U.S. News Insider Tip: While Barceloneta is a must-see with its lively bars and restaurants, it can get crowded, so if you're looking for a quieter alternative, wander 20 minutes up the coast to Playa ...

Classic images of Barcelona tend to involve Mediterranean-view seafood restaurants, soft gold-sand beaches and people strolling along the palm-lined seafront promenade. So it is often a surprise to ...