Districts of Barcelona Information

Ciutat Vella which means "Old City" in Catalan is comprised of several districts, El Raval, El Gòtic, La Ribera which includes El Born and La Barceloneta the old fishermen neighborhood.

Ciutat Vella exhibits a tightly-knit myriad of intertwining avenues, alleyways and narrow streets which distinguish it from the large boulevards and open city-streets found in much in most of the city.

One of the most notable occupants of Ciutat Vella is of course the famous Les Rambles, a boulevard that runs from Plaça Catalunya down to the Mediterranean sea dividing El Raval and El Gòtic. The Rambles is one of the most frequently travelled pedestrianised streets in Barcelona for both, tourists and locals. Its name is the plural of a Rambla, a Street, so the Rambles are several streets and that's why it has different names.

On the top closed to the Catalunya square its name is "Rambla de Canaletes", after the fountain with the same name which you will see there and is the favourite place for FC Barcelona fans to celebrate their victories.

Continuing down, the next section is called "Rambla dels Estudis", referring to the Catalan Library wich old building is at the Hospital street right at the corner.

About half way along, have a look at the Joan Miro's pavement mosaic and at that point you will be in front of the "Boqueria", one of the oldest markets in the city. This section of the Rambles is called "Rambla de Sant Josep", after the oficial name of this market.

The next section is the "Rambla dels Caputxins", there you can find some very popular cafes and the Opera House of Barcelona, "El Liceu".

At the end of the Rambles, the section is called "Rambla de Santa Mònica", in front of the old port you will se a monument to Christopher Columbus pointing out to the Americas. A lift will bring you to the top.

This area of Barcelona has played home to some of the ‘darker’ sides of city life over the years. Early in the 20th Century, El Raval was notorious for its prostitution, seedy theatres and drug problems.

Unfortunately some of these ‘unshakable' elements remain, yet in recent years, this district has been made the focus of a huge effort to improve itself image-wise, which can be seen on impressive cultural buildings such as the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona - MACBA (Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona) or the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona - CCCB (Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona).

Certainly ‘different’ to other areas of the city and that's for sure its appeal, El Raval is a hot-bed of multicultural influences and immigrant communities that live toghether with its history. It is undeniably attractive on the eye and provides a really genuine example of ‘Old Barcelona’.

There are many different shops, bars and restaurants and for those with an eye for individuality, some of the music and fashion outlets sell some truly vintage products.

Most notable in this area is La Boqueria a food market which is an unforgettable journey through some of the finest ingredients. And if you love markets, at the oposite side of El Raval you will find the Sant Antoni market.

This is most definitely one of the most beautiful districts in Barcelona and blends a mix of the city’s medieval and Roman ancestry with a gentle sway of modernisation.

Perfect for a nice stroll at any time of the day or night, the Gothic Quarter provides a wealth of eye-pleasing architecture as well as traditional Catalan Restaurants, Bars and Shops. Do be careful after a couple of Cava’s however because the streets here can become a bit of a labyrinth at the best of times!

The Gothic Quarter is rich in picturesque squares and tight walkways and there can be seen some of the most ancien ruins such as part of the Roman wall or the square Plaça Reial, found just off Les Rambles, which latterns are designed by Gaudi.

The Cathedral of Barcelona which square is a meeting point for locals who on some special days or just on a normal Sunday, go dancing the "Sardana", the traditional Catalan dance. Other important churches in that district are Santa Maria del Mar and Basílica de la Mercè both very beautiful and significatives for the city.

The central point of this district is the Plaça Sant Jaume wich houses La Generalitat (the Catalan government hall) and l'Ajuntament (the Barcelona city hall).

The Plaça del Rei, the King square, is a fantastic gothic complex of buildings that includes the "Saló del Tinell", the "Palatine Chapel" and the "Palau del Lloctinent". Colombus was received there after his first trip to America.

Art lovers in this section of the city can also find several Art Galleries as well as the Picassso Museum. The historic restaurant Els Quatre Gats (the Four Cats), which was a popular hang-out for artists, including Pablo Picasso, Ramon Casas or Santiago Rusiñol, is also in this area.

Is now one of the liveliest districts in Barcelona both by night and day. During the evening it is a fantastic area to enjoy a beer at one of its many cobblestoned, terrace cafes and later perhaps a Margarita in a livelier bar!

With a typically old-world feel, the streets and walkways are narrow and tall which allow for an authentic atmosphere just a short walk from the busier areas of Les Rambles. The main linkage in El Born is the street ‘El Passeig del Born’ which comprises of more wine and tapas bars with a few exclusive boutique style shops.

This particularly artisan area of Barcelona often has street musicians playing a variety of music to accompany your visit and is certainly worth a good few hours of your time in the city.

This originally was the fishermen area of the city and benefited hugely from the ‘Olympic Games’ fulled redevelopment of Barcelona’s waterfront areas and offers an expanse of large, open recreational areas for you to get out and enjoy the sun. The neighbourhood was constructed during the 18th century ex-residents of the Ribera neighbourhood who had been displaced by the construction of the Ciutadella of Barcelona. This area is serviced by its own stop on the Barcelona Metro (L4). 

There are also an abundance of places to do a little shopping or grab some refreshment with the cafes, bars, shops and restaurants nearby, just a stones-throw from the Mediterranean. La Barceloneta also hosts the ‘Port Vell’ (old harbour) area which adds to this particular district’s vast retail and hospitality options whilst also providing an IMAX cinema and great views of the bustling marina. Bordering Port Vell is the famous street ‘Passeig Joan de Borbó’ which remains one of the best places in the city to grab some extremely fresh seafood! and where still today many locals enjoy for lunch a Paella on Sunday.

This area is home to many attractions and contains a great deal of Barcelona’s illustrious history. Most notably here is the large hillside of Montjuïc, on which sits the ‘Palau Nacional’ (National Palace). Originally built in 1929 for the World's Fair and adopting numerous functions over the years, this stunning building now contains the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) which features important romanesque works dating back to the 12th Century of chapels and churches from around Catalonia. 

Built simultaneously with the National Palace was the ‘Magic Fountain’, which is a large water-fountain that dances to a crescendo of coloured lights and music. Another impressive attraction here is ‘Poble Espanyol’ which is a great place to purchase some locally crafted souvenirs and artwork. This little, pedestrianized village provides ‘purpose-built’ examples of an array of Spanish architecture, displaying historic replicas of important buildings found elsewhere in Spain. 

At the foot of Montjuic’s hillside is ‘Plaça d'Espanya’ which is Barcelona’s biggest public square and contains the ‘Venetian Towers’ synonymous with Barcelona imagery and ‘Las Arenas de Barcelona’, a former bullring which is now a commercial centre. The Beatles held a concert there in 1965 with over 10,000 people in attendance!

This area of Barcelona is perhaps the best example of a ‘New Barcelona’ following the 1992 Olympic rejuvenation. City officials and designers took on the task of building one of the latest and most ambitious architectural projects in modern times. This modernisation is found most prominently in Sant Marti at La Vila Olímpica del Poblenou, which is an area containing two beaches that are Bogatell and Icaria, as well as the Barcelona Casino which is distinguished by an impressive metal sculpture of a golden fish.

Best known as a beach and entertainment area, La Vila Olímpica acts as a popular meeting place for young people and families alike and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from as well as clubs which ensure the area comes alive when the sun goes down! La Vila Olímpica del Poblenou also contains shopping areas and a huge multi-screen cinema which shows new releases in English. Just look out for ‘V.O’ (Version Original) written after the movie title on the boards. Nearby is ‘Parc de la Ciutadella’ and its attraction of Barcelona Zoo which is popular for the kids and thanks to the park’s areas of natural beauty, it is a fantastic place to relax or even catch a live concert in the summer months!

Situated centrally in Barcelona is L’Eixample. Famous for the cosmopolitan and upmarket street Passeig de Gràcia, L’Eixample provides a showcase of all that is ‘upmarket’ in Barcelona. Whether it is found in one of the Michelin starred restaurants, chic bars, designer boutiques, top-class hotels or expensive apartment blocks, this area of Barcelona is home to the best of the best.

This district is residential in nature but also blends seamlessly with its office blocks and commercial facilities. Facilities in L'Eixample range from good to grand with some of the most luxurious provisions available here. What is most impressive about L’Eixample is the way it encapsulates artistic design and functionality. The two notions have always complimented one and other here and the area is among the best in Barcelona for displaying Art Nouveau,  called here Modernisme designs in abundance. Perhaps this is why Antoni Gaudi decided to construct three of his most famous works here with the Casa Batlló and La Pedrera on Passeig de Gracia as well as the breath-taking Sagrada Familia Cathedral, located in the eastern quarters.

Artistic and very bohemian, Gràcia is unlike any other district in Barcelona. Boasting an atmosphere and personality which is entirely individual by nature, Gràcia is beloved by its inhabitants and visitors alike. Comprised of tight-knit streets and bustling roads with public squares in between. Gràcia is a great place to visit by day and in the evening. A curiosity is that is plenty of squares (plaça). The Plaça del Diamant, de la Virreina, del Nord, de la Revolució, Rovira i Trias and Plaça del Sol, are just some examples of what can provide a special venue to enjoy a drink with friends among the locals.

Gracia is a very traditional Catalan district and it celebrates its heritage with an annual festival which gives locals and guests to celebrate all things Gracia. Local cuisine, design and retail are placed on stalls as the area comes alive with an atmosphere of togetherness. Indeed many young visitors to this area, who later decide to move to Barcelona on a more permanent basis, often seek out Gràcia as the first port of call when house-hunting. Spend a few hours exploring its community of people, bars, cafes and shops and you will see why.

It is advisable to start the tour de Gràcia coming to Fontana metro station and take the road east Asturias, in this way, like Torrent de l'olla, is known for its shops and lead to the most outstanding places. District full of culture and tradition, with its inhabitants and visitors have decided to stay permanently, has managed to live with the movement and modernity without losing its customs Barcelona. Gràcia is a neighbourhood where foreign hairstyles, stores, bars and international restaurants share in harmony.

Is home to Barcelona’s proudest export… F.C Barcelona. The   team’s stadium ‘Camp Nou’ is located in the upper area of this district and provides a great destination for an afternoon’s entertainment with its tours, interactive museum and club-shop. 

The Les Corts district is a short 15 minute ride on the Metro from the centre of Barcelona. Although not as ‘picturesque’ as other areas in Barcelona, the facilities in Les Corts are plentiful due it being home to many of Barcelona’s financial and business centres. One of Barcelona’s main trunk roads ‘Diagonal’ cuts through Les Corts and this street in particular provides many commercial properties including the large shopping mall L’illa.

This area of Barcelona encompasses three main districts which are Sarrià, Sant Gervasi and Bonanova. Lesser known for their attractiveness to tourism, these areas are better known for their residential qualities. Real-Estate prices in Zona Alta range from the affordable in Sant Gervasi to the more lucrative investments found in Sarrià, which is one of the most desirable places to live in Barcelona.  

Situated in the North-West of the city, these neighbourhoods started out as rural zones which were adopted by the Catalan ‘upper-middle’ class. In turn, the region transformed into a wealthy urban area, sporting grand, elegant homes, private schools and religious centres. You are certainly going to find some more traditional elements of Catalan life in these areas, with Sant Gervasi in particular playing home to some of the older generations of Barcelona’s inhabitants, who will have grown up and raised families here. Still today some old people who live in this area say "we go to Barcelona" meaning go to the city center.

Modern day there could be considered a ‘posh’ area in contrast to the highly populated downtown areas. Much of the area contains beautiful houses, open plazas, traditional shops and some peaceful, narrow streets. In ‘lower’ Sarrià, as you get nearer to the trunk-road of ‘Diagonal’ is rather-more modern and provides many commercial properties including a huge ‘El Corte Ingles’ amongst hotels and shopping areas.

These areas are well connected by the Barcelona FGC Train Network.

This district is located in the suburbs on the outskirts of Barcelona. It previously stood as an aristocratic neighbourhood, yet in recent decades it has been relatively modernised following its usage in the 1992 Olympics. One of the four major sporting venues was built here and hosted all of the cycling, tennis and archery events. Presently, Horta-Guinardo is a typically residential area and provides a peaceful and tranquil home to people in an otherwise bustling city.