Glimmering Granite

Glimmering Granite: Catalonia

Once an industrial area, Poblenou has gone (and continues to go) through a transformation, bringing art and leisure into the neighbourhood. If you're here for the beach, then this home is close to perfect – Playa Bogatell is a ten-minute walk away. There are stairs in this home and no ramp, so it's not the best option for those with limited mobility or heavy luggage, but the layout of the home itself is handled extremely well. The upstairs even has a balcony overlooking the living room, which is one of the many cosy spots to enjoy a coffee and conversation.

Home truths:
* Eight guests can sleep in this home, but the last two will be sleeping on a sofa bed on the first floor
* The doors to this home open directly to the street – it can be a bit overwhelming
* There aren't enough seats in the living area for the maximum capacity of this home
* Although the kitchen is well-equipped with appliances, it doesn't have the basic cooking ingredients
* We spotted a dent in the fridge door when we visited