We’d be surprised if you were ever short of things to do in Barcelona.

There are loads of cultural attractions, delicious tapas and sangria, and the nightlife is capable of putting most European cities to shame. The beaches are just a nice, sandy bonus.

The calm Mediterranean sea might not deliver the surfable waves of the Spanish north-west coast, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had – windsurfing, kayaking, beach volleyball…

Plus, the azure waters of the Costa Brava is just an hour away, if you fancy going scuba diving.