“La Barceloneta”  was an area virtually uninhabited until the mid eighteenth century. Because of its proximity to the sea, fishermen were the first to settle in this part of the city, but their conditions were really poor at the time. In 1754 they began building the first houses and the neighborhood was filled with fishermen and people related to port activities.

Currently, the neighborhood still with that air of little town outside the city that have always characterized it. But the environment has changed a lot, especially in the summer. The beach is one of the biggest attractions in the city.
 It all starts when they open the beach bars “chiringuitos” and  set the music there in the sand where you can go after enjoying an amazing day at the beach and have dinner or have a  drink until late.

Along with this modern face, Barceloneta still has that salty smell and marine environment. For many it is a luxury that is preserved in a neighborhood of a city like Barcelona. Is somewhat surprising that on this narrow streets, and wet and blackened by salt sidewalks, exist many of the best restaurants in the city and luxurious cruise ships arrive in this port .

La Barceloneta is one of the best places in town to test fresh seafood. And if you prefer not to eat off the menu you can always do the famous “tapas”. The most typical one is called   “La bomba” , which is  a potato dumpling stuffed with meat and accompanied by hot sauce or the classic All i Oli.
The location of the neighborhood is perfect for families who come on holidays with their children and for people who just love the beach. The beach is not far from the city centre and is well communicated with city transportation.

ComeToBarcelona offers more than 200 apartments for rent in this area filled with  history. Located right next to the beach or at the very centre of Barceloneta, many of these apartments have a beautiful ocean view. Fully equipped, can be rented for days, weeks or months.

Barcelona is known for its beaches, hot temperatures and sunny climate. If you have young children or you are simply not a heat enthusiast, then we recommend the following swimming pools where you will be able to cool down during a hot summer´s day.

Montjuïc swimming pool

Located on the Montjuïc Hill, this swimming pool was initially built for the 1992 Olympic Games. You will be able to swim in it as well as enjoy the magnificent view over the whole city of Barcelona. It is open Monday to Sunday from 11am till 6.30pm (price for adults: 4.5€).

Dir Diagonal swimming pool 

Possibly the most complex and most developed pool in Barcelona. Part of the Sport DIR club situated in various areas of Barcelona, this swimming pool offers a wide range of activities. Amongst these are: thermal baths, spas, solariums as well as golf and nutrition services. Its pools are truly enjoyable, one being indoors and the other outdoors. It is the ideal place to spend a lovely relaxing afternoon with your children or simply as a couple. It is open everyday till 11.45pm and till 9pm on Saturdays. 

Piconell swimming pool

This pool is also located in the Montjuïc Park. It offers numerous activities like swimming lessons, water fitness lessons, steps, areobox, but also taï-chi, physiotherapy and other esthetic services and massages. Entry costs 5.75€.

For the full list of Barcelona´s pools, here is a useful link:
http://www.cyberpadres.com/tiempo_libre/carteleras/piscinas/piscinas_barna.htm

Come enjoy and cool down in Barcelona´s swimming pools and book now for your holiday apartment with ComeToBarcelona.

Even the slightest increase in temperature and hint of sunlight brings tourists and locals to flock to their favorite spot in Barcelona…the beach. Right on the coast of the Mediterranean, Barcelona has many options for beachgoers, whether they want to swim, read a book and relax, or even attend a beach party with locals. Each one of these beaches has it´s own style and people that frequent the area so take some time to explore each one and then decide on your favorite!

 
Barceloneta Beach
The most popular of all Barcelona beaches, Barceloneta beach is located about a ten minute walk off of the Barceloneta stop on the metro (Yellow Line-L4) and is the closest to the Barcelona city center. Barceloneta beach is most likely going to be the most crowded, but with good reason. The Barceloneta area is filled with small beachy restaurants and cozy apartments and the beach itself is lined with bars and huts for a cool drink on a hot day. There are a medly of characters occupying this beach, including a man selling mojitos and bagels out of a cart. You´ll never have a dull moment watching the visitors on Barceloneta Beach!

Icaria Beach
Another great and perhaps more peaceful beach in Barcelona is the Icaria Beach, located off the Ciutadella Via Olimpica stop on the metro (Yellow Line-L4). From the metro just turn right and walk about 10 minutes towards the twin towers. This beach is great if you´re looking for a place to picnic with friends, read a good book, or even take windsurfing lessons!

Marbella and Bogatell Beach
Marbella and Bogatell Beach are a little farther away from the city center of Barcelona, but they are possibly the most exciting beaches in Barcelona, even having parties on the sand at night during the weekend. To get to these beaches, take the Yellow Metro Line (L4) again to Bogatell and walk about 20 minutes. There are no signs for Marbella beach so remember to take a map with you in case you get lost. A word of warning: don´t be alarmed to see some nudists on this beach! Marbella is technically an unofficial nude beach, though majority of it´s patrons choose to keep their clothes on.
Before leaving Barcelona check out all of these beaches and see the different styles exhibited by each one. Book your apartment in Barceloneta today to be right next to the water and all of the fun and excitement that comes with warm weather!

As you may know, Barcelona is divided into multiple different neighborhoods or "barrios", each with its' own vibe and defining characteristics. Depending on what you're looking to experience, a certain neighborhood is sure to provide just that.

L'Eixample is a pleasant, upscale neighborhood just outside of the middle of the city. The name means "extension" in Catalan and was originally created as a place to live for those who could not afford to live in the center of Barcelona. However, almost the opposite had happened by the end of its' creation and it is now one of the posh, wealthy areas of Barcelona. Streets are lined with stores of international designers such as Armani, Chanel, and Burberry, but there is much more to see than just these high-end shops.
Passeig de Gracia is home to two of Antonio Gaudí's works of art, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila. Also, a couple blocks further down the road is one of Gaudi's unfinished masterpieces, The Sagrada Familia. The unfinished church has been worked on by various architects throughout the years and has come to be known as one of the important symbols of Barcelona. If you're looking to experience some brilliant architecture and do some shopping, this is the place for you.

Near L'Eixample is the neighborhood Gracia, which begins at the intersection of Avingunda Diagonal and Passeig de Gracia and goes north. It was originally a village of its' own but was connected to the rest of Barcelona when L'Eixample was created. However, it has a different feel than L'Eixample, with an active community that has a more relaxed attitude.Various different plazas throughout the neighborhood help provide a sense of authenticity that the neighborhood maintains. The gem of Gracia is Park Güell, a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona. The elaborate park features various creations of Gaudi and an experience of art unlike any other. Gracia is the place to go to experience the real sense of neighborhood here in Barcelona.

Heading in the other direction, el Born is one of the more modern neighborhoods in Barcelona. What began as a settlement for medeival fairs and celebrations has become a haven for small boutiques and excellent tapas bars. The different cafes and stores provide a relaxing way to spend the day as well as good places to go at night. El Born is also home to the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum, as the original textile mills were located here. One of the most fascinating pieces of el Born is the church of Santa Maria del Mar, an elegant church showcasing some of the gothic architecture seen throughout the city. El Born also provides the ideal location for those looking to experience cultural aspects of the city as well as the beach. A ten minute walk to the city center and a ten minute walk to the beach make it one of the ideal places to stay in Barcelona.

For those looking to experience the beach and an exciting night scene, Barceloneta is the place to be. One of the largest beaches in Barcelona, it has over 1,000 meters of beach for one to enjoy. Frequented by tourists, Barceloneta is the perfect place to spend the day lying in the sun and eating at one of the many restaurants located on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is also home to many extravagant bars and nightclubs, with stellar views of the beach. Barceloneta provides both fun and sun.

No matter what it is you're looking for, Barcelona is bound to offer it. Pick your favorite barrio and book your apartment there now!

Come to Barcelona and make a day trip to nearby beach town Sitges.  Sitges is conveniently located 40 km (24.9 miles) outside Barcelona and can easily be accessed via car or train.  Not only can you enjoy the beauty of the sun and the fun of the beaches, but ending this weekend is the 2009 Sitges Film Festival! 

The festival continues to thrive in its 42nd year and includes many aspects of Catalonian culture.  Films from all over the world are shown with emphasis on films of horror and fantasy. 

There are numerous trains that connect Barcelona with Sitges.  It´s a short trip, between 30-45 minutes.  We would suggest taking the train from Pasaig de Gracia Station or from Santa Station which both travel to Sant Vicenc de Calders or Vilanova. 

Check out the Sitges Film Festival Schedule , the Renfe Train site, and our Last Minute Deals on Barcelona and Sitges Apartments to plan your weekend excursion!

Barcelona's various beaches are beautifully maintained and offer clean water, white sand and are completely equipped with all services. The city unites all the conditions of a perfect place to visit during the day or night: culture, leisure, sun, fun…

Barceloneta beach is one of the largest beaches in Barcelona. It is 1,100 meters long and is the preferred beach by tourists. As for services, it offers three beach volleyball courts, a leisure area with a ping-pong table, a gym area, and the Beach Center.

Icária beach is smaller and more peaceful. It has more than 400 meters of sand and we are constantly finding younger beaches. Icária is equipped with a great area for sports (ping-pong, volleyball…).

Mar Bella Beach is one that was prepared and modernized for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. It measures up to 500 meters long and might be the beach that is most preferred by the younger crowd. It offers an area for
children's games, a space for skateboarding, volleyball courts, a nautical base, and even an area where some are able to practice nudism.

El Bogatell beach is similar to the New Icária and is also completely equipped with all services such as cautious life-guards, areas for games and bars, and drinks and ice cream.

As you can see, Barcelona beaches offer a variety of sand and sun that can be enjoyed by everyone.

If you would like to take maximum advantage of Barcelona's beaches, we have an ample selection of Barcelona apartments located only a few minutes in walking distance from the beaches.

Without a doubt, Sitges is one of most preferred places in Barcelona for tourism. It is said that the secret is it's microclimate. The mountains of Garraf and the wind currents from the sea maintain clear skys about 300 days of the year. The beautiful nights, beaches, quietness, good communications with Barcelona, and of course the people added to the equation make this one of the best places to visit.

It is true that when the door is open to Sitges, you are able to enter into a different style of life that is Mediterranean based and is attractive for young or old people alike. In Sitges, you are able to view many examples that signify a different style of life. This can be seen through the artists, walks with the dog in the morning, and tea in the afternoon out on the terrace.

However, some of the most attractive places in the town are the beaches. Sitges hosts 17 different beaches that have great sand. Four beaches are to the east that host the majority of the boutiques. These four beaches follow the coast of Garraf. Eleven of the urban beaches and two beaches to the west are much more difficult to find.

Sitges is also the host of the Festival Internacional de Cinema de Catalunya, the first fantasy film festival in the world. This festival has a great impact on the region of Catalonia. With a solid track record, the Sitges Festival is an exciting blend of meetings, exhibitions, presentations and projections of fantasy cinema from around the world.

As said by Rusiñol Santiago, a painter, writer and artist-bearer of Catalan modernism;  Sitges attracts, seduces and hooks anyone that visits.

View our Sitges apartments so you can fully enjoy the beaches, entertainment, weather, and its people.