
La Barceloneta
This fishing neighbourhood is located in the Port Vell district and is delimited by the harbour, the Born neighbourhood, Port Olímpic and the França train station. The Barceloneta beach, Barcelona's most famous and most visited, is a popular tourist stop. Its clean waters have earned it the Blue Flag distinction, and it also offers a full range of services.
La Barceloneta's streets are narrow and lined with old buildings, bars and restaurants, many of which still have their original, almost 200 year old decoration. The neighbourhood's restaurants are the best place in the city for excellent fresh fish. Its famous tapas restaurants and bars also deserve special mention.
Port Olímpic
This marina is located between the Barceloneta and Nova Icaria beaches in the Sant Martí district. It is great for taking a nice stroll, with restaurants, terraces, hotels, offices and shopping centres.
Revamped for the 1992 Olympic Games, it is among Barcelona's most modern neighbourhoods. The twin Mapfre towers are the area's most emblematic buildings and stand out from the rest.
The Port Olímpic area is home to the Villa Olímpica, the place to go in the marina for entertainment and large enough to accommodate 15,000 athletes.
The Barcelona Aquarium is a must visit and one of Europe's best aquariums.
Montjuic
Montjuic is a small mountain and popular tourist draw that provides spectacular views of the sea and Barcelona. Lined with walking paths and green areas, visitors may enter the installations from the '92 Olympic Games, including spectacular sports complexes like the Olympic Stadium, Palau Sant Jordi and Olympic Diving Pool.
Another superb site is the Palau Nacional in Plaça Espanya, which houses the museum with the world's largest collection of Catalan art.
Poble Espanyol has some fantastic examples of Spanish architecture and displays the different styles used in the distinct autonomous regions in Spain.
Another highly esteemed location is the Magic Fountain, a spectacular display in which the fountain lights up in thousands of colours to the sound of classical music. The Montjuic funicular and cable car, which runs between the castle and lookout point, are very popular means of transport.
La Rambla
The most emblematic street in Barcelona, and among the city's most beautiful, it begins in Plaça de Catalunya and runs 2 km to the former port. Considered the city's most famous location, it is a must see for anyone who comes to the city, where you will encounter emblematic buildings like Plaça Reial, flower stands, boulevards, coffee shops, restaurants, businesses and newsstands.
It is divided into five stretches: Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla dels Caputxins, Rambla de Santa Mònica.
Points of interest include the Miró mosaic, the Liceu (Opera House), the Boqueria Market and exhibition halls which include the Palau de la Virreina and Centre d'Art Santa Mònica.
Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is the heart of ancient Barcelona and its historic centre. Situated between the city's famous Ramblas and Via Laietana, it is one of four neighbourhoods that make up Barcelona's Ciutat Vella district.
Considered the city's medieval stronghold, with narrow, winding streets, this area contains the remnants of the Roman city of Barcino, as well as many of Barcelona's foremost medieval buildings, from the Barcelona Cathedral and Pi Church to the seat of royal power in the buildings surrounding the Plaça del Rei, true testament to the city's ancient history.
Portal de l'Àngel is a modern pedestrian shopping street that begins in Plaça de Catalunya and runs down to a pedestrian square that looks onto the Barcelona Cathedral and the Roman walls that once flanked the city. The Roman ruins underneath the City History Museum are a popular tourist destination.
Plaça Reial, located to the south of the neighbourhood, is a square lined with palm trees, a stone's throw from La Rambla.
Other superb locations include Plaça de Sant Jaume, the Frederic Marés Museum and Plaça del Pi (home to the Santa Maria del Pi Church).