A stroll through Barceloneta, one of the most picturesque districts on the Costa Brava

Originally built to house fishermen because of its proximity to the sea, Barceloneta is now a must-visit gem on the Costa Brava if you're passing through Barcelona. It's no surprise, then, that there are many seaside restaurants here, all with a reputation for excellent food. They specialise in seafood and offer excellent Spanish specialities. La Barceloneta, for example, offers all kinds of seafood and fish dishes with a view over the harbour - a real treat!

As you wend your way through the colourful little streets, you start to catch glimpses of the sea behind the buildings and, once you reach the far end of the district, you come face to face with the city's port, Port Vell, with its dozens of small sailing ships towering above the waves. Understandably, this is a rather touristy place to visit, and a very pleasant one at that.

To find out more about the region, what better place than the Museum of the History of Catalonia, which has been tracing the history of Catalan culture since its creation in 1996. The museum is open to the general public and shows how the region was formed and developed from prehistoric times right up to the present day. And with its imposing façade typical of the region, it's impossible to miss it if you're wandering around the area.

There's nothing like a stroll in a park in the shade of the trees after a cultural outing, and the Parc de la Barceloneta is just the place. Formerly an industrial area, it was restored and inaugurated in 1996 and is now a very pleasant natural space in which to relax and enjoy yourself, just a stone's throw from the sea! And if you don't have enough greenery in this charming park, just cross the Ronda Litoral to reach the Parc de la Ciutadella, one of Barcelona's largest, with a magnificent fountain, several zoos, gardens and even the Parliament of Catalonia.

Another place worth visiting in Barcelona: the beaches. The most beautiful are in Barceloneta, including the famous beach with the eponymous name. Another natural wonder is Sant Sebastia beach, from where you can admire the sea as far as the eye can see. But if you're more interested in seeing fish and other marine life up close, we recommend a visit to the Barcelona Aquarium, which boasts 450 different species in around 30 aquariums and is located just off the port of Barceloneta.

Finally, if you want to leave the district after a day strolling through the narrow streets and beaches of this picturesque neighbourhood, there's a most original way: the Port cable car. It takes you directly to Montjuïc hill, and the journey takes around ten minutes over a distance of 1.3 kilometres. It reaches a height of 70 metres, giving you a breathtaking view of the rest of the city and the port!