The sprawling city of Barcelona is home to dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own unique appeal and characteristics. For visitors with limited time to explore the capital of Catalonia, here are the top five in which to spend time for a well-rounded peek into Barcelona’s multiple personalities.
El Gòtic
The first three neighborhoods on this list comprise Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella (or Old Town). Smack dab in the middle is the Gothic Quarter (El Gòtic), made up of tiny cobblestone alleyways that link large, architecturally inviting squares, like Plaça Reial, Plaça Sant Jaume and Plaça de la Seu in front of the Barcelona Cathedral.
El Born
Due north of the Gothic Quarter is El Born, another maze of a neighborhood with slightly fewer tourists. Boutique shops and cozy cocktail bars can be found around every corner, but the central spots are the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and the Santa Caterina market.
El Raval
The south side of Las Ramblas is home to El Raval, the alternative ‘hood where skateboarders whiz through alleys and plazas, including in front of the city’s contemporary art museum, MACBA.
Eixample
Catalan for “expansion,” this large neighborhood spans about 2.8 miles in the center of the city and is separated by the luxury shop-lined Passeig de Gràcia. Eixample Esquerra (the left section) is considered the unofficial gay district while Eixample Dreta (the right section) is home to outlet shops and borders the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral.
Gràcia
As the northwesternmost neighborhood on this list, Gràcia is located out of the fray of Ciutat Vella, which gives it more local appeal. Vintage shops, up-and-coming eateries and casual cervecerias (beer bars) dot the area that hosts an impressive handmade street decoration festival each August.
Read This Next
Marriage Retreats in Belize, Costa Rica & More
Trends
Sep 20, 2022#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedRestaurant
May 2, 2024A New Rooftop Bar and Venue Comes to South London
Opening May 4, Pergola Brixton marks South London’s latest rooftop opening for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. Surrounded by tropical greenery and bright, colorful murals, Pergola Brixton transports guests to an island paradise, complete with a retractable roof terrace.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Hotel
May 2, 2024Hotel Indigo Williamsburg Partners with Immersive Tour Company
Hotel Indigo Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, recently debuted its new partnership with Brooklyn-based tour company Like A Local Tours. Through the partnership, the hotel offers guests immersive experiences that support the local community.
Destinations / North America
May 1, 2024What to Expect at This Year’s Catskill Cuisine Fest
The second annual Catskill Cuisine festival is set to kick off soon, May 10–12. After the inaugural event’s success, this year’s festival is bigger than ever, with the one-day main event once again held at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival). Events, including a charity golf tournament and Mother’s Day brunch, will also occur throughout the weekend.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Destinations / North America
May 1, 2024Go Bikepacking on North Dakota’s Maah Daah Hey Trail System
Escape Adventures now offers a five-day camping and mountain biking tour of the Maah Daah Hey Trail System in North Dakota. Showcasing some of America’s most unique terrain, the trail offers majestic plateaus, jagged peaks and valleys, rolling prairies, and intertwining rivers.
ShareThis