El Raval is a favourite with artists, bohemians and hipsters.
If you want to mingle with artists, El Raval is the place to be. For decades, this neighbourhood had a reputation for being dangerous, but that changed in the 1990s. Dilapidated blocks of flats were renovated, and more and more students, artists and bohemians discovered the neighbourhood. Today, El Raval offers a wealth of art and culture, from Gaudí to street art. The square in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), is a meeting place for skaters. In the surrounding streets, you’ll find popular restaurants and lovely shops. In the old courtyard of the Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu, you can get a taste of the neighbourhood’s rich history.
