Barceloneta & Waterfront
Once a fishing district, Barceloneta and the waterfront are now one of the most visited areas of the city.
The regeneration of the area for the 1992 Olympic Games brought this area into the 20th century with a bang. The result is a trendy, modern waterfront full of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs.
Platja (beach) Barceloneta is full of palm trees and seafood restaurants and behind the beach are the 18th century streets which Felipe V built after conquering Barcelona. Part of Ribera was made into a military fortress which has since become a lovely park.
PORT OLIMPIC
As well as the lovely copper fish sculpture by Frank Gehry (Pez y Esfera - fish and sphere), the Mapfre tower and Hotel Arts are two of the famous landmarks.
The setting is perfect for having fun! Beachside restaurants overlook a pretty marina and at night the area is full of trendy nightspots.
Not far away is the Museu d'Història de Catalunya (Catalan History Museum) which is housed in the Palau de Mar (palace of the sea). It used to be an old warehouse and is now a very modern building full of the history of this lovely Catalan city.
The museum is surrounded by mouth-watering restaurants stretching along the Passeig Joan de Borbo. It's an idyllic place to come to enjoy delicious Catalan cuisine with spectacular views of the harbor.
PORT VELL
The old harbor of Barcelona was transformed during the regeneration program for the 1992 Olympic Games and Port Vell is now a very modern and trendy complex full of yachts and sailing boats.
Take a trip on one of the Golondrinas along the Moll de la Fusta and you'll get a great view of the old port.
Just opposite the harbor end of La Rambla is a stunning wooden footbridge called Rambla de Mar which leads to the Maremagnum complex on the Moll de Espanya.
As well as one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, there's also an IMAX cinema and lots of restaurants, cafes and bars.
Nearby is the stunning World Trade Center which as well as being a commercial center, includes a lovely 5 star hotel. This is also where you take the teleferic to Montjuic.
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