Barceloneta beach is the closest beach to Barcelona city centre. From the Columbus monument at the end of the Ramblas it is about a 15-minute walk, or you can take the metro to Barceloneta station. The beach runs for over a kilometre along the old fishing quarter, backed by a promenade lined with restaurants and chiringuitos.
The neighbourhood itself is full of seafood restaurants serving fresh catches of the day. On Carrer de l'Almirall Aixada and the surrounding streets you will find no-frills places popular with locals — La Bombeta is famous for its bombas picantes, fried potato balls stuffed with meat and doused in spicy sauce.
The beach gets busy during peak season from June to September. If the crowds are too much, walk northeast along the waterfront to Platja de la Nova Icaria, which tends to be quieter. Early mornings are pleasant year-round, when locals swim and the chiringuitos are just setting up.