Seaside Barceloneta has an easygoing charm that’s hard to resist. The most striking features are the broad promenades, lined by a yacht filled marina on one side, and stylish apartments on the other. Just one street away is a different Barceloneta: a tight grid of 18th and 19th century workers’ cottages that was once the city’s fishing district. Sheer density means that most social activity goes on in the street and in bars, making this a lively barrio with a strong sense of community, best displayed during the local festa major (last week of September). The neighbourhood’s position, a couple of minutes’ walk away from the Ciutat Vella, and its unpretentious quaintness add to its appeal.