A tough port neighbourhood turned youthful beach hangout provides a sense of Barcelona’s many faces, with sea views as well.

In Barceloneta, it’s common to see beachgoers, still sunburned from the day before, leaving beachside clubs to bask in the early morning sun. Once a somewhat disorderly small town inhabited mostly by sailors and itinerant performers, it was revitalized during the 1992 Olympics and now features central Barcelona’s best beach and a lively nightlife. Even if you don’t want to party, pay a visit to Barceloneta to experience this area where traditional Catalan food and culture intermingle with forward-looking modernism.

The morning sun glitters off the waters of Barceloneta Beach during peaceful mornings, while afternoons can become crowded. Lounge in a chair or on the sand. Stroll down the boardwalk toward the Port Vell Marina. Here super-yachts of the super-rich bob in the calm water. Nearby, spot Roy Lichtenstein’s Barcelona Head sculpture and the Columbus Monument, memorializing the famous explorer’s journey from the port. Learn about thousands of years of Catalan history at the nearby Catalonia History Museum, which offers spectacular views of the port from its rooftop terrace.

Have a quick meal at the Barceloneta Market, with fresh seafood in an ecologically friendly modern building. Stop for a visit at the small but charming Casa de la Barceloneta, which traces the history of the neighbourhood. Admire the art nouveau architecture of the Estació de França, the town’s former train station. End the day wandering through the Barcelona Aquarium.

Barceloneta is central Barcelona’s seaboard, sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Gothic Quarter. It is served by a neighbourhood subway stop and several bus lines running through its relatively small centre. Get here in a 25-minute walk or 10-minute drive from the centre of town. Arrive in 20 minutes by car or 1 hour by public transportation from the airport. The port cable car provides an easy connection to the sites of Montjuïc. Note that Barceloneta’s exuberant nightlife makes it a particularly popular spot for pickpockets so take precautions.

Local pride runs high in Barceloneta, where balconies are decorated with the blue-and-yellow flags bearing the neighbourhood’s insignia.