LA BARCELONETA AND PORT OLIMPIC

Following the siege and conquest of Barcelona by Felipe V in 1714, a large area of the Ribera district was destroyed to make way for a new citad'el. The displaced residents lived for years in makeshift shelters on the beach, until in 1755 a new district was developed on a triangular wedge of reclaimed land between the harbour and the sea, named La Barceloneta (Little Barcelona).

In the 19th century, La Barceloneta became home to seamen and Dockers and it is still a working district. Retaining its shantytown atmosphere, fishy smells and a quayside lined with the boats. Today visitors come here to eat in the fine seafood eateries, in particular those along the main thoroughfare, Passeig Joan de Borbo, and the restaurants of the converted Palau de Mar warehouse. By contrast Port Olympic, with its stylish promenades and glittering marina, has given new impetus to Barcelona's nautical activities.

Its chic restaurants, cafes and bars have become a lively nightspot popular with both locals and tourists alike. Spain's two tallest buildings preside over the port - the office filled Torre Mapfre and the five star hotel Arts Barcelona, Barcelona's top hotel. Nearby, a striking bronze fish sculpture by Frank Gehry (architect of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao) heralds the start of the Passeig Maritim, which links the port with La Barceloneta and then extends 8km (5 miles) to Sant Adria del Besos.