Barri Gòtic – The Gothic Quarter

This route takes you within a few miles of the hip El Born district in the old fishing district of Barceloneta. An ideal combination for shopaholics and beach lovers who have a prfound appreciation for good food. In El Born, you can even get a good dose of art and culture.

 

At the beginning of the route you will come across the impressive modernist concert hall Palau de la Música, the Picasso Museum and the Santa María del Mar church. This part of El Born district is swarming with authentic shops, concept stores and galleries. You will also find high-end tapas restaurants like Can Cisa and cocktail bars like Collage. For children, the zoo is fun and of course the Museu de la Xocolata is a delicious adventure. In the evening, the terraces start filling up and the area around the Passeig del Born turns into a lounging hot spot for Barcelona's fashionistas.

 

You can relax in the Parc de la Ciutadella, in the hammam Aire de Barcelona (highly recommended on a rainy day) and take a dip in the ocean. You walk along the old harbor, where the Museu d'Historia de Catalunya is located, and once you arrive in La Barceloneta you will come across plenty of fish and paella restaurants. In recent years the W Hotel has become the hot spot for trendy club goers. Both the ground floor of this striking sail-shaped building as well as the Eclipse bar on the 26th floor are open until late in the night.

This route takes you to the historic Barcelona and one of the most touristic areas of the city. The famous Ramblas borders one side of this district. You wander through a maze of medieval streets and passing by ancient Gothic buildings. You'll pass the Roman excavations, the old Jewish district of El Call, the cathedral of the city and the beautiful Plaça Sant Jaume and Plaça Reial.



Along the way you will discover charming restaurants and authentic spots to shop, have lunch or a coffee break. Near the cathedral, you can also do plenty of shopping at the Portal del Ángel at the well-known Spanish brands such as Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti. You will also find more independent boutiques. Two lesser-known museums in the city are the Museu Frederic Marès and the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum Cáñamo, both very much worth a visit.



In the evening, this route is also a must. The medieval streets and the beautiful squares are romanticly lit and you pass by the necessary bodegas for a nice glass of wine. Nightlife is quite happening in this area as you will find a large number of hot spots. If you deviate from the route past Plaça Reial, the narrow streets can seem quite dingy. This neighborhood doesn’t come to life until very late at night and many places stay open until the hours of the early morning.