Barcelona - sightseeing

Las Ramblas

Also known as La Rambla, is the most famous and animated part of the city. It is a large pedestrian street, full of buskers, street artists, small stalls selling all sorts of stuff, and... tourists! It is divided in five sections, the Rambla Canaletes, the Rambla dels Estudis (also called La Rambla dels Ocells, Avenue of the Birds, due to its traditional bird market), the Rambla de Sant Josep (a.k.a. Rambla de les Flores since of old it was the only place where flowers were sold), the Rambla dels Caputxins and the Rambla de Santa Monica. The Ramblas cross Plaça Catalunya, which is the very centre of the city, since a lot of roads depart from there and a number of buses as well. This is the area with the trendier and more expensive shops. In the Ramblas you will also find a famous mosaic made and signed by Joan Miró.

Barrio Gótico

A labyrinth of Medieval streets and old buildings, it is one of the most fascinating districts of the city, and the oldest with El Born. The most interesting places are the beautiful Gothic Cathedral “catedral de la Santa Creu” and the Plaça Sant Jaume, which used to be the place with most administrative buildings of the city (and, partly, still is), the Plaça del Rei with the royal palace and the Chapel of Santa Agatha.

El Born (La Ribera)

It almost looks like a little village, with a lot of artisan shops, and people living their lives right in the streets, as is typical of Mediterranean small towns. The Picasso Museum is in this district. Check out the Santa Maria del Mar curch, built on the seaside in the XIV century. Its stained glass windows are very beautiful.

Eixample

A district built in the 19th Century, demolishing older medieval quarters, its name means “extension”. It is mostly residential and commercial, and is most notable for the marvellous Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Passeig de Gràcia, which is the most elegant avenue of the city, full of expensive shops and modernist buildings. There are also several houses designed by Gaudì.

Montjuïc

A hill right in the middle of the city. Ideal for walks and strolls, since it is full of plants and flowers and you have a great view of the whole of the city. It is the home of the Joan Mirò foundation, and there’s a beautiful building designed by the great architect Mies Van der Rohe. There’s also a tall telecommunications tower designed by the famous contemporary architect and engineer Calatrava, which can be spotted from anywhere in the city. The Montjuïc castle was built in 1640, and has been used as a prison ever since. It now hosts a military museum.

Gracia

It is the northern district of the city, and the most anarchic as well; it was the home of many political movements (Anarchism and Catalanism, Workers’ movements), it is very lively and full of artists and bohemians. There are several terraces where you can have a drink with a nice view of the city, and there are several nice public gardens.

El Raval (Old Barrio Chino)

It used to be a fairly seedy district, full of aspiring artists, prostitution and preferred by intellectuals of all kind. It is now very modern, and the most interesting thing you can find is the Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona (MACBA).

Seaside ( Barceloneta, Port Olympic)

With the Olympic Games of 1992, this area has been completely transformed. The old industrial grounds gave way to a lively port, ideal for water sports. It is full of discos and bars, and there are several beaches, although it must be said that the best beaches in Catalonia are not in Barcelona.