Beach Nova Icària

Nova Icària is one of Barcelona's most quietly appealing beaches, stretching 400 metres along the coast close to the Marina and drawing a relaxed mix of gay and straight sunbathers who are happy to leave the crowds to Barceloneta.

The atmosphere here is unhurried and the space feels genuinely your own, making it one of the better spots in the city to actually switch off.

A solid lineup of restaurants and cafes lines the promenade behind the beach for when hunger eventually wins.