In Gràcia, the busy, big city seems far away. It is a village-like neighbourhood, which is also popular with artists and alternates.
Gràcia is the ideal district if you want to discover Barcelona from a quiet but fun neighbourhood full of locals. Gràcia was annexed to Barcelona in the nineteenth century. This neighbourhood still has a village atmosphere. You will hardly encounter hordes of tourists, mainly because, apart from Casa Vicens, major sights are missing. At the edge of Gràcia is the famous Park Güell; visitors to this often skip the rest of the district. A shame, because you will find plenty of small independent boutiques, cosy squares and nice eateries. In August, Gràcia is the centre of the city for a week during Barcelona's best neighbourhood festival.
