Vamos a la playa: Barcelona's best beaches for year-round fun

You can't talk about beaches without mentioning the famous Barceloneta platja, Barcelona's most famous. Stretching for almost 4 km, it offers plenty of entertainment just a stone's throw from the city centre. Throughout the day, you'll find terraces and beach restaurants where you can enjoy seafood and fish if you feel like it.

There are also plenty of straw huts and deckchairs, so you can relax in the sun. As well as its breathtaking beauty and all it has to offer, Barceloneta also has historical significance. In fact, it is said to have inspired Cervantes and was the setting for the battle between Don Quixote and the Knight of the White Moon.

La Mar Bella is the beach for young people par excellence, with something for everyone, from party-goers to sports enthusiasts. And the reason it's so popular with this segment of the population is that it offers a range of facilities and activities, including volleyball courts, tennis courts and even a skate park.

There's also an open-air sports complex with a fitness area, so you can do a few push-ups between two sunbathing sessions to keep your summer body intact. And for our party friends, the beach is alive with music from the many chiringuitos (beach bars) where sangria flows all year round, not to mention that during the summer, raves are organised here every weekend.

Close to the Olympic port, Nova Icària is a quiet, family-friendly beach. Frequented by locals and a few travellers passing through. The beach offers a wide range of activities to keep children (and adults) happy.

Table tennis, pedalos and sailing school keep the kids busy while the parents relax in peace and quiet. Close to the town and all its amenities, it's the perfect compromise between a relaxing holiday and a family holiday.