beautiful Montjuic  - the most famous hill in Barcelona, filled with pavillions, temples, palaces, parks, botanical gardens, and other monuments from when Barcelona hosted the World's Fair in 1920. It literally means Jewish Mountain, named for the medieval Jewish cemetery there, and has glorious views over the city. 

For years it was an important defence outpost of the city, with a wooded valley and fort. Today, there are many castles and museums to see and admire on Montjuic, including the Magic Fountain - and of course wonderful views over the city! 

Then it's time to drive back into the city where you will be dropped off at the Glòries Tower where your guide will give you your tickets and guide you to the entrance. Then you have free time to head up to the Observation Deck of this grand glass skyscraper - with, yes, some of the greatest views over the city!  
 
Please note: 
- This tour runs rain or shine, and on a rainy day, the visibility of the city skyline might be affected. Your guide will be happy to change the stops to offer the best experience.
- Access to the Carmel Bunkers implies a walking part to get to the top of the hill from the parking area.
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