Located in Barcelona's traditional fishing quarter of the same name, Barceloneta Beach runs parallel to the esplanade to one side of the Port Olympic. Spanning a length of 422 meters, the beach's soft sand set against shimmering turquoise waters fringed by swaying palms is the ideal sun-drenched retreat. Thronged by tourists looking to soak up some Mediterranean warmth under the shade of striped umbrellas, the beach also has a variety of useful facilities as well as a lifeguard on site. A few meters from the beach, the seafood eateries tucked into Barcelonata's bylanes serve authentic Catalan seafood and are a local favorite.
Towering over the city at 173 meters (570 feet) is this scenic hill overlooking the sea. Montjuïc remained uninhabited until after the Middle Ages despite the fact that the Jewish quarter in Barcelona had already extended to the nearby Miramar area. The first path to the summit opened in 1607, and in 1640, a fortress was built to resist Spanish invasions during the Catalan Revolt. For centuries now, the Montjuïc park area has been a popular place for locals to pick wild herbs during leisure time, as well as an enjoyable attraction for visitors. Please note that while the park is free to visit, Montjuïc Castle charges an admission fee.
Architectural icon Antoni Gaudí designed this sprawling park to create harmony among urban and natural landscapes. He began building the park system on Carmen Hill in 1910, creating an eye-catching tapestry of structures, gardens, and public institutions for citizens and visitors of Barcelona to enjoy. Gaudí finished working on the project in 1914, and although it was never completed, Park Güell stands proudly today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience varied architectural styles in intriguing features like the columns of the Sala de las Cien Columnas, or Hall of the Hundred Column, which support a Romantic-style balcony covered in mosaic tiles.