Gothic Quarter (Barri Gótic)
The medieval Barri Gótic is a maze of curved medieval streets dotted with attractions. It runs the length of Las Ramblas, from Plaça Catalunya to the sea, and bordered by Via Laietana.
Visit Barcelona Cathedral, Roman ruins in The Museu d’Història de Barcelona and stroll the leafy Las Ramblas.
El Gótic is full of charming Plaças, cafes, bars and restaurants. Plaça Reial and Plaça Sant Jaume are must-visits, and Plaça de Sant Felip Neri something a little off-piste.
Eating: Els 4Gats, El Gran Café (Menú del día), Babia (tapas)
Metro: Jaume 1 (Yellow, L4); Liceu (Green, L3)
Gothic Quarter
The medieval Barri Gótic is a maze of curved medieval streets dotted with attractions. It runs the length of Las Ramblas, from Plaça Catalunya to the sea, and bordered by Via Laietana. Get ready to walk!
Highlights
- Barcelona Cathedral
- Roman ruins in The Museu d’Història de Barcelona
- Stroll the leafy Las Ramblas
- People watch in Plaça Reial
- The historic town hall in Plaça Sant Jaume
- Artists markets in Plaça del Pi
- Evening stroll in the beautiful Plaça del Rei
Eating: Els 4Gats, El Gran Café (Menú del día), Babia (tapas)
Metro: Jaume 1 (Yellow, L4); Liceu (Green, L3)
Ciutat Vella (Old City)
Ciutat Vella (Old City) covers four of Barcelona’s most attractive neighbourhoods – Raval, el Barri Gótic, El Born and Barceloneta. Enjoy lashings of culture, food, beach and more.
Stroll down Las Ramblas from Plaça Catalunya down to the seafront at Barceloneta, where a city beach full of bars, restaurants and nightlife awaits.
Other highlights include the Picasso Museum, the lively Boqueria market and relaxing in Cuitadella Park.
Eating: Refugi del Port (paella), Merci Vins (Menú del día)
Metro: Plaça Catalunya , Urquinaoana (Red, L1);
Plaça Catalunya, Jaume 1, Barceloneta, Cuitadella Vila Olimpica (Yellow, L4); Drassanes, Liceu, Plaça Catalunya (Green, L3)
Eixample Dreta
Architecture defines Dreta de l’Eixample, a barrio of show-stopping modernista buildings.
Antoni Gaudí’s work dominates; the incomplete Sagrada Família as well as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
Passeig de Gràcia is home to a plethora of boutique shops, its wide avenues replete with upmarket cafes and restaurants. The Arc de Triomf caps this stunning area.
Eating: 9Reinas (steak), La Terraza del Claris (views, food)
Metro: Plaça Catalunya, Urquinaoana (Red, L1);
Plaça Catalunya, Urquiaona, Passeig de Gràcia, Girona, Verdaguer (Yellow, L4); Plaça Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal (Green, L3)
Universitat, Passeig de Gràcia, Tetuan, Monumental, Sagrada Família (Lilac, L2)
L'Esquerra de l'Eixample
L’Esquerra de l’Eixample stretches from Passeig de Gràcia to Sants train station.
Plaça Espanya boasts grand architecture including the Arenas de Barcelona shopping mall, housed in a former bullring. Just behind, picnic in the lovely Parc de Joan Miró. The recently refurbished, Sant Antoni market is a draw.
Also known as Gaixample, there are lots of great, gay-friendly bars, especially near the beautiful, Universitat de Barcelona.
Eating: Es Tastet (Menú del día), Topik
Metro: Universitat, Urgell, Rocafort, Plaça Espanya (Red, L1);
Plaça Espanya, Tarragona, Sants Estació (Green, L3)
Sant Antoni, Universitat (Lilac, L2)
Verdaguer, Diagonal, Hosptial Clinic, Entença, Sants Estació (Dark blue, L5)
PobleNou
El Poblenou is a laid-back Barcelona in miniature, just 15 minutes by metro from the centre. This former industrial area has a blossoming cultural and gastronomic reputation, quieter beaches and perfect for relaxing.
Amble along the Rambla Poblenou with a sweet horchata drink, and stop off at any number of local cafes or restaurants. You eventually arrive at Bogatell, Mar Bella or Nova Mar Bella beaches where folk play football, volleyball and swim.
Nearby is the Barcelona Design Museum and the cemetery is worth a visit.
Eating: Tras-Paso(vermut, gin and tonic), La Pubilla del Taulat (tapas)
Metro: Poblenou (Yellow, L4)
Barceloneta
Barceloneta is where Barcelona’s medieval old town spills out onto a thriving beachfront. People flock to sunbathe, swim and surf then sup at a multitude of wonderful bars, cafes and restaurants.
Barceloneta maintains its authentic neighbourhood feel, as its narrow streets lead to the palm-lined promenade Passeig Marítim.
Take the cable car up to Montjuïc hill, eat and drink al fresco at a beachside chiringuito (bar) or look for seafood on Passeig Joan de Borbó.
Eating: Vaso de Oro (tapas, drinks), NAP (pizza), Santa Marta (tapas)
Metro: Barceloneta (Yellow, L4)
Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Família neighbourhood is rightly on everyone’s bucket list. Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece takes centre stage, seen from inside or from the adjacent Plaça de Gaudí.
The Avinguda Gaudí is a delightful pedestrianised boulevard that leads to the beautiful modernist building, Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau.
Fancy haggling? The famous Encants flea market, with its spectacular mirrored roof, is a treasure trove of clothes, antiques and knick-knacks.
Enjoy concerts and exhibitions at Antigua Fàbrica Estrella Damm.
Eating: La Capula (Menú), Bar Chill (burgers, terrace, views)
Metro: Sant Pau | Dos de Maig (Dark blue, L5);
Sagrada Família, Encants (Lilac, L2)
Gracia
A bohemian crowd flocks to Gràcia’s boulevards and pretty squares, home to a myriad of small galleries, independent shops and bistros.
Visit Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia and its clock tower, the charming Plaça Rius i Taulet or just wander the narrow streets.
Gràcia’s boundaries include Antoni Gaudí’s magical Parc Güell. Buses drop you closest – take the 24 from Plaça Catalunya to El Carmel.
Eating: Casa Pagès (Menú), La Pubilla (Menú), Can Gracia
Metro: Joanic (Yellow, L4);
Fontana, Lesseps, Vallcarca, Penitents (Green L3)
Gràcia train station: ES, S1, S2, S5, S5S, S6, L6, L7, S7, S7T
El Raval
Multi-cultural El Raval is the beating heart of Barcelona. Lying to the west of Las Ramblas, every historic street is infused with a modern buzz.
There is something for everyone in this densely populated, cheerfully chaotic neighbourhood.
Highlights
- La Boqueria, Barcelona’s famous main market
- Rambla del Raval, for al fresco wining and dining
- Hip design shops
- Avant-garde exhibitions at CCCB and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
- Sant Pau del Camp monastery and cloisters from the 12th century
- Maritime Museum
- Liceu Opera House
- Fernando Botero’s famous bronze cat sculpture
Eating: La Informal (burgers), Boadas (cocktails) Arume
Metro: Drassanes, Liceu (Green, L3)
Sant Gervasi
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is where Barcelona meets the mountains, offering beautiful walks, views and tranquil plazas.
Tibidabo is a theme park that looks proudly over its city and visitors can walk in the surrounding pine forests of the Collserola natural park. Interested minds will love the modernist CosmoCaixa museum. Stroll the quiet streets of Sarria – see if you can find its cemetery.
Eating: El Mató de Pedralbes, Quinto Pino
Transport: FGC trains, Plaça Catalunya, L6 or L7
Tibidabo: L7 (brown) to Tibidabo. Change to the historic Tramvia Blau to Plaça Dr Andreu. Change to Tibidabo funicular, or use tourist buses.