You may already know that Barcelona is a singular city. It is bordered and limited by mountains and the seafront thus may no longer expand. It is a rare geographic combination. It is close to France and Andorra. It is in boating distance from the Baleares. It benefits from a better climate that the French Catalonia, protected from the Northern wind by the Pyrenees. The Altantic rains rarely reach the city from across the width of Spain. It is a site of culture, history, beach leisure, moutain hikes and skiing.

At the meeting point of all these characteristics, Barcelona is also built in its own way. It has not gron in a concentric fashion like most European metropolis. Rather, it is a mosaic of barrios (= districts, areas) which all have retained their identity and historical imprints.

Because the barrio in which you will move will condition the life around you and the value of your property, we strongly advise to consult us in your search to understand, as we had too, what is a better fit for your expectations. We will be glad to provide you with an objective review of each barrio, its advantage and drawbacks, for a home, an investment or a rental.

We should be able to make available soon a guide of the Barrios of Barcelona, including their history, particularities and maps.

Map of the beaches in Barcelona

There are 4.5km of beaches in Barcelona including a large majority within walking distance from the city centre or the hotels of St Marti (see metro accesses in photo gallery)

The beaches are roughly divided in 4 main sections :

1- St Sebastia + St Miquel : in front of the Club Natacio Athletic (opened in 1913, click on name for information on activities) and at the foot of the symbolic W hotel and restaurant promenade (see section 1 in photo gallery).

2- Barceloneta : the most direct to access, directly across the barrio, it is frequented by mostly by tourists and youths (see section 2).

3- Somorrostro + Nova Icaria : these two beaches stand on each side of the Marina built for the Olympics. It is very recognizable from the twin towers at the foot of each the marina is encircled by restaurants, the Casino and hotels. It is also the best promenade by the water (see section 3).

4- Bogatell + Mar Bella + Nova Bella + Llevant : there are fewer tourists of these beaches which run along the areas of Lacuna, Poble Nou to the Forum of Besos. However, many locals, including foreigners, choose to come here. It is also where tourists who stay in the hotels or on business at the Centro de Convencions Internacionals go in only few minutes (see section 4).

If you seek information to better understand and evaluate the current situation, the trends and values of the real estate market in Spain, click on our links in the menu on the Right. 

If you require a more particularly insight into the Barcelona area, click on the image or the link to our "BCN market" page

You can also download our "Peace of Mind" brochure which provides new buyers or property investors an executive summary of key data on Barcelona and the benefits of investing now in its metropolitan area. 

Below you will find links and maps to obtain information and updates on the main modes of transportation to, from and in Barcelona :

• Airport
• Metro
• Tramway
• City bicyles (Bicing)
• Regional trains (Rodalies de Catalunya)
• City express trains (Ferrocarril de la Generalitat)

The low cost Vueling opens 9 new routes from and to Barcelona, in addition to the other 59 direct lines with the Catalan capital

Beside the area de la Porta del Angel, west of the Plaza Catalunya, and the more renown and more luxurious avenue de Passeig de Gracia, shops are dispersed in each area according to the local population.

More common brands, larger stores and supermarkets are generally concentrated in newer shopping centres placed at the periphery of Barcelona, often towards the end of the Metro lines. We have compiled below a list of the most popular and recent ones :

• Maquinista : Northern St Andreu area (towards the autopista to France)
• Diagonal Mar : Northern Besos area (area of hotels close to the beach)
• Mare Magnum : the new island of shops and cinemas in the port (between the end of the Ramblas and of Via Laeitana)
• El Centre de la Vila : a couple of minutes from the Port Olympica and its two towers, literally across from the seafront, it is one of the sites with a cinema in original version.
• Les Glories : one of the most central, it serves the areas of St Marti and Eixample Dreta (it sits at the feet of the Torre Agbar, colorful twin of the one in London)
• L´Illa : Southern part of Barcelona, serves the area of Les Corts (close to the Camp Nou)
• GranVia2 : Although it can be reached by Metro, this centre is at the Southern Periphery of town towards the airport. If you seek the sole Ikea in Barcelona, it is located 10 min walking away going South
• Heron city is between les Glories and Maquinista in the North part of town. It serves the areas of St Andreu, Clot and Horta Guinardo

Do you know how to reclaim the VAT on your local purchases ? Only spend above 90.16 Euros and follow this link or the illustration to find the nearest office.

http://professional.barcelonaturisme.com/Professionals/shopping-line/shopping-line-tax-free/Tax-Free/_2swCqLRbUEJi8C2lKan_ja0ZKUyS6IkPvaeb1TxTeNg