Diagonal Mar, sitting on the shore just north of the city centre, is a great district for those searching for quiet beach access near the centre of Barcelona. Apartments here tend to be large and new, and most offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean.

The Diagonal Mar district, along with the rest of Barcelona's northern shorefront, has gotten a major facelift over the past few years. Though once a nearly forgotten corner of the city, now it's one of the most modern areas of Barcelona. Fabulous beach access, spacious parks, a shopping mall, sleek new apartments, and the Barcelona Forum make this a desirable place to be.

The Barcelona Forum was built in 2004 for that year's Forum of Cultures Festival. The festival is over, but the spacious site remains and is one of Diagonal Mar's focal points. It encompasses a spacious park and plaza, a new port, an ultra-modern conference centre, and best of all, a new beach. The beach is a man-made affair, though beautiful none-the-less. Saltwater swimming pools, an island 60m beyond the shore, and clean golden sand make this a good spot for a summer swim or sun-soaking session.