Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Europe. Tourists visit the proud Mediterranean port city far more than they visit the capital of Spain, and Barcelona s rival city, Madrid. The 1.7 million inhabitants of Barcelona is proud of it s cultural heritage with the architecture of Gaudi and as the home of Catalunya. In addition the city offer first class shopping opportunities, wild nightlife and a pleasant climate all year round
The 1.7 million inhabitants of Barcelona is proud of it s cultural heritage with the architecture of Gaudi and as the home of Catalunya. In addition the city offer first class shopping opportunities, wild nightlife and a pleasant climate all year round. But, what really makes Barcelona such a perfect destination for a weekend break is the combination of all what the city has to offer as well as a great city beach where you can relax and unwind.
The beach and things to do there
You can’t go to Barcelona without going to the beach of the Barceloneta. While it may not be the clearest water you’ll see along the Costa Brava, it’s definitely a nice respite from the rhythm of the city and a good way to breathe in the salty sea air without breathing in something else.
Starting at the southern most point, where the Paseo de Joan de Borbon hits the beach, the boardwalk takes you northward along the beach, past beachfront cafes, chill out bars, up a grassy hill to the new port, filled with sailboats and yachts of every shape and size. The local people who visit the beach are tanned, relaxed and stylishly clothed. You can of course swim in the sea or read a book while on the beach, another nice thing to do is to try to spot the north European tourists who visits the beach. Find the pale ones among all the tanned locals!
From here you get a good perspective of the geographic orientation of Barcelona, with Montjuic Park and its castle to the south, and the hills to the north, Barcelona is a city where the mountains meet the sea.
As a further point of relaxation, if your body requires it, take advantage of one of the many women offerings massages at around 5 euro a pop. Just sit back, breath, and relax. A trip to Barceloneta beach is perfect after a experiencing what else Barcelona has to offer. After a day of shopping or a night of drinking it s nice to lie down and soak up the sun at Barceloneta.
How to get to the beach?
All of Barcelona s sights and attractions are easily available by public transport. Especially if you are travelling on budget, you should look into the best transport option for you. Budget wise, the best option is the integrated 10 trip bus/metro pass. It costs 7.90 euro and can be purchased at any metro station. It’s good until they change the prices and can be shared, unlike the 1, 2, or 3 day passes which are also a good value if you’re planning traveling heavily by bus or metro.
Both the metro and bus system cover all of Barcelona, and you’ll find a relatively easy to read map of the bus routes and most stops. The metro and bus system both stop at midnight, although there is a night bus system, which, although reduced in terms of coverage, can still get you home at the end of the night. It is easy to find your way to the beach in Barcelona. Simply get on the yellow metro line and jump off at the metro stop named Barceloneta.
