Things to Do in Barceloneta: BCN’s Beach Neighbourhood

When thinking of Barceloneta I think of how a trip to the other side of town was once a reminder of a city’s diversity: from shops to accents to attitudes.

So what happened to the true neighbourhood?

It may have been lost over the changes and the chains but one neighbourhood is bringing it back: Barceloneta, the city’s beach neighbourhood.

From impromptu street football games to animated arguments between old ladies lunching out on the stoop there’s nothing more Barcelonian than this.

What to Do in the Barceloneta Neighbourhood

Barceloneta, along with the Gothic Quarter, Raval, and the Born makes up what the Catalans call the Ciutat Vella (The Old City).

In order to get to this area you’ll need to take metro line L4 (yellow) until the Barceloneta stop.

To walk start at the Columbus Statue at the bottom of the famous La Rambla. Take a left and head long Ronda Litoral along the Port Vell (‘old port’) until you reach Passeig de Joan Borbo. Take a right and follow it all the way.

Barceloneta Map

Why Tourists Like Barceloneta

• A true throwback neighbourhood with a local feel.
• A great variety of classic seafood restaurants.
• Home to a couple of Barcelona’s most legendary bars.
• Proximity to Barcelona’s most popular beach.
• Narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets with very little traffic.
• A great place for cycling, rollerblading, and water sports.

What to See in Barceloneta

The Catalan History Museum

History buffs should get off the metro at Barceloneta and look for the big brick building by the water. The Museu d’historia de Catalunya takes you from pre-historic times to the various conquests of the Romans, Moors, and eventually the Spanish Crown.

This is a place with so many artifacts, videos, and interactive spaces that you could probably spend a whole afternoon on it.

Tip: take the elevator up to the fourth floor from the museum lobby to get some Cuban vibes, sea air, and amazing views at the rooftop bar called 1881 Per Sagardi. No museum ticket is necessary.

Prices: €6.00 (adults), €4.00 (under 25/disabled/retired).

Hours: Tues-Sun (10 am to 7 pm, 8 pm on Wed),  Sun/holidays (10:00 am – 2:30 pm),

Closed Mondays + Jan 1 and 6, May 1, Jun 10, Dec 25 and 26.

Mercat de la Barceloneta

If you’re easily sucked in by the sights, smells, and colours of Barcelona’s markets then you can’t miss this stop.

The Mercat de la Barceloneta is found in Plaça Poeta Bosca, a typical gathering point for local residents where you’ll find children playing, grandmothers socialising, tourists snacking, and intense ping pong matches at the local tables – why not waste the afternoon away challenging a local?

Here you’ll find fresh produce and traditional Catalan food and Spanish food like serrano ham, saffron, and chorizo. The prices here are generally better than the famous alternative at La Boqueria Market so if you’re staying in the area this would be the place to stock up.

If you absolutely need to have a sit down lunch in the area there are good value Spanish lunch menus at El Guindilla Barceloneta – not to mention cheap beer for the area.

Hours: Mon-Sat (8:00 am to 3:00 pm).

La Barceloneta Beach

It’s the reason most people come to Barceloneta in the first place. Let me warn you though that if you’re looking for tranquility this isn’t your spot – check out my list of Barcelona’s best beaches for a quieter alternative.

Barceloneta is the tourist beach. Everybody and their cousin goes to take a quick summer dip. If you’re looking to meet people and get in a party mood this is your beach.

The beachside promenade extending from the famous sail-shaped Hotel Vela all the way to the two towers and casino is a cluster of joggers, rollerbladers, rickshaws, promoters, and anybody looking to be seen with their new beach body.

Looking for the best water? Though it’s technically called Sant Sebastia beach, the little pocket of a beach under the sail-shaped tower has the cleanest water (but also nudists!).

In my opinion the area is best explored after renting a good value bike.

Sant Miquel del Port

You should definitely stop in to visit the Sant Miquel del Port church: a space which has for centuries been a point of reference for sailors and fisherman about to head out to sea.

This baroque style church is found in Plaça de la Barceloneta, and on its central facade you’ll notice an angel that looks like it is skewering a snake.

Unlike many other churches of the time there is curiously no bell tower. This was done on purpose to allow the cannons to fire over Barceloneta from the nearby Citadel.

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Barceloneta Hotels

It’s not easy to narrow down a hotel-heavy neighbourhood to just a few but here is my attempt: I’ve tried to keep quality but also value in mind.

Can’t find anything? Check Booking’s list of Barceloneta hotels or write me below.

You may also wanna grab an Airbnb discount homestay for better value options.

H10 Port Vell

€€€ | Pas de Sota Muralla 9 | Metro: Barceloneta | Check out: 12:00

From the complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival onward this hotel really impresses.

The super comfy but stylish rooms are there if you need but customers wow about the sea views, the 5 minute walk to the beach, and the cocktails and sunsets on its spectacular rooftop bar and sun lounge space. A great spot for couples.

Very few accommodation spots in Spain understand the value of customer service like H10.

Hotel 54 Barceloneta

€€-€€€ | Passeig Joan de Borbó 54 | Metro: Barceloneta | Check out: 12:00

This design hotel is a feast for the eyes with its modern decor, innovative lighting, and smart TVs.

You’ll get to the beach in 7 minutes walking. Right downstairs there’s a plethora of seafood restaurants to enjoy or you can head up to the super chill garden roof terrace and its amazing views. Polite and helpful staff.

They offer one of the best breakfasts in Barcelona as well as their cocktails.

Hostal Orleans

€-€€ | Avenida Marqués de la Argentera 13| Metro: Barceloneta | Check out: 12:00

For those looking for a bit of class and privacy with hostel prices this one is for you.

The location gets you to either the beach or the famous La Rambla in 10 minutes walking. In fact, it’s hard to imagine anything that isn’t walking distance. Refurbished, modern brick and warehouse feel. Great cleanliness standards represented in reviews.

When you see the prices you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Barceloneta Restaurants

After a day at the beach there’s nothing better than a good fish feast – the specialty of the area.

The restaurants in Barceloneta are mostly throwbacks to another time before foodies, celebrity chefs, and picky TripAdvisor reviews.

If you need a bigger list make sure you check out my list of the best restaurants in Barcelona.

Barraca

€€-€€€ | Passeig Marítim Barceloneta 1 | 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm

It’s tough to beat the view from this seaside restaurant.

Found right along the beach is this elegantly decorated restaurant specialising in fresh fish – but you also can’t go wrong getting their delicious paella.

Here a standard dinner menu starts at €19.50 with prices going up to €35.00 if you want multiple starters and a bottle of wine. All in all the quality price ratio is about as good as it gets for a restaurant on the water.

Can Maño

€ | Carrer de Baluart 12 | 8:30 am to 11:30 am, 12:15 pm to 4:00 pm, 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm (closed Sundays)

A so called ‘fish tavern’ that’s about as rustic as it gets.

Here it’s about a super simplistic wall menu system straight out of the 70’s, hand written bills, drinks served in cans, and even some horribly translated paper place mats with the English wishes ‘good appetite!’.

It seems all the energy here goes into their classic Spanish fish dishes like fried cod, calamari, and sardines. You also have the choice of many meat tapas dishes starting for as little as €3.00. Value for money? Check.

Restaurante Somorrostro

€€-€€€ | Sant Carles 11 | Daily from 1:00 pm to 11:45 pm

If you want a little more creativity in your Spanish food head to this contemporary Mediterranean spot.

The charcoal mixed seafood platter is the go-to at this cosy, aroma-filled joint. Other highlights include the tempura eggplant with honey and duck with sweet potato and mango sauce.

Throw in some homemade vermouth and an ever-tasty catch of the day and you’ve got one of my favourite restaurants in Barcelona.

Bitacora

€€ | Carrer de Balboa 1 | Daily from 9:00 am or 10:00 am till midnight

Here’s a hole in the wall place for locals looking for beer and honest tapas.

What separates this place here is the modern twist: expect to find a variety of dishes like their amazing ceviche (a classic Peruvian lime cured fish dish) or tuna tartare.

There are also some Spanish classics done here to a higher level, the patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy sauce) being a good example.

Aside from along the sea, the little terrace in the back may be the best place to eat in all of Barceloneta.

Bars in Barceloneta

Of all the things to do in Barceloneta going out for drinks isn’t exactly #1.

A lot of the bars target tourists looking for a quick (and expensive) cool off from the day’s beach festivities – my recommendation is to head up into the Born area if you’re looking for greater choice.

For beer lovers you can take a craft beer tour since, well, the area is the heart of Barcelona’s craft beer revolution. The tour sketched out by international beer sommelier Jing Cheng gets you six unique beers each paired with the perfect Spanish tapas dish.

Beer not your thing? You’ve got more options:

Bar Leo

€€ | Sant Carles 34 | Mon-Fri 10:00 am to midnight, until 8:00 pm Sat, until 7:00 pm Sun.

Without even one doubt this is the post-beach beer spot.

The humble Bar Leo is run by a woman barely tall enough to serve drinks on the counter. She’s pushing 80. She’s also obsessed with a Sevillian flamenco artist nicknamed ‘Bambino‘ – the memorabilia on the wall proves it.

Locals flood this place in the early afternoon and get plastic beer cups filled and stand out in the sunny streets socialising. On weekends you’ll find impromptu flamenco guitar sessions which give it some of the best vibe in the city.

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Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria)

€ | Carrer de la Reina Cristina 7 | Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 10:30 pm (closed Sunday)

I’ve got an entire article dedicated to this Barcelona institution.

The skinny: a super cheap bar packed with locals and tourists. There are massive menus posted on the wall. Spanish fast food. Grilled items like chorizo and bottifara sausage stuffed in buns and served with table sauces. Ham and cheese platters.

The kicker? As long as you order a small tapas item they’ll give you a bottle of their classic sparkling rose wine for less than €4.00!

Barceloneta Nightlife

You’re in luck if you’re looking to carry on the party after your post-beach beers.

Follow the Passeig Maritim all the way to the two towers. Right beneath them you’ll find the famous port area and its trifecta of house music beach clubs: Opium, Pacha, and Shoko. There are also about a dozen bars to dance at down by the water.

Don’t like walking? As a reader you’ll be able to grab a €5.00 discount off your first Free Now ride and get to Barceloneta to the clubs for super cheap!

For more of a local vibe make sure you check out my list of the best clubs in Barcelona.

Barceloneta Information

Barceloneta was built in the 18th century. The reason? Inhabitants of nearby Ribera had recently had their homes demolished by King Philip V to build the Ciutadella, a military fortress which later became Ciutadella Park in 1868.

The neighbourhood soon became a place for fishermen and mariners (and their many vices) and today it’s a neighbourhood that hasn’t yet lost the energy and mischievousness of its past.

You’ll recognize it by its narrow streets and colourful apartment blocks decorated with dangling clothes freshly washed and left to the afternoon air.

In short, you’re looking at arguably the most bubbly neighbourhood in Barcelona. The bars and restaurants ooze out of every block and the people inside them are as diverse as the quantity: you’ll find beach bodies of every shape and size, volleyball players, rollerbladers, and a true international vibe.

Slap on those sunglasses and get looking! The people watching here can’t be beat.

Still Looking for Things to Do in Barceloneta?

Still not satisfied with my Barceloneta guide? If you need any custom advice be sure to write me in the comments below. If I know what you’re out for we can plan your day a lot better.

And if you’ve already been let me know how it went: what advice do you have for travellers braving it for the first time?