The city of Barcelona consists of at least 11 different districts, all with their own characteristics and specific points of interest. However, because we understand that a lot of times it isn´t even easy to know what district your own apartment will be in, nor what the main tourist attractions close to your door will be, we are more then happy to offer you the following concise districts-of-Barcelona-summary, including some historical background information on every district, and some hints and tips concerning each barrio:  

  

1. Ciutat Vella

The Ciutat Vella district (Old town) is the historical centre of Barcelona and is divided in 4 quarters: Barrio Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), Raval, Borne and Barceloneta.

A) Barrio Gótico:

The Gothic Quarter is the historical centre and the oldest part of the ciy of Barcelona and until nowadays it is the centre of the political and institutional representation. Some of the most interesting places of this neighbourhood of Barcelona are the Cathedral, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi and the squares (the Plaza del Rei, the plaza Real,the plaza del Pi y La Plaza Sant Jaume with the City hall of Barcelona and the Government of Catalunya). The Gothic Quarter is going down from Plaça Catalunya to the famous Ramblas, the famous 2 km boulevard ending at the harbour of Barcelona. The Gothic Quertar can be distinguished by its narrow streets and squares full of stores, street-cafés, terraces, bars and restaurants.

 B) Raval:

Walking down the Ramblas from Plaça Catalunya, the Raval is the quarter on the right side. The Raval (alternatively known as the Chinese Quarter) has been the Bohemian quarter of the city, because it was the quarter of the artists, intellectuals, transvestites and prostitutes, and until today it maintains a Bohemian air. Nowadays it is the most multicultural and exotic quarter of Barcelona, with stores offering food from all over the world, modern bars, restaurants and cultural centres. The Raval also houses the MACBA museum (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the CCCB (The Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona. Also located in the Raval is the Liceu Opera House, which has been reconstructed after the fire in 1994 and has preserved a great part of its magnificent interior. Since its reopening, the Liceu has diversified its programme to include several concerts and recitals.

C) Borne:

In the Borne, which is a part of the La Ribera quarter, you will find one of the most impressive buildings of the Catalan gothic architecture in Barcelona, the church of Santa Maria del Mar. Behind the church starts the Montcada street, with lots of old palaces, museums (like for instance the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Textile, etc.). The Palau de la Música, an extravagant mixture of sculpture, mosaic, glass and tile, is also located in the Borne area. Especially during the last year, the Borne Quarter has transformed into a modern and fashionable place, full of live during day and night with its stylish designer shops, its art galleries, its trendy bars and modern restaurants.

D) Barceloneta:

Barceloneta is the traditional sailors and fishermen quarter, and the smallest of the 4 quarters of Ciutat Vella. In the narrow streets of Barceloneta it is nowadays still possible to find the typical restaurants and bars from earlier times, where some excellent fish and seafood is being served. With the Olympic Games in 1992, Barcelona opened to the sea and completely renovated its beaches, creating even new zones, such as the Vila Olímpica and Diagonal Mar.

2. Gràcia

The Gracia district has always been a district of small industries and craftsmen, and even today it still has a village character. Like the City Centre of Barcelona, the Gràcia district can be recognised by its narrow streets and small squares, where you can drink your coffee in the morning, have lunch at noon, supper at night and later on a drink in one of the bars around them. There are a lot of restaurants which offer all type of food, from Catalan kitchen to the most exotic dishes. Also on the entertainment side, visitors will find their way, since the Gràcia district disposes of several theatres, cinemas (e.g. Verdi Cinema with films in their original version), etc. The famous street festival Fiesta de Gràcia, celebrated between the second and the third week of the month of August, is one of the most well-known festivities in Barcelona, and goes on until late at night with live music, performances and dancing in almost every street.

3. Eixample (Ensanche)

It can be said that the district of the Eixample (or “El Ensanche”, like this district is called in Spanish)  is the centre of Barcelona, because of its geographic location and for being the most important business, economical and shopping district of Barcelona. The Passeig de Gràcia, which starts at Plaça Catalunya, is the most elegant avenue of Barcelona, where almost every great designer has its own store, such as Gucci, Armani, Hugo Boss, etc. Furthermore, the street houses some of Antoni Gaudí´s masterpieces, like La Pedrera (also known as Casa Milà) and Casa Battló. The Eixample, sometimes also referred to as the Gold Square (Cuadrado de Oro) contains the greatest amount of modernist buildings of the city of Barcelona. The Eixample district is divided in two, the Eixample Dreta (right side – containing Gaudí´s renowned Sagrada Família and la Pedrera) and Eixample Esquerra (left side – connecting the Eixample area with the Sants-district), taking the Passeig de Gracia as the border line between the two zones.

4. Sants-Fira

The area of Sants itself doesn’t have that many attractions but the ease with which you can travel to areas of interest is a plus point. You could walk to gorgeous Plaça Espanya and Montjuic where there are attractions such as Poble Espanyol, the Magic Fountain and the Fira Barcelona events halls. In the other direction you may want to stroll to Camp Nou, Barcelona FC ground, or do a spot of shopping in the L´Illa complex on Diagonal. As for social life, there are many lovely restaurants in the area, as well as a several decent bars. Sants – like the Gràcia district – even  has its own little festival in August. All in all, Sants is a quiet, mostly residential area, out of town but easily accessible, making it a good choice for the more elderly, families or those who enjoy a good walk.

5. Montjuïc

This zone includes the commercial port, cruise ships, etc.. It is a very electric zone and includes parts of the old historic center of Barcelona, the Palau Nacional (Museums) and the start of Montjuic Hill. The Montjuïc area houses the Castell de Montjuïc, whose original structure was built in 1640 during the War of the Segadors and was expanded between 1751 and 1779 to form the present building, which has become a symbol of centralist repression and of the abolition of Catalan liberties. Furthermore, the hill houses the Olympic Site of the Olympic Games of 1992, the Spanish Village (or “Poble Espanyol” in Catalan, a reconstruction of about 100 of the monuments and buildings that are most renowned in Spain), and the MNAC (Museu Nacional d´Art de Catalunya – the National Art Museum of Catalunya). The Montjuïc also disposes of some lovely picnic spots and an outdoor bar up on Montjuic near the mirador which is where you can see out onto the sea.

6. Sant Gervasi – Sarrià – Pedralbes

The Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is an affluent residential area with numerous parks and green zones, combined with prestigious educational and health centres. It is Barcelona’s main point of access to Collserola Park, the most important green area of the city. Today, Sarrià combines corners that are still reminiscent of tits former rural village status, especially around calle Major de Sarrià, with the city’s modern areas and the wide arteries. Specific point of interest is the Pedralbes Monastery, a magnificent church and monastery ensemble built in 1327, that has a splendid, three-storey cloister.

7. Villa Olímpica

Prior to the Olympic Games of 1992, the Vila Olímpica neighbourhood was an area of seafronts and docks, but is now truly one of the most modern and architecturally ambitious sections of Barcelona. Facing the sea is a long line of fine restaurants, bars, cafés and stores. A little further inland, and you find some of the nicest residential property in the city, many complexes with a wealth of facilities to avail of. One of the city’s most vibrant parks, Parc Ciutadella, is alongside, and within it’s boundaries you will find the Barcelona Zoo.

8. Diagonal Mar