Barceloneta

La Barceloneta, emblematic marine neighbourhood situated in the district of Ciutat Vell, is characterised primarily for its proximity to the sea and its tiny streets cloudy from the saltpetre. The typical appearance of the balconies with the washing hung up combines, in this suburb, with some of the best quality restaurants and the hustle and bustle of day after day.

Of triangle form, it borders with the sea, the Port Vell, the Born area, Estació de França (France Train Station) and the Olympic Port.

It was an area practically uninhabited until the mid XVIII Century, until they started building its first houses and fishermen and other people related to the port moved over. Precisely, it was projected by the engineer Pròsper de Verboom with the objective of holding all these people that were left without homes in the neighbourhood of La Ribera after Felipe V ordered the construction of the Parc de Cituadella.

Actually, although it still conserves its marine air, the atmosphere of this very touristic area, has changed considerably, especially in summer; it is filled with tourists and other passersby’s that pack the place day and night playa, one of the most animated and cosmopolitan of the city. Some prefer to swim and others to sun bake, some offer massages and refreshments, dance with the music on full blast or fly kites, a beach that has room for everyone.

One of the best moments to visit this neighbourhood is at sunset, when still to this day the fishing boats arrive and take their load to the Llotja, where their catch will be auctioned. This strong fishing activity converts Barceloneta in one of the most idyllic areas of the whole city to eat fresh fish.

Some of the attractions that you find in the Barceloneta is the Palau de Mar (Sea Palace), where it is situated in the Museu d'Història de Catalunya (Museum of History of Catalonia); la Torre del Reloj (The Clock Tower), the oldest construction of the area; the baroque church of Sant Miguel del Port, and the sculpture paying homage to the dancer, Carmen Amaya.

The easiest and practical way to reach the district is by metro (to the station with the same name), although the option that the tourists choose for getting to know this symbolic point of the city, is to go by Las Golondrinas, tour boats, the typical embarkation that leave in front of the Mirador de Colón (Colombus Lookout at the end of Las Ramblas).