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Barceloneta Beach with Frank Gehry's Peix d'Or (Whale Sculpture) on the beach of Barceloneta in Barcelona, Spain.

@cenkertekin/iStock

Port Olímpic

Barcelona


A busy marina built for the Olympic sailing events, the Port Olímpic is surrounded by bars and restaurants. An eye-catcher on the approach from Barceloneta is Frank Gehry’s giant copper Peix (Fish) sculpture. The area behind, dominated by twin-tower blocks (the luxury Hotel Arts Barcelona and the Torre Mapfre office block), is the former Vila Olímpica living quarters for the Olympic competitors, which was later sold off as apartments.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Barcelona attractions

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1. Peix

0.16 MILES

With copper-hued stainless-steel scales sparkling at sunset, this 35m-tall, 56m-long fish sculpture at the foot of the swish Hotel Arts Barcelona looks…

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2. Platja de la Nova Icària

0.25 MILES

The southernmost and busiest of El Poblenou's beaches, this broad golden trip gets lively in warmer months, when a couple of xiringuitos grace the sand,…

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4. Parlament de Catalunya

0.53 MILES

On the eastern side of the Parc de la Ciutadella, in the fort's former arsenal, lies the regional Parlament de Catalunya, open for independent visiting…

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5. Fàbrica del Sol

0.54 MILES

A relic from the industrial era, this striking Modernista building with its red brick and yellow details today houses an environmental education centre,…

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6. Edifici de Gas Natural

0.55 MILES

The work of Enric Miralles, completed in 2005, this shimmering glass waterfront office tower is only 86m (20 storeys) high, but remains extraordinary for…

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7. Platja del Bogatell

0.58 MILES

Fronting El Poblenou, these buzzy golden-white sands host volleyball courts and a few seasonal xiringuitos (beach bars) with sunbeds and umbrellas. There…

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8. Platja de la Barceloneta

0.6 MILES

Just east of its namesake neighbourhood, Barceloneta's main beach is a golden-brown strip of sand where, during warm months, pool-party promoters, mojito…