SI YA! Trendy Spanish neighbourhood where you can avoid the tourist crowds – with one of the city’s best beaches

THERE'S a trendy neighbourhood in a popular Spanish city where holidaymakers can avoid the tourist crowds.

From stunning architecture and culture to amazing nightlife and great food, all with great weather and beaches, Barcelona makes for the perfect break.

5

The Poblenou area is home to colourful buildingsCredit: Alamy

5

Poblenou is a trendy neighbourhood in BarcelonaCredit: Alamy

5

Playa de Bogatell is one of the beaches in the areaCredit: Alamy

More than 12 million people were thought to have visited Barcelona last year, which means finding crowd-free areas can be a little ticky.

One place that's said to be largely free from the tourist crowds is Poblenou - the coolest neighbourhood in the city, according to Time Out.

The trendy area sits right at the heart of the Barcelona design movement, with it attracting just about everyone.

Poblenou lies to the east of the city centre, with part of it backing onto Playa de Bogatell, one of the best beaches in the city.Playa de Bogatell is said to have a "lively yet relaxed" atmosphere by beach-goers on TripAdvisor.

One person wrote: "Well worth the extra 20 minutes on the bus to get to this beach, it's much nicer than Barceloneta, quieter (though still busy) and much cleaner."

Another person added: "This beautiful stretch of sand offers clear waters and plenty of space to unwind or enjoy beach activities.

"The promenade is lined with charming cafes and restaurants, providing the perfect backdrop for a delightful meal or drink.Someone else said: "I read that this is one of the best beaches in Barcelona, and it didn't disappoint. It has a relaxed atmosphere, clean, and excellent service from the nearby Bo Kaap restaurant."

Because Playa de Bogatell is a little harder to reach, it generally tends to be a little quieter - although it can still get quite crowdedAway from the beach, the once a traditional Catalan neighbourhood, Poblenou is home to colourful burst of Modernist architecture, with its very own version of the famous La Rambla.

Meanwhile, areas in the northern part of the neighbourhood are very different, filled with big warehouses and technology hubs.

This part of Poblenou is occupied by design schools, galleries and craft beer breweries.

If you're planning a trip to Barcelona and want to be welcomed by locals, travel writer Lauren Libin revealed the places holidaymakers should visit in Barcelona:

• Mercat de la Boqueria – one of the most famous food markets in the world is situated right in the heart of Barcelona where tourists are welcomed with open arms.
• Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc – an incredible pool created for the 1992 Olympics. The pool is open to the public for two months of the year. It costs less than a tenner to enter year and has the best views of the city.
• El Born – although in the heart of the city, this district is a must visit to any tourist, teaming with incredible bars and restaurants, ice cream shops and wonderful independent shops that sell everything from Spanish ceramics to trainers.
• Ciutadella Park - a beautiful open space featuring green areas, playparks and a rooftop swimming pool.
• Time Out Market, Port Vell - a brand-new indoor food hall with 14 amazing food stalls

Most Spanish locals flee Barcelona in August because it's too hot and too busy.

If you want to make like a local, then here are the other places I've recommend visiting in Spain:

• Sitges - a wonderful seaside town one hour from Barcelona where history, culture and nightlife exist in perfect harmony' and people from all walks of life visit for the
• Tamariu - a beautiful small town in the heart of Costa Brava where the majority of tourists are French and welcomed with open arms.
• Cadaques, the home of Dali is a large town close to France on the Costa Brava with a breath-taking coastline, wonderful beaches and some of the best seafood in Spain.
• Salou, near Tarragona, is a great holiday destination with a large number of hotels, great beaches and a brilliant water park.
• San Sebastian – the foodie capital of Spain is still a must visit for any holidaymaker with an appetite. Pincho bars line the cobbled streets and it has two large beaches and an aquarium.

The tourist mistakes that are costing you money

Travel writer Lee Bell recently revealed how holidaymakers heading to Barcelona can make their trip a whole lot cheaper from transport tips to dinners out.

First off, Lee recommended swapping the airport taxi for a local bus, which will save solo travellers around €20.

He added: "Dodge the pricey cocktails before a night out and instead head down to Can Paixano - or what the locals call “La Xampanyeria” (champagne bar) where you’ll find a “copa de cava” for just €1 a pop.

"Ask for a 'clara' - essentially a Spanish shandy made with Fanta Limón - at practically any bar. It’s not only cheaper but it’s a tasty, more refreshing option for when the temperatures soar."

Read more of Lee's money-saving tips, here.

Meanwhile, another British expat who lives Cadiz in Andalusia has revealed the three big mistakes tourists make while they're on holiday.

5

The area is a mixture of traditional buildings and modern architectureCredit: Alamy

5

Playa de Bogatell is quieter compared to some of Barcelona's other beachesCredit: Getty