The 5 best hotels by the Sea in Barcelona

Let’s start off with a budget option. Black Swan Hostel, right next to Arc de Triomf, is a clean, bright hostel, for those who want to spend a lot of time at the nearby beach and prefer to save their money for the nightlife. Black Swan also organises activities (like pub crawls) so it’s a good place to meet new people.

Hotel Arts is a 44-storey building by the beach that seems to be wearing a metal harness, consisting of horizontal, vertical and crisscrossing bars. The inside looks just as futuristic. Arts boasts several bars and restaurants, at least two of which (Arola and Enoteca) are outstanding.

W was built to dazzle. The entrance hall is huge – it sucks your gaze upwards, whether you want to or not. The lounge area, the views..., everything here is XXL. As a pleasant contrast, the rooms go for impeccable minimalism.

A bit further away from the centre, in case you want to avoid the biggest flocks of tourists. Hilton Diagonal Mar is popular among businessmen because the Forum is close-by, but everyone should be able to enjoy the stylish rooms, the Purobeach rooftop pool and sunbathing terrace and the view of famous and less famous landmarks.

You may also decide to stay in nearby Sitges and discover Barcelona from there: a little less crowded, about two degrees warmer. In that case Hotel Subur comes highly recommended. Close to the beach and at night postcard-like San Bartolomé Church is within sight.