Beach bliss in Barcelona

Admire Gaudi architecture one minute and fifteen minutes later, you could be on the beach soaking up the Spanish sun. That's the beauty of Barcelona. Some overlook the fact that it's a genuine coastal city with over 4km of beach and a committed clean-up operation means they're worth more than just a peek.

The X factor
What makes Barcelona's beaches so special in the summer are the beach bars, known as chirringuitos, that set up each summer. Loungers, cocktails, cool music and even cooler bar staff make you feel like you're on an island holiday - complete with dancing in the sand at midnight. Many serve food so you can enjoy a relatively cheap beach-view lunch or dinner as the sun sets. Divine. So where do you go?

Which beach?
Almost all of the city's beaches have Blue Flags, which are European awards for eco-quality. The beach which offers the easiest access from the city is Barceloneta (metro: Barceloneta), located between Port Vell and Port Olímpic. It's only a 20-minute walk from the end of Las Ramblas, the city's popular main thoroughfare. The walk also takes in the Monument a Colom, a memorial of the explorer Christopher Columbus, and further on, you can soak up the atmosphere of the scenic Port de Barcelona. The neighbourhood of Barceloneta or "Little Barcelona", can be charming but the main beachfront has, sadly, bred a string of American-style eateries serving everything from Tex-Mex grills to pizzas although there are also more traditional Catalan restaurants.

For slightly smaller crowds, head to Nova Icaria (metro: Ciutadella Villa Olimpica). It's still busy but its location by the Olympic marina is a good one if you like plenty of food options - there are beach bars, promenade eateries and other choices off the Port Olímpic. In the late afternoon, the volleyball nets come into action with friendly matches taking place.

The next beach is up is Bogatell Beach (metro: Poblenou) with a promenade that's popular with joggers and roller bladers. There are chirringuitos aplenty and the beach is less crowded and more pleasant than Nova Icaria. The nearby neighbourhood of Poblenou, ten minutes' walk from Bogatell beach, is also worth a wander. It's a lovely, mainly pedestrianised area with bars, cafes, ice cream parlours and a genuine community feel.

Next to Bogatell is Barcelona's nudist beach, Mar Bella - however, nakedness is optional so you can keep your hat on if you prefer. Also close by is a lovely shady park providing the perfect retreat from the beating sun. One of the last beaches on the "city strip" is Nova Mar Bella located in the newly developed area of Diagonal Mar (metro: Selva Del Mar), a more relaxed place with fewer tourists, more locals and some excellent chirringuitos.

Practical info
The beaches are meticulously signposted, making it easy to know which beach you're on and what facilities are on offer. They all offer disabled access, lifeguards (in season), sunbeds and showers. If you're a watersports fan, you'll find plenty of options from wind surfing to renting a pedalo. As a rule, the city's southern beaches offer shallower waters, ideal for families, while the northern stretches are generally prettier with deeper waters, so better for watersports fans.

So for a city break that offers genuine beach options just a short walk or metro ride away, head to the playas of Barcelona. You could be sipping mojitos and dancing in the sand before you know it.