Renting an apartment in Barcelona's seaside districts, namely La Barceloneta or the Olympic Village, is a popular choice for those who want easy beach access near the city centre. An easy 10- to 15-minute stroll separates your apartment and Barcelona's city centre, meaning that you can have the best of both worlds whether you plan to spend the days soaking up the sun on the beach or simply enjoying the Mediterranean views.

La Barceloneta, a small triangle of land that juts into the sea, has traditionally been the domain of fishermen and their colourful xiringuitos (beach shack restaurants). In the early 1990s La Barceloneta was totally reformed in preparation for the Olympics, and while the city was sad to see some of the old xiringuitos go, it welcomed the arrival of one of the best urban beaches in Spain. Renting an apartment in Barcelona's former fishing quarter puts you near some of the best seafood restaurants in the city.

Just north of La Barceloneta is the Port Ol?mpic, a grand port built, as the name suggests, for the 1992 Olympic Games. Restaurants, bars and clubs line the Port Ol?mpic itself, though the rest of the neighbourhood is filled with sunny parks and modern apartments. In summer, the port is the place for seafood and nightlife, as throngs of locals and tourists turn the port into one big party. Year-round, this is a popular place for those who want to combine an apartment in Barcelona with an apartment on the shore.

On summer weekends, the beaches of Barcelona fill with locals. If you'd rather enjoy the beach in quiet, come early in the morning or on a weekday, when the crowds subdue. Just as much fun as beach-bumming is strolling, rollerblading or biking along the beach-side promenades. There are several shops offering rentals nearby.